LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2647, 7 December 1904, Page 34

LAKE COUNTY.

December 3. — During the week we have, had the first true summer weather Oj. the season — dry, hot days and cool naghts. This- is what is wanted, as things are somewhat backward this year, and there has been but little growth. There have not been many visitors during ihe week: a few at Queenstown, who took the usual favourite drive to Skippers,' but none, so far, at Pembroke. The latter place is, to my mind, the most beautiful of all^ the Lake scenery, and it is the spot most neglected by visitoi's. Certainly it is difficult of access; the journey means the train aid steamer trip to Queenstown one day, and a coach ride over the Oardrona saddle the nest day; but when one has arived at Lake Wanaka, tie beautiful scenery and atmosphere, the comfort and sense of rest, amply repay the traveller for his journey. The oil launoh Tilikum, formerly running on Lake Wakatipu, now runs on Wariaka, and will be v boon to those visitors who wish to take short afternoon excursions on the Lake. At Queenstown Mr Walter Searle has his oil launch Thelma- ' on the skids undergoing a thorough overhaul preparatory to the summer running. He is also making an improvement in removing aft the awning which covered her, and placing in the bows a glass-covered chamber for the engine and steersman. The railway service steamers have received the season's overhaul, the last; of them, the Antrim, being now at the mooring* in Rotten row. Changes. — The daily mail commenced last Thursday— or, rather, the train and steamer commenced the daily run, for the mails on that day were left behind, probably through some misunderstancßng in Dunedin. The Lake service running to the Head of the Lake has been altered, so tha* the steamer leaves for the Head on Mondays, "Wednesdays, and Fridays. There is no boat on Tuesday, Thursday, or Saturday, as there used to be. The change will not, I think, be a convenience to the public. Churches. — Last week the annual social gathering of the Arrow Presbyterian Church was held in the Athenssum Hall. A large number attended, when a very pleasant evening was spent. Rev. Mr Fisher presided, and during the evening speeches were made by Mr M'Lennan (home missionary, Athol), Mr Orr, Mr M'Dowell, Rev. Mr Wilson (Queejigtown), ' and Lieutenant Widup (Salvation Army). These gentlemen, with the chairman, may be regarded as having in their happy speeches cared for the spiritual wants of the assemblage — the ladies, who provided a generous supxje-r, attended to its material wants. Special mention should be made of the excellent music given by different performers during the evening. Last Wednesday evening a very successful entertainment was given in tha Athenteum Hall in aid of the funds of St. Joseph's Catholic School. The programme embraced a number of items in which the children took part, and these were carried out with <a finish which evidenced careful and masterly training. Particularly was this noticeable in two small pieces which were put on the stage, and in which the parts were filled by the pupils. T&ey seemed letter-perfect and quite at eaise. Other vocal and instrumental items filled an excellent programme. During the interval R-ev. Father O'Donnell came forward, and, thanking the audience for its attendance, expressed the hope that there would be a3 large or a larger attendance next year, when another concert would be given on show night. I think I may confidently say that the hope of a larger audience will not be fulfilled, for the very simple reason that tha hall could hold no more. The attendance was, in fact, about the largest ever seen, in the building. In the Anglican Ohuroh in Queenstown steps are being taken to erect a Sunday school, and to procure ai pipe organ. Some time ago a generous sum of money was donated to the church for the former object, and Mr Walter Searle has now presented, to the church a site, adjoining ttie church property, for erecting the building. At a meeting on Thursday night the vestrymen •bhankfully accepted Mr Searle's gift. For the pipe organ the vicar reported that he had received good support, and I am led to understand that some J270 has been promised. The resignation of Mr Porter, who ia leaving Queenstown, was received with regret, and Mr A. A. Mair was appointed in his stead. During- the summer Months Queenstown is to have the services of % Weslexaa mini&ter, an^ swvioes will be held

in that comfortable edifice which has so Ion» stood empty.

j Bank Changes. — I:i ths local Bank of New )' Zealand branches a "general post" is taking \ place. Mr James Bevin, who has been stationed st Arrowtown, where he has taken a keen interest in cricket, tennis, hospital affairs, Sports, etc.. is being transferred tc Queecstown. Hia place is being taken by Mr Paton, accountant in the Quaenstown branch, and an old-time servant of ihe institution. Mr Paton will now I be r-eassociated with Mr E. H. O'Kane, who I camp to Arrow from Queenstown some months ago. Mt E. C. \ v . Porter, of Queenstown, is being transferred to the Wyndham branch. In his transference Queensto'wn will lose the most | energetic and enthusiastic member in_outdoor • sports that the town possesses. Captain of the , local volunteers, he has brought them to a I state of disciplin-i and zeal which is highly creditable. In cricket, tennis, sports, shooting, fishing, boating — in fact, in all outdoor accomplishments. — he is a keen enthusiast. Tha recently-formed bowling club will missJtus services. Prior to taking charge in Quesnstown he was stationed at Arrowtown. Mr Thomas j G-iant, of Gore, goes to Queenstown to fill Mr ; Paton's place as acountant. I Acclimatisation. — The Lakes Society has j just liberated 7000 rainbow fry in the pond in | the Queenstown Park, where it is expected they I will thrive. The question of procuringi pheasants" egges is under consideration, and the j Society intends uniting to the Otago Society I with a view to obtaining a few sittings. Some | years ago these birds were quite plentiful ab , the Mead of the Lake on the Kinloch side, but } the disastrous fire which swept the bush ailong1 the whole length of the mountains .destroyed rthem wholly. And now I doubt if they will i survive the noison laid for rabbits, unless they | a.re liberated, well out- towards Martin's Bay, 1 where poisoned grain , is scarce and native berries plentiful. ' Promotion. — Mr C. Brent, junior in the ' * Queenstown Post Office, has been removed to tha Invercargill office— a removal which, I be- ( iieve. means promotion. Writing- of post offices — the dilapidated building in Arrowiown : m <a standing disgrace .to 'the service. Long: i ago — how lonp I can't Temember — -the depart- ; ment promised to erect a new one — indeed, ■ they were practically compelled to promise, j because the old building' was condemned by j the Health Offices — and yet nothing has been | done Perhaps the early -closing of shops and ! offices has so engaged ihe Government atteni lion that the permanent* closing of one of its own buildings has escaped its notice. Bowling. — In Queenstown on Tuesday evenj ing last the Bowling Club Committee held » I meeting to report progress and adopt rules. • A committee was appointed to arrange for the opening of the club next Wednesday. I hear, however, that the opening on that dav,is not yet definite, as the lawn needs cutting, and neither roller nor mower has arrived. Show — In another column appears . report of the first Lake County A. and P. Show, a, function which has been engrossing the attention of all the farmers, and more especially tha enthusiastic secretary and committee, for Bcme time past. Suffice it to say here that when a step such a* the present one — a step promoting the welfare and wealth of an important district — is promoted, the least th© Government could have done would have been to arrange an excursion. Perhaps a train excursion was impossible — as it was refused iti will be generou3 to assume that it could not b9 arranged, — but there was surely nothing to prevent the steamers runningan excursion, from the Head of the Lake.