LAKE COUNTY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2856, 9 December 1908, Page 39

LAKE COUNTY.

December s.— The weather has been th« all-absorbing topic for the past week. The heat has been intense, and that well-known authority, the "oldest inhabitant," considers that it has been *c ldngest spell of dry ■weather exuerienced in the district. It will 2>e a most serious natter for the farmers if there is not rain very soon. Personal.— His Excellency Sir Richard Poore, Admiral of the Australian squadron, spent a few days in Queenstown during the week. The Admiral expressed himself as being delighted with the beautiful scenery of the Lakes. Entertainments.— On Wednesday evening, 25th ult., Mrs Mussen's dramatic elasa staged, for the second time in Queenstown, "My Sweethearts." The proceeds on this occasion were given to the* newly-formed) Queenstown Rowing Club. The attendance was good. Although the fir3t performance was gone through in a very creditable manner, the performers excelled themselves in the second production, those taking part acting with much more ease and confidence. * The annual entertainment in connection ■with the Arrow District High School took place in the Arrow Athenasum Hall on Saturday evening list. There was a large attendance of 'the public, and the funds of the school would benefit to the amount of about £13. It was purely a juvenile entertainment, and it was evident that the iittle ones had been carefully trained, and Misses Brown and Copland and Mr Orr are deserving of much oredit for the treat provided. The programme included choruses, dialogues, songs, ohaxactcreketehes, and musical drills. Mrs de la

Perrelle acted as accompanist, Mr G. H. Romans (chairman of School Committee) returned thanks to tbe public for th-eir liberal support. He also thanked the teachera and the accompanist. Wakatipu Licensing Committee. — The quarterly meeting of the committee- wa6 held at Queenstown on Tuesday last, and was attended by Mr J. S. Evans, S.M. (chairman), Dr Douglas, Messrs J\ de la Perrelle, Geo. F. John3ton, J. L. Scott, and A. Ford. The following applications were granted : — H. T. Soper, Lake Wakatipu Hotel, Kingstane, permanent transfer to Helena SeJwood ; L. Bell, Welcome Home Hotel, Long Gully, permanent transfer to H. J. H. Lewis ; P. Rogers, Royal Mail Hotel, Lumsden, permanent transfer to J. M'Dougall. A. Groves, Mount Earnslaw Hotel, Glenorchy, was granted three months' leave of absence. Leon Curtis was granted permission to carry on the business of M'Bride's Family Hotel, Queenstown, until next annual meeting. Mr H. Elam was granted permission to carry on the bottle license business for the executor of the late R. Pritehard, Arrowtown. The Chairman said the committee had considered the question of improvemente being made to the three Arrowtown Hotels, and had decided that, in the interests of the public, certain improvements should be made. Mr Wesley Turton appeared for the licensees, and said it would be unfair, considering -the present no-license movement, to make his clients rebuild. They would, hoy/ever, be prepared to make reasonable improvements. The Chairman said it teas not the committee's intention to make the hotelkeepera rebuild, but certain improvements and alterations had been decided on, and these would have to be carried out by June next. R. J. Kelly was pa-anted a conditional license tor the Lake County A. and P. show, and Mrs Jopp a conditional license for the Lake County Jockey Club's races.

Ball at Skippers. — The annual library ball was held on Friday evening, 27th ult. The weather was all that could be desired, and the attendance was good. The music, which was first, class, was supplied bj Mr J. Ramsay (violin), and Miss Kavanagh (piano). Mr D. Ward acted as M.C in hie usual efficient style. During the evening eongs were sung by Mts John Stephenaon, and Mr Barden ; a. pianoforte duet by Misses Dennis and Cottes; recitations by Mies Garrett and Messrs J S. Collins and Ramsay. Mr A. Lambie, on behalf of the committee returned thanks to all who h*d contributed towards the success of the gathering.