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Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXIX, Issue 7402, 4 February 1908, Page 3

Captain Edwin telegraphs as follows : Northerly moderate to strong winds; glass fall slowly. Thirty young able-bodied men were sent by the Labour Department this morning from Dunedin to the Catlins railway works. :. _.

In the - past residents of Lowcliffe have had poor postal facilities. The school lias served the purpose of a post office, but met the requirements of the settlers so indifferently that they decided to erect, by local public subscription, a new office. A sum of £40 was contributed in this way, and about a week ago the new building was opened. There is, of course, a post mistress in charge, and so that settlers may at any time receive their letters by calling, 17 letter boxes have been fitted up. For this convenience a fee of 5s has been paid by each of those enjoying it. The people are very pleased with their new otfice, and deserve to be commended for the way in which they have, by their own efforts, done what the Government could not or would not do.

Dick Arnst deposited £25 in Sydney for a match against Webb in the event of the last-mentioned winning his match against Tressider, at Wanganui. Arnst is now making arrangements for a match with Tressider' in case he wins, and is going to Wanganui with the object of putting up the necessary deposit of £100. He will remain at Wanganui until the match between Webb and Tressider has been decided, and will in, the meantime keep in training. Arnst has been approached by several rowing enthusiasts in the Clarence river district, New South Wales, and asked to race for them, as they are of opinion that he is the coming champion of the world. It is reported that they have offered him £3 per week and other inducements to take up his residence in the district. Arnst, whose rowing weight is 14st 101b, at present weighs 15st 61b, and has never felt so fit in his life before.

Good cereal returns, says the Marlborough Herald, are being obtained even on the higher lands of Marlborough this season. Mr R. F. Goulter reports a barley yield of 40 bushels per acre in the Omaka district. Fifty bushels have been" recorded at Starborough. Farm land on the outskirts of Blenheim has returned over 70 bushels of barley. It is remarked that only- its extraordinary productiveness enables occupiers of farm land within the borough to bear the rates, which are based on an unimproved value of £40 and £60 an acre.

For remainder of reading matter, see pages ] and <*•