LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2529, 3 September 1902, Page 31

LAKE COUNTY.

August 30 —Up to Thursday last the nights were intensely cold and frosty— quite as hard as at any time during the coldest part of ■winter; -while the days, whenever the sun shone, were balmy and almost summer-like, but in the shade it was one fieeze all day and night long. There neve' was such a winter, when one fine day succeeded another almost •without a break, and gladly did we put up ■with the inconvenience of frosty weather for the sake of balmy and smiling- skies in the day.

Gone Amissing. — A man named Smith, ior many years carrying on the business oi hawker in this and the neighbouring counties, settled some time ago at Whitechapel Flat, Arrow River. Being c. handy man and an exceedingly natty worker, he transformed an old hut into quite a- stylish cottage, and was so pleased with the result that he bought a rminber of casks to hold water in cpse of fire. When all was finished and done he suddenly amppoired, without acquainting- anybody of his destination, or even mentioning that he ■vvas gr>ing a-«vay. Missing tho man, some of the neighbours informed the police of the fact of his disappearance. Urson inquiries being inpd-e it v.£.g found that Smith had been a-n inniate of the Dunedin Hospital for a week 4t the end of June last, and since then nothing mere has bsen lieaid or seen of him. Besides his cottage Smith left very complete a-cd valuable sets of carpenter's and other tools, as yell- as other articles of vcrtu. a.t the mercy of •any marauding passer-by. The man is known to be somewhat eccentric, and may yet turn up in some unexpected corner of the world. A Runaway of Another Kind— On Saturday last a Chinaman enjoying a cheap ride in a butcher's cart had rather an exciting quarter of an hour. While turning a sharp bend in tho road the driyer was jerked off his seat and the reins torn from his hand. The horses naturally started off at a tearing gallop, in spite of the Chininnan's cries of "Wo-ah!" mixed with some choice Chinese a-nd pigeonEiiglish exclamations. The louder he yelled the faster the horses ran. Firat his hat* went overboard, then his umbrella; and, lashing the air with his yard or two of pigtail, tlie spectacle w&s quite an exciting one. Several benda 3T the road were cleared by the horses with the greatest nicety, and all went well until •they arrived in sight of Whitechapel bridge ■over the Arrow River. The horses made up a shallow cutting, and on the top of it they •were pulled up by a fence. This brought the trap to a sudden stop, shooting the Chinamen, now pretty well frightened out of bis life, clean over the horses' heads, f«noe, and everything else. He landed at tho end of his aerial flight in a paddock, thankful that he trod once more ths solid earth. Neither driver nor Chinaman "was any the worse for their experience, escaping with a few slight bruises and cuts; nor <lid either horses or trap sustain any serious , damage. When everything was righted, the Chinaman was invited to get en board again, l>iit he replied: "No fe«h! Me not no such ,hvliy; me w&lkee, allee same!"

Property Sale.— Thai important and valujTj!* 1 property known sa the Wakatipn Flour Siills, near Lake Hayes, Arrowtown, changed •hands thi3 week, Mr A. Nevin having sold out to Messrs Reid and M'Dowall. The price is stated by the man in the street to be between £4000 and £5000. The null, which is newly fitted with, rollers instead of stones, is driven ljy waier power from Hayes's Creek, which runs a never-failing supply, the water driving a Pellon wheel. There are 140 acres- of land attached to the mill, as well as a commodious .dwelling place, kiin for drying oats, stables, cow byres, etc., the whole forming a very valuable and desirable property. Appreciatory. — During the absence of Mr J. A. Algie, postmaster, Arrowtown, in South Africa with the Tenth Contingent the vacancy ■was filled by Mr D. S. Goodger, of the Queenstown office. It not being tho first time that * Mr Goodger has taken over the Arrow business, he came among us well known and li.gb.ly respected by all. Strict business habits combined with an even courtesy and obliging manner had made a general favourite of Mr Goodger, to which his last stay at Arrowtown has added increased expressions of goodwill and wishes for his welfare.

Return and Welcome.— Captain J. A. Algie, of the Wakalipu Mounted Rifles, who w?nt to Couth Africa wiSi one of the late contingents, and nearly all the troopers fiom this district bare now returned Bound and hale from the lato wax. Captain Algie arriving last Saturday night, a welcome home social was arranged for, which took placa yesterday evoi.ing at the Arrow Athenseum, and was largely attended. There were speeches from th« Mayor and other citizens, songs, danoing, anil altogether a very enjoyable evening was siwait.

Coming Events. — The Lake County Jockey « Olub held its annual meeting on Weduesdny last. The meeting wt<» a great success hi every resoect. Fot some years past one thing and another has conspired to lessen the .general interest in the meeting, until last year there was a cold blanket tin own upon the affair. This year, however, renewed vigour lias been shown. Fears were entertained in seme quarters that there would be reduction this year in the stakes offered, but those fears are now dispelled, and tho coming meeting •will be quite up to that of former years. An important change was made in the date of the meeting, which generally took place in the first or second week of January, to the 9th and 10th December, or a month earlier. The change is generally viewed with approval and satisfaction.

Arbour I>ay. — This function was duly obaerved by the residents of Queenstown, a-nd came off with the usual eclat. The school children, the brass band, and the general publij turned out in goodly numbers. The day was delightfully fine, and some good work was dene.