BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 113, 9 January 1872, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(From oar own Correspondent,) January 3, 1572. On the Btipposition that your columns this Week would be filled with the grand doings of the Cromwellians during the Christmas races, I refrained from obtruding our humble district on your notice ; and now, on venturing from my obscurity, I scarcely hope- to find anything worth recording, Personally, I enjoyed Christmas Day, having, along with a few friends, accepted an invitation from a worthy host—who, for obvious reasons, must be nameless —to partake of his hospitality and good cheer. We spent the day mostly in ministering to the wants of the inner man. The result was as might have been expected ■ —an access of sensation such as may be supposed to be experienced by a boned turkey, provided the "bubbly-jock" could resume his pristine form, and walk in life after the operation. This kind of talk is egotistical, therefore let me conclude the digression with the hope that a " real old Christmas dinner" may not come in my way again—well, until next Christinas. Impromptu sports were hurriedly got up at Wakefield on New Year's Day ; and as ! matters done in a hurry arc not generally supposed to be well done, this, I am sorry to say, proved no exception to the ride. About £3O was collected, and the competition for i t seems to have produced the greatest amount of "chaffing" ever witnessed for a like sum before. The whole affair was a series of! squabbles, ending in several pugilistic en-1 counters, which, although probably not in ! the programme, were the best-contested events of the "meeting," albeit "bloody coxcombs" were the only prizes resulting. To say the least about the affair, it was disreputable, so it will perpaps be wise to leave it to oblivion. Work is being generally resumed in the various mining and sluicing claims. Water: is unfortunately scarce, but there are indications of rain to-night. I believe most of the | lower diggings are " dried out" (synonymous term with "frozen out" in winter). It is to bo hoped the Pluvial god will shortly bestir himself. I am glad to sec that you have given a' rcsmiii of Mr Skey's report on the loss of gold during its extraction. I trust it may hive the effect of opening the eves of our t dented "save all" amalgamators to their deficiencies, and induce further research into the mysterious arcanum of auriferous salvation. After such a sonorous sentence, it will < be well to conclude.