BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 182, 6 May 1873, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(FROM OUR OWN CORRESPOND EXT.)

Aprd 29, 1873.

I was full of hope a few days ago that I would be warranted in writing of our prospects in a inure jocund strain than hitherto : ni'iin, I'hummii propose, &c. Rain set in on Thursday last, and continued for thirty hours. Men’s visages brightened considerably, and, in the language of a certain facetious Cromwellian, they thought “their marble was right.” But to-day, unhappily, the supply of water has fallen off to nearly its original dimensions. The ground, from the protracted drought, has become so dry that nothing less than a week’s steady rain will overcome the absorption, and prove of any permanent benefit. In the meantime, the Bendigo millennium is indefinitely postponed. The Cromwell Co. got their mill underweigh on Friday, and the value of the late repairs and improvements was very percep tible. They have about 1000 tons of stone raised, so there is plenty of work cut out for the stampers ; but if no additional rain falls, I am afraid another stoppage is inevitable. In their No. 1 lease, the company have struck splendid stone at a depth of 232 feet! It is estimated to yield 4 ozs. per ton. And in the Golden Link, at nearly a similar depth, they have a reef 21- feet wide estimated to give 2k ozs. per ton. As both these yields have hitherto been exceeded in this mine, there is lictle fear of the calculation proving exaggerated. The depth at which payable stone is proved to exist in the above mine ought to reassure capitalists, and induce them to extend their researches in other claims in this locality ; and in all human probability, similar success would be met with. The oldfashioned idea that depth in Otagan quartz reefs was synonymous with exhaustion, is evidently exploded, and 1 trust renewed and increased confidence in our auriferous lodes will result.

The Aurora tributers are ready and eager for a start; but 1 do not think there is sufficient water for the mill as yet. They have a very large quantity of stone on hand, and judging from appearances I imagine this crushing will pay well. They have been very unfortunate in not having water for crushing. It is certainly disheartening ; but in this respect they are no worse off than their neighbours, so “ what can’t be cured must be endured.”

The Lucknow Company have called for fresh tenders for the third contract in their tunnel, I am not aware who are the successful parties, but whoever gets the next length will find it easier work than the last: the driving has become much softer ; the hard band of rock which extended throughout the hist contract has come to an end ; and it is quite possible that the “country” may prove easier right up to the reef, —a “consummation devoutly to be wished,” the shareholders will doubtless remark. The level will reach the reef at a vertical depth of 180 feet, and will probably afford another test of the paying nature of deep sinking. 1 spent some time the other day in an examination of the Rise and Shine reef, and am more than ever convinced that it is well worth a trial. It is certainly the most exten-

sive lode to all present appearances in the district, and gold can be freely seen in the stone. Were I as wealthy as lam sanguine, it should very soon be undergoing the process of disintegration. The misery of keeping a dog, said Walter Scott, is that “ he dies too soon ; though to to be sure, if he lived fifty years, and then died—’’—the vision was too terrible. I think if Sir Walter had lived here, and experienced such hard times as the miners have of late, he would have imagined a still more terrible vision, —to wit, the sudden appearance of the collector of licenses, with a demand for “ tin shillins” for his canine favourite. It is time this iniquitous tax was reduced or abolished, and if, in common with other shepherds, our representative is of the same opinion, he might try his “ level best” next session to bring about the desired reduction.

So our poor little “Arthur Orton” romance has fallen through. I certainly thought it singular, seeing that Arthur is by all accounts “ wanted” by the police, he should rush deliberately into the lion’s mouth. I can only remark in connection with the canard, that the confidential communications of some parties are creditable to their inventive and imaginative faculties. If Anthony Trollope, or any other fiction writer, would pay us a visit, he might pick up some ideas suitable fora fresh novel, to be called “Wide of the Truth.”