Evans Flat, Tuapeka, New Zealand 🌍

Tuapeka (#nz1547)

Always on the lookout for the next oportunity, Doull continued to consider buying other mill sites: Otago Witness, Issue 837, 13 December 1867

Mr Doull applied for a mill site on Evans Flat, Tuapeka. The matter was referred to the Provincial Solicitor, the lease to be granted, if possible; subject to existing rights.

It seems he did get either this, or at any rate a nearby site, and started preparatory work, but that did not lead to a mill being constructed: Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 5, 14 March 1868

OUR RAMBLING REPORTER IN SEARCH OF MARES' NESTS.
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Loitering along the flat I leave Evans' Flat Hotel on my right, and in a few seconds reach Mr. Hopkins' store, nearly opposite to which the track at present in use to Smith's Bush runs away over the hill. Turning round the flat by the end of the Thistle Store, I notice a paddock of oats, the property of Mr. Hopkins, which, for weight, and length of straw, surpasses anything I have seen this season. At the corner of this, paddock there has lately been erected a neat little Wesleyan chapel, for the accommodation of all who are pleased to worship there from week to week. Opposite this chapel a party of Chinamen have succeeded in turning the creek, which brings down the muddy water from Munroe's Gully; and they can be seen busy at work in a paddock ten feet deep. An overshot water-wheel and a Californian pump, both of John's own making, are lending their valuable assistance to enable him to earn a living. Here the flat contracts gradually towards Manro's Gully. On the other side, near the bottom of the hill, can be seen the unfinished lead, or water-race, which Mr. Doull was making, preparatory to building a flour mill; but for some reason, only known to himself, he has either changed his mind, or met with some obstacle in the way of carrying on the work. I have heard that he wished to combine a farm with his mill; and as he could not get sufficient land for that purpose (although he might have got sufficient for the mill), he has given up the idea of carrying on the work. This, I think, is a pity; for agriculture, and especially that department of it — the growth of cereals — in the Tuapeka district is bound to become a more leading interest than it has hitherto been; and a flour mill, independent of a farm connected with it, might, in a short time, prove a good speculation. Perhaps Mr. Doull is waiting till the 5000 acres are lopped off some of the neighboring runs; if so, I fear he will require to wait a considerable time.

A pseudonymous reply gave the reason - lack of water rights: Tuapeka Times, Volume I, Issue 6, 21 March 1868

(To the Editor of the Tuapeka Times). Sir, — In your last issue I observe your Rambling Reporter has been round in this district. ... He also wants to know the reason why Mr. Doull did not go on with his mill; I will give him it. He could not get a right title to the water, so he gave it up, but he was promised as much land for a farm as he required, free of charge.
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I am, yours, &c, A Poor Cockatoo. Evans' Flat, March 18, 1868.