Queenstown.

Southland Times, Issue 10200, 4 July 1889, Page 3

Queenstown.

(from oub own correspondent). According to report the Arrow school teachers don't have a very pleasant time — everyone that has held the position of head master having been served with a summons for one thing or another. The latest case is that of Mr J. L. Field (under whose tuition such a good percentage was obtained at the last examination) being summoned for water rates. It appears from correspondence in the local paper that during his predecessor's sojourn in A.rrowtown the school committee agreed to lay the water to the school, but on reflection decided to ask permission of the head master to lay it to his house, Avhich was agreed to, the school committee to pay the rates. They paid them for about two years, and some time after that the teacher ■was informed that the water rate was in arrears, and asked to pay up, on the ground that the water was laid to his house. After beingsummonedthe teacher paid the rate into Court, and had done so till Mr Field took over the school. He also was served with the usual notice but forgot all about it, and the Corporation then sent to the committee, which body also declined to pay. The Council, not to be done out of the rate, then requested the Education Board to pay, but again they were repulsed. Again turning their attention to the schoolmaster they summoned him, and he paid the money into Court under protest. Mining operations are at a complete standstill owing to all water supplies being frozen. However, one or two good washings up for, the season have been reported from Skippers. Agricultural matters are very quiet, as no more work can be dove with the present hard frost on the ground, and the farmers are all complaining at being idle. The liabilities of the recent bankrupt, S. G. Dauiel, amount to something like L 165, while the assets only reach L 25. Some surprise is evinced at the action of the Borough Council (who summoned him for L 36 and got judgment) for issuing a distress warrant when they might have known that the bankrupt had no property, and thus drove him into the Bank* ruptcy Court when, if they had allowed him time, he would no doubt have tried to satisfy all. Ice skating is still being taken advantage of ; the rink, consequently, being poorly patronised. Torchlight carnivals have been the rage of the past week — sometimes attended by the band — and very enjoyable they prove. A heavy fall of snow gave some amusement to the boys, and on it melting a little was soon converted into ice and proved very dangerous to walk upon. A slight thaw has now set in. The Christy Minstrel concert, by the footballers, was well attended, and a fair programme was very much appreciated, judging by the laughter that arose from time to time, when a good local hit was made. The funds of the club will be well augmented, and now they will be able to do a very necessary work, namely, levelling the football ground. The Queeustown Brass Baud intend producing the opera " Piuafore" about next September. After treating the Queepstown people they purpose to go to Arrowtown, and it is also whispered, to Lumsden. A rather severe accident occurred last Week to Mr Robert Gunn, of Miller's Flat. He was carting grain to be threshed, when one of his horses slipped on the ice-bound road, and fell on him. He was immediately taken to the Arrow Hospital, where it was ascertained that three or four ribs had been broken. Ist July.