LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1797, 30 April 1886, Page 12

LAKE COUNTY.

ApmL 1 26. — The excursion to Dunedin arranged from this district was largely patronised by pleasure-seekers, young and old, of both sexes, and Queenstown jetty presented quite a lively and homogeneous appearance on Thursday last when the hour of the departure of the steamer arrived. " Soldiers " and civilians, men, women, and children, overflowing with their sharpened sense of enjoyment, were all twisted up in a busy, eager crowd ; flags were flying, hands were shaken;' the last admonitions of advice were shouted to those on board, until the p.s. Mountaineer began to move off from the jetty, when the strains of the brass band (about 24 instruments strong) drowned the clamour of voices in the familiar strains of " The girl I left behind me," who was presently consoled by "Auld lang syne." During these stirring and touching strains expressions of farewell resorted to motions and gestures, as was shown by the waving of hats, handkerchiefs, and hands ; and after all, the resources of emotion are not confined to speech and music. If the number of the excursionists was not very large, their capacity for enjoyment seemed to make up for the deficiency.

The Woolurowers' Company.— Tb« company which it was recently attempted to float under this designation, and in which certain parcels of land situated in this district were to form the bait, has caused little or no interest or excitement here. Perhaps from the first the thiug was looked upon as a huge joke, which the residents felt tliey could well afford to watch through its developments and come in at the end for the fun. The matter seems never to have been entertained here in a serious light.

Volunteering.— -The Queenstown M Battery fired the final competition of second-class shots last Monday. The scores made were as follows:—Gunner A. Boyne (173 points), silver lever watch (presented by the officers of the battery), first prize ; Gunner O. Firth (173), cup (presented by Mr F. H. Daniel), second ; Gunner W. Lyons (170), trophy (presented by battery), third. The preference was given to Gunner Boyne, who tied Gunner Firth, on account of difference in handicap. A Peculiar Case.— Bankruptcy vagaries are . not unknown in this district ; but in the case of a late explosion the bankrupt appears to have been the victim. Mr E. Mortimer, whose total indebtedness did not amount to £60>nd whose estate, when ■ sold, brought £440, was forced to seek the protection of the law, which does not say much in favour of justice. Mr Mortimer was carrying on the business of a livery stable keeper in connection with the Harp of Erin Hotel at Queenstown, and had only a short time ago taken over the business from Mr Mulhs. As some further revelations are promised, it would be premature, if not unfair, to enlarge upon the case at present. Ocr Band.— The Queenstown Brass Band, which intends to compete in the band contest at the review at Oamaru, gave an exhibition of their ability in the Queenstown Town Hall on Tuesday last at a promenade concert. A large muster of critics and the general public put in an appearance, and the entertainment was a marked success. The band appeared in their new uniform, consisting of blue tunics and, trousers, with caps and silver bands to match, which is considered by many to be an improvement upon the old scarlet tunic, which reminded one of a performing monkey's jacket more than anything else, and which always looks tawdry and untidy after the newness has worn off. Ihe piece selected by the band for the competition is entitled "Wagner," and is a selection of pieces from several grand operas, depending for effect chiefly upon instrumentation. The piece was well played, the salient points being brought

out with telling effect, and the greatest praise a 6 due to the band for the degree of perfection attained. Mr A. Frazer, the conductor, must be complimented upon the efficiency that was noticeable during the whole concert, showing that he has the members well under control and yet .works in good harmony with them. Congregational. — Mr J. Blight, who has for nearly a year past worked iv this district in connection with the Wesloyan mission, was presented last week with a cheque for £25, by his Arrow congregation as an acknowledgement of the appreciation iv which his work is held by those who attend the services. Mr Blight, who is a quiet and unobtrusive man, with a healthy turn for athletics, is admirably suited for a district like the Wakatipu. The groat weakness of orthodoxy appears to he the ignoring of the altered conditions of colonial society from that which obtains in older countries, and consequently there is a want of sympathy between the clergy and the laity which does not tether the cause ot religion. Those sects, therefore, in which a broader view of life and its ■duties prevail, are more adapted to colonial tastes, and calculated to take deeper root than orthodoxy pure and simple. Mr Blight was also presented with a powerful and staunch horse, bridle, and saddle, which arc understood to be the gift of Mr Fred Evans, of the Phoenix mine, Skippers, at which place Mr Blight holds Divine service monthly, also paying interim visits when he can find time to do so. An Event.— Skipper's creek and reefs are localities which begin to force themselves into public notice. Ib is surprising how a community, no matter where situated, asserts itself, and columns of philosophic reflections might be filled on the growth of society — if they only would come. However, voting philosophic reflections is at a discount — let us return to facts. The first institution which crops up in new communities is— as it should be— marriage. Recording th'j first marriage which has taken place at Skippers, it must not be surmised that all succeeding ones will be equally distinguished ; for were I to do so the Witness would have to go on enlarging its size to bursting dimensions, which would amount to a public calamity. Well, then, the first marriage which took place at the Phcanix mine was that of the only daughter of Mr Charles Williamson, who was married to Mr James Griffiths, the officiating minister being Mr J. Blight, who had jusfc been licensed to celebrate marriages.