LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2401, 8 March 1900, Page 29

LAKE COUNTY.

March 3. — The season, up to a few weeks ago cold and unsuinmerlike, is after all going to redeem the rule formulated in this column — namely, that every year we get a certain fixed quantity o£ lieat and no more. At the present rate, the heat is trying to make up for lost time, and the stun total will soon be exhausted. Ninety degrees or more -in the shade is a daily occurrence. The consequences are that ciops are coming on amain, and harvesting is the order of the .day. Last Wednesday there was a break with rain and storm, but since then it is shaping for heat again.

•Patriotic Rejoicings. — Arrowtown was en fete on Wednesday, when the news of Cronje's unconditional surrender was announced. The real expression of the excitement was, .however, . reserved for the evening. Montgomery's kinematograph was to show a series of war pictures, which in itself was a draw, causing many people to come an from long distances, so that a packed hoiise resulted.' .When dusk set in the main street was illuminated with Chinese lanterns, and the band turned out, supplemented by many volunteers dressed up more or less fantastically, and paraded the town. After the kinematographic show was over, the band mustered again, and inarching through the stieets, came to a halt above the Arrow Flat, where improvised bombs were let off with great effect, the younger portion amusing themselves with Chinese crackers. The affair was free fiorn all foolish excesses, being evidently animated by a sincere feeling of thanksgiving and rejoicing that the beginning of the end liact begun to show itself. Queenstown refrained fxom all demonstration, owing to having last week given way to a celebration on the leported but unfounded relief of Ladysmith.

Binder Trial. — Last week a public trial took < place of the Jones lever binder at the farm of Mr Thomas M'lntyre in the presence of a great number of farmers, who watched the performance of the machine with the greatest interest. The machine acquitted itself as •well in heavy as in very light crops, working without a single hitch, cutting, binding, and delivering the sheaves with the greatest regularity. At the end of the trial the machine was bought. by Mr James Reid, while three or four other farmers present gave orders for machines. Greetings. — The many friends of the Rev. Donald Ross, first Presbyterian minister in charge of the Wakatipu, will learn with pleasure that he has now completely recovered from a succession of serious illnesses, and is likely to be Reserved for many years to aid in the good work to which he lias devoted his life. The reverend gentleman is still in the | interior of New South Wales.

Deputations. — The visit of the Hon. HallJones, Minister of Works, the other day, was made the occasion of several deputations waiting upon the Minister at Queenstown. Amongst other subjects the standing grievance of the slow trains between Kingston and JDunedin was touched upon, and the usual reply, concurring in the grievance and promising that tlie subject would be brought before the proper quarter, was elicited. The Queenstown wharf difficulty was discussed, and it was agreed that as the estimated cost amounted to £500, specifications of the whole work, with a statement of moneys already laid out, be forwarded to the Minister for Public Works, to be considered •when the Hon. Hall-Jones returned to head■qtxarters.