LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1825, 12 November 1886, Page 16

LAKE COUNTY.

November 6. — The local volunteers will have a bu-*y time of it next week. The Queenstown brass band are to proceed to Invercargill on Monday to compete in the band contest there, and another contingent will start for Cromwell to try their skill at the butts on the occasion of the second meeting of the Lak«s District Rifltf Association, at which also a detachmenc of Arrow Volunteers will compete. Great preparations have been made at Cromwell to receive and entertain the visitors during a rather lengthy stay of two or perhaps three daj s.

Fishing. — The trout season opened here with the fir&t of. the present month, but so far anglers have not been conspicuously successful. Netting, for which there seems to be no particular season— all answering equally well— is now systematically prosecuted by tho-e who have bought fishing licenses, and some moderate hauls have been made. At Queeustown the local wants, it would appear, are more than supplied, as small quantities are being sent to Dunedin and Invercargill. At Lake Hayes Mr George White, the licensee of the lake, has landed several nets pretty well filled with nice marketable fish, the heaviest approaching close on 20lb. With the price of meat considerably below 0d per lb, and rabbits running about the hills in droves, people demur to paying 6.1 per lb for trout, which perhaps accounts for the quantities exported.

Our Natural Advantages.— The tourist season has now opened, and quite a number of the genus have invaded the district and penetrated the mountain fastnesses as far as is consistent with satety. A prosperous season is expected, and so far as it has gone the v\ eather has beeu unusually propitious. On Monday next the coach between Queenstown and Pembroke will resume running, which is a sign that summer has come ouce more. In this connection ib may be mentioned that the s.s. Mountaineer has gone through a thorough overhaul, both iv her engine and passenger departments ; and in her renovated state she will maintain previous encomiums passed upon her. The trial trip was made the occasion of a social event. A number of ladies and gentlemen were invited at tho instance of. Captain Wing to test the qualities of the boat, both as to her capacity for work and for comfort, as well as providing for the creature comforts of the inner man, and the result was satisfactory to all concerned.

Deserted in the Bush. — It appears that the sensation raised about the man John Tippett, who was said to have been deserted by his mates in the Hollyford Valley, partakes a little of a canard. Tippett'e mates, Tom Moore and Jphn Mulligan, who were blamed for their cold-blooded conduct, left the old man, who was simply beginning to get knocked up, at what is known as " Steele's Hut " Greenstone Valley, some 15 miles of easy travelling from Uncle John's (Mr John M'Bride's) at Lake Wakatipu, with four day's supplies, which was all the party had, and ateo left* word with Unple John that they bad left their mate behind, and where he was to be found. To take the last bit of romance oufc of this talo of suffering, it need only be mentioned thai Tippett msde his way unaided to Lake Wakatipu, and was taken by boat to Kinloch and thence to QneeijKtown.

Dammwg Up Lake Wakatipu. — Another of those plausible schemes which look bo well and feasible upon paper, acd which hwe a sensational ring in them because hidden and mjtold trea&ure id the motive inciting it, has been set on foot. It has transpired that "a gentleman at Milton" had placed himself into communication with Sir Julius Vogel (an ominous combination) with the object of damming up the lakes in this district to allow him to fossick the gold out of the rivers flowing from them. It appears that the " gentleman at Milton " is not in the least concerned about the people iiving and holding valuable properties upon the shores of the lakes, and who have some lively recollections of the lake flamming itsejf up about eight years ago, the

waters asa consequence invading their bedrooms and innermost privacies, and the discomfort resulting therefrom is still fresh in the memories of the sufferers. Unless "the gentleman at Milton " can reconcile the dwellers on the lakes to this state of things, they are likely to object. He should further explain what are his intentions with reference to the many tributaries to the rivers whose beds he would like to search for hidden treasure.

Novembek 8. — The weather has taken a sudden turn, and a very welcome if not copious shower fell on Saturday night. The rain has made a wonderful change in a short time, and was the means of saving many fields. The shower continuing for the greater part of the night fell in gentle sprinkles, so that the ground got the full benefit of it, none running off to waste. Now that the long spell of dry weather is broken, we may expect more such showers.

Entertainments. — Another highly enjoyable concert came off at the Queenstowu Town Hall on Friday last, and was a great success in every respect. Besides many old favourites, there appeared some new talent, which was highly appreciated. The concert; was given in aid of the Queenstown Cricket Club. On the same night a ball in aid of the funds of the Phcenix mine brass band took place at Skippers Reefs in the local Miners' and Mechanics' Institute, and was very numerously attended, with a good sprinkling of the fair sex, who came in some instances from a great distance. The whole affair went off with tho greatest eclat, to the great satisfaction and enjoyment of all present. Music, refreshments, and all the appointments being in efficient hands, no hitch of any kind occurred. The band, with the support rendered by the ball, may now consider itself as established.