LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2677, 5 July 1905, Page 34

LAKE COUNTY.

July 1. — The weather through the week has been seasonable, but there has bean a more contisiued fog in some parts of 'the district than :s usual. At night we have had severe frosts, "but it is sometimes almost midday before the sun's lays dispel fhe- mist. Down the Kawarau Gorge an unueually heavy fog has settled, and at Gibbston the sun was noB seen for almost a week. The last night or two the frost has been very severe, and no doubt* at the beginning of the week skating will D 9 indulged in. The pond in the Qu**nstowa Reser-. c has a fair coating of ice. and I believe the lagoons on the Queenstown Hill are almost! bearing. The continuous rains of last week hare filled these lagoona well. At the commencement of the winter there was only the merest drain of water in tbein. It would ba worth while, I should think, having the attention of the Government drawn more acntely to the scenic bemities of this district during the winter, pointing out that skating might be mentioned as an inducement to visitors. There is a fine sheet of water in the 'Queenstown Reserve; a gardener is kept by the department to attend to the grounds; and I feel sure that if the ice was preserved there a series of winter excursions at a time when skating could be relied upon would be a success. Tho late lams have taken almost all the snow from the mountain tops, so that tho prospect for .miners in the spring is not afc the present moment a very cheerful one. No doubt at the end of this month, or during August, we will have a- fall of snow. The lisarier it is on the tops the tetter, so that, with the summer warmth, a constant supply will be available. At the Mount Aurum mine, Bullendale, driving and work mo-re in tha nature of prospecting than anything -else is being carried on. No water will be available* for crushing until after the winter.

Hospitals. — At a meeting of trustees to-day th-e Arrow District Hospital appointment c£ house surgeon was filled by the re-election, ■of Dr J. B. Thomson. Some time ago Dr Thomson sent in his resignation, intending to leave the district. Circumstances, however, made a change in iris plans, so that he reapplied for the position which he had for 10 years filled to the -en'fcire satisfaction of the governing body- The w»st of secretary was filled by the election of "W. D. Morrison, while M. Cosgrove was appointed handyman. Next Saturday th-e Wakatipu District Hospital Trustees widl proceed to elect a fever nurse to nurse all fever cases at, the Fraaikton Hospital.

Bebating Society. — -The Arrowtown Debating Society held a most successful meeting tins week upon the question, "Should the State Control the Sale of Liquor?" The proceedings took the form of a parliamentary debate, the services of the- speaker being in constant demand. A large attendance and a keen debate made the meeting the most successful of "he winter so far.

Lake County A. and P. Society. — The promoters of last year's show and those -who fulfilled the many arduous tasks connected with th-e affair must feel amply compensated by the fact that on this, the society's first year, the balance sheet showed the credit balance of .£4O. Mr William Patterson, president of tho society, gave inv&lnable assistance to its success by giving the free use of one of his paddocks and the sheepyaards at Ayrburn Station., Anxious -to show their appreciation of the president's active interest in the welfare of the society, the members met in Arrowtown. last Wednesday, and presented him with a. silver cup. Mr ISaird made the presentation, and Mr Patterson, to whom the gift came as a complete surprise, briefly replied. Several of the members also spoke.

Temperance Adovcaie.— This district has beei» Jxee from the attentions of temperance or no-liquor advocates hitherto — from what reaisons I cannot say, but .probably because it is a scattered and distant country, a,nd the attention >of these speak&rs finds ample scops in the oities. However, Mr Woolley will visit! Queenstown on 28th inst., where lie will lecture. No doubt, as he is the first to visit the town, for some considerable time at anyrata, he will have an attentive audience Schools.— On Tuesday next Mioe Selle'y, ?ecently appointed mistress of the Queenstowre School, will take up her duties- tuere. Miss Salmond, who temporarily filled the place, has received an appointment as pupil toachev at North InvercargilL Mr Wild, schoolmaster" at the Crown Terrace School, has left to takei up his appointment in Invercargill. Miss Orr, a daughter of Mr Orr, in charge of th« Arrowtown School, fills the vacancy caused by Mr Wild's transfer. The Skippers School Committee, elected by householders, is as fol« lows : — Messrs A. Lambie, R. Stevenson, W. ITPher&on, W. Johnston, and J. Stephenson. Mr J. Stephenson is chairman and Mr R. Stevenson secretaryVolunteering. — The fresh appointments mad« by the corps in the "Wakatipu Mounted Rifles consist of captain (P. A. de la Perrelle), firsfl lieiitenant (J. J. M'Bride), second lieutenant (J. T. M'Bride), and third lieutenant (Williairt Gumming). In the Queenstown Rifle Yolun* teers Sergeant W. D. Warren has been appointed secretary. It is pleasant to note that the roll of both these corps keeps up well, new men filling any vacancies which occxir by departure of members and so forth. Queenstown Property Sales. — Mr C. E. Gudgeon sells on Wednesday next the furniture in the bankrupt estate of Tyrrell, jun. As the tinsmith "business was sold as a going concern, the sale of furniture will probably complete the realisation of assets in this estate. Nine town sections are offered foi* sale by tender in different estates. The sections are situated in different parts throughout the town, and should afford variety enoughi to suit the wants of almost anyone.