LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2302, 14 April 1898, Page 25

LAKE COUNTY.

April 9. — During the past week the winter's equinox has been much in evidence. Storm, thunder, and rain filled* up a good deal of the time an well as the creek 3 and rivers of the district. The greatest and moat welcome effect of ••he rain i 3 noticeable iv tha growth of the grasa. Where a week ago ths tussocks presented a withered and dying aspect, they are now transformed into masses of emerald succulent blades, tempting alike to sheep and rabbits. The temperature has kept up very well, and though a few of the mornings were bracing, vegetable growth has been most remarkable, and is especially noticeable in the species called weeds. Lucky Chance. — The genius who managed to misspell "Wakitipu" for Wakatipu on the new issue of postage stamps deserved to have a monument erected to him on the top of the Earnslaw, or on the highest cone of the Remarkables, or on some equally prominent site, for the misspelling of the name will do more to advertise our district than a dozen guidebooks could have done. In fact, by this lucky chance the district will get quite a lift, a3 the misspelt postage stamps will form a novelty in philately, and will be in much request all over the world where in.9 fad has taken root.

Sudden Deaths — Death has been uncommonly busy amongst us during the past few weeks, as has already been shown in previous letters. On Sunday last Mr John Braden, of Frankton Flat, while yarding a newly-bought cow which gave some trouble, dropped down and almost immediately afterwards expired. Bereased, who was a native of Baarbeck, Hanover, followed the sea in his earlier yeara, after which he tried his luck in Victoria and came down to Otago in the early sixties, landing in the Wakatipu in the beginning of 1863. He was one of the first to start teami&g between Queenstown and Arrowtown, and also one of the first who took up land and worked it under the old provincial leasing regulations, in which occupation he continued till his death, which overtook him in his sixty-&ixtb year. He haves a widow and six child-en, who it is understood are well provided for.— Another sudden death is that of Mr August Renattd, who burs,t a bloodvessel while on the road to see a neighbour in company with Mr James Henderson, of Arrowtown. Deceased, who was well advanced in life, feeing about 75 years of age at the time of his death, was one of the early pioneers of this district, and followed mining during a stay here of upwards of 35 yeais. Though of a quiet disposition deceased had had a chequered career, which is worth briefly outlining. He was a native of Nenfchatel, Switzerland, and the only son of a well-to-do farmer. Endowed with great physical strength, and consequently strong in self-will, he set up on his own account at the time that the news of the gold discoveries reached Europe, having also taken unto himself a wife, a step which opened still wider the breach between himself and his parents. Somehow be did not prosper, and in conjunction with two other young men, all known for. their great bodily strength, he. conceived the notion of emigrating to Victoria. For this purpose they established a common fund, which, however, grew only very slowly. One day a travelling circus company pitched its tent at Berne, Switzerland. It had amoDg its attractions a Hercules who offered lOOOfr to any one who could throw him in a wrestling bout. Here was a chance for our trio. Lots were drawn which of the three should face the situation, and the lot fell to l\enand's share. The bout came off, and Renand threw the Hercules. Though the victory ■was his the prize did not ccme forward very readily ; and upon the mayor of Berne and some other leading citizens of the place taking up thecau&e of the victor it was discovered that the soi disant Hercules was the representative of one of the mo3t ancient and mo3t aristocratic families in the south of France, who, having turned out un mau vais suget, had left his ancestral halls to star as Hercules in second and third-rate travelling companies. His family were communicated with, and co overjoyed was the mother of Hercules at having her lost son restored to her that she, upon learning the whole of the story, presented each of the three would-be emigrants with lODOfr (about £40). Upon this they came to Victoria, whence Renand came over to Otago with the great swarm of golddiggers in 1862, leaving his wife, who in the meantime had presented him with a son, in Swil zeiland, where, according to last accounts, the widow and son are still living in easy circumstances. In both these cases the funerals were well attended, the Key. A. D. Mitchell (Anglican) officiating in each instance. — There also died on Saturday last in the Frankton Hospital Mr Thomas Twedale, who for some time had worked at his trade, that of a carpenter, at the Head of Lake Wakatipu. The pause of death was pneumonia, ending Twedale's career at the early age of 46 years.— On the same day, in the same institution, Mrs Dutton, sister of Mrs C. D. Dagg, of Queenstowu, died from a fit of excessive vomiting. The body wag taken to PttßSdiu tos interment.

Accident,— On Sunday last Mr P. Brogan, I when leaving Mr P. Butel's flour mills on a spirited 1 horse, came nigh to adding another item to the J foregoing chapter. When he had got a short distance on the road the horse became unmanageable, and turned round, retracing its road to Mr Butel's, and, stopping suddenly threw its lider with con&iderable fojee, Mr Brogan'shead coming I in violent contact with a stone, producing uncon- j sciousness, which gave no small anxiety to those who came to his rescue. However, the sufferer rallied, and was taken to the Arrow Hospital, where under Dr Thompson's care he is progressing well towaids recovery. Changes are Lightsome.— There has been a change of landlords in the Ballarat Hotel, Arrowtown, which has been acquired by Mr David Richardson, late of Gore, from Mr W. Scoles. who has retired into a private life after a long spell of public activity, having been one of the very early pioneers of the Wakatipu.