BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 124, 26 March 1872, Page 6

BENDIGO.

—o—(From our own Correspondent. ) March 20, Tiie intense drought still continues, and, in consequence, mining is almost at a standstill, —as, with the exception of a few men raising stdne in the Cromwell and Colclough mines, and occasionally a little spasmodic activity at the mills, there is literally nothing doing; so to assert that business wears a lively aspect here, would be to draw extensively on the imagination. The characteristic facial expression of Bendigo is very sombre indeed, but as there is no redress, we must try to “ grin and bear it” with Christian resignation. Anderson and party, on the “'Deep Lead,” bottomed the shaft alluded to in former correspondence, but unfortunately struck the high reef at 100 feet. Having, however, satisfactorily determined that the deep ground continues through their claim, they are sinking another shaft to the southward, and are down over 00 feet. Halcrow and party, in the next claim, are getting out excellent washdirt, and from their preparations for a winter campaign, arc evidently satisfied with their prospects. The Rise and Shine Company, during the present scarcity of water, are busily engaged in box-sluicing. I have wondered that this party have not continued the prospecting of their reef, but I believe a certain want of unanimity of opinion as to its value lias been the cause of a cessation of operations. It is a pity to see this fine property lying dormant: the Alta Company, having their mill so near at hand, might be able to do something with it, and perhaps retrieve past ill-luck. By-the-bye, a rumour informed us that this mining property was to have been sold by public auction on Saturday, but seeing no intimation to that effect in your journal, I declined to put faith in the report, for I do not think it at all likely that the body of shareholders would permit the sale without due publicity being first given in the local paper. The great event of the past fortnight has been a raid by Mr M‘Lcan’s overseers. A great number of horned beasts were driven off to the Clyde pound, to be followed shortly by another instalment if no abatement of the nuisance takes place. In all fairness, I think the squatter is just: he permits the miner to run his horse on the station, and perhaps a cow or two for domestic purposes. But this does not suit our incipient cattle-graziers, who have in some instances large mobs feeding at the expense of “Big Jock,”—and it appears—as a crony of mine remarks—“ he’s no the mon to alloo it,” and perfectly right too : every man is entitled to his own, “ Big Jock” included, notwithstanding his connection with that bovine and ovine order who arc popularly but erroneously supposed to be the natural enemies of the miner. Mr M‘Lachlan, of Rocky Point Ferry, being unable to work his punt in consequence of the river silting up at his crossing, has removed the pontoon lower down, and sinking bis private grievances, has coalesced with Mr M‘Phonon, his rival. Of course a bitter pill is swallowed, and spleen must be vented somewhere,' so the "gentle” public has been selected as the victim, and an increased tariff of fares is inflicted “to suit the tunes” (of punt-owners). It is possible that the repeal of the old “ Ferry Ordinance” will bo found to have boon premature, if Her Majesty’s lieges have to pay the piper because the ferry accommodation is in excess of their requirements. It is certainly a now feature in political economy, that competition should have the effect of raising prices.