LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2525, 6 August 1902, Page 31

LAKE COUNTY.

■ August 2 —"Did >on ever?" — "Xo, I never! " is the ge.iera.l verdict upon the weather. For the last cix or seven months it lirb been one continuous sbine of a. wiiiluig sun in a sloudless sky, t^e days rcsemblmg those of early Bummer lather than July frosts or nipping chills. Eight up to 'yesterday the doubtful days might be counted upon the fingers of both hands, — leaving out the "thumbs. What little rain or anew we hrvp hsd came considerately at night, *tfhca the majority of tho residents wore smigly {•nscoiecil in bed, and didn't mind; the sun rising .icr l morning with a beaming face, as if nothing unusual had happened. But yesterdey the change came. Rain fell all day and nil night. The air had thut wet, coid -feeling it Las when the weather intends, to bo nasty for a spell. The change, coming after six months of almost unbroken fine weather, is donbly re-st-rted by the constitutional growler; but, growler or not, he will have to put up with it.

Coaxing Them Along. — The Government seem to be thoroughly alive to tl>e importance of the tourist trade. During last month Mr V&nimin, Government photographer, was busy in and about Queenstov.-n, taking pictures J6in by 40in in the highest style of his art. The destination of the pictures ig chiefly the Ecme Country, where they are to be publicly exhibiWl. No doubt the Australian States will come in for their share of the pictures, for as it is they send a goodly contingent of sightseers annually to the shores of Lake Wakatipu. In addition, Mr C. N. Baeyertz, of the Triad, is "en tour," doing Hie district with the object of ■ci'mpiiing a handy guide book to the Lakes. This, also, is a Government undertaking. It is to be a handy pocket volume, profusely illustrated, replete with all the information tourists could desire. With all this there was considerable trouble at Queenstown, when it was "Siscovered that the vote promised for the extension and maintenance of tourists' tracks, and the like, were absent from the Financial Statement. The telegraph was called into requisi"tion to explain matters, wLen it was stated that the Financial Statement w.ss not the document to look to for these things, but the tourist votes wonld be provided lor m the supple-meu-•"tary estimates. So peace rules again in the 3and of the mountain and the flood.

Football. — Football, and no visible end to it, is the present excitement in athletic circles. All the possible opponents in our sm«>ll community have pitched pgainst each other, and some hot battles have been fought, arousing ieelmg tbai should induce to further and more coiiHtan* practice. Musical. The Queenstown Brass Band, i\hich is in need of some new instruments, has been 'fairly well supported by the citizens, who srb'cribcd £30 towards the fund, and the Borough Council allowing the band £10 they ars within hailing distance of the sum required — namely, £50. The Arrow Borough Council also voted the Arrow Brass Band £10 per year. This band, under the leadership of Bandmaster Rattigan, has made capital progress, and altogether the Wakatipu may well be proud of the abundance of musical talent. Obituary. — On Saturday, the 19th of last month, there died rather suddenly at Glenorchy the 18-year-old daughter of Mr and Mrs Elliott. Some six months ago the young girl had to leave her situation on account of ill-health, but returning home to her parents, soon recovered lier usual health, going about her work without any inconvenience. About the time mentioned, however, alarming symptoms made themselves , apparent, pronouDced to be erysipelas in the •head, which ended a young aud hopeful life in a few days. Much sympathy is expressed for the bereaved family in the sore trial that has liiilen -upon them. Mr Valpy, an old resident in the neighbourhood, read the funeral service. -r-The other week Mr A. M'Leod breathed his •last in the Frankton Hospital, succumbing to • that fell disease, consumption. The deceased .Ijad for some years been mining with success Bear the head of Lake Wakatipu, where he was highly esteemed and respected. Ho was a native of Riverton, where he has many friends and relatives.' He died in the prime of life. Political Note.— There is so far no further change m the candidates for the general election It is generally believed that Mr Kelly *|U1 g«t the Catholic block vfltfc while If? Rods

goes on his own merits, as an independent supporter of the Government, .whatever that may mean. Rumour, however, is busj with a fourth name — that of Mr Garron, of Switzers, who is spoken of as an independent, and ?lso vows to gd to the poll whatever opposition there may be. These grave declarations are all very well as election cries, but when the time conies, their proper position will be made clear to the wouldbs candidates. In liberal and free Sew Zealand, neither candidates nor electors are free to act as they choose. The whip hand that rules the roost wiil see tj that.

Ball. — The Queenstowi bachelors arranged a. ball, which took place yesterday week. Those who attended speak of it. in terms of the highest praise, giving it as their opinion that it was tho best attended and most sumptuous affair of the kind ever held in the district, which is saying a good deal. The dresses of the ladies, the music, the decoration of the Garrison Hall, where the ball was held, the catering— everything, m fact, was of the best, and intense enjoyment pervaded the l.appy assemblage.