LAKE COUNTY. (PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

Otago Witness, Issue 1605, 26 August 1882, Page 13

LAKE COUNTY. (PROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.)

. August 19th'. Tiusß-p£AOTiKff.-A Very large number of trees, both ornamental and useful, haver been distributed by the Cardrona Nursery, which was established two years atro. Packages of trees are to be met with in every corner of the district, and it seems that the inducement held out by a cheap supply of trees is very generally taken advantage of. As this year is the firstof the distribution, no decided expression of the value of the locally-produced article can be mads, but it is highly satisfactory to see the effort made by the Lake County Council appreciated by the ratepayers, and it Is not going too far to cay that Bimilar Obtablishments, if properly managed, are sure to become the means of doing an incalculable amount of good. ''•Quite enough evidence of this is now being furni-hed every day by the' local nursery, and the movement may safely be recemmended to other County Councils whose torritoiies are treeless. By way of encouraging and demonstrating to other local bodies the ■creat benefit to be derived from local nurseries, the trustees of the Cardrona Nursery could not do better than to advertise in tho widely-circulated Otago Witneas a list of prices of their trees, and extend the irood they are now doing beyond the limits of take County. Their nursery is now nearly self supporting and will in a few years become » remunerative investment; but this of course i^ of minor importance compared with the benefits bestowed upon the County by having its barrenness relieved by suitable and valuable trees. _, . . , . Mr J S Worthington.— The numerous friends of this gentleman, so long and favourably known in this district, will hail with much pleasure the news of his safe arrival, and complete cure of a cancer at the root of his tongue, to effect which he went to London About six months ago. . „ Cobvent and, SCHOOL - The local members of the •Catholic Church are bestirring themselves in adding to their congregational property. At Queenstown, *the convent is now almost ready for the leeeption of ■pupils ; and at Anowtown, where the large chapel has recently been plastered, and adorned by a hand•jsome steeple with belfry, preparations are being made for the erection of a new stone school. Seriously lii.-Two of the leading citizens of ate at the presont time seriously ill. Mr Jlalaghan, the well-known storekeeper, has been

aufferinir for some time from congestion of the lungs, and has for the last few days b«n in a very ci itical state The other invalid is Mr Kichardt, of Eiohardrt Hotel Queenstown, whose malady, an asthmatic complaint, took ft turn for the worse while in Dunedin on his road to the Hot Springs, North Island. Mr Eichardt's illnosi also is of a veiy Borious nature. It is to be trusted that both gentlemen may soon recover from their trying nfflicti -na. Horse-stealing.- J. P. Casey, who it appears m an old offender, was brought up on a charge of tnw nature befo c C. O. Boyes and J. Barlow, Esqrs., J P 'a, at Arrowt- wn, and committed to stand his trial ah the next Criminal Sessions of ijhe Supremo Court, Dunedin. Beforo rising, the Chairman of the Bench, Mr Boyes, paid sergeant Brown, stationec at Arrowtown, a very flattering compliment for the f manner in which ho apprehended the prisoner and conduced the prosecution. It appears that Casey has a number of friends who covered his movements, and it was only by sheer persistence that after a chase of bix days the prisoner wat ruu down. ' Lake County Council. - The last meeting of this body was one of more than usual interest. A work of the utmost importance was mooted, and receded tho sanction of tho Council - namely, the Arrowtown. Pembroke dray road, which will connect Lake Wanaka and Lake Wakatipu by tho Matatapu and Soho values. The importance of this work is second to none in ims Uounty, and has so often been referred to in these letters that further exphnation is superfluous. Diamond Drill.— Considering everi thing, in connection with this hubjecfc, there can be no doubt that the Coutity Council has adopted a wiso plan by not interferine with what in this district would prove a bugbear. The cost of tho drill— £lsoo or ao would be far better expended in making roads through the back country, or one to Martin'-* Bay. Dray Road to Skippers.— This road also received the countenance of the Council, aud some important improvements in the existing road, which for the most part U abominable, were recommended to the inspector of works for ieport at an early date. Claim for Damages. -A claim fordamage3 to the amount of £47, for injuries received through the faulty state of he main Dunedin road, wa* preferred atfainat the local County Council by Mr J. Hj ndraan. It will be remembered that Mr Hyndman met with a serious buggy accident near Roaring Meg about four weeks ago, iri consequence of which tho present claim arose. The claim was rcferrel to the County solicitor The Council, after investigation, declared the ganger over that portion of the road where the accident occurred free from blame. Street Lighting. During the past woek Queenstown was lighted with street lamps for the first time The innovation gave general satisfaction, ana win prove of great usefulness. - The Weather.— Although much improved, the weather, in consequence of severe frosts, is still ye y unfavourable for outdoor farming work, which ,by this delay is accumulating to au alarming extent, for when the weatlier breaks there will be lots of things to do, and but very little time to io them. Judging by the thick coat of snow which covers the mountains to an unusually low lovel, we will have a very lojie spring.