STARBOROUGH NOTES.

Marlborough Express, Volume XXXVI, Issue 145, 24 June 1902, Page 3

STARBOROUGH NOTES.

(from our own correspondent.)

After some weeks of dry weather and hard frosts we are having a delightful spell of balmy spring weather, warm and showery. On our warm sweet Starborough soil even a few days make a wonderful difference to the verdure. Over the brown tussocky downs, as well as the grassed fiats, is to be seen that green velvety appearance which only comes to less favored districts in spring. If the Awatere leaves much to be desired in summer it makes it up in the winter. Good wintering means good wool clips. So far the winter has been most favorable for the roads, which are in very good repair, about the settlement. Further south between Fiaxbourne and Kekerangu, where there is much fiaxeutting at present, I understand they are terribly cut cp in some cases, the wheels going clean through the metalling. Flaxcarting in the winter months where metalled roads are scarce is a curse. But as long as the present high prices for flax are maintained one must expect every available ton to be gathered in.

Everyone is anxiously awaifciDg news as to the result of the negotiations between the Land Purchase Board and the owners of Flaxbourne. All who have the welfare of the district at heart will wish that they are carried to a successful issue. All hope of the Assets Eealisafcion Board's estates being cut up at present seems to be gone. This is a pity, as the more settlers there are here the more chance there will be of the railway being made to pay, and there is no doubt these estates are eminently suitable for settlement.

Grumblings, not loud, but deep, are beard as the, months pass away and nothing more is heard of the watersupply for Seddon. I understand that the scheme prepared by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, estimated to cost £250, was rejected by Government as too expensive. It is hard to understand what sort of a water-supply could be expected for a lesser sum. Now that subsidies are being granted to Coronation memorials in all directions surely our member might think of the township that bears the name of his chief. The residents in the township are paying a yearly rent of something like £3 10s an aore, while the price paid for the freehold was a little over £3. There is an unearned increment here, but in this case it does not go into the pockets of the settlers. By the figures given in the yearly report of the Lands and Survey Department the Colony is making a profit of something like £2000 a year out of the Starborough Settlement alone, and yet a paltry £250 cannot be found for an absolutely necessary water - supply. The ways of Governments remind one forcibly of the old Biblical prophecy : " Unto him that hath shall be given," etc.

Kiddies generally are looking forward anxiously to Coronation Day. They are to take part in the procession in Blenheim, and march behind a brand new banner. Then they will be feasted on the fat bullock. What a glorious time they will have—and what a treat in store next day for their mothers removing the grease. The small birds in the Awatere are being liberally fed this winter, two sacks of poisoned wheat having been brought from Blenheim for their benefit. The results are highly creditable to the local chemist who prepared it. One settler who sowed five pounds of it picked up next day four hundred and seventy-five birds. Everyone who has sown it is pleased with the results.

The long-looked-for timber for the station bnildings has arrived at last, and no doubt Messrs May & McKinley will lose no time in getting them up. These buildings will make a considerable addition to the township, which has not as yet too many presentable buildings.