(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1784, 30 January 1886, Page 13

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENTS.) LAKE COUNTY.

January 25.— Dr Black is once more amongst the miners of the district, and does not seem to have lost any of his enthusiasm. After visiting Skippers, Arrosvfcown, and Mccetown, it is supposed the learned gentleman will go to Mount Criffel, where the long spell of dry weather has much repuced the number of the miners, protection being the order of the day. Obituary. — Another of the old landmarks of the early pioneers of the district has passed away at his residence at Maori Point, Shotover. Mr Peter Lynch, who was a successful miner, but who had lately been working in the Skippers Bush cutting wood for the Phcenix miue, was suddenly taken ill and conveyed to his home, where everything that a kind wife could do for him was done, preparatory to his removal to the Frankton Hospital ; but death intervened, and carried off the sufferer before medical aid could be obtained. From a po*tmcrtem examination it was found that death resulted from heart-disease, though congestion of the lungs had also set in and advanced to a serious stage. The deceased was a native of County Clare, Ireland, and was 52 years of age at the time of his death. Mr Lynch was a partner in the Wirerope Claim, which at one time was noted for the regularity of rich returns.

Lawn Tennis.— A match between the Arrow and Queenstown Clubs came off last Saturday upon the ground of the latter. The weather in the forenoon was foggy, and a few drops of rain fell, but by the time play commenced the old heat, to which we are beginning to get accustomed, blazed forth again. There was a goodly number of spectators, especially ladies, upon the ground, and the affair from its novelty, being the first of its kind in the district, proved very enjoyable. The Queeustown Club, which is the elder institution, came off victorious, but a meed of praise is due to the play shown by the Arrow Club.

Convalescent. —An interesting operation was performed by Dr Douglas at the Frankton Hospital upon a well-known miner at Macetown, and lately at Skippers, Slat Arnay, who was suffering from a pain in his chest and a difficulty in breathing. Dr Douglas, having ascertained the cauFe, proceeded with the difficult operation of tapping the chest, and succeeded in relieving tlie sufferer of the enormous quantity of four quarts of matter. The improvement of the patient was immediate, and he is fast progressing towards recovery. — At the same institution Mr D. M. Koss, suffering from dropsy, was tapped by Dr Donaldson, and derived much benefit from the operation. — At the Arrow Hospital Mr W. Fletcher is fast recovering from the accident he met with at S wiper's Gully, near Arrow town ; and Mr Andrew Reid, who received some- rather severe internal injuries caused by a fall of earth in his claim near Kawarau Junction, is now out of danger, and progressing towards recovery as well as can be expected.

The Weathek is still coming in for much wonder and common*. As a rule the hottest days occur here in February, ami arguing by analogy we look forward to something terrible when that dreaded month shall arrive. The creeks and streams in this district have never been so low as they arc at piesent, and water for mining purposes never so scarce.