LAKE COURTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 34

LAKE COURTY.

April 15.— Mr "vuilham Fraser, M.H.R. for the district, accompanied by Mr Massey, Leader of the Opposition, reached Queenstown on Wednesday evening, and drove round the .Arrow pait of his electorate with Mr Massey on Thursday. He held no meetings, returning to Dunedin on Saturday. He intends, however, to address the electors at Easter, holding a meet ng at the Head of the Lake on Easter Monday after the arrival of the excursion steamer there. Skippers, Arrow, and Queenslown will bt included in the Easter campaign. It is some years ago since Mr Massey paid his first visit to this dLStrict, and, under the guidance of Mr Fraser, was pleased to see the Lakes again. Mr Fisher took the opportunity of denying the rumour that he would net again stand for the electorate.

Educational. — Miss Cormack, who for four years has been mistress of the Queenstown Public School, has resigned her posntion there and accepted another appointment under the board at the Edendale School. Her departure is viewed with regret, for she has during her stay in Queenstown proved herself a teacher of tact and ability. Miss Allan, of Thurlby Domain, who for some time has filled the position of sewing mistress at Lower Shotover School, has resigned the appointment. Upon her leaving the pupils took occasion to present her with a silver sugar-scuttle with the following inscription, signed by Eorne of the pupils : " Presented to Mibs Allan, as a small token to show the esteem in which she i& held by iier sewing pupils at the Lower Shotover School. '

Bankruptcy. — On Monday last James Tyrrell, jun., who left Queenslown some time ago and has not returned, was made a bankrupt. The New Zealand Hardware Company was the petitioning creditor, and. evidence being given that Tyrrell had left New Zealand ariel committed an act of bankruptcy, an order of bankruptcy was made. R. W. G-eisow, well known in this district, has commenced business an the l ine (tinsmith and plumber) recent'y carried on by Tyrrell. Mr Geisow served his time in Queenstown. and should find liberal support.

Church Affairs. — St. Paul's Church, Arrowtown, is holding a social and dance on Easter Monday night, for which preparations have long been forward. The further inducement of «, dance following the social should draw a fairly large gathering. In Queenstown the Church of England is erecting a new Sunday school building, for which the tender of Messrs Eraser Bros., a local firm, has been accepted. The work will be commenced immediately.

Sport. — Some vers' fine stags' heads were brought from Wanaka through Queens-town last Monday by Dr Arkle, who reported that the country, though very rough at Hawea, was splendid deer country, and that game was plentiful. Mr Theodore Russell, of Pembroke, who is well versed in the haunts of the deer in that locality, guided the party. Easter Amusements. — ~W<ith the Easter holidays, which as a rule mark the close of the season and herald the cold but peaceful winter months, the district receives its small share of amusement. A cricket team from Invercargiil and Bluff will play matches in the district againsl Arrow and Queenstown, and then against a combined team from the whole district. The people of Queenstown may regard themselves as fortunate in having a visit from the Citizens' Band, Dunedin, wnich will give a concert on Saturday night. Should this combination bring a full complement of niernbeis, a good attendance at the concert js certpin, and the audience will not be disappointed in the performance.

Cricket. — On "Wednesday last a te"»m fro?n the Arrow Cricket Club journeyed +o Queenstown. ■where a match between the clubs resulted in a win for Arrow by 68 runs on a one-innings game. The vis* ling team made 13-4 runs, for 95 of which Dr J. B. Thomson was responsible. Going in first, he carried his bat ; and, tlicais;h given several lives, his performance mutt bs regarded as a splendid effort. Queenstown responded with 66, for 27 of which J. "W. Gardiner, by good cricket, was responsible. The weather was fine, but good fielding is always spoiled by the uneven natnie of the ground — a difficulty which cannot well heremedied, since the cost of filling in the leserve would be po great.

Lake Excursion?. — Visitor* «-heuld note that on Easter Saturday and Ej^ter Monday exclusions will be run on Lake T^akatir/ii to Elfin

Biy and. Glenorchy, the fare to the forme? being 4s return, and to the latter 5s return. A landing at Elfin Bay can only be made i£ the weather is fa\oiuabie. M'ning. — Most of tlie c l?.irn= in the Upper Rliotow-ei — m fact, almost all — aie at a btandslill, wanting for «aier. At the Twehe-miie, alone: Lake Wakatipu, vaier is scarce ?lso. The Mount Auruni mine's operations at Bullc-u-dale consist of driviag, there is no water for a cru'-'ung yet. This =ea=on has been by far the driest for some years— at anyiaie foi this time of the year. — and m> ners ?re naturally impatient at a delay which ccu'.d, l>y a supply of "water, be turned into \erv piofitable working hours. There i& talk of the local bodies — • the Queenstown Borough Council and Lake County Counci I—approaching1 — approaching the Government with a view to getting the services ot a, geologist and mineralogist to thoroughly prospect "the countiy round here in search of minerals. Not only gold, but copper, tin. and m fact almost any mineral may be found in, deposits in the mountains, but without export assistance it is impossible to get at the extent and value of the deposits. "When one sees tiia Land Commission on its tour one may rightly consider that assistance for developing mineral resources may very reasonably be asked.