LAKE WANAKA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2467, 26 June 1901, Page 31

LAKE WANAKA.

ALBERTOWN", June 17.— This is a most -wonderful winter, the like of which has never Veen seen since the advent of Europeans. It has been uncommonly mild, there being practically no frost. There has been more wet ■weather than usual, but it has been -warm ram. On one occasion there was a heavy fall of snow on the mountains, but the warm rams soon melted it again, so that now m midwinter the mountains are quite free of snow, the same as in summer. There was a considerable fall of rain in the back country — so much so that the lake and the Clutha River are higher than the ordinary summer level. "For a while the lake was washing over the end of the Government jetty, neai Mr Sachtler's hotel, and it is only every third 01 fourth summer it is as nigh as this. The glass has never been very low. "We also experienced the heavy midnight gale of wind which did such damage Dunedin ■way. The only damage it did here was to partially unroof the barns on the respective tarms of Messrs Haugh and Kingan, at the Forks. Mr James Mabm, sheep-farmer, of 'Cattle Flat, who it will be emembered was thrown cut of his buggy near Tuohy's, and had his ankle ao badly broken that the foot had to be amputated at the Arrow Hospital, came home for ar short period and then went to Dtuiedm to get -an artificial limb. He speaks in glowing terms of the kindness and skilful treatment he experienced in the hospital, and of the many Isind expressions of sympathy he received. He showed me a temporary artificial limb he had made in Queenstown of locallygrewn elm, but it would be necessary to use a crutch with it. Mr Mabin's recovery and his cheerful spirits are ■wonderful, especially at his advanced age. Celebrations.— The arrival of the Duke and Duchess of York in Auckland was eoinrnemoxated in Pembroke in a very pleasing manner. Mr Win. SacMler, the chairman of the School Committee, together with three members, Messrs Monteith, R. Millar, and King, came to the schoolhouse, and gathering the children together and unfurling the Union Jack, Mr Sachtler explained that they were to liave a half-holiday, and made a shorf-speech, •which, aa it was an epitome of the situation and interesting everywhere, and the first school demonstration of the kind' ir the district, is worth reproducing. "Children," Mr Sachtler Said, "we are assembled here this afternoon to celebrate the arrival in New Zealand of the Duke and Duchess of York, our future King and Queen. Our dear old Queen, before she died, desired that they should visit the colonies that had done so much foi Britain, that had given s& freely of her sons to help in the great South African struggle. Fron? the day the Duke and Duchess left England to the present time* their journey has been one grand Bhow of loyalty. Other nations are watching and wondering," and our dear little island will not be behindhand in her loyalty. We cannot all go to welcome them, but we can show om loyalty here. New Zealand, thougb one of the smallest of hei Australasian colonies, has again and again sent her sons tc the wars and history will in the future record what oui bra-ve sons have done foi. the honour of our little land. What they have done you boys may have to do in the future." Then Mr Monteith spoke, and there were cheers for the King and Queen, present and future, and our absent toys, and the National Anthem was sung. Mr Thomson, the teacher, was highly pleased, especially as it vpa-s s good object lesion for the children. The afLtir was got up so hurriedly •that there wa. no time to notify the township, or there would have been larger gathering.