BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 151, 1 October 1872, Page 6

BENDIGO.

" #~: - * ( From ovr own Correspondent.) September 24, 1872. The high winds prevalent of late have considerably reduced the stock of snow ; in consequence, water is rather too plentiful, and sluicers, with an eye to the future supply, have arrived at the conclusion that it is possible to have "too much of a good thing." A few refreshing showers fell yesterday. Crops and vegetation generally will feel the benefit thereof, as it is the first rain that has fallen since the seed was put in in this district. I visited the reefs yesterday, Mid regret that I found so little to report. The gully in which the Colclough mill stands brought the legend of Sleepy Hollow forcibly to my mind : stillness reigned supreme. It is high time this state of things came to an end. 1 learned that yesterday was a day big with the fate of this company. A general meeting was to be held in Dunedin to decide regarding future operations ; so it is possible that shortly they may present characteristics of a livelier nature, and by a vigorous renewal of work achieve that success which, though long delayed, will be an almost certain result of perseverance in the mine. The Aurora tributers had a washing-up on Thursday last of 36 tons, yielding 29 ounces. Tais return is considered highly satisfactory, and the Stone in the face is improving considerably in appearande. A new discovery was made near the eastern extremity of the lease a few days ago, of a leader carrying first-rate gold; in fact, some of the specimens are equal to anything seen for a long time on Bendigo. The men are engaged opening a cut to get out a trial crushing, and if no great change takes place in the quartz, we may expect, as times go, rather a sensational return. The leader is from six inches to one foot in width, and is probably a concentration of the Aurora reef, which was sought for near the spot by the Victoria Company without success. There is nothing new to chronicle with regard to the Cromwell Company, except that —as I suppose, with a view to retrenchment —a reduction has taken place in the number of hands employed. Messrs Hebden and Smith have left for Victoria, en route for the old country, or perchance the Roper. The ordinary demonstrations at the departure of oM residents were in this instance conspicuous by their absence. It seems as if the age of presentations, and such-like bunkum, is on the wane, —for which let us be duly thankful. Mr Hugh M'Pherson, late of Rocky Point ferry, informs me that he has completed hi. new ferry arrangements at Albertown, and the punt works excellently well. He purposes shortly placing another punt on the Clutha, higher up, at a place called the Fork run. He says—with what truth 1 cannot vouch—that the Upper Clutha district is looking up: it is at any rate refreshing to learn that one place in Otago is displaying a disposition to go ahead. What news from the Roper ? is the off-i-3-peated query up here at the present time. Merfs minds are completely unsettled with speculations on the supposed new Eldorado. What warrant there is for the excitement remains yet to be learnt. If all those who have taken the fever carry out their expressed intention of visiting the far-off gold-field should favourable news be received, future New Zealand historians, like those of Mahometanism, will have " Hegira" to date from ; and it will need all Dr Featherstone's eloquence to provide material to fill the breach in the colonisation of the country. " Distance lends enchantment to the view," and although milder laws and taxation for the mining community may not prevent an exodus, it would be well for our legislators to bear the possible contingency in mind. The mild weather of the past few weeks has had a very favourable effect on the lambing. Judging from the number of young " jimboks" to be seen, the increase this year on Ardgour will not fall far short of 100 per cent. As these represent a prospective 12s. or 14s. each, as the case may be, exclusive of their woolly suit, Mr M'Lean may be classed among the lucky ones of the world.