LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2111, 9 August 1894, Page 22

LAKE COUNTY.

August 4.— Now is the time of year when all the ills that human flesh is heir to are most rife. "A. mild and short winter makes a fat churchyard in the spring "is an old saying ; and though serious cases of sickness so far are few, coughs and colds are prevalent in all parts of our district. It is especially the young who are attacked, and a death or two have occurred of very young children, who naturally are most subject to catching disease. A very sad case ia the death of Miss Minnie O'Connor, the only daughter of Mrs O'Connor, of Maori Point, at the early age of 24, who succumbed on the 30th ult. to an attack of influenza which developed feverish symptoms. Deceased was a most amiable young lady, and was a favourite with everyone in the district. She was the mainstay of her mother, who is heartbroken at her loss, and who has the heartfelt sympathy of the district in her affliction. Deceased was taken to Dunedin to be buried with her father, who died some three years ago. Pomological.— Mr J. C Blackmore has been on a flying visit to these parts, inspecting some of our large orchards, and before leaving he intimated that he would return shortly and lecture on fruitgrowing and agciculture. From wha,t Mr Blackmore has let drop, some drastic legislative measures dealing with, pests of all kinds are contemplated. JohN Barleycorn.— Some time ago the farmers in the neighbourhood of Garston threatened to boycott any business man who lent his active support to the prohibitionist movement Both the threat and the movement have been watched with, some interest by outsiders, but up to the present without any tangible result. Departure. — One of the oldest residents in the Shotbver Valley, Mr Walter Gardiner, has left his store and residence at Moke Creek, where he has carried on business for nearly 32 years. There are few better known and more respected men in the locality than Mr Gardiner, whose identity plays a conspicuous part in its history. Judicial — The District Court at Queanstown on Thursday last was occupied chiefly with bankruptcy and probate and administration of wills business There were two appeal cases from Mr Warden Wood's decision. The New Zealand Gold Dredging Company (Limited) v. James Lyall Scott, for cancellation of special claims, which Mr Warden Wood had declared forfeited because the company held no miners' rights. His Honor, Judge Ward, ruled that the company to hold the claim must have miners' rights. The appeal was dismissed with costs. The other case was the Bald Hill Sluicing Company (Limited) v. John Magnus, claiming that the appellant company had forfeited their superior rights through not complying with sub-section 14 of section 105, " Mines Act 1891." His Honor ruled that the appeal should have been filed on both law and fact, and being filed on law only the appeal was struck out, no costs being allowed. Arbor Day.— Arbor Day was observed at Queenstown with the usual iclat. There were processions, brass band music, and refreshments in galore. A Vital Question.— lt would appear that there are two sides to such a vital question as even that of the Artow Hospital Burgeon. For the discovery of this fact I am indebted to two anonymous scribes, who, in your issue of the 26th ult , criticise my remarks on the local doctor question, to do which they have a perfect right. However, they would have shown a more manly Fpirit and a sincerer faith in their cause had they nppended their own names to their respective effusion*. But perhaps they consider such a view of their self-iniposed task as " stuff and nonsen&e," and holding that a stab in the back may prove as fatal as a fair face-to-face fight, they follow their instinct, as do most members of their class, and for which they must not be held responsible. "Let dogs delight to bark and bite, For God hath made them so. Let bears and lions growl and fight,

For 'tis their nature to." According to their true natures both "Spero Meliora" and ".Subscriber" begin with imputing motives to me of as base a kind as could

be invented A man who imputes unworthy motives to another always plays a sure game, for there is no answering such an imputation. Besides unworthy motives, I am charged with wishing to deter surgeons from applying, and so forth. Now, this is altogether too thin. A.n offer of £250 a-year, a free residence, and private practice are baits against which all the spite that I could possibly muster, and all the " stuff and nonsense" that I might write, would avail nought. [Our correspondent replies at length to his detractors, but as the selection of the new doctor has already been made, no good purpose would be served by the publication of his remarks. — Ed. O. W.]