HEAD OF LAKE.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2788, 11 October 1910, Page 4

HEAD OF LAKE.

Glenorchy, Oct. 10.

Owing to the exceptionally wet and cold weather recently, sowing has been greatly retarded. Most of the orops were in three weeks earlier last year. The ground has, however, beon well moistened so that vegetation may hare a better chance than it had last summer.

The hotelkeepers are now busy proparing for the tourist season. The driving business will be especially catered for. Mr Lewis Groves is making a new and strong carriage for the Glenorchy.Paradise traffic, and Mr Jas. Kuowlva of the Glenorchy hotel is having „ substantial three-seated vehicle built in Queenstown. It is to b* hoped tiiat both will be rewarded fcr their enterprise. The Bcheelit* mining is still prospering heie and it provides employment for a Urge number of men. It might be said that it has become quite a permanent industry, with the result that several new houses have been built during the last year or so on the Bucklerburn flat (known as Oampbolltown) and also on the terrace. In these art settled as many families, some of whom are new to the district, whilst others belonging to the district have recently entered the married state.

The industry has created an opening for other enterprises. The store which was commenced here several months ago has fully justißed its existence. The owner MrsOlingin, in conjunction with her mother, Mrs McKinlay, has laid herself out to cater for the needs of her customers, and by this means combined with urbanity she is building up a tidy little business. The present premises will bo enlarged shortly to provide for the increasing trade and it is probable that dressmaking will be commenced later on Mrs Olingin is to be commended for her enterprise. Glenorchy can also boast of a bootmaker. Within the last month or so an old and tried tradesman, in the person of Mr Kennedy, has commenced his calling. There is probably not enough to keep him fully occupied yet, but if he perseveres there is no reason why he should not knock out a decent living.

Dairying has been carried on here on a Bmall scale by Mr 0. Koch thus contributing towards bis livelU hood, but there is room for considerable expansion.

Talking about dairying, an effort was made a few days ago by a Queenstown syndicate to establish a dairy factory. The promoters visited Glenorchy on Friday last and made it their business to interview the settlers who were most likely to assist the project. They received a good deal of encouragement from some, whilst others could not see their way to turn their attention to the industry, except perhaps to a very limited extent. The reasons adduced were, mainly, shortage of feed in the winter and dry seasons. The prosperous state of the wool business was also given as a reason for not taking up dairying at present. The amouut of support that is promised will not warrant the promoters going in for the expense entailed in setting up the necessary plant. They, however, have not abandoned the scheme, but are giving the settlers time to think it over for a month or so. If the thing is worked up there is no reason why the industry should not be started on a small scale.

There is a decided feeling here that in order that the medical wanta of the district should be regularly catered for the dootor conneoted with the Wakatipu hospital, should make periodical visits to this part, or that he should be at the immediate call of any • resident who may require him. A. ready response to the call for fundf-.* for the upkeep of the Wakatipu hospital is dependent to a very large extent on such an assurance. The incoming medical man cannot do better than establish a connection up . heie as there is a large enough population to warrant it. The erection of a new school in the Glenorchy township proper will confer a great boon on the residents who have settled around here of late yean. It is estimated that the school will commence with an attendance of upwards of 30 pupils and in two or three years' time the roll number should increase to over 40.