LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2356, 20 April 1899, Page 28

LAKE COUNTY.

April 15. — Our summer has now come to an end. There will no doubt be some fine, balmy weather yet, but hot days and warm nights aie past for the present. During the week now closing there have been some rainy, days with fo^ and clouds, and when breaks came in the latter, tho hills behind them were revealed clad in snow against a background of that peculiar' deep blue sky that means frost and fine. In. tho meantime, however, drizzly weather prevails. Scandalous. — I fancy I have read about the establishment of a Society for tho Prevention of Cruelty to Women and Children in Dunedin. If all is true one hears, a branch of the society might find a. sphere for usefulness in this county. Wedding Bolls.— On Tuesday lust Mr T. Fitzgibbon was united in the bonds of holy wedlock to Miss Cosgrove, of Orepuki. Rev. Father Keeuan performed tho ceremony. The wedding, though a quiet one, was a very pleasing affair. On tho Wednesday following Mr George Summers, of Tuapeka, and Miss Annie Nielson, eldest daughter of Mr G. Nielson, of White Chapel Flat, were made man and wife by tho Rev. R. H. Blair. The wedding, 'which •was an -unostentatious one, took place at tho residence of tho bride's father, nnd the following day the happy couple drove to Macetown, their future home. In each caso a largo circle of friends offer their hearty congratulations and well wishes.

A Grievance. — Tho Wakatipu district has a causo of sore cotaplaint against the Postal department. Tt is now a good many months since the issue o the new set of postage stamps, and still there ire none of the beautiful^ 2Jd stamps bearing a. /iew of the head of tho lake to be had in any of (He local post offices. Tho clumsy old bluo abortion is palmed i>ff with sickening persistence on inquirers at the windows. It may be questioned whether there are 100 people hero

who have seen the new stamp in these party* The fun is that any day, and certainly sooner or later, the new English and Continental Postal Union rates will be adopted by NewZealand, and there will then be no particular /eason for the existence of any 21d stamps, ancl it would be certainly better to condemn and suppress the old than the new stamp. Besides, there is a practical side to the early issue and use of the new stamp. It is eminently calculated to serve as an advertisement for the scenery of our lake, and I believe it was with, that idea it was • enlarged to ita presenfl size. How it can serre this purpose by lying in the Government safes at Wellington is nob very apparent. While speaking on the 2gcl stamps, a word of artistic indignation- may be put forth on the New South Wales stamp of that value. %Of all the hideous stamps it has been my lot to see, it is about tho most outrageous. It is a crime at once against tact and taste. It -must be seen to be properly estimated.

The Arrow Drillshcd. — In your issues bearing dates March 30 and April 6 I referred to the proposed sale of this structure and the agitation got up to keep it intact upon its present site. Word was received the other day that tho Defence department is averse to. tho sale, thafc tho building will remain where it is, and that the gentral wishes of the parishioners will be acceded to. There hangs a tale to 1 this little business. So far as .can be learnt, there is nobody directly accountable for the initiation' of ihe sale. However much of a poobah and general sutocrat Mr Seddon may be, it is scarcely thinkable that he would take upon himself the peremptory sale of any public property. Jt> would be a funny way of paying his travelling expenses and grog scores. Somebody muft, therefore, have got at him, and poured poison into the Liberal ear, and in a. weak moment when the Bun Tuckian conscience was obfusticated, arranged the _ little trick between them. But as soon as strong public opposition condemns the clumsy dodge, tho Premier drops out of the view in the same way as did the original instigator. This is the game of being all things to all men, and however much it may bo in keeping with the character of a Bun Tuck, it does not redound to the credit of the Premier of an enlightened and Liberal colony. Whichever way the thing may bo looked at, tho fact remains that the Premier may bo got at by any country- bumpkin in tho backblocks who makes the attempt, nor does it matter how^ clumsy or dirty the game may be, the ignominious exit through any convenient side door whon found out is not too low a collapse for the Right Houourablo B. J. Seddon, L.L.D. Valedictory.— The Eev. Mr and Mrs Gunn, who for a number of years have been in charge of the Wakatinu Wesleyan Congregation, wore entertained at socials in several portions of their district on their departure for Australia. Tho worthy couple were deservedly popular, and leave behind them many and sincere friends.