LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1942, 7 February 1889, Page 17

LAKE COUNTY.

"February 4.—Bain has fallen at last, coming, however, too late for many Holds, as harvesting had actually begun some days before the rain, set in, bub oats, potatoes, turnips, and grass crops will bo greatly benefited. Late fruits also experienced benefit; from the rain. Fihe,—Last Thursday morning Queenstown was rather rudely awakened by the combined alarm sounded by the iireboll aud the steam whistle of the p.s. Mountaineer. The cause of the disturbance was a fire observed to have hold of Mr Haynes' general fltore, but the timely warning given, together with the prompt turn-out of the local fire brigade, and n copious supply of water.'soon put an end to the fire and the general excitement. The damage done, which was not altogether trifling, is covered by insurance. Floods.—ln the ordinary course of events a Christmas flood counts as a regular item in the programme of seasonable diversions. Of Jateyears, however, there has been a divergence from the rule, and thlsseason the event comes rather late to be classed as a Christmas event. The flood of last week, beginning on Tuesday morning last, did not obtain to any very serious proportion, though all the creeks aud rivers in the district ran bank high, and the lakes, including Lake Wakatipu, wero brimful. The heaviest downpour seems to have been in the Lake Wakatipu and (Shotover watersheds, endangering, as is usually the case, the bridge at the Lower Shotover. This river has long since shown an inclination to, flow round the Queenstown end of the bridge instead of underneath it, thus " making a fool" of the bridge." Indeed,'it is simply a question of time when the bridge will have to bo shifted. JNo damage has so far bjen reported as having resulted from the flood. War News.—The onslaught upon Queeustown made by the Salvation Army, although successful enoughinsofar as to establish the members in comfortable barracks, did not, it seems, come up to expectations. As a now draw the force in charge has now been replaced by two experienced amazons, who have been more successful in making collections than their male predecessors, and tlm apptmrs to be the measure of success by which the efforts of the soldiers are gauged; and a very gooJ measure top. Moßji Racks —To the seven or eight jockey clubs now in existence iv these parts another is to be added to provide sport for the population at Cardrona. As the place is fairlj prosperous the thing will probably become un fait accompli before long.