LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1945, 4 June 1891, Page 19

LAKE COUNTY.

May 30. — The old saying that " a new broom sweeps olean "is receiving a striking, exemplification by the exertions of the constables recently transferred to these parts. As in most up-oountry townships, there are here a number of young spirits, who are occasionally led away by an abundance of vitality, for which there is no better outlet than what is euphemistically called "horseplay." Although their acsions have ,not yet assumed any alarming proportions, this is the beginning of conduct that requires to be taken in hand in time with a view to correction, as the example set is bound to lead to worse behaviour in the end. The local police are certainly to be complimented on their attempts at nipping in the bud youthful exuberances that run, contrary to existing acts of Parliament, and if it be true that people cannot be made wise and virtuous by suoh acts, the attempt at preventing them— that is, the people, not the acts— from becoming worse is at least worth the making. ; A Celestial Def^iculty.— Two Chinese miners working at Bracken's Gully, whose names do riot matter muob, had a dispute about some water, to obtain the use of which one of them pounded the other about the legs with a sharp stone, inflioting wounds that will disable the assaulted party from work for some time, during which period the aggressor will enjoy the use of the water, but be may find in the end that he will have to pay dear for it. At present he is out on bail at tbe tidy figure ,of £200. . oi High Jinks. — A good harvest has put heart into " our farmers, and it is contemplated to celebrate the , ingathering by a general harvest home. As the initiatory steps are in energetic and experienced hands, there oan be no doubt but that the affair will be a success in every respect. , Ths Census.— The stocktaking of the Wakatipu goldfieldi does not disclose a vary pleasing state of affairs, for during the last decade tbe population has been reduced by 50 .per cent. The fact should 'be carefully weighed by tbe residents, for In no respect oan the resources of the district be made to account for the loss. The output of gold per -head is higher .now than it was 10 years ago ;■ sheepfarming has inoreased in importance, and grain-growing is now chiefly regulated by export at foreign prices, whereas formerly it was limited to local oopsumption, so that farming generally has now a safer and wider market than ever; With all these advantages it is diffioult to perceive the cause 1 forthe very palpable retrogression the district has undergone. One of our greatest wants is a tew publicspirited men of good business capacity and energy, to leaven the mass of " go as you please " plodders. Amongst our farmers there is a large number of pushing men who understand their work, and who stick to it with praiseworthy application, but this is not all that is required to bring prosperity to. tbe community generally. ' Queen's Birthday.— The recurrence of this event passed off quietly in these parts. There were shooting and football matches, and other milder dissipations, all of whiob were favoured with very fine weather indeed.