BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 40, 17 August 1870, Page 5

BANNOCKBURN.

'{From our own Correspondent.) Augnst 15. It is the prevailing opinion in this district that the frost has disappeared for the season, and it is to be hoped that opinion is correct; for (unless one is in possession of a fund of Mark Tapleyism), it is very unpleasant, having to drop either pick, fork, or shovel every three or four minutes, on a cold frosty morning, for the purpose of warming one's digital extremities by resorting to the finger-blowing and arm-flap-ping expedients. Mining matters are not very thriving ; still, affairs might be worse than they are ! at present. There is not much drinking being done, which is said to be a bad si<m for the prosperity of a digging community ; yet there are a few old Identities of local renown who now and then seem desirous of showing their appreciation of the poet's words—- " Man, being reasonable, must get drunk, The best of life is but intoxication." Reporis are rife concerning the excellence of the claims on Doctor's Flat, and it bolieved that one claim is more than the average amoith* of wages por wteek ; but the most of the other claimholders have not yot driven far enough to reach tlgjead that is supposed to be coining flat, and which the bofore-meutionecl are said to be driving on. The richer portions of Smith's, Shepherd's, and Pipeclay Gullies have been turned over two or three times, with satisfactory results, and the remaining solid ground is, by a methodical manner M& •ing, and a judicious use of the ,os:s experienced in ground to pay small wages, and in y - ■•"$88 mA y^ )2 T)ioi 'e. jtS^f^l 'r%M lai ' ge c i uaut % of gold Hilly lost to this district, consequent* IprS sluicing operations having been carried on on some of the terraces prior to the bed of the creeks being worked. For instance, such a mass of tailings has accumulated on what was once the best part of the' Bannockburn proper, which has only been once worked, that even if terrace sluicing were for n time suspended, it is doubtful whether the amount of gold, in the part of the creek so overspread, would fyd sufficient to requite any miner for Ajjj|| Ipbor of extracting it. The bed r Should most undoubtedly bo worked, before ground mitted on its bunks. *%s§■<■>' Fresh arrivals of Chinese are ctfrapHruy Augmenting the population of Mymplace, the outlying gullies, much <J|Bi£satisjfaclion of tlio punt owner, an||lfite|itt;tenae disgust of a large miml|||j«pfefJohn Chinaman does not .sess thepame proclivity for night rrH^j^

ing in. the vicinity oi' lien i costs, and taij9 races, that lie had in Victoria ; nor \mW he given anyone cause to eoiifkin MM opinion entertained of him, propensity of appropriating " unco 9 trifles," generally. There is a Chin 9 on Shepherd's Creek, with the ci 9 benches for opium smokers ; a 9 apart for tho manipulation of <!• 9 and that frouzy Chinese Chinamen are said to have less 9 of endurance than Europeans ; if s9 really the case, the Celestials roun9 about this district, constitute an ano9 for they have been sedulously cin]9 all the winter at the head of gulli9 Europeans have left rather than I' 9 rigour of a winter in the ranges.