LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2808, 8 January 1908, Page 39

LAKE COUNTY.

January 4. — Beautiful weather has been experienced throughout the holidays. A very large number of tourists have visited' Queenstown during the past fortnight. The excursions made by the steamers to the head of the Sake have been exceptionally well patronised this year.

Sports Gatherings. — The various sports gatherings held throughout the district during Christmas and "New Year have be6n very - successful. - The Arrow ' Caledonian Society's annual gathering- was held on Boxing Day, when the attendance of the public was large. Competition was keen in the various events. The principal event — tne Caledonian Handicap — was won by Booert Hunter, jun., of Malaghans. The Arthur's Point sports, held on the following day, •were also well attended. The Arthur's Point Handicap, the principal event, was won by S. Hunter, jun. The Queenstown Caledonian Society held their sports on New Year's Day. The attendance was goqd, a large arnmber of country people being~present. C. •■Ifßride won. the- Queenstown and Dominion Handicaps;-- and W. Fraser the New Year Handicap.- "Perfect weather prevailed for all •the gatherings. Bowling. — The Queenstown Bowling Club did not receive Sufficient entries to carry on •the tournament which was to have been Iheld on the Queenstown green during the Holidays, but in. anticipation of a number of visiting 'bowlers being in Queenstown. it was decided to hold, a scratch pairs -tournament. •Ten pairs Entered. The visitors included Messrs Hairaway and Forrest (Dunedin Club), Crawford (Roslyn Club), W. Sim (Napier), Cunningham' (Ihvercargill), and Geo. Beicfc (Glenorchy). The winning pair were Messrs Pope and. Crawford, (s), Messrs Forlest and Harraway (s) being second. > The visitors expressed themselves as being well satisfied with- the playing qualities of the green. - . .<

Death. — Another .member of the band of tardy pioneers of-the district, -in the person of_ Charles Picken- (familiarly known as -Charles Clark), passed away at the Airow Hospital on .the 27th December. Deceased had been » resident of Macetown 'for upwards of 40 years. ,Be followed the occupation of a miner, and was-, greatly, respected. He leaves a widow, but no family.

Sale-of- a Dredge. — The Maori Point dredge •was sold on Tuesday last by order of the Court, to satisfy two workmen's liens. The purchaser was Mr L^ Lynch, of Queenstown, and the price paid' JE26. Fire. — An old building in Church street, Queenstown (which in The early days was the* Roman Catholic Church) was totally destroyed by fire on Monday evening last. The cause of the fire was a defective chimney. The building had baen used as a laundry in co-nneetion with Mr Searle's Eichardt's hotel. It -was insured, but there was no insurance on the machinery and clothes, and Mr Searle estimates his loss at £200.

"Presentation. — Mr J. Blackie, who has been irr charge' of -Mr L. Hciop's business 'in Qtieenstown- during the latter's absence in the 'Old Country, was the recipient of a ■Dfesentation from a few of his friends before leaving foy Wintan; where he take 3 charge ©i" a 'chemist's shop for a short lime. -Personal. — Mt- D. F. North, brother of tha American -tourist- who "disappeared in April last, is at present- in.- the district for the purpose of making, thorough investigations into 43ie- circumstances surrounding the unfortunate occurrence. — Amongst visitors to Queenstown. during the week are Mr Justice Johnston, Major" Davis, and Mr Davis (Melbourne), and Messrs Myers and T. M. -fcFDonalct; Crown- Prosecutors at Wellington and Invercargill respectively. Admiral and Xiady Fawkes and 1 party are expected to arrive in. Queen&town on Tuesday aexb. and will visit the head of the lake on- Wednesday. Cricket.— Matches were played at Glenorchy. ion 30th December and 2nd January between .the- club there- and Skippers and Queenstown. TChe match against "Hiwrs was played on. the 30th, and re"-' " - win for Glenoichy. On the 2nd n defeated G-lenorchy "att-17 Iim c is teaitt defeated Arrow = j.x^ *-• . -_j[ by 15 runs.