LAKE COUNTY

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 35

LAKE COUNTY

August 19. — We have experienced the sariie beautiful weather as, apparently, is prevailing -fchrcxigltca'fc ihe colony generally. But more so probably, sinasi our climate has no better in the Southern Henri sphere. The only break in the fin© weather during- tha week wa» yesterday, when, it wag a little cold, and round the mountains wa-s very threatening. It has all the appearance of an impending snowstorm, but to-day broke fine and clear again, with a high weather glass. A very little snow fell on the mountain tops towards the Cro-wn Range last night r but it has all disappeared tinder the warmth of to-day's clear sun. There ia Hjwr barely any snow on the mountains. Old -residents in this district assert that such a phenomenally fine winter as the present one 13 quite without precedent. A number of 'ambs aire now seen an the warmer slopes. If the "grass does not fail, they will make rapid growth in the fine warm weather.

Unfortunate Loss. — Mr John M*Leay. for many years licensee of the Macetown Hotel at Macetown, had the misfortune to lose his premises by fire on Thursday morning. The origin of the fire is- unknown. It appears that Mi- M'Leay was across the road at an ol<l building- there for some time, and on coming out to cross over to his premises he saw smoke issuing from the hotel. Opening the door, he found the place full of smoke and flames. Nothing could be done. The fire evidently had a strong hold, and a few minutes saw thh building and the- whole of the contents reduced to ashes. Those- on the premi=es managed to get out, but with the exception of a, little clothing nothing- was saved. , The suddenness oi the total loss of these premises Mr M'Leay aigareat shock. He- will Imve many sympathisers in his misfortune, for he is well known here, and is highly, respected for his upright character and" infegrity. Socials.— -"Last Friday evening may be regarded, as good and convincing evidence that it la not for -want of socials that the district does not- progress. No fewer than four were held that evening. That in Arrow— in aid of tiie church — was a pronounced success, resulting in the funds being augmented by some £10 or so- The pogramme was a very good one, and included the appearance, for lie first time in Arrow, of Miss Tonkin, whose song was very enjoyable. Dancing was kept up until well on at night. Foothill. — The fine open winter has favoured this invigorating form of athletics. Matches between the clubs have been very regular in consequence, and interest in the game by the individual members_ of^ each club has been very keen. It is pleasing to note also thai; there is les3 tendency on the part of players to talk or question the umpire, and) there is aJso a great improvement in the feeling of players; any tendency to make the game unnecessarily "willing" is disappearing, and a healthy, clean sport is growing. This afternoon Arrowtown received a visit from a Bannockburn team, which arrived in a couple of drags shortly after midday. The visitors gave one the impression of Being both heavier and more active than the local men. Before the game commenced the odds certainly looked with the Bannockburn team. Play commenced shortly after 3 o'clock. The game which^ followed was interesting from start to finish, play moring rapidly up and down from one end to -the other. The end of the first spell .saw the Arrow leading by 3 to nil, 'a score which was increased at the second spell by a brilliant try scored by Dingwall and converted by O'Kane. This was a 1 very pretty piece of play. From a loose rush Dingwall came through, and. snapping the ball -and' the opportunity, made off up the field at a great bat, eluding all the opposing backs, and touching down between the posts. Bannockburn had the worst of the luck in having given against them what several onlookers took to be a score. A passing rush from the visitors brought the ball almost _on to the Arrow line. The last pass miscarried, but the ball was dribbled over and touched down. The line «ampire gave the player as out, but the ball certainly was not out. It looked as if the player dribbled the ball up the line, the ball being in play, but the player on oie occasion stepping off the ground. If this ia so, it was a score. But even this score would not have saved" the day. The game was 'Contested in the most friendly spirit, and was well controlled by Mr Ward, areferee.

E^tric Lighting. — At last meeting of the Queenstown Borough Council the Mayor (Mr Lewis- Hotop) brought up the question of lighting the town by electricity. The idea is by no means a nei» one, but the proposal that it should be undertaken by the bo'ough is a different phase to that last considered. Last time the matter was dealt with was a few years ago, when the council arranged to allow the local tinsmith to >arry out the scheme aa a private venture. He, however, did not think that the prospects of the borough would ws>rranf 'the exnenrHturp aid tha proposal fell through. Still, the scheme is a good one— anyone will recognise that ; the only question is that of ways and means. The water is easily obtained.^ The means will depend upon the ways, an<i with a view to ascertaining what the ways of putting the scheme into effect will cost, the council decided to ask some of the electrical engineering firm® to give a quotation for visiting and reporting. It would be a good thing for the town if the cost is such that the funds will allow of putting it into effect. At present the borough, despite the best efforts, is poorly lit.

Tree-P^arting. — Arbour Day, which is always late with us, owing to the severity of our winter, has been fixed by the Queenslown Borough for the 6th September.

Stook Appointment.— Mr James Wilson, son fiSJb E, Wilson, of the Ka&eby Chronicle,

has been appointed rabbit agent to reside in Queenstown. Mr \Vilson nas already arrived at tJie new scene of iiis labours.