LAKE COUNTY.

August 6.— Arbor day was the event of the week, and furnishes food for a good deal of comment—all of it favourable and pleasing— but as thcevent has been universal all over the colony it must sufhee to mention just the features of the occurrence that were most prominent here. In the first place it should be rcaicmbered that the suggestion of an arbor day for this colony originated with the Queenstown School Committee, a member of which, Mr L. Hotop, was the first mover, so far as New Zealand is concerned. It was initiated at Queenstown on a small scale two years ago, aud proving a success, has- now become a national institution, and one which will probably last as long a.s there arc school children in these islands. The occasion of last Thursday wns even a greater success than any of the preceding ones, and at Queenstown and Arrowtown them assembled m each place upwards of 200 children to witness and take part in tho affair, and as many young and healthy trees were planted in each town. The proceedings in both places being similar, one description will serve for both. Tho procession was formed in the towns, and headed by the respective mayors and chairmen of school committees, followed by the local brass bauds, marched to the scene of action, where holes for the trees had been already dug. Many local growers presented trees to tho school committees, and theao were supplemented by purchases. Ihe tree planting over, tea and cakes were indulged in, and games suitable to the occasion helped to digest tho liberal potations of wholesome food provided. Towards 5 o'clock preparations'for breaking up were made, the children giving ringing cheers for the teachers, the committees, the donors of tho trees, and others who had lent valuable aid towards making the affair the success it proved to bo. In the smaller school districts a somewhat similar programme was followed, and in every instance was attended with gratifying success. The most notable features in every case were the fine physical and healthy appearance of the young3ters, and the universally clean and neat apparel in which they appeared, showing plainly that they aro well and lovingly cared for, and that their home life is a happy one.. The Catholic school children also had a holiday, indulging in tree-planting and games and picnics, which passed off in a similar happy and successful manner. What a contrast could be drawn between colonial children and those of the back slums of large old world cities, or between them • and the poor mites of the great tnarlufacturing towns, who pass their young lives in unremitting, and toilsome servitude, and that too often in stifling atmospheres. , New Arrivals.— Young lambs are beginning to make their appearance, aud so long as a month ago the first arrivals of the season were observed on Mr R. H. Baird's farm. This is' very early for our elevated district, where in the general run of seasons we cannot count upon anything like summer until about Christmas. However, as it is there is .abundant food for tho youngsters, and it •R likely to continue plentiful as the days get a little warmer.