LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 1989, 7 April 1892, Page 20

LAKE COUNTY.

April 2.— Our pomologists are determined to make war upon the codlin moth in a most drastic manner, having resolved to dig up all apple trees, ' root and stump, and to replace them by young trees. This proceeding will have the effect of powerfully illustrating the argument of young v. old trees— that is to say, whether an acre planted closely with young trees, or another carrying old trees at regular distances, be the most profitable. The moth comes as a very scourge upon the district, just at a time when it was establishing a name for itself- as an apple-growing locality. It has also been seen attacking plum and pear trees, or rather their fruit, so that if the nuisance is not stopped, or at least kept in check, all the orchards in the place will be rendered comparatively valueless. ' Scholastic— A very pleasing ceremony was performed last Monday evening at the Queenstown State School, when the head teacher (Mr Mehaffey), the mistress (Mrs Michael), and Mrs Mehaffey were presented with most substantial testimonials by the committee. Mrs Michael was presented with a gold bangle in recognition of the value of her servioes as schoqlmiiitroas, and also for her zealous aid at the reoent bazaar. Mrs Mehaffey' s testimonial took the shape of a tasteful tea service in maroon and gold, and was offered as a token of the gratitude of the committee for her many and various ministrations voluntarily made— such as playing the harmonium, conducting the singing of the children, and so forth, and also for her help in making the bazaar an unqualified success. Mr Mehaffey was the rocipient of a colonial gold albert of a handsome pattern as an acknowledgment of the generally satisfactory manner in which he had discharged his duties as teacher. The chairman of the school committee (Mr S. Dewar) made the presentation in a manner which will go a long way toward strengthening the entente cordiale between committee and teacher, as well as between teacher and parents. In his reply Mr Mehaffey touched upon the stupidity and injustice of those parents and others who speak disparagingly of teachers in the hearint of pupils under their charge. This is a most thoughtless act, and cannot but have injurious effects upon the whole school. - Holy War.— The holy war is still raging, but there are as yet neither killed nor wounded to report, and so far there have been fired only blank cartridges, which have resulted in no worse effect than enveloping the whole affair in smoke and mist. Mr Mehaffey reasserts that Collier's History has never, either directly or indirectly, been used in the Queenstown school since he took charge of it on March ' 17, 1879, while Bishop Moran ' repeats ' that t^e ' ob-

noxious book has been used in the school ai late as 1883. As these are plani" statements" that should be capable of proof and disproof, many #re anxious to know whether the godly or the godless schools will win. lam godless enough to feel inclined to back the latter. The last move of the Queenstown School Committee is a resolution to ask Bishop Moran to name the scholar or scholars who used the dreadful book in the school. This is going to the root of the evil, and may. perhaps, lead to a declaration of peace (?), which does not seem to be at all desired by one of the belligerents. The Long-looked fq'rDeer.— it is said that a fine fallow deer stag, which managed to gets its antlers entangled in a bunch of snow grass at Tapanui, has been secured, and will with others be forwarded for liberation and propagation at the head of Lake Wakatipu. The query is now, Ought the district feel more grateful for the prospective acquisition to our Acclimatisation society or to the tussock of snowgrass? The question is a difficult one to settle. However, it is a fact that for ycar3 past the society has made fruitless endeavours to import deer, and it was not until a friendly disposed tussock of snowgrass came to its aid that there has been a chance ot the attempt becoming a success. Accident.— Last week Mr Robert Hudson, one ot our veteran miners, had a narrow escape from a horrible death. While sinking a shaft at Moon llight Gully the sides caved in when the shaft was about 25ft deep, making him a prisoner by burying him up to the hips. Of all mining accidents those happening in shafts are the worst, as there is no storage room for the caved in stuff. lit this case Mr Hudson's mate came promptly to his aid, and managed to free the pinnioned man from him awkward position. So severe, however, were the injuries sustained by Mr Hudson that he had to be conveyed to the Arrow Hospital. Fortunately no bones were broken, and under the skilful care of Dr Donaldson the sufferer will soon be restored to his normal condition. Fire.— Last night a stable and some outhouses on the premises belonging to Mr E. Canning situated at Eastern terrace, Queenstown, were burnt down, and although the fire brigade were on the spot promptly, all that could be done wag to prevent the fire from spreading. A horse that was in the stable was got out without being injured. Read together with the recent attempt to burn down a dwelling house belonging to Mr Canning, he must have some particular friend who is determined to make it hot for him. 1.0. G.T. — Mr D. C. Cameron, G.S. of this •order, paid a visit to this district, and after inspecting the lodge at Queenstown opened a new one at Arrowtown last Thursday, when about 20 members joined tho brotherhood. Inspection.— Mr Inspector Hendry is now on a * surprise visit to our schools, but it does not transpire which of the parties oonoerned is the most surprised. „