LAKE WAKATIPU.

Cromwell Argus, Volume XVII, Issue 834, 8 April 1885, Page 3

LAKE WAKATIPU.

'(FROM OUR. OWN- COItIIESTONDENT.) QUEKNSTOAVN, April j 6.; .' Of course the event of the week has been the Easter Volunteer Review. It is not for your correspondent, to enter ; hi to details,, as no doii' t a fall* rec'ord r will appear in otheiv columns; Still there arei one ! br two special feattires worthy; of notice. Thursday last will be well rememberied as -the' most tempestuous one known for a long time past. It ; passed over lis "comparatively well—at least did no damage. In tJunedih it raged Violently with rain , r ; so also hr Invercargill, though, not so severely, doing damage in hot hj quarters.; \ The ''Mountaineer; steamer gallantly tackled the gale.. The.Qneenstown to Kingston trip was well enough, the wind being abaft, but wee .yersq it Was a "snorter." When the boat moored at 11 p.m. at night the passengers,co,m- ; plained of cold and sea sickness. Again the steamer once more ■• started' and arrived next' morning at 6 .a.m. bringing another crowd: of visitors icy cold; 'The: weather from this time moderated. The* pluck shown by the Mountaineer's crew demands praise. But for them many visitors could not have arrived without hustle, bustle and confusion. » The other noticeable feature is the peace and good-will existent. Therehave been about three "drunks," and two >6f thenv civilians. The Salvation Army detachment was a mild, surprise, i It was i so weir done at first rehearsal that our simpleminded folk took it as emblem, etc., of the real Simon Pure. : At any rate the carnal appetites and antics of the rather juvenile brigade brqke down the disguise. It was' well 'conducted apd the singing of the hymns and ditties was faiHy accomplished. '"■> A < ...i\ u | The, Chinese feast offering clay to the departed Children of the Sun was celebrated here joh Saturday: with due ceremony. Upon future occasions the" cemetery trustees will require the presence of the police to prevent the inroads' of i a mob of young larrikins. . : In the lower part of your county, but chiefly' in Mt. Ida district, you obtain a new rabbit inspector -in the person L of Mr. cfl. Bouchier, formerly; of Clyde. While filling that position here he has occupied somewhat of ah anomalous office. Mr Bouchier had duties to perform that rendered him and his office anything but a popular one. U Be was besides; blunt and qutspoken in seeingto theiperformahce-of: notices, In private he is considerate and and much liked. Hence those who esteemed him personally, and those whose ■. corns he had trod? uponj;yet admiring his i official integrity, combined to meet at Mrs M'Bride's hotel and "weep a few parting tears" on the eve of Ms departure. A pleasant evening was spent, and that means volumes. ■ ..-,■;. I The Check from warm: to cold weather -with frosty nights has . interfered with backward crops. It is evident now; that some will have to be reaped while yet green and used to best advantage. We neglect too much' what the Americans call hog-feeding, or thebacqri; yield. Aflairs look gloomy for the ensuing wkrter, The farmers without a .market for props except

barley must face unexpected difficulties, not seen at the time of sowing. The mining interest will perforce not be in vigor. Patience and endurance -will be sorely put to the test. It is not much comfort to think that other places have to pass through a similar ordeal.; ;, The butcher's shops showed some prime Easter beef, but butter and eggs were scarce. : Road works in Upper. Shotover direction are progressing favorably, and Mr Thomas Powell is really having a good job made of the contract under his supervision. The Glenorchy road under the supervision of Mr Surveyor Adair, is likewise in a forward state of progress. ~r «.. ■ Reports appear from time to time that dis-, missals are constantly taking place in the purvey Department. This, is no doubt with -the view to the early adaption of the system by\ tender. As the trignometrical survey has been j almost extended over the Colony at large it is practicable to carry out this system. ■ The re-' duction policy will probably be extended to the Goldfields' staff. It will be necessary, however, to have brie surveyor' to map but arid survey mining privileges. It will also be necessary to keep a local land office open at stated periods to afford information; * " j ) The visit of Mr Prince, who is erecting the? new electric force power for driving the Phcenrxj battery at Skippers, was taken advantage of to interview him as to cost of lighting Queenstow,n by the electric light. No doubt, if the City of the Lakes grows into goodly dimensions the, scheme will be carried out, as our water supply can been enlarged, s At present it is hardly feasiplfe, and the cost would entail an extra rate despite the sweeping away of the cost of kerosene; etc.,, for the .present street lamps. One good thing is, however, that the ice is broken and that the cost is to be ascertained. Fires as a rule always; occur at night time,' and if the water Wastufcried', off during that period to supply lamp light great; loss and injury to property might in case of fire 1 ensue. At least it would be giving a kind o| premium to the incendiurist. . , , -,». . - ■ :- '• ■■-. ; .1 >.■'!■,■ '"- '.i- :_JJli!_L_liJk' •' '• ''-'"'■' i ''- ;