BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 99, 3 October 1871, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(From our own Correspondent.) September 27. I remember reading some time ago, an account of the total disappearance of an island somewhere in the South Seas, with its entire population, and will shortly have to chronicle a similar occurrence. The umquhile flourishing village known as Logantown is rapidly taking flight, the inhabitants, like the denizens of snaildom, in. migrating, carrying their habitations with them. The only features likely to interest future visitors will be the architectural remains of sod chimneys, and mounds of broken “marines,” marking the sites where the potent whisky mill has done its dire and debasing mission. Well, the position of the place, as regards permanence, was a mistake from the first, and the only wonder is that it had not been discovered earlier. The cry of the emigrants is Westward Ho ! with the Garrick for their goal: I hope they may not be disappointed in their anticipations of better times in that quarter. I have been unable to pay a visit to the Rise and Shine reef, but I learn that the Company are still prospecting, and the stone improves as they get deeper. I shall take a “ tower,” as the Cockneys have it, in that locality, and report fully in my next. —It is rumoured that the ex-Mayor of Cromwell, Mr Smitham, is negotiating for the erection of a crushing-mill on the Thompson’s Creek reef. Should he succeed, I do not think he will have any reason to regret the speculation.—The Alta Company have had a wash-ing-up, and I believe the yield was not quite up to expectations ; but when was this the case ? “ One swallow does not make a summer neither should one poor crushing condemn a reef. The Company evidently are of this opinion, and are pushing on vigorously, crushing night and day; and as the stone is of somewhat better quality, I trust their hearts may bo gladdened shortly by the sight of a “cake” of the Leviathan order. —The Colclough Company have taken “ heart of grace” ; they have engaged a number of hands again, and intend prosecuting work with a will. A late crushing of 19 tons from a certain part of the reef gave a return of over 2idwts to the ton, and with such a prospect it would be madness to knock under.—May their plucky perseverance be rewarded. A washing-up last week from the Golden Link gave SCOozs for 200 tons of stone operated upon. I scarcely think the much-vaunted Carrick will beat this, and I am informed that this yield is rather under the average. Excellent stone has been struck in the Cromwell Company’s lease, at a very low level. It is superior to any raised during the past year —evidently showing that depth has a different meaning than exhaustion of reef. I may remark that such has always been my opinion with regard to the lodes of Bendigo ; and recent discoveries go far to prove its correctness. Reefs on the Victorian Bendigo which were supposed to have given out fourteen years ago, and in some cases deserted at depths varying from 150 to 250 feet, are now paying handsomely at 500 to 800 feet. I see per share lists that the quartz companies on Bendigo now pay upwards of £20,000 weekly in dividends, and this after nineteen years’ steady and continuous drain on the resources of the field. Who will say in the face of this fact that there is no permanence in goldmining ? The Aurora tributers have completed their flume across Bendigo Gully ; it is a very substantial erection, and reflects great credit on the workmen. They will shortly make a start sluicing on the Lindis terraces, and a trial will be afforded to those resources which people say your correspondent is very fond of trumpeting. Other parties of sluicers are at work in different localities, and as far as can be judged from appearances, are satisfied with their prospects. The Deep Lead still “ drags its slow length along.” Halcrow and party are constructing a tramway to convey their washdirt to the water in Bendigo Gully : their prospects still continue first-rate. Anderson and Co., in the next claim, resume operations this week. Should they bottom on good gold, I anticipate a rush, at least as far as the deadlylively nature of the place will permit. John Chinaman is gathering on our outskirts. I hear there arc abot; t 200 in Thompson’s Gorge on the opposite side of the Dunstan Range. Locust-like, I suppose they will swarm here after devouring all before them in that locality. I hear of no steps being yet taken to form a Miners’ Association in the Cromwell district. Rcally r the mining community deserve all the “slings and arrows of outrageous fortune” which may be visited on them by our wise and paternal Government for then’ supiueness in this matter.

A Spring Meeting in a very humble way is

to come off on Saturday next at Wakefield. Two or three events in the “horsey” line are on the card. Ido not think the stakes .are of sufficient value to induce owners of horses in the neigbouring Provinces to contest' As nearly every “Little jPeddlihgton” in 6tago has its “ Grand Annual,” who knows but this may be the germ of a similar institution for the reefing district of Bendigo at .a future date I