LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2429, 3 October 1900, Page 33

LAKE COUNTY.

September 2fi.— The spring weather for the past, two montU's has beei^iai too iine. A good Ueal more rum than we have had is badly wa-ifced. v'egoUtion of all kinds stands muoi vi necct of moisture. Tins is especially iiociceabie m the native grasses, the huls lookiug singularly bare. .During the last few days there has been a decided ribe m the xempeiatuie, whilst a bright sun has shoiid upon cue newiy lalien snow, causing the n\ ers to use, a rise, however, which was checked by the coolness ot the nights and mornings. Lake County Jocliey Club. — Hie annual meeting ot tliib club vras held last week 3t Kichardt's Hotel, Qusenstown. Tncre was a large attendance of membeis, about 17 puumg in an appearance. The channum, Dr Douglas, diew tiie attention of the meeting to the important alteration m the metropolitan luie, wheieby it was piovided that at least £,300 ior flat races had to be piovided, exclusive of trots. It was stated that the trots had always been most successful, and a reference to the books or the club showed that lor several yeara past they had paid for themsdlves. It was resolved, upon motion to that effect, that £'co be .devoted^ to trots m addition to i3OJ ior fiat races. Oince bearers were then elected, who were nearly the same as those of last yeftr, with Dr Douglas as judge. A subcommittee to draw up the piogranime was also appointed. llie balance sfteet showed the club to be m a sound financial position, there being a credit balance of £'27 8s 4.d on lwnd. Apr-ointment. — In place of Miss F. Lawton, resigned, Mr Cirnino has been appointed organist at St. Paul's Church, Arrowtown. Mr (Jinimo, who is also bandmaster on the Arrow i3ra,cs Band, p osses ses considerable musical attainments.

Profa&sor Winter. — In these days when the education of the young generation receives so much attention, all that is due in this direction — and it amounts to no triiia — points onlj to what is not, but might be, done. T'nat country communities, and especially those in the back blocks and back gullies are wofully deficient in. educational means, outside the sUioohoom, is a patent fact. There are no "travelling shows, no public gardens, no music worthy of the name, no shop windows — nothing but the eternal tussock, inhabited by the equally eternal rabbit. In many places young people grow up to man's and woman's estate without having seen a railway, a boat floating ujion real water, or even a tree. Is this dearth, of means calculated to expand the young mind, and enrich it with ideas ? Even a gallanty show, sifter the fashion of 50 years ago, such as is supplied by Piofessor Winter, is encouraged by intelligent and thinking teachers, and welcomed with lavishing dcnglit by the youngsters undei their charge. Many a one, who sneers and jeers at the luckless loim of the piofessor, little 'chinks of the good he does and the joy and gratification he spreads among young children. Fiom the Head of Lake Wakatiptt thiough the plains ol Cential Otago to the confines of settlement and civilisation, the advent of Professor Winter is hailed with exuberant expectancy, showing the dcaith of find thirst for means of ixisliuction of this kind. In the face of these facts and condiditions it may be suggested that every educational district should provide a magic lantein furnished with natural history, astronomical', and other educational slides, in the charge of a skilled operator, to go v/ith his show the lotmds of his district at certain periods'. Two or more districts may combine for this object, to save expense. As it is, globes, maps, and a host of other apparatus are provided for the purpose of instruction, and why not a magic lantern, which has a wider range of usefulness than all others combined for this particular end.?

Obituary. — Saturday niornir.g lost there died at the Arrow Hospital Mr "\¥ Elliot, from the effects of a fall from his horsa near the Arrow powder magazine, the scene of several similar acciderits, owing to the acute argle in the turn of the load. Deceased was manager and part owner of Coronet Peak station, his late partner having .predeceased him by three months. He was a man of sterling qualities, and highly esteemed by everybody m the district. Deceased leaves a widow and two young children, who, however, are well provided for. The accident cast quite a gloom over the district, and sincere sympathy is felt for tho bereaved family. The funeral took pbee on Monday last, and was attended by one of the laigest following s seen in the place. Rev. Mr E. H. Blair (Presbyterian) read the funeral service of his church at the grave in the Arrow cemetery. Another death of an old Anow resident occurred near Dunedin last week, which is remarkable for the great age attained by deceased. Mrs Tramor, the subject ot tnis rernaik, lived for many years at Arrow town and neighbourhood, with, differenj^rnembers of her family, who were married aifs^ settled there. Deceased reached the advanced age of 102 years. Brjght and intelligent beyond the ordinary run of mortals, she made many friends, by whom she was held in high es'tecmf-^

The Sabbath Journey. — At the last sitting of the S.M. Court, Arrowtowu, six carters were charged by Sergeant M'Kenzie, before Mr Warden F. J. Burgess, with Sunday trading. The offence being the same in all suits, a test case was fully aigtied. The chaige was laid under the "Police Offences Act, 1884." Sergeant M'Kenzie, prosecuting, .stated that Sunday trading had become quite a common' "business •with the corners, and gave evidence to that effect, in which he was supported by Constable Tracy. Mr W. Turton, for the defence, held that there was no case. The police had not seen any actual work done beyond yoking the horses. The driving of a carriage on a.Sunday was not an offence under the act, and a Waggon was a carriage within the meaning of the act. Mr Turton also quoted the English law- relating to the question. His Worship adjourned the ca%e to look up English and New iZealand lawe on the subject. A charge of cruelty to animals was also preferred, as &

consequence of a horse being dragged behind a dray, from which it sustained certain injuries. There were extenupting circumstances in this case, for which the bench made the proper allowance, inflicting a fine of 10s, witnesses' expenses l 2ls, coato ot cotut 15s. The police deserve all praise for the action taken in these cases.