LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1890, 10 February 1888, Page 17

LAKE COUNTY.

February 6. — The couriss season has so far been a good ouo, there b<:ing ft fair percentage of European and Australian travellers sunongst those who have visited tho district. Unfortunately the weather has not treated our visitors fairly this summer, as it was up to the present about the wettest one that historic individual .'.' the oldest resident" can remember. Tourists generally might bear in mind that the winter is more to be relied upon for fine days than any other season of the year, and that is much more in accord with the character of our scenery < bin summer. This piece of friendly advice has been teudered upon more occasions than one, but it seems to be unheeded, perhaps from reasons easily explained ; but the real lover of the grand and awful iv mountain scenery, who is susceptible to the stimulating inspirations it i 3 capable of producing, misses a treat by not seeing it daring aud after snowstorms, or decorated with icicles and other draperies of the frost-kiug's weaving. Coaching.— In these days of railways, when coaching is fast becoming a thing of the past, it is quite an exhilarating sen&ation to see the teams multiplied. Thero are now two coaches between Queenstown and Cromwell, and two between Queeustown and Pembroke, whereas formerly one coach sufficed for each route. Besides these there are quite a number of conyeyaneKs running daily between Quoaistown and Arrowtown, and perhaps few roads iv inland Ocigo are more lively at the present time than this particular one. With all this coaching and the great variety of drivers and horses, there are Very few accident?, so that when one occurs it is maiU) the most of to create a sensation. A flight accident happened to Smith's mail coach ou the down road to Cromwell last week. Near the Nevis Bluff the polo. got jerked out of its gearing, and the borssa started o# with it, drag-

ging the driver (Mr. R. Findlay) for a considerable distance. When released they made for the end of their stag®, Mr Johnson's Victoria Bridge Hotel stables. In turning the corner of the hotel one of the horses was badly grazed against the stone wall, but the conveyance and driver got off with trifling damages. On Tuesday last week Mr George A. Barker, of Macetown, met with another harmless accident. Coming from Queenstown with a spring scart, occupied by some ladies bound for the former place, a wheel came off near Frankton, gently tilting over the cart. The horse, being an exceptionally quiet one, took in the situation, and thinking a spell preferable to a bolt, decided in favour of the former expedient, to the great satisfaction of all concerned.

A Tuneful Item. — The members of the Queenstown Brass Band have decided to procure a new aud full set of instruments of Boosey'a make. The members are showing a deep interest in their avocation, and are determined to leave no stone unturned to secure fresh laurels at future musical contests.