LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1892, 8 May 1890, Page 18

LAKE COUNTY.

MAY s.— May wns ushered in here by a pretty lively shock of earthquake early on the morning of Thursday last. The night being intensely cold, it appears nobody in particular took sufficient interest to strike a match to get up and see what time it was, everj body apparently contoutedly turning over, with the mental remark of " Oh, its only an eaithquike I" Familiarity brepds contempt. The interesting event occurrrd about 3 o'clock, and appeared to travel in a westerly direction. Earthquakes seem to have a preference ior our county, as they pay us frequent vißitc, aud so loug as they don't spoil our ecenery or swallow up our rivers or lakes they may be allowed to come and gr> just, aa they pleaseChanges —Periodically there appears to be an epidemic exodus of our best-known and most appreciated residents for fresh fields and pastures new. Recently Mr John Morgan, saddler, for many years a residento! Q'leemtown, and who had taken a prominent part in the public affairs of the town, left the district; while Arrowtown la about to suffer the loss of two residents, each of *horn iv his own particular line has played a conspicuous part in the social and public life of the town. The first of these to leave is Mr J. Bailey, music teacher and bandmaster, who with hiß son Joseph bas been the leader in most of our musical entertainments and balls. Mr Bailey leaves here for Gore, where he has boon appointed bandmaster to the local brass band, in addition to which satisfactory inducements have been held out to him as an instructor on the violin and i-;iano. The people of Gore may be complimented upon the acquisition they are making in securing such able musiciaus as[Wr Bailey an^l hi? eon^for the cultivation of the art in their mid6t. Their departure will leave a void in our musical circles that will not be easily replaced, aa the highqunliiioatiousof both father and son aa musicians made their assistance over welcome if not absolutely indispensable, and both were ever ready to lend their aid to any good cause. The next departure will bo that of Mr George Romans, of the firm of Romans aud Heller, who will also ba much missed and regretted by a largo circle of fiiende and acquaintances. Mr Romans, who is the possessor of aeipital tt nor voice of line timbre and fair com pa->s, ws an over welcome appearance upon tho local coiicert. stago, whoso loss is not likely to be filled iv a huirv. Mr Romans also identified himself -.\ith public nffiir 1 , and rendeied vnlimbli 1 tor. sens as councillor for Arrow ttv.wi. Other removals nro those 'if Mr George Illingworth, vtho hs9 bei-ji transferred from the Arrowtown post-oftice to that ot Palmerston ; nnd Mr J. M'Fiid/e.in. of the Hank <<f Now Zealand, who goes on leave of absence for sevtr.il months.

Althkatcon no IMPROVEMENT.— The altered timetable fur the Soul h trains, which came into application with the first of this month, can rcareely be ra'.leo an improvement, though the j lurney between Dunedin and Kingston has been shortened by some minutes. This ought, to be hailtd with satisfaction by the travelling public, and should loid to the hope fcbat sometime before lhu twentieth century closes they vfc ill bo able to travel upon this Hue at the tremmidous rate of 20 miles an hour.

Accidents. -Last week a son of Mr Alexander M' Bride, when driving a horse out of a garden, rectived a kick in tho lacu Fortunately, tho liitle fellow w»b close to the heuls of the horse, and thus escaped tho full force of the kick, or the accident would probably have Lud a fatal termination. The other day the two-year-old bou of Mr B. Rushtnn, of Arrowtown. whilecllmbiugnuouta fencb fell off and broke his arm Both little fellows are doing as well as can be expected.

Khsumpiion or AimiFEUOus Lands —Ah application for a resumption of ainiterotis land was dccid 1 d in favour of thf> applicant nt the last sitting of the Warden's G'oiufc afc Arrowtovm. It would appear that a former owner of the 'a;>d had already been compe satal f.r tho same laud— if lam no! rnislakeu, by the La' 1 p Comity Ctnineil for some damage done to it by a flood, with the Rfireoniciil Urifc Lite innil be thrown optli to mining; but I am only speaking fiom in<<ir.oi>. However, tlio fiaino l.iiui :a now to be re r. sumed.rtiid Lakn County h.ts to iind the funJs. This resumption <i land business cuuld bj made a grand thine for farmers with laud of little use to them. All they would have to do would be to find some miners to show that the land ia nurifarou«, which would not be a difliculb thing to do, and be compensated for its resumption. The game is not a new one. Obituaby.— On Saturday morning last Mr Edward Klliott, of Macetown, died rattier suddenly of [congestion of the lungs. Mr Elliott had been

ailing for a short time, but no serious results were expected from his afflictions ; however, a cold seems to have afctaoked the lungs, and though Dr Donaldson was sent for and promptly attended, the disease appeared to ha vfc already reached a fatal staple. Mr Elliott expiring while his wife was preparing a drink for him. The deceased was an old colonist, whose advent in Australia dates back to the early fifties. He and his family came to Otago in the early days of the gold rush. Like moßt colonists, the deceased tried his luck at different occupations, being in turn gold miner, carrier, and publican at Carrick, near Uromwell, and lately of Mocetown, where he arrived about the opening of the quartz reefs, some 16 years ago. Mr Elliott took an intelligent interest in the development of the reefs, and to the day of his death did not lose his faith in their value, as a goodly number of shares in the Sunrise Company registered in his name testify. The deceased leaves a widow, two sons, and a daughter, who, however, have at" tamed man's and woman's estate.