LAKE COUNTRY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2425, 5 September 1900, Page 33

LAKE COUNTRY.

September i. — We were favoured for nearly the whole of the past month with fine, bright, spring weather, if anything too dry, and there is no sign of it coming to an end yet. Fields and gardens are consequently 111 a forward state, and the 'hills begin to put on their native green. Everything augurs an early and prosperous* season:

The Lakes District Acclimatisation Society. — There having been complaints 111 the past that Lake Wakatipu was cue up by the ssciety into too many sections lor trout netting purposes, it was agreed at a recent meeting of members to thiow several sections into one. This was done, but it did rot have the desired effect of stimulating competition. Of the ten sections into whicli Lake Wakatipu was divided, nine were secured by Mr John 31'Conochie, Queenstown, and the total sum realised amounted to £'35 2s, which is- only cne-thud of that of former years. This means a consideiable curtailment 111 the spending power of the society, and consequently 111 ils u&efu ijess. So iar as can be judged, tlie natural meiease of the fish in Lake Wakalipu is not sufficient to keep the supply up to the demand, and every year large numbers of joung fry have been liberated to prevent a too lapid decrease. It is, hove\ei, not to be inferred that the lakes and streams ot the AVakatipu will become depleted ot fish, but it is quite plain that the fislung industry is noi in a flourishing condition.

Queenstown Tree Planting — From a very early date the residents of Queenstown have recognised the advantages of tree planting, as is shovel by many fine trees about the town. Conspicuous amongst these aie the rows along the borders of the lake, from the jetty to the park, and on the walk to the One Mne Creek, lhese trees are blue gums, and true blue gums at that, many o± which measuie three feet and upwards in diameter, all being cf a healthy and stately appearance. But thia was not enough for the powers .that be — they needs must try to improve upon Nature by pruning. To do this in the most economical way a contract was entered into, the person piumng the trees to take the lopped-off branches as payment for his trouble. Thi^. was all very well so far as it went. But the winter pioving a very cold one, the trees -were pruned, not with an eye to appearance, but m accordance with the neecls oi the pruncr, the result bemg thai; the lower branches were cut off, leaving only a few tufts at the top, and giving the trees a most ridiculous appearance. They look like a row of gigpntic swabs about lOOtt high, stuck up 0:1 end. And that is what has come oi the pruning. As they stand, the trees have Been completely ruined. The best thhig that can be done is to let them stand for a year or two, and see what they will do 111 fomiing new branches, and if the effort the trees may make does not come up to the aitistic acumen of the improver upon JNaxure, they (that is, the trees, and not the improvers) must be cut down close to the ground to send up fresh shoots, the most vigorous of which should be allowed to form a new free, all other shoots being cut away. Ihis little episode furnishes a capital test for a sermon on arboriculture, and the insane vandalism that meets the eye wherever forest tree , planting and pruning has been attempted. ' Fores, t trees, and above all, gum trees, require 110 pruning, especially where they grow in rows. Though wound tip for a good scui-stirring seimon on the subject, it must be put off for another occasion.

Arbour Day.— Arbour Day was observed on Wednesday last at Arrowtown with more -real work than eclat. A goodly number of trees were planted in the school and recreation reserves, much good work being done by many willing hands, in which the juveniles took a lively part, being rewarded with lollies and cakes. Several ot the principal streets of the town were previously planted by private effort with poplar cuttings, which, being left unprotected, are a temptation for cattle and horses, the owners of which have been cautioned that they will be held responsible for any damage their stock may do to the tices. This means growing tiouble for not a few.

Accident. — Accidents seem to have been in the aii lately. The other day, while returning from work at Bracken's Gully, Mr M. Moran missed his footing, when, m trying to save himself, he broke a bone of his wri&t. The sufferer "is in a fair way of recovery, and it is hoped will soon be able to lesume work. — A buggy accident, that might easily have led to fatal results, happened on Sunday evening last tc two young men on their return ficm. Queenstown to Airowtown. Mr R. Pritchard, jun., and Mr James Jenkinp, the two young men m question, were coming along the road skirting Lake Hayes, when the buggy went over a steep embankment, in consequence of the horse shying. The harness had to be cut to free the horse, the buggy was considerably damaged, Mr Pritchard had the small bone of his aim - broken, and Mr Jenkins sustained a severe shaking, from which he is only slowly recovering.

Equestrian. — Quite a number of valuable horses have died here recently. The impression is that the cause is the bot fly, but the statement requires confirmation. Philological. — The; need for the epicene pronoun has agitated literary folk in America for some time. An ingenious litterateur proposes that "heesh" be used for he 01 she ; "hizzer" for his or her; and "himmer" for him or her. The- following sentence illustrates the use of the proposed innovation : " The teacher told John and Mary that he would punish himmer if heesh did not learn hizzer lesson." This and similar sentences are dangerously provocative of a cold, coming as near to the evolution of a sneeze as is safe for any susceptible person to venture. Further, to show what the English language is capable of, it may be mentioned that the new "Oxford Dictionary" says the worJl "incircumscriptibleness" means '"incapable of limitation." Who would have thought it! -The information is something ,to be grateful for, and entitles the "Oxford Dictionary" to the distinction of "filling a, longfelt want." But. for all that, commend to me the dictionary that helps me to distinguish between a washtub and a teacup ; between a sandboy and a longshoreman ; between a milkmaid and a wet nuvse; that tells me which is the water bucket, and which is the flower pot. In short, that dictionary which makes life easy and bearable, and saves a man mistaking JvU blanket for his aecktie A 0£ vice versa* is

to be preferred as more comforting than that which shows up the incircumscriptibleness of one's ignorance.