LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Volume 11, Issue 2280, 11 November 1897, Page 29

LAKE COUNTY.

November 6.— Although there has been a few fine days lately, there are signs that the weather is not settled yet. The direction of the wind is still from the west, and the changes of temperature are too frequent, abrupt, and severe to indicate settled Wfiather. In addition there was the earth tremor last Tuesday morning, at about 2.10, shaking up thinga in general. We are pretty well used to having our iunards shaken up from time to time, but the recent affair was just strong enough to make us notice that there are degrees of strength in these performances, and that very little would be wanting to make' them subjects of auxiety. The last performance of the kind was remarkable for the loud rumbling noise that preceded it, and the duration of the shock when it came along.

Welcome Home.— Mr and Mrs Jopp, of Arrowtown, gave on Tuesday evening last a welcome home social in the Arrow Athenseum, to commemorate the return of Robert, their eldest son, from the Jubil"e festivities, at which he assisted as one of Southland's reptesentatives. A very large number of friends responded to the invitation, aad found everything prepared for their

entertainment in the most lavish and pleasing manner— indeed the general' verdict was that it was the most sumptuously-got-up affair that ever has taken place at Arrowtown, and also the most eujoyable one. There were songs, speeches, and dancing, and cards, chess, <&c, for those who preferred that kind of diversion. The party did not break up " till daylight did appear," the guests carrying away with them the most pleasant recollections of a highly enjoyable affair. The Arrow Brass Band.— Arrowtown has had a good many bands, one of them being a fife and drum band, and it was not the least meritorious affair. A few mouths ago a uew movement was set on foot having for its object the formation of another band. A fairly complete set of instrument?, was procured, a bandmaster eugaged, and a start made with practice, with such an effect that last Saturday night a public exhibition elicited loud and enthusiastic applause from a large concourse of people who had assembled to listen to the performance. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon Bandmaster Mayo and the performers, who must have worked hard to attain so satisfactory a stage of efficiency in so short a time.

Sportive.— it goes without saying that, in spite of the lateness of the season, cricket and football are in full evidence, match crowding upon match in such a manner as would make it appear tlv-it i-]7orts and games are the chief aim of our existence.