LAKE COUNTY

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 13

LAKE COUNTY

June 19. — As may naturally be expected the greatest consternation was c.msed here by the news of theeiUptions iv the North Island, and the deepest sympathy is felt for the sufferers, as well as for the loss the Colony has sustained by the destruction of tho wonde ful Silica Tei races. The disaster has a peculiar interest for the residents in this district, as it is the most " quaky" in this Island — the most violent earthquakes which have shaken the southern portion of the Oolouy having been felt in this district. Various causes ai c assigned for this somewhat uudesirable liveliness. An enterprising newspaper proprieter at Queeustowu, in the absence of other seismological instruments, suspended a weight by a silken thread in his office, the last vibration of which was ascribed to an earthquake. The office occupied was run up in the good old times, and not very strongly built, so that a good shove from the shoulder of a man against the outside of the building would have an unmistakable effect upon the improvised seismological instrument in its interior, and in this manner many earthquakes, with the exact time of their occurrence, the direction they took, all were daily choniclcd in the local papers, and sometimes sagely commented upon, until the frequency with which Queenstown was visited by the quakes a bitter feeling of jealously in the neighbouring town of Arrowtown. When in time, howuver, the secret causes of the quakes leaked out, they suddenly decreased in number, so that Bon Accord is vow restored all round. However, the fact remains that this district is about the "quakiest" in this island; and as there is an old Maori legend in existence that a volcano will break out upon the Remarkables at some time or other, r.here is some show of reason for the feeling of nervousness displayed by some of our residents. Strangely enough two ladies, both credible witnesses, saw last Saturday afternoon about five o'clock a large meteor near the Double Cone of the Remarkables, and although it was still daylight at the time, the ball of fire shone with a peculiar brightness, and travelled so fast that it appeared to have a tail like a comet.

Lake Fishing. — Fishing licenses like everything else seem to have suffered from the depression. The annual licenses fetched only one half what they did last year. This, in a mea'ure at least, is owing to the fact that the season closes and opens a month too soon. Iv the beginning of the season the fish are, as a rule, too small, or if large ones are caught, consequently they are not such good eating, and consequently in neither case is the fruit of the licensees' labour very profitable. If the season were to open and close a month later than it does, the licenses would fetch higher prices, and the public would be better pleased. Lake Wakatipu netting privileges were knocked down for a total of L 62, and those of Lake Hayes for L 22.

Rabbitorial. — Four unfortunate settlers were mulcted each in fines of £1 and costs 7s, at Queenstown, because iv the Rabbit Inspector's opinion they had not complied with the terms of the Rabbit Act. Of course the fine and costs is not alone what galls, but it is the first conviction which makes the out- look so gloomy, for a. Rabbit Inspector's opinion is a most potent and dreadful bugbear, backed up as it is by the Act and official prejudice. For men who have honestly and faithfully fought the rabbits for their own benefit, and who have the greatest possible interest in their suppression, to be annoyed and punished, because they do not happen to please a fellow being, dressed in a little brief authority — even if he be au inspector — is certainly more than human nature can stand. According to present appearances the Rabbit Act is more, likely to exterminate the squatters than tbe rabbits.

Entertainments.— A very numerously attended entertainment tendered a compliment to Mrs P. B. Boult, upon the occasion of her leaving Queeustown for the Head of the Lake, came off in the Queenstown Halllast Tuesday. Every part of the district was represented, and the whole affair proved a brilliant sncce&s in every respect. Mrs Boult has for many years been the leading lady of Queenstown in local musical circles, and her services were always most cheerfully rendered in aid of any useful or charitable institution which called upon her for assistance, so that the public is under a double debt of obligation to her — first for the pleasure of listening to a really carefully cultivated voice, and tastefully-rendered songs ; and secondly for the material support that Mrs Boult's efforts have given to so many local institutions. A concert and dramatic performances iv aid of the Arrow Episcopalian Church was given last Saturday in the local Athenaeum. The proceeds are expected to tot up to £10.

Advance Wakatipu ! — Steel-horseshoes have been introduced at Queenstown by Mr E. Aldridge, and parties who have tried them upon their horses' feet, speak highly of them, as especially adapted for mountain tracks and rough roads. Mr W. L. Davis has imported some ten tons of steel rails, which are to be applied to a rather novel purpose — namely, as ripples for his tail-races at his extensive sluicing operations at Stony Creek, Shotover Valley. The rails are to serve as longitudinal ripples with scrub below them, which has been tried by Mr R. Johnson at Pleasant Creek Terrace, iv the same valley, and found to answer admirably. The idea of Mr Davis of using steel rails for the purpose is, however, rather an original and practical one. and should commend itself to all sluicers who have to contend with fine gold. With steelhorse shoes and steel ripples for gold-saving purposes, we may be said to have, entered the steel age.

The Weather is still boisterous nnd " moist " to a degree, and rain fell heavily last night, but the day turned out fine and warm.