BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 180, 22 April 1873, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(ft •oin our own Correspondent ) April 15, 1873. The continuance of dry weather, in addi lion to producing a scarcity of money and 'employment, has also created a dearth of news, so that to scrape together a few lines ■of moderately interesting items is almost a Herculean task. The “ History of the Struggles of a Newspaper Correspondent during .'the Drought” might form a highly amusing •and instructive pamphlet, in these days of 'sensation-seeking readers. A friend of mine implored me, the other day, not to let Ben■digo “ go under” for the want of a little paltry news. He seemed to imagine it was only a secondary consideration in the repertoire ■of a correspondent. However*, I forgave him, *as he has, like Hamlet, a “prophetic soul,” and is a kindred believer in the advent of a prosperous future for this, at present, almost Deserted Village.” In mining matters there is nothing new to report. Enforced idleness is still the rule, quartz-crushers and sluicers being with a few exceptions at a standstill ; and as there is no likelihood now of a supply of water until the snow falls, the situation must be accepted with what resignation we can bring to bear. The Rise and Shine company, for the first time in seven years, have been compelled to ■descend to the lower country ; and having ■constructed a dam to hold the night-water, are able to work a few hours daily. Bowman and party’s race has not yet given out, and a few other races heading from the Grandview mountains still continue to afford a small supply to their fortunate owners. A half-share was sold last week by Mr James Anderson, who has constructed a race to work ground at the “ Downs,” ten or twelve miles from Ardgour station ; the purchaser, an old resident ■of Quartz Reef Point, expresses himself well satisfied with the prospects, and says he likes the look of the country. I have frequently directed attention to this part of the district as a field for sluicing operations, and feel certain that if more prospecting were done in this direction, my statements would receive ■confirmation, and a large area be opened up for sluicing. There are several permanent and abundant streams for a supply of water, but the expense of constructing races to convey them to where they can be utilised is at present, I am afraid, beyond the power of this small and impoverished community. There was great talk a short time ago of an ••extensive scheme of water supply from the Lindis river, but it appears to have died from inanition. I am inclined to believe it was vox et preterea nihil. There is no doubt of the spec proving a paying one, but the difficulty consists in making outsiders believe • such to be the case. When this result is achieved, 1 have hopes of seeing the Lindis flowing hundreds of feet above its present •bed, affording employment to hundreds of ; gold-seekers. I see by advertisement that the Alta mill vis to be sold next month. It is to be hoped '■that it will not be allowed to leave the district. There is plenty of work for it if removed one mile from its present site, to the ‘Rise and Shine reef, and it will be a great blunder if the two are not brought into juxtaposition. I believe in such case a liberal arrangement could be arrived at with the present holders of the reef, which is in all probability an extensive and payable lode. I am rather surprised at not finding the advertisement of the sale in your columns. It is surely an unwise parsimony, and an injustice to the shareholders, not to give such an important transaction the widest publicity; it savours slightly of hole- ind-corner procedure. Since our paternal Government have taken in hand the construction of a dray-track to Reef Point, we of Bendigo are unanimously of the opinion that in all fairness it ought to be extended as far as this place. The ferry-tolls are a heavy tax upon our resources, and a very considerable drawback to progress ; cheaper transit of goods, Ac., is very much to be desired, and this would be accomplished by the above extension. The Government have evidently some spare cash ■on hand, as witness the expenditure of money for an almost useless track over the snowy Tanges of Mount Pisa to Cardrona. In the face of such an outlay they could hardly decline to accede to our modest request, if backed up by your municipal authorities in their customary business-like manner. 1 trust some action will at once be taken in the

matter. I l ave for some time waited in vain for the appearance in print of a singular rumour which has obtained a certain amount of credence in this place ; and as it has not shown up, permit me to lay it before your readers, who must take it cum gram sails, as T. cannot vouch for its accuracy, but give it as told to me. It will be remembered by many that Messrs Maid man and Norman left the district very suddenly a few weeks ago, m route for the old country, taking with them a wellknown resident, named Mr Thomas Nippon.

It is now rumoured that the last named person is the veritable “Arthur Orton,” of Tichborne celebrity, and that they are conveying him to England to present him to the proper authorities. If such is their errand, they will doubtless recollect the existence of the submarine cable on arrival in Melbourne, and, as the Tichborne bonds per last account were down to lOd. each, by a judicious “ wire in” make literally a nippin’ speculation. There are several circumstances in connection with their sudden departure which give a colour to the story, but whether true or not time will show. [We are able to state, upon undoubted authority, that the rumour has no foundation in fact. Jdr Nippcn does Pot claim to be Arthur Orton. —Ml*-]