BANNOCKBURN.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 180, 22 April 1873, Page 5

BANNOCKBURN.

( From our own Correspondent.) April 19, 1873. Now that the winter is creeping on, we shall probably have an addition to the Chinese population; The Nevis and other of the colder portions of the district do not seem to suit friend John in the winter time, and as the water is plentiful then, and there is a good deal of poor ground about, he manages to pass over the few months of severe weather away pretty comfortably in this locality. The approaches on either side of the Bridge are all but completed, and men are now engaged in fixing the moorings or fastenings for the structure itself. Before many weeks are over, the Bridge will be ready for traffic. There are few who will not say good-bye to the punts with pleasure. I "do not know whether the proprietors intend having any demonstration at the opening, such as there is usually at the completion of works of like importance to the public : if they do, and should everything be ready by that time, the Queen’s Birthday is approaching, and would be a very suitable day for it. An old resident on the Bannockburn has just returned, after ail absence of about twelve months on the gold-fields of New South Wales. He, along with some others, left about the time there was so much talk concerning Port Darwin. They intended going there, but the reports thence being unfavourable, they determined to stop in New South Wales. Most of their time in that Colony has been spent in sinking several deep and expensive shafts, none of which happened to bottom on the rich gutter. He informs mo that although there is a very large quantity of gold getting it is among very few hands; and that owing to the large population, and the great expense of prospecting deep ground, there is not much chance for strangers. Ho expects some of tiie otiiers back very shortly, and says he thinks New Zealand is the better of the two Colonies, after all. '