LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2399, 22 February 1900, Page 38

LAKE COUNTY.

February 17. — There's nothing new under the 'tin, except the weather. Thp weather is always new, and there never was such weather as the present. The end of last and the beginning of this week was wintry, snow showing upon the hills, and it took an average winter com-o!einent of blankets to make the bed comfoitable. For days the cold continued, even when it was clear and sunshiny — all warmth sucmed to have gone out of the sun's rays. Australians, on a visit of resuscitation, are lotul in the piai=es of our climate, consideiing it jolly to get a taste of what freezing really lr.ear s. Boggy Accident. — IMesdanies Kodgers and Gieis;, both of Queenstown, shortly after leaving Airowtown, where they had been on a visit, bst Sunday afternoon, met with a somewhat singular accident. Coming down the hill from llu Presbyterian Church, and turning into the Miller's Flat road at the Powder Magazine, there is a sharp turn. Mrs G-reig, who was driving, turned the horse, when Mrs Rodgers made a gi b at the reins, causing tho horse to turn shaiply. With £&c speed there was on the brgay, it tilted over, unseating both ladies, Mrs Rodgers sustaining a dislocation "of the hip joint. Mrs Greig, escax>iiig unhurt, with pi'nisevtorthy piesence of mind jumped at once a: the hoi fee's head, thereby preventing a bolt, but the buggy fell on the unfortunate lady lying upon the road. Owing to the prompt action take.i the buggy righted itself at once, and sustained no injury whatever. It may be added that Mrs Greig is o.ie of the most experienced horsewomen in Otago, and a few years ago, as Kitty Kirk, rode several races with great skill and success upon the Frankton course, and so for as the present affair is concerned it rather adds to than detracts from her well established renown as a horsewoman, for no man or woman could have acted with greater piomptness or deciskm, doing the right thing at the right moment, under the circumstances. The Martial Wave. — The martial wave is beginning to beat high and strong agpinst our mountains, and against the brave hearts that inhabit them. Whether or not this i*s the result of some remarks made recently in this column it is not necessary to exploit. The fact speaks foi itself. At Queenstown and Ariowtown, whore committees were formed for thi selection of men for the Otago and Southland contingent, there was what may well be called a " rush "of volunteers. The patriotic spirit alsc animates the whole community — it is not confined to the young portioii only, and L the war has done no other good, it has kindled the first spark of love and piide of country in the colonies, that was wanting hitherto. — 'i want that often obtruded itself in many ways. But this is not the place for philosophical and abstruse reflections. It is enough to say that we are fully paiticipating in the grcrt movement that is now agitating one half of ihe world, and that we undeisfcand, if dimly only, the diieotion in which destiny foreshadows its aims. Yaledictoiy — And Something More. — The departure of Dr nnd Mrs Thomson on a trip to Europe, and the farewell social arranged to m-i-k the event, crll for some notice. The pocnil cimuo off on Tuesday evening last, when liicvids liom all parts of the distiict met to cpv " good-bye " to the voyagcro till their return. The event took place in the Ariow At'ienrcu-n, which was tastefully decorated with. flags, flowers, and overgreerg by a committee of Indies. Theie we-re songs, dancing, and refic^hsnent', and a wise lestiiction of speechifying At mi irtcrval t>c miyor of Airowtown. °. id. ,-. Livo-smii" Dr Tkonuon, thpt he was lequcli 1 by tho doctoi's many friends to present Lim v.ilU'a slight tokcu of lcccguitioa of hi«

professional skill, his attentive kindness to his pptients, and his good -works and actions as a citizen, having for their object the advancement of the district. The presentation took the form of a handsome portfolio containing a number of New Zealand, chiefly Wakatipu, views. Mrs Thomson, for whom a beautiful travelling rug had been selected, was addressed by the mayor in terms of plain,but warm, eulogy, every word of which was cordially endorsed by those present. Dr Thomson asknowledged both gifts, and the kindly feeling of the donors for him and Mrs Thomson of which they were the expression, Dr M'Brearty, of Grey■•nouth, who will act during Dr Thomson's absence, was then introduced to those present by the mayor, at the end of which he briefly gave expression to a few well chosen sentiments. The affair wound up in the orthodox fashion by the singing of " Auld lang syne." And now for the " something more." The Wakatipu is decidedly fortunate in possessing, and always having possessed, several men whose sterling qualities give bone and stamina to a community. As the most prominent of these may be mentioned Dr Douglas, the mention of whose name conjures up at once all that is good and kindly in human nature, backed by other precious qualities. Dr and Mrs Thomson possess these qualities in an eminent degree, and it is greatly to the credit of the Arrow public that they have recognised the fact, and that they have given suitable expression to their feelings. The Fourth Contingent. — A considerable stir was caused by the departure of three volunteers each from Queenstown and Arrow town, making six in all. Bands were playing, speeches were delivered, and there was a large concourse of people to see off our contribution to the contingent. It is reported that Mr Henry M'Kibbon has disposed of his farm at Crown Terrace for JE2OOO. The purchaser is Mr John Jenkins, holding a neighbouring farm.