LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2362, 1 June 1899, Page 29

LAKE COUNTY.

May 27. — For several years past have we been doomed to disappointment in regard to Queen's weather. This year it was no exception, Wednesday last (24th inst.), being as black and dißmal a day as could well be imagined. Sevelal functions arranged for the celebration of the day had to be postponed. Appearances still indicate unsettled weather, ending, there can be little doubt, in frost, or snow and then frost.

Valedictory. — " The king is dead ! Long live 4he king!" We are always bidding good-bye to old friends and welcoming fresh ones. This time it is saying farewell to Mr and/Mrs Rodgers, of the Lower Shotover School, who exchange Kuapdale for their Shotover residence; and welcoming Mr and Mrs M'Skimmings, who leave Pembroke for Arrowtown.

Public Works. — Our mountain fastnesses are made more and more accessible with every year. The scenic routes opening the wonders of the Head of Lake Wakatipu and the West Coast are extending with every year; nor are the useful ones for the convenience of the ordinary residents neglected. The roads up the Shotover and £.rrow Rivers are receiving attention f^pm our county council, electrified into action by Government grants.

Hold! Enough. — The case of the two old Cromwell topers who solicited Mr Warden M'Carthy to cancel their old-age pensions because, as they said, the money only increased their thirst and the temptations to satisfy it, opens new phases of the old-age pensions scheme as well as of the drink question. How many old pensioners are there in the same fix? How many '"of them are there honest enough to say so? And how many are hurried to a drunkard's grave by liberal (?) kindness in "the shape of free whisky? I have heard of a batch of old soakers in the Wakatipu having a good carouse by way of farewell to strong drink. They were too drunk to appear on the day fixed for the hearing of their application, but, sobering up, they were swarded their pensions on the following day. Now the warden in this caae poses before the public as a chairman of the licensing bench with prohibitionist leanings; what may not be the state of affairs in districts where the wardens, who, of course, are also chairmen of licensing benches, hold less pronounced views on the drink question?