LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Volume 01, Issue 2123, 1 November 1894, Page 24

LAKE COUNTY.

OCTonr.u 27.— Dry and fine weatber continues without abatement, and though last Saturday's shower helped on things in the vegetable lino a little, they already stand in need of more -and a good deal more. Although our farmers, owing to the low price of wheat, are gradually devoting their attention to raising stock, they are not therefore independent of a certain amount of moisture at the growing time of their fodder. Native grass, of c ourse, is also drying up for the want of rain ; and as lambs are making their appearance in numbers now, both ewes and their young cannot be expected to thrive.

Meteorological.— l see that Mr Paulin in your last week's issue kindly explains that his weather forecasts are of only local application, because the Government declines to place at hia dispotal such communication with other stations rs would render the forecasts of general application. This is much to be regretted, for there ia not a subject the average human being is more constantly interested in than the state of the weather in the immediate future, and it is safe to cay that Mr Paulin's daily forecasts are eagerly looked for by a large circle of readers. On tuesa grounds alone pressure might well be brought to bear upon the proper authorities so as to extend the sphere of usefulness of thoße forecasts. Besides, meteorology is a science the capabilities of which are not yet exhausted, and to treat it with indifference indicates a certain degree of ignorance. Though one may be tempted to have a fliDg at prophecies in general, anyone who wantonly ridicules the readings of meteorology proves that he is behind the spirit of the times. In proof of this I may quote that there are few newspapers in the old world which do not publish daily weather charts or forecasts, or both.

Political. — It is the fashion with many people to gauge the worth of their political represanta« tive by the amount of money votes he secures for the electorate he represents. Looked at from this point the Lakes have nothing to complain about, for Mr W. Fraser, our M H.E., has secured £2600 of the general spoil for our benefit ■(?). Considering thftt Mr Fraser is not a Liberal, he haß been very liberally treated by the powers that be, and taking al«o into account tne fact that the eeasion was his first in the House, he has done remarkably well— bo well, in fact, that we may in future even expect that he will see the Kingston railway through, though it be shelved for the present. In Memoiuam —The sad and sudden fate that fo unexpectedly overtook Mr John M'Keraie, of Bannockburn, calls for a tribute of regret from all who knew him even by his deeds only. A strong and healthy intell* ct tint issues from its shell in print in all its native power must make friends far and wide, though the hand that wrote may ne'er be clasped. Mr M'Keisie was a man of a strong individuality, of sterling -worth, combining with it a kindly disposition. His viewa circulated through the preps were generally remarkable for their sound sense and thought, and he always backed them up with his full courage. H« took a quiet yet effective part in public life and in the artairs of inland Otago, and Bannockburn especially, and the residents will have cause to regret his death.