QUEENSTOWN.

Otago Witness, Issue 2603, 3 February 1904, Page 30

QUEENSTOWN.

January 30. — The long spell of dry weather broke last Tuesday, when an umiauiUy heavy thunderstoira, bringing a deluge of rain, broke over the town. For some days previously the air had bsen close and oppiessive, and iightnmg could be seen and thunder heard in the distance In the evening thunder a^d lightning commenced, and almost i.mmediateir isirt, fell in toirents. The streets were flooded for a couple of hours, when the storm ceased as suddenly as n had boguii. The sky cleared, and revealed a magnificently gorgeous sunset. So dry was the ground, that within a few minutes everything was dry again. The sierra appears to have been confined to a. vei.y small raea. Little iam fell at Frankton, and, beyond the Shotover River an tho Arrow direction kooi© fell at all. The clouds passed away over tha Hemarkables, and the dark gi^y thunderclouds, rent at intervals wilh viMid flashes of lightning, foimed a- woncicifu. contrast to di^ iiopical sunset in the west. About midday on the previous day a waterspout appears to have burst over the Remarkab'es on the very summit cf the double cone. The peak was overhung wuth. dark clouds, and short reports, as of distant thundei, cou dbe heard. As the slry cleared the barren lock of the summit was seen Ferried with white gushing stoesms, which continued to flow for an hour or more

Boating. — Mr J. C. M'Bride, who, with commendabJe enterprise, was the fiist to bring a launch to this la.te. has so pltered and mipicved his craft that it appears now able to> cope v.ith any traffic, from the carriage of 100 passengers during the humner to rabbits, timber, and merchandise thiough the winter. The engine wluch Mr M'Briie had at first in the bcafc (nomine The Tihkum) never appeared to woik well, and was moreover hardly fX>werfui enough, to propel kei in rougn weather. Conaide^abla alterations have been made— the in?sts have been removed, the decking taken out, and the* old engine replaced by a powerful oil engine, for which Messrs Hay ward and Garratt, -a Dunedin, are agents. Repairs were completed during the week, and a trial run mads it clear that the boat can do almost 10 miles an hour. I believe about 100 passengers can bs accommodated, and, as Mr Searle's oil launch, Thelma, can accommodate 30, the wants of visilois may be regarded as met — at anyrate> for the present. Ths latter launch, which has been Tiui'iiag constantly this season, is beiug fitted with an awning, or corering, as a protection against flying spray m rough weather. In. contrast with this progress is ihe Rowirg Chib, which remains quiescent. The club has had much t« contend against, and has not, so far, had an opportunity of commencing operations. As those at lire bead cf affairs are capable and enthusiastic, it may bs taken lor granted that pU difficulties v.'ill be overcome, and the club made- a success.

Bathing. — During the past month this diversion has been a favourite pastime, and, in the absence of proper baths, the jetty known as Boyne's jetty has been the scene of activity. I think, however, that proper biths, with accommodation -wou'.d be an improvement, and these, I understand, are already under consideration in our neighbouring borough of Arrow towii.

Mining. — The Achilles Company, so long & familiar name in these parts, dies out of existence, r,nd in place thereof we are to have an ir.dividu.il o-wr.ev. The company had applied

for protection for its claims at Bullendale to enable the pioperiy to bs sold, and at the last sittings of the Warden's Couit here the application, was withdrawn, it bcung announced that the sale to Mr Lee was complete, and the documents vesting the pioperty in him registered. There was, therefore, no need for further protection for this purpose. This, I suppose, is the last we shall hear of a company which has expended in mining works thousa-nds of pounds, and given employment to hundreds of men.

Telephone.— The absence of all telephonic communication with Long Gully, half way between Queenstown and Skippers, has long been felt. Here is situated Bell's Accommodation House, and it is at this place that visitors to Deep Creek have lunch en route. Hitheto there was no meaus of conveying to the proprietor vord as to how many people to prepare for, and as the main telegraph line passes almost m front of the door, it is strsnge no movo has been made in the matter. I understand that through the week Messrs R. Lee, Anderson, and Turton considered the matter, with the result that a wire ha-s been ssnt to Sir Joseph Ward, bringing -the want before him. I expect the line will be erected almost immediately.