LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 20

LAKE COUNTY.

July 30. — Just as we thought we had got over the winter, frost set in in real earnest. Day and night the »ir has quite an Arctic feeling, with an effect upon local physiognomies that can hardly be called an improvement, and which is certainly not comfortable. However, this state of things cannot now last much longer, as we have nearly used up all there was of July, and are about beginning upon August, which usually introduces spring to U3 with much bluster and other trickery in the shape of New Zealand climate, but in any case such spring as it may turn out, it replaces and drives out winter with its frosts, and we have so much to be thankful for.

Moving On. — The steamer Theodore, which has been laid up for more than a year, has, thanks to Mr R. fll Dougall, son 's push and enterprise, started running again on Lake Wanaka, the initial trip being made last Monday. The steamer, which has undergone an overhaul, and is efficiently manned, will make regular trips according to a fixed tirue-table, which is so arranged as to suit the Dunedin and Queenstown coaches, and tourists visiting Pembroke by either route. Besides this, these regular trip 3 will be a great boon to settlers on the borders of the lake, and the flax mill industry at its head. As the venture will amount to a sacrifice on Mr M'Dougall's part, it is to be hoped that those who are likely to reap the benefit of it will support it in no half-hearted manner.

Arbor Day.— Great preparations are being made at all the schools in the district for the 4th ?rox., which will be observed as a general holiday, t is to be hoped that the weather will favour the youngsters, and that success will attend their efforts

Inquiry.— The inquest into the recent fire at Kinloeh, by which 97 cords of firewood were destroyed, resulted in an open verdict, there being no evidence to show how the wood caught fire ; yet it is impossible to regard it as an accident, the fire blazing up at three different places at the same time.

Entertainments.— The Lakes District Rifles held a very successful concert and dramatic performance last week at Queenstown, the pecuniary results of which will help to remove the difficulty under which the Rifles labour. To-day the Arrow juveniles play the Queenatown juvenile footballers

on the ground or tbu latter, and next Saturday tlio Arrow brass band gives a mixed entortaimi Vent" rnetVTranofi:^ 01 ' 1 amused in

An Omission Made GooD.-Spcaking last week of the pupil teachers' examination at Queenstown, I omitted to mention the name of Miss X M. Cameron, pupil teacher at Fortrose, who passed Class it, the third year. At the same examination Mr Frank Hotor,; son of Mr L £r?a°ft of.Q^nstpwn, made a percentage of 71 8, the highest being 767. Mending Their Ways. — A proposition to asphalt the footpaths of the Queenstown streets has been for sometime before the local borouefi council, only to be let drop in a rather careless mamicr. Considering that Queenstown is a very compact town, and one which justly prides itself on its cleanliness, and compares favourably with any up-country town in Otago for situation and general appearance, this is much to be regretted \ especially as the cost to thd general fund of tlio borough would not have been very great, householders having signified their intention of paying one half of the cost for their respective frontages.