COAL CREEK FLAT, ROXBURGH.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XI, Issue 754, 9 March 1878, Page 3

COAL CREEK FLAT, ROXBURGH.

OUB FRUIT SUPPLY. We have been very busy during the past two months with our fruit and corn harvests, which have been very good considering the dry season we have .had. Most of our fruit (thanks to the Lawrence railway) has been sent to Dunedin this year, where it has gained a good name. THE HAKVBST. Nearly all the corn in the district is cut and stacked. Mr W. Waugh's maohine has been busily employed all the past week threshing oats on Moa Flat. The straw is short, but the yield of grain is very good. THB COUNTY VALUATIONS. The valuators for the Tuapeka County have taxed everyone that I am acquainted with— from a sod hut to a stone cottage. There is a good deal of grumbling and apparent want of system in the valuations. If a man chooses to build a decent house to live in, he is taxed much higher than the lazy man who possesses 100 acres of freehold. At present the tax is on improvements, which is a premium for laziness. Tiiis is most unfair. We ought to have a land tax, and let the land be taxed according to its quality. The man who owns good land which he will not improve should pay as much per acre as the man who improves his land of tho same quality. \ MINING ITEMS. Mining on Coal Creek Flat is almost at a stand still, there Ibeing very little water in the races. Setters and Johns have driven their tunnel 250 feet, and struck the gravel which contains good rough gold. I hope they may get paid for their outlay, and that this may prove a new era in mining here, thereby causing others to prospect for gold in the flats, where the lead is a long way from the river. THE MAIN ROAD. I have been informed a sum of money has been voted by the Government to place the main road in good repair. Not a shilling has been spent in our riding on the main road with the exception of a surfaceman, who has to look after twenty miles. I hear it is the intention of the County co commence operations forthwith In a few months the winter weather will make road making very expensive. The County has done a good deal of work on the main road between the Island Block and the Beaumont, but our riding is altogether neglected so far as the main road is concerned. A good road to Roxburgh would save every family a good many pounds in cartage alone every year, which ' would help to pay the County rates.