LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1973, 12 September 1889, Page 16

LAKE COUNTY.

September 9.— lt would appear that very few of the Arrow ratepayers yearn for tho dignity of borough councillor, for it is oaid that considerable difficulty was experienced in getting any to fill the two vacancies that occurred about a fortnight since. At last meeting of the council members expressed regret at losing such good men as the two members who had just resigned. One of the gentlemen alluded to modestly replied that " good men retired gracefully." A sentence of four words only, yet wh&t a multitude of meanings can be drawn from it 1 In reporting what bad takeu place, the editor of the local paper put an exolamation point after the adjective in the retiring member's reply. In another part of his paper the editor remarks that there is now a good chance for the bellicose street critics to step in and improve matters. The bellicose street critics, as he very pertinently calls them, " won't stepiu," for the reason— as he should have learnt by this timethat their foot is on their native heath when it is on the pave,- and that it is one of their fixed rules that all knotty questiono— whether relating to municipal or other important matters -shall immediately be dealt with on the street ; and that he who bellows the loudest, and garnisheß his roars with the choicest and greatest number of adjectival expletives, is supposed to have the best of the discussion, and is therefore allowed to carry his point. Quebnstown ELECTIONS.— Civic honours have ceased to be very highly valued in Queenatowntoo. At the last election, as it was grandiosly designated, there was just the number nominated to fill the vacancies, and no more.

Fickle. — The councillors of the last - named municipality cannot be truthfully accused of ever being lost for some business to transact at their meetings. If there does not happen to be anything else on hand, they set to and put in the allotted time in rescinding previous resolutions. They were evideatly compelled to have recourse to this charaateristic expedient at their meeting last week, for after the majority of the members had made lengthy opteches— all in accord— they unanimously decided to demolish the resolution that granted togMr Foord the use of the town water for manufacturing lightning Kicking. — The return football match between the youngsters of Arrow and Queenstown came off at the latter place, on Saturday, according to arrangement. It was a tough battle, as was predicted, and ended in a draw— one try for each side. No Catoheb so Habbie.— At the meeting of the local Acclimatisation Sooiety last week, the matter of getting some deer for the district was again brought up and considered, but the expense— about £20 each— of catching them was thought too great for the society to undertake at present. An offer of £10 was received for the right to net for trout on the Wanaka for the aeason, but was declined, and it was decided to offer the privileges at auction at the time of the Wanaka races.

In Bankruptcy.— A man named Martin Birch, carrier and coal mine proprietor, filed last week, aud a first meeting of his creditors was held in Arrowtown on Saturday. Thjs will not be considered an extraordinary item of news, but there are several incidents connected with the circumstance which make it more interesting than the usual humdrum eort of bankruptcies. There is not time enough this week, however, to give this one the attention it certainly deserves, and it must be left till some future time. It may be mentioned, however, that according to the debtor's statement the estate would give 40s in the £. Lake District Biflb Association. — The annual meeting of the council of the above association, was held at Victoria Bridge, on Saturday last. Captain Jolly, vice-president of the association, occupied the chair, in the absence of the president (Major Jenkins). There was a good attendance of volunteer officers from Queeostown. Arrowtown, and Cromwell. The balance sheet and report, submitted by Sergeant-major .Scully, treasurer and secretary, were considered exceedingly satisfactory. She former showed a balance of £48 in favour of the association, notwithstanding the liberal amount that was given away in prizes at the last competition, and the expenses incurred in the preparation of range. Alter adopting the balance sheet and report, the election of o<fioa-bearers was then proceeded with. Major Jenkins, Captains Jolly and Wilmot wera re-elected president and vice-presidents respectively. Sergeant-major Scully was reappointed secretary and treasurer, and well-deserved praise was

given him for the able manner in which he carried out his self-imposed duties in connection with lasfc year's gathering. It is said the Cromwell citizens Intend giving a valuable trophy as one of the prizes to be competed for at the forthcoming meeting. It was decided to make a slight alteration in the programme of m&tches this year, but the allocation of prizes will be ou a liberal scale, as usual. It wa3 decided that thelcompetition this year should be held at Cromwell on the 7th and Bth of November next.