BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume 2, Issue 93, 22 August 1871, Page 3

BENDIGO.

—o—(From our own Correspondent.) August 12. The weather lately has been very favourable for mining pursuits,—rather changeable, certainly, but upon the whole we could hardly desire better. Water is plentiful, and likely to continue so : we may therefore look forward to a very successful season for sluicers and others whose operations depend on a regain* and copious supply of the limpid e s* a Vit- . A large and increased area of sluic-iiT»£-found will be worked in the district this year, and will, I hope, have the effect of turning the attention of the Commissioners of Water Supply to our wants in their line. A portion of the Loan might be very judiciously expended in bringing in the waters of the Hawea, the Lindis, or Clouden Creek and its tributaries. The extent of payable ground, I can affirm from personal observation, is unsurpassed in any other district. I do not say it is rich; but with plenty of water for an aid, it could be made to yield a comfortable subsistence to a large population; and as the gold was traced back to its source, ground might be opened equal to anything yet discovered in the Province. The present indications certainly point to such a consummation, if a fair trial was given to the immense terraced plateau extending along the Clutha from Wanaka to Wakefield. Water alone is wanted,—and on the acquisition of this desideratum I would advise all interested in the welfare of the place to concentrate their energies : it is worth the trial.

It is a pity that Mr Ho Ah Mee's application for a solatium for bringing that moral peso, the Celestial, among us, was not referred to the miners. I believe, if such had been done, his reward would have been the treatment accorded to terrier pups about to commence active life—viz., amputation of ears and tail,—and a fitting one, too, for his philanthropic (!) efforts. We have a few of his followers here, and) as is generally remarked of the nice, they are very industrious, —so much so, indeed, that they are only satisfied with working seven d lys in the week. I will venture to remark that if any European miners persisted in the S ibb ith desecration iu the same way, the vigilant (!) eye of the police would soon be upon thorn ; but then

"John" is allowed latitude, being so simple and unsophisticated. It seems to me that ttw. Chinese are to the gold-fields what the aphis is to the vegetable kingdom, a deadly blight, leav ing only desolation in their wake. The Rise and Shine Company are constructing a dray track to their reef, and making additions to their already substantial residences : this looks like business. TheAlta Company have not yet commenced crushing, — n 'hy, I cannot understand ; as there is plenty of water for the mill, and their workings are completely blocked up with the stone raised from the reef. The Colclongh Co. are getting out a quantity of stone, which is improving in appearance. A considerable fall of earth took place in their workings last week, fortunately during the night when the men were away ; it was caused by the water from the late rains percolating through the slate, bringing too much pressure on the timber, which gave way. The damage is now re paired. Their mill is at work. The Aurora Company is still sinking alongside the reef, w'ttli a view to further prospecting. The Cromwell Co.'s batteries are in full swing. They are now raising the stone by horsepower, effecting a great saving in labour ; of course there are as yet no returns, but we may soon expect to hear of a few tolerable cakes to swell your Escort.

There has been, I am sorry to say, a deal of sickness here lately, due I suppose to the fitful changes of the weather. It is mostly in the form of a severe cold or catarrh, and from its universality may be pronounced epidemic. The return of warm weather will, however, soon mend this state of things.

August 18. I have very little news to communicate this week, matters not having as yet made that vigorous start which might naturally he expected on the advent of Spring. Most mining companies hero, iike the serpent tribe, seem to assume the torpid state, out of which it is impossible to awake them to vitality until the appointed season. I am of opinion that a considerable loss must necessarily accrue from the sudden suspension and hurried r(l*amption of mining operations ; a deal ° f v'J'h " lOSt brealcin g in new hands, getting Ac, and when this is accomplished, hey, presto ! Winter is round again—shorten sail—shut up shop—then four months' hybernation. I sincerely hope to see our Quartz Mining Companies arrive at that financial position which will enable them to continue their operations right through the Winter, confident that both they and the district generally will be greatly benefited I here W.

" A number of visitors have lately inspected the reef in Thompson's Greek, and all apeak very favourably of its prospects. Machinery is all that is wanted, water-power being already on the claim, Where are our speculators 1 The Rise and Shino Company have re-commenced prospecting their great reef, and from all accounts it is likely to retain the character given of it by me in a former communication. The Alta Company have not yet started, but will probably do so in a week; and as they have lots of stone at grass, and plenty of water for crushing purposes, I predict a very successful season for this Company. The Colclough Co. are still busy crushing, and expect a considerable cake at their washing-up, which will take place very shortly. Some difficulty as to their watersupply appears to have cropped up between them and the Aurora Co., which is to be settled amicably. The tributers in the Aurora have changed the venue from the mine to their sluicing-claim, and are engaged in the completion of their water-race to the Lindis terraces ; when once the water is at work sluicing, the mine will be worked simultaneously. In the Cromwell Company's claim, a large whim has just been erected, which, in addition to two whips, now raises all the stone from the mine. This Company had a wash-ing-up last week from the Golden Link of about 400 ounces for, I believe, a fortnight's crushing. This celebrated claim evidently sustains its reputation.

It is rumoured that a company of claimants have turned up with a strongly-manifested intention of possessing themselves of that which they deem their own. Should the suit prove successful, the richest reefing-claim in the district will probably change hands, to wit, the Golden Link. It is rumoured that the " gentlemen of the long robe" will shortly have to decide the merits of a rather extensive breach of promise case from here; so that Bendigo seems likely at last to achieve a notoriety, albeit not exactly of a desirable sort, but as anything is better than being unknown and consequently passed over, let us be thankful, for "out of evil, good sometimes comes."

We had a very decided thaw last Wednesday. All the mountain streams became torrents ; and if all the river tributaries throughout its length, contributed a- proportionate quota, I should imagine the hopes of riverworkers will have fallen to zero.