BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 115, 23 January 1872, Page 6

BENDIGO.

—o—(From our oum Correspondent.) January 15, 1872. The weather is the first subject that presents itself to my notice, and although it is just now literally a “dry” one, a few words aneiit it may not be uninteresting. Three months ago, I predicted a drought, and, lo ! it has transpired, as, with the exception of an occasional flash-in-the-pan in the shape of a thunder-shower, our usual water-supply has been almost entirely cut off. Arguing from the same experiences which led to the above conviction, I am arrogant enough to foretell a speedy breaking-up of the weather; and “ water-squatters” will do well to look to the security of their aqueducts, for when the “ heavens open” I am afraid the downpour will be a “ caution to snakes.” About 200 years ago there flourished a great weather prophet and almanac maker named Dr Francis Moore. He was said to be an impostor, as only about five per cent of his predictions were correct. As Ido not wish to be classed in the same category, let your readers take my prophesies for what they think they are worth, and I am content to await the result. The Colclough and Cromwell Companies are raising large quantities of stone, but the mills are unable to keep pace with the production, the water-power being so slack that the first-named Company cannot crush at all, and the latter has only enough at times for five stampers. Commissioners of Water Supply, if ye be not defunct, make a note of this! The loss accruing to the Province from,the continuance of a short water supply to the Gold-fields ought to be sufficiently apparent by this time to our legislative Solons to cause some little attention to be given to the matter. At the present time it is a fact that whole districts, with hundreds of the population, are thrown completely idle from the accidental occurrence of a dry season. In the face of the specious Haughton-ciua-Vogel promises to the miners, of a few months back, it is a miserable and humiliating reflection. The prospects of the Colclough Company are said to be looking better than ever. The reef is three feet wide, with plenty of the precious metal visible, so that this Company are likely to reap the reward of their plucky perseverence, which contrasts brightly with the speedy collapse of the Aurora and Alta Companies, the more so as there were times when the Colclough Company’s prospects looked darker than did those of either of the •above-named mines. It is said that another trial is to be given to the Aurora. The common sense of the shareholders ought to suggest such a course after the successful issue •of the perseveronce of their new neighbours, who have, I see, applied for a lease of ten acres. So let me warn the Aurora proprietors that “ delays are dangerous” in quartz-mining as well as in love. The new light which is being thrown on the question of gold-amalgamation by the researches of Mr Skey, at the Thames, ought to induce mine-owners to consider their past operations, and whether the thousands of tons of quartz manipulated have yielded all the treasures contained in them. From reading his report, I have come to the conclusion that they have not. Those great foes to the process of amalgamation—iron and sulphur—exist in immense quantities in nearly all the lodes opened, so that there is reason for my supposition. There is a gentleman of my acquaintance who has the outlines j of the plan of a machine which, according to my imperfect notion, is the exact desideratum at this juncture for the successful treatment of quartz. If this meets his eye, I hope he will lose no time, for if the machine possesses the properties he vaunts, then his “pile” is made. In spite of prohibitions and pains and penalties, the Chinese still continue working every Sunday in Bendigo Gully. In addition to breaking the law, they spoil the water for all parties residing below them, and this during the present scarcity is no joke. What are the authorities about ?—to say the least of it, their ways are like those of Bret Harte’s “ Heathen Chinee”— peculiar. All the pasturage about here is completely parched up with the drought, and as a natural consequence, the mobs of horses, cattle,, and sheep are constantly on the move ini search of a bit of moist feed. The meat supplied in the district is of a very inferior quaiity—the mutton, especially, being exe-1 crable. The butchers complain, and, it is needless to say, so do their customers. It is singular that amongst the many thousands: of jimbocks feeding on the lulls of Ardgour and Morven not a presentable one can be 1 found. Heaven knows the miner has notl nor desires many delicacies, but a bit of good j mutton just now on Bendigo would be con- j eidered a bonne, bouehc,—sn y squatters’ please i bestir yourselves. j