RURAL DELIVERIES.

EXTENSIONS IN CANTERBURY. A large and representative meeting was held on Saturday evening in the Highbunk schoolroom to consider the proposed establishment of a rural mad delivery service. There -were over 70 people present, inetu'iing representatives from Earrhii!. Marawid, Blackford, Mt. nutt, ard Mcthvcn. Mr Jas. Carr presided. Mr J. K. Broadfoot '•Chief Tosfmastrr, Christchureh;., Mr Ward Mr K. Mulvev (Postmaster, Ashburtonl, and Mr O'Connor (Postmaster. Rakaia) wore also present. The chairman briefly outlined the business, which -was to decide if .1 rural mail service could be established between Eakaia and Mt. Hutt. Mr Broadfoot had been good enough to come from Christchureh to put before the meeting the position from the Poslal Department's point of view, and Lo v/ould ask him to address the meeting. Mr Broadfoot spoke on The same lines as at previous meetings. lie pointed out that the townspeople were well entered for, although they were a long way from satisfied, and the Department was out to do something for the countrv people. He said the people of the co'untrv districts were apparently casily satisfie'd, and he instanced the present antiquated mail service by horse and gig from Eakaia, arriving at Ilighbank at about 2 p.m. Ho pointed out that if a rural delivery wcru established tho mail and morning papers could leave Christchureh by the goods train ■at 3 a.m., and there would bo no difficulty in getting tho mail awny from Eakaia at, say, 6.30 a.m. The proposed route was from Rakaia along tho River road through Barrhill and on past the Mt. Hutt homestead to tho old dairy factory. The return journey would be via the Mt. Hutt road along the Back Track, branching at Cairnbrae to Lynd-1-ursr, road, thence on to tho Back Track and via tho returned soldier settlement at Rokeby to Eakaia. The total distance was &2 miles, aud the journey could be completed in four hours.

A resolution was moved by Mr Jno. Campbell, Ilighbank, and seconded by Mr A. T. Liilcy, Lyndhurst: "That a rural mail scrvico bo established, and that the route be as outlined." There were many questions asked as to cost to tho settlors, best route, and also as to how it would affect the present post offices at Barrhill and Highbank.

Mr Broadfoot said that if the major- ; ity of the settlers took advantage of | tho scrvico there would be no need for the post oflice at cither Earrbiil or Highbank, and they would be closed. The scheme would not affect the telephono bureaus, and they would still be kept open. Afr T. Grant, storekeeper, Highbank, moved a3 an amendment: "That the portion of tho Highbank settlement adjacent .to tho township bo cut out of tho scheme." Ho said ho was Postmaster at Highbank, and he would liko residents to understand tho position. It would mean that if the post offico wero closed there would bo insufficient business to warrant tho store being kept open. Ho was a returned soldier, and had dona his best for hi 3 county and ho had invested his savings in tho business, and ho thought he should bo considered in the matter. He said that over 60 people got their mail daily at the office, and there never had been a complaint. The amendment was seoonded by Mr H. Lcdgervrood and, after a very animated discussion, lost by a. substantial majority. Tho motion was then put and declared carried. It was decided thai a committee bo sot up to interview residents along tho proposed route, and to obtain signatures asking for the service. If a sufficient number of residents applied the cost would bo £1 each per annum. The Chief Postmaster would send tho usual form to bo filled in. It was decided to commence tho canvass immediately, as unless the matter was fixed up at once ib would have to bo held ovor for a considerable timo. The contract would bo for a poriod of four years, and tenders would be called almost at once.

The following were appointed a committee to obtain signatures!: Messrs L. Richards (Aft. Hutt), O'ConnoU (Marawiti), J. C Irwin (Rokcby), A. Holmes (Rakaia), A. T. Lilley (Lyndhurst), and Campion (Ban-hill).

A meeting is to be held at Springston on Friday evening to discuss tho establishment of a rural delivery to cover tho Weedons, Springston, and Ellesmerc districts. It is understood that a petition hss been numerously signed in tho districts to bo served. The present Ashburton-Longbeaeh service is to bo made into a rural delivery with approximately 12 sets of boxes on tho road. The change 1s being made in response to the -wishes of the settlers.