LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2320, 18 August 1898, Page 25

LAKE COUNTY.

Augnst 13.— The frost has broken, and it may be held that the winter is past. This means that .we are in for the woes and troubles of spring weather — wet, sloppy, and often colder than any winter weather. But it appears that the saying, " Man never is but always to be blessed ! " applies to New Zealand weather as •well as io everything else. Skippers Bridge. — This highly important work has now been commenced, and its completion will mark the advance of civilisation at 'one of the outer ends of the world. Fancy a teal suspension bridge for wheeled traffic where less than a generation ago all the necessaries oJt life had to be carried on men's backs over hills ancl down zigzagging tracks, the memory of the dangers of which still strikes terror to the hearts of all who bear them in mind. With ordinary progress it will not be long before the bridge will be a fait accompli. Embellishments.— The Queenstown Corporation is still bent, and with good reason, on embellishing their town and surroundings. Tree planting, laying off walks, and providing other attractions for visitors have never been neglected, ancl the more that is done the more Ihe room for improvements is apparently expanding. The council have now decided to ask the Government for £1000 for the purpose oi carrying on the work of creating attractions for tourists and other visitors. In this connection it may be suggested that bathing should receive some attention, as some of the shallow beaches offer every facility for bathing cars, one or two of which might be tried by way oi experiment. The council also intend introducing acetylene gas, which lends itself easily to decoration as well as lighting purposes. Hall a dozen lamps in the park in the neighbourhood of the band rotunda would produce a pleasing effect upon visitors arriving by steamer at night. •In fact, there are so many directions in which «, little money would go a long way towards em■bellisbing the town that thinking of them maJses the want of it a pain. Tho best way .to succeed in having their request granted would perhaps be for the council to diaw tip for submission to the Government, nu account of the works upon which they intend to spend the money.

Arbor Day. — Somewhat tardily, we are coming Tip with Arbor Days, each little community propping id on a day of its own. However, it fi» pleasing to notice that the idea is not being allowed to die, when the first newness of it had ilied off. There is something in keeping this Bvtbkcl before the observation of all paitiea

An Example. — The Arrow Hospital, like a good many other things "Arrow," once more strikes a record. For some time past the want of a fever ward has made itself felt, and at the recent meeting of the trustees it was agreed to proceed with the erection of a ward. A subscription for the purpose was at once started and the following waß the result : — W. J. Stanford £15, R. H. Baird £12, Dx Thomson £10, W. Scoles JE3 11s, T. M'Donnell £3 2e, J. Allan £3, G. PI. Romans £2 12s, P. Butel 18s, W. M'Kibbin £4 10s, E. C. W. Porter £3 2s. T-his list of names and donations is mentioned for the escouragement of others. The amount (£57) thus collected will go a long way towards the erection of the ward. Bachelors' Ball. — Last night the Arrow bachelors entertained the spinsters and benedicts at a ball, and right royally they did it. Some 70 couples took part in the grand inarch, and later on there were fully 100 couples in the room, which was tastefully decorated, the stage especially looking very artistic. The supper tables were loaded with the choicest collation the district can produce, the excellence ot which may be gauged by the liberal manner in which the viands were patronised. The music was of first-class order, and favourably corn-

mented upon. Mr Stoddart as M.C. was thoroughly efficient, and of course the belles were there and so was the " Queen of the ball '

I amongst the married ladies. However, writing the morning after the ball, the momentous question of who was the belle does not allow or sufficient time to decide, though it may be somewhat easier to select the queen of the ball.