LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1585, 8 April 1882, Page 12

LAKE COUNTY.

(from our own correspondent.)

April 3rd.

Fish and fishery concerns are once more to the fore. It has generally been supposed that trout wouldnot take the bait in Lake Wakatipu. This delusion has now been dispelled by a recent tourist landing fish of large size in quick succession, two' of which weighed upwards of 151b each, and were firm and plump. One of these beauties was presented ' to the boarders staying at Eichardt's Hotel, who all pronounced it delicious. It is now high time that something be done to regulate the fisheries in this district, for with every season their importance becomes more and more apparent. Whatever direction legislation may take on this subject, it would be unfair to divert any portion of the revenue to be derived from the fish from County purposes, for it must be borne in mind that local effort led to the present satisfactory Btate of affairs, and if any pecuniary result should flow therefrom the County is justly entitled to it. Another thing is that in the present unsettled state of affairs the local Acclimatisation Society feels diffident in contemplating an enlargement of its actions in an effort the utility of which is of so questionable import to this district. The recent white-fish experiment may now be pronounced a failure, the cause of which is sufficiently apparent to lead the Society taking steps which will avoid a repetition of the same undesirable end in which the former experiment resulted. I have recently made extensive tours through the district in different directions and everywhere saw indications of the successful acclimatisation of trout; and as we have lakes situated considerably above the general altitude of the district, there ia every reason to hope for the successful introduction of salmon, white-fish, and other species of commercial value. Mr Huddleston, who has been on a sketching tour round the head of Lake Wakitipu, has been very successful in several vie\^B he has obtained. One of a water-fall in Glacier creek is in every respect worthy the distinction of a ' study.' The colouring m this -picture 1b brilliant and true,— so much so, that any one acquainted with Lake Wakatipu scenery cannot fail to recognise the locality in the picture. In its perspective, too, this picture is eminently successful : the fall and the boulders amongst which the water rushes are most truly roprcaonted, which of course adds to the wonderful effectiveness of the picture. In another pictare, Mr Huddlestone has represented tho magical colouring which is thrown ovor our scenery under different circumstances, and has been very successful, though strangers may perhaps be led to call in question tho truthfulness of such effects. This view represents Lake Wakitipu, looking down the lake from Kinloch, and forms a very happy representation of the reality. Mr Huddle.ston, who is almost a native of theso parts, possess considerable talent as a painter, which is expressed in hif? picturo by a realism of composition forcibly striking. The following address, copied from a Home paper, shows to what extent iguoranco prevails m England of colonial geography : — ' Mr. , Mr Eichard's, Lake Wapitipuka, Quoenland, Dunedin, New Zealand.'

The steamer Antrim, running on Lake Wakatipu, nearly came to grief on a recent down trip to Kingston. Besides a full cargo of wheat aud wool, she had been especially laid i on to convey to Kingston, en route to Dunedin, the witnesses in Waldmann's trial for arson. Whether it was the weighty nature of the evidence they carried, or that of the gram and wool, caused the steamer to spring a leak, has not yet been decided ; but the fact is that when fairly on her way she was discovered to be tiling fast with water. Bailing was at once had recourse to, but without effect, and it became necessary to lighten the boat by throwing part of her cargo overboard, and after she had been relieved of about 100 bags of wheat, she managed to make the jetty, where willing hands were ready to do their utmost to save the vessel and her cargo. Upon being beached, a leak in her bows was discovered, which will be repaired without interfering with her regular trips.