LIKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1895, 16 March 1888, Page 17

LIKE COUNTY.

Mahck 12.— The Lake County Council held its two-monthly meeting last Monday, but no business of an important character was transacted, items of parochial import only being dealt with. It seems the present council cannot rise to the grand opportunities and electric sentimentalism of its predecessor; indeed, the new councillors do not only talk economy — as did the old ones— but what is more disgusting, they actually seem determined to practise it. There is now no talk of delightful little trips at the public expense, or "douceurs" of a similar nature; all is hard business talk, and £ s. d. appears to be the ruling demon of the hour. All this may be welcome news to the ratepayers, but what under such circumstances is the luckless newspaper correspondent to do ? It requires no reporter to tell in public that all is right as right can be, for when such a state of things obtains the fact is but too apparent. Amongst the items discussed was the Lake County nursery, the Government declining to take over tho concern at tha terms dictated by the council, which led to a good deal of discussion, the upshot of which was that it was decided that the present curator be retrenched at a month's notice, and that the nursery should bo cared for by the county surfaceman in the neighbourhood. The council also agreed to aid the local committee to have the county suitably and efficiently represented at the Melbourne Exhibition. It was further decided to sue Vincent County for the amount of duty on 1900oz of Lake County gold paid by Government to Vincent County, and make them disgorge. However, this is only way of "bluff." Ihe uncollected rent on gold mining leases, totting up to £1452, was also advanced a stage towards iinal settlement, and defaulting parties will bo sued for their res pective amounts. One wonders where, with all these outstanding accounts, the necessity for economy comes in. Besides, the chairman showed by written statement that the bank overdraft had beeu reduced during the last two months by -£1006 17s 3d, so that now it stands at only £349 10s. If this financing and saving goes on, the ratepayers may look forward to a dividend in the sweet by-and-bye. Tho engineer also presented a very favourable report, the roads being in first-rate condition iv every part of the county. More Power to Tijbm.— The Arrow Bqroug Council has adopted the Local Bodies' Finauce aud Powers Act, iv order to secure the benifit the act provides.

Tailrace Robhert. — Mr George Harrow, working at Eight-mile creek, near Macetown, last week, for the second time, made the unpleasant experience of having his earnings for several weeks swept from under his nose, metaphorically speaking. Mr Harrow, although working a tunnelling claim, washes down his dummy and boxes only once a month, an arrangement which offers a strong temptation to anyone dishonestly inclined to come aud anticipate him in the act. Last week this pbui met with its due reward, as one fine morning upon coming to his claim he found his boxes cleaned up as well as he could have done it himself- As this is the second time he has had a similar experience, I should imagine that the necessity of adopting more frequent washings-up will now present itself too forcibly to the victim to be withstood.