LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2523, 23 July 1902, Page 35

LAKE COUNTY.

Ju'y 19. — Lake County Council Held jt? or- i dinary meeting last week. The meeting waa entirely occnpied with orderug on jnu.or local works, no business cf geneTal interest cropping up. At a previoxis specia' meeting the la'e for tho ensuing year was struck at four farthings in the £; an amendment that the rate ba 'live farthings was lost. It is a strange anomaly with the councillors<+hat those who vote for a low rate are always the men who clamour for "the largest expenditure in their own ridings. "What splendid Liberal financiers thest: men would make! •

The Coming Ructions. — Though politically we me not a, particularly hvelv tx>mru unity ye keep moving along with the current of events So it happens that the coming election begins ■to intrude itse-lf upon our obfu*t]calecl political crania. The first cheep of a npw political fledgeling comes srom lLversdalp Irt m a Mi ft B. Ross, of "Eldcrburn. So far ilr Koss is a dark horse Io the great body c? e'ec'o-s, and, contenting himself with an. inch and a-l'a!f adverti&emejt announcing hims°lf as a candidate, he does not appear to be in a hurry to is?ue from the obscurity that envelopes him. But no doubt we shall soon know all about him. Another candidate spoken of is Mr Hor;ie, the well-known storekeeper of Baunockburn, but up to date Mr Home has not announced himself as a candidate, and may thf-refore be looked upon as a dark horse of another colour. At the present time of uncertainty it 19 impossible to say anything on the chances of the various candidates, but I am inclined to think that the Wakatipu will remain true to its old love, Mr W. Fraser, who for b .ong number of years has been int"rwovcn with on' public life, aud always was a guide, philosopher, and friend to the Wakatipu, proving himself a good all-round representative of a value 1.0 untried man can lay claim to.

Licensing Committee — On the other hand, there appears io be no desire of any candidates to come forward for the Licensing Committee. This is to bs regretted and is not fair to the present chairman, who by his bonhomie and practical good ser->e has given proof that hf is not likely to fall a victim to any childish foibles, and make a fares of the declared law of the land. Any committee elected may be sure that the present chairman will treat them ■with .the urbanity and civility becoming » gentleman. It IS to be hoped, therefore, that the coming election of members of toaimittee will lesult in the return of a number of gentlemen who will represent public feeling on so important a question ?s the legulation of the publichouses of the Wakatipu. Complimentary. — It is always pleasant to note the advance made by local boys and girls, ■wherever their lot may be cast. The most conspicuous success made by any of the Arrow boys is that of Patrick Shanaghan, who some years ago joined the American na\y, and has worked himself up to the position of boatswain, with a salary 01 £30 per month. Mr Shanaghan beat 90 competitor for the position, and 13 to be complimented aud congratu'at-ed on his success. Belonging to an essentially fighting family of six boys, three of whom have chosen tlie profession of arms, Patrick showed a rale versatility of talent. Painting, mimicry, htcrpture, music, rhyming, ai.d a rare commai d of language marked him as a many-sided genius, opening many an avenue for him in life, but the sea and the life of a sailor proved irresistible for him. Xor does he seem to have been mistaken or chosen ill

Wedding Bells — A very pleasing ceremony •was performed tins week by the Rev. D. Keay Fisher, resident Presbyterian minister at Arxowtown—namely, a wedding. Tlie contracting parties were Miss Johnson, third daughter of Uj-b C. Johnson, now of Cromwell, and Mr W. J«llv, also of Cromwell. The ceremony took place at Gibbston, where a sumptuous wedding breakfast was partaken of by numerous friends of the happy couple at Mr A. Scott's Gibbston Hotel. Mr C. Johnson was best man, and Miss Mayne bridesmaid. Tree-planting. — There is so much practical proof of the profitableness of tree-planting that it is surprising the settlers do not take more interest in it than they appear to do. The Park at Queenstown, which was started at Queenstown about 25 or 30 years «go, haa by loan; bfen thought to b* too crowded with

trees. Most of the trees are gnnw, which, except when planted to form an avenue or m tows, have a mean and cheap appsarance, and something more ornamental being wished for, it is now proposed to cut down and sell some of them in order to procure and plant more ornamental ones with the proceeds. Here is a. practical illustration of what may be accomplished by tree-planting Football. — There appears to be a football epidemic raging in the district. Ihe winter snow is not nearly off the ground, and abont half a dozen matches have already been fought and decided.