BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume II, Issue 104, 7 November 1871, Page 6

BENDIGO.

— O~~ (From our own Correspondent. J November . .Nothing, of seriona import has. owwrecl' since my last communication to disturb' the even tenor of our way, if we except the very decided change in the weather. Old Sol; has come out in great strength, and the anojv|, unable ,tq yea-si its beaming glance, is rapidly disappearing. From many indtcationsl-have, noted,- and compared with past-experiences, I venture'to prediet a very dry "summer. ’■ Tfib flow of water in many of our races is already visibly affected, and should the .drought,con- 1 tinue, the aqueous supply will fall-far short of . our requirements. In reefing matters there as little ,to report. The Cromwell and Colclough Companies are working vigorously, and the latter, from all appearances, bids fair to retrieve past illluck—The Alta Company is still in a state of syncope. A meeting of the shareholders will be held next week to decide its fate. 1 might be deemed impertinent in offering an opinion on the matter, so will content myself with quoting a very old adage for the consideration of the company, viz., “Faint heart never won fair lady,” which is very applicable to their case, and in fact to quartzmining in general.—The Rise and Shine Reef stills keeps up its excellent character as the shaft deepens. I think its paving nature is ahead v proved bevoncl a doubt; but the shareholders are determined to make “ assurance doubly sure” before incurring the outlay for machinery ; and herein show their wisdom.—The Thompson’s Creek reef lias changed hands. The new proprietors, Mr Mitchinaon and several others, have put on men to sink shafts and test the extent of the lode. Machinery will be provided .at an early date, so that this long dormant but valuable speculation will at last get an airing- . . ...

Hazlstt and party have completed the cutting of the Aurora race, and will at once commence denuding the terraces fronting the Lindis River. Tins party having gone to a great expense in money and labour in their project will, I hope, he richly rewarded ; but of that there is little doubt.

The Races committee expect to be able to collect about £IOO. This amount judiciously expended, ought to provide plenty of sport for Christmas week, and will doubtless increase our list of visitors during the festive season. I do not pretend to belong to the “unco guid,” but must certainly again call the attention of the powers that be to the desecration of the Sabbvth by the Chinese in this place. Their much vaunted “industrious habits’’ apparently quite overcome their scruples (supposing such to exist). Where are the missionaries ? and where, oh where ? are the police ? If we must have “John” as a neighbour, let us try and make a good citizen of him ; or at least compel him to observe the laws of the country which protects and shelters him. The whaling season has commenced. For the information of such of your readers as may not understand the above announcement, let me explain that the terra “ whaler” is the general title of that nomadic class of the community called in Victoria, swagmen. I see numbers of these peripatetics daily seeking work and finding none. In the face of the proposed gigantic immigration scheme, fact looks bad. We are told very complacently by the promoters of the said scheme that the Colony will be able to absorb the immigrants as they arrive, Ac. Tiiis is of course very refreshing, but is only a mere statement. If the absorbing process is such a certainty, why not commence it now ? Let the Government suppose that the hundreds of “ whalers ” knocking about Otago have just arrived by the cheap passage system, and treat them as' they propose treating the new comers. Tiiey would thus have settlers without the cost of importing them, and would confer a very great boon on the settled population generally, and the “ whaling” fraternity in particular. The lambing in the district this season has been very product! ve. The increase is quoted at 93 per cent. Who wouldn't be a squatter?