THE LAKES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 675, 26 March 1875, Page 3

THE LAKES.

(from a correspondent.) Arrowtown, March 22,

Our Queenstown neighbors did manage to come out of their shell a little on Wednesday last, and celebrated St. Patrick’s Day with a Regatta in the Bay, followed by a Concert in the Town Hall in the evening. There was also a Fancy Bazaar held in the same building, for tho benefit of tiro Catho" lie School, and which was highly patron, ised. Tho Regatta was very successful, some of tho matches being [keenly contested. As usual the Saw Mill Crow carried off the best of tho prizes, they having plenty of opportunities to practice, while they are also a fine strong body of men. Tho attendance was not so largo as upon former occasions, there being the counter attractions of Horse Racing at Pleasant Creek Terrace, Upper Shotover.

The Concert drew a crowded audience, but the performance was of an indifferent character, nothing up to the mark of what 1 have usually witnessed at Queenstown. Miss Beeby sang very nicely, and with considerable taste, ‘ ‘ Who’s that tapping at the Garden Gate.” This young lady, with more practice, so as to acquire confidence, will make a very good singer in the future. Miss J. Macklin, another young lady of promise, gave “ Over the Summer Sea,” veiy nicely, and like Miss Beeby only requires practice. Miss I. Macdonald in “ St. Valentine’s Mom,” acquitted herself admirably, and an encore was unanimously demanded. This young lady is a great favorite amongst the Queenstown concert goers, and is a very pleasing singer. Miss J. Macdonald, her sister, and a debutante, met with a very favorable reception ; she sang “ Beautiful Isle of the Sea ” very prettily, and only wants practice to give her confidence, when she will prove a most welcome addition to the music loving people of Queenstown. Of our old favorite, Mrs Boult, too much praise cannot be given, and to say that, she sings well enough for any stage, would be within i the scope of her abilities—besides possessing a fine voice, Mrs Boult is an accomplishedmusician. Her “ Kathleen Mavonmeen,” drew down the house, and I don't know that, ever I heard that beautiful song sung better. Of the male portion of the singers, the only one worth mentioning was Mr J. Boyne, and though only having but recently come out in public, this young gentleman gives paomise of something o msidorably above the common, he possesses a rich powerful voice, something between a barritone and a tenor, which only requires cultivating to place him little short of the head of the best amateur fingers in the Province. In a duet, “ The Sailor Sighs,” with Mrs Boult, he took his audience by - astonishment, some of his upper and middle notes were of great purity of tone. In his solo, Tennyson’s beautiful sang, “ Come inta the Garden, Maud,” Mr Boyne was not quite so happy as I expected, but it was only for want of practice, at his song, with “ Kathleen Mavourneeu ” must have been the two great successes of the evening. The Queenstown folks still delight to play at Soldiers, and the Volunteers once nearly extinct have been resuscitated. Assembled on the stage in front of a romantic cottage scene, instead of “ upon the tented field,” were arranged in full force, the Queenstown array, consisting of some sixteen rank and tile, and four cadets, infantry of course, as the youngsters are not older than twelve or fourteen years. One of them, who holds the rank of Lieutenant, Mr W. S. Worthington, wore the regimentals of his Corps, and a fine soldierly little fellow he looked, standing bolt upright in his togs, and not like some of his adult comrades, who appeared to have had their suits dropped over them from off the point of a pitchfork, and then strapped with a belt, looking more like a loosely filled sack, tied round the middle, than dapper smait looking soldiers. The occasion of the muster was the presentation of Champion Medals to Corporal Wills, and Volunteer Boyne, they having scored highest at the butts in the firing match some time since. Each of the young infantry were also awarded prizes—l c>,uld not learn what for—perhaps, they had not taken part in recent garden depredations, the owners thereof, instead of poisoning the hoys with strychnine, had altered their minds, and preferred to kill them with kindness. Captain Worthington, Commander in Chief of tho local forces, made a brief address, commenting upon the advantages of every young person being acquainted with military drill and discipline, and draw a vivid picture, of how they might repel an enemy if coming down the Lake to attack the town. It occurred to me that if Captain Hicks, with his steamer, Antrim ever had the temerity to attempt the bombardment of Queenstown, and make captive the Mayor, Burgesses, and Town Clerk, unless the Corporation dubbs down the water supply indemnity award, he will meet with a warm reception from the guns of the soldier citizens. I don’t know what has become of the Volunteer Band, surely it has not ceased to exist. I quite envy you folks at Clyde, with your splendid brass band. Don’t heed tho ravings of the Queenstown- “ Oracle,” because it says that, you are always blowing and accomplish nothing. The fact of your being able to raise the wind to keep such a band up, especially for your own personal amusement, entirely refutes tho argument. 1 know a lot of people in Queenstown that would prefer any day hearing a tune from a good brass band than reading a long dreary article on Auckland politics in the Wakatip Mail. Many of your readers will be glad to learn that Mrßendix Hallenstein, although not quite recovered from the effects of his accident, which resulted in a broken log, is able to move about a little with the assistance of crutches.

Our M.P.C., Mr Manders, is. busy ad dressing his Constituents in all parts of tho district, so tiiat their interests may not bo

neglected in the coming Session. It is rumoured that Mr C. E, Haughton will shortly appear once more in tho political arena, and go in for a seat in tho Assembly at the next general election—this is I believe an undoubted fact. Mr Pyko must look to his laurels, or he will find himself worsted iu the fight. He must get tho railway completed to Kingston, or ho will never save his bacon.

NASEBY. —o—(FROM CUR OWN CORRESPONDENT. March 22nd. We were early last week visited by a storm of a nature very uncommon to Naseby. This place is pretty noted for high winds, but this far exceeded, for a short time, anything Jt have seen before. When at its height a whirlwind rose, sweeping west and east, and encountered, in its course a small unfloored sheet-iron building, which it threw completely over, and carried it entire for several feet. On falling to the ground the building was broken up into several pieces. At the time the house was struck a woman and child were inside, who, by almost a miracle, escaped unhurt. To-day, about 1 p.m., burgesses of Kaaeby were startled by the fire-bell ringing out its warning tones. The scene of conflagration was a stable belonging to Mt Aitken, baker, situate at tho back of Devon street. The building was used partly as a stable, and partly as a storeroom. It contained two tons of hay, &c. As soon as the fire was oliserved buckets were brought into use, but were found to be little more than useless. In the meantime the Fire Brigade had got their apparatus out, and quickly had an excellent jet of water playing on the burning mass. They had no very easy job before them, however, for the fire by this time had taken hold of the uprights and rafters of the building, and the iron itself was insufferably hot. Notwithstanding, by persistent working the fire was gradually got under, and tho contents of the place were thrown out and deluged with water. M ater was supplied in abundance both by buckets and the hose, and though a veiy heavy smoke emanated from the building for a long rime the fire was really under in about twenty minutes from the time it started. If it had not been for the promptness of the Brigade in arrivingon the ground and tho coolness and persistency with which they conducted themselves when there—a feature characteristic of them—the shop in the front street, which is connected with the stable by a continuation of loose straggling building, must have gone, a d there would be nothing whatever to prevent it extending to the buildings adjoining. Tho building was not insured, but the stock is insured sufficiently to cover the damage. Tho loss is now supposed to be about from LSO to L7O, though the real loss cannot be ascertained till after a more searching examination. The origin of the fire is at present uncertain, although it is attributed to the usual cause—boys playing with matches.

A distressing osse came before the Magistrate’s Court to-day, A young woman, of about seventeen, named Catherine Burns, was brought up charged with larceny, the alleged stealing the sum of L 8 10s, the property of her employer, Robert Aitken. It seems the accused was a servant of Mr Aitken, and that Mrs Aitken had placed in an unlocked drawer in her bedroom a sum of money. On going to take the money next day Mrs Aitken found a portion missing. She thereupon (suspecting that the accused, who was the only person in the house beside herself at the time the money was placed in the drawer) informed her husband, and he marked some silver and notes and placed them in the drawer. A short time after they were found to be gone, and Mrs Aitken then went to the accused and requested to see all the money that she had. The girl produced from a skirt, in Mrs Aitken’s presence, some notes and silver, which no doubt was the first money stolen, and which was not marked. On being asked she denied having any more, but not being satisfied with this answer the skirt was searched, and more money produced, which proved to be that which had been marked and placed in the drawer. The accused was therefore sentenced to one month’s imprisonment in •Naaeby gaol.