BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 192, 15 July 1873, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(from our own correspondent.) July 8,1873. Nothing of surpassing novelty has occurred since my last communication, and without ■wishing to be considered audaciously original, I may remark that the winter keeps very mild and open, so far. Without the unpleasant evidences of the frost-bound water-races throughout the district, T could not positively swear that the dread season was on, and that Midwinter's Day was a thing of the past. Fine days and frosty nights are the present order of things. The snow which fell a fortnight since is rapidly melting, and fears are entertained that another season of water scarcity will follow. Personally, I have no such apprehension. There is yet plenty of time for severe weather, and indeed from present skyey appearances, the date is not far distant when we may have it to our hearts' content, or more.

The Cromwell Company washed up last week and the result was a cake of ozs., the number of tons not stated. The fluctuations of their water supply have protracted their crushing operations,—but the yield, so far as I can learn, is considered first-class; "the next is expected to be much better ; and the following one, as my informant emphatically stated, " a stunner," so I should not be surprised to see, at no distant date, a special bullock-team engaged to transport the " wel•come stranger" to Cromwell. However, joking apart, the prospects of the Company just now are very brilliant. Splendid stone is being taken out in the deep leads. Some of the specimens shown to me will compare favourably with any in the annals of quartzreefing. Nothing but a regular and permanent water supply is needed by this Company i ) secure unqualified success. The unfortunate Auroras do not come up to the poetic idea embodied in their euphonious title. Their prospects are not " exceeding bright." Their water race is again broken away, and is said to be irreparable during King Frost's reign ; crushing is consequently out of the question. They, like the inebriated individual, '' can neither stand nor go," and accordingly effect a compromise by the employment of two men in the mine. It is very unlucky for them, the want of water, as stone is plentiful and easily procured, continuous crushing only being required to ensure good returns. Originally a man was stationed at the head of the race for the timely prevention of accidents. Why the tributers did not continue the practice, is best known to themselves ; but I cannot help thinking a serious mistake has been made by the omission. The Lucknow tunnel is being pushed on •'as fast as circumstances will permit. It is now driven 270 feet, and must pierce about 130 feet yet, before the lode is reached. There is a considerable amount of water now met with, and judging from the appearance of sundry "heads" and veins in sight 1 should imagine a change of " country" is not far off, which of a necessity must be softer, as anything harder than the present driving, unless it be an anvil, cannot, I think, be found.

My original idea of a level from Bendigo Gully to intersect the Iguana (or "Johanna"), Broadfoot's, Colclough's, &c, <fcc, lines of reef, seems to be slowly stealing into the perceptions of the miners here. I saw a party of men on Sunday last looking over the ground, and carefully studying the feasibility of initiating such a scheme. The fact of the rich stone now found in Logan's deepest levels appears to have convinced many that such notions after all are not altogether chimerical. Time will show. There is considerable discussion here at present anent the possibility of discovering coal in the locality. I believe some parties are prospecting for a seam in the Lindis Valley. Considering that coal costs here from £4 to £6 per ton, and firewood is not to be had anywhere, a "black diamond" discovery would be a priceless boon to the community. Mr MacKellar, if not too busy, might sound the Government on the advisability of offering a reward for such a discovery, such reward to be supplemented by the inhabitants, who, I am sure, would only be too glad to "contribute to that end. A visit from a good geologist might be productive of excellent results, apart from coal measures (if they exist). There is a splendid field for research, jmd if any of our savans in holiday time will pay us a visit, they will meet with a hearty welcome.

The pros and cons of the miners' strike on the Carrick are vigorously debated here, and it is unnecessary to state on which side our sympathies are enlisted. It would be wasting time to dive into the vexed question of supply and demand, but is generally supposed that competition lowers wages, and as owners of quartz mines have not even this flimsy excuse, it does seein singular and indeed ai'bitrary that they should have adopted their present course, more particularly at this season of the year, when the miner in Otago is placed at a disadvantage. This fact alone will breed an animosity in the breast of the miner, which will react unfavourably upon the employers, whichever way the struggle ends. Wages, doubtless, must and will eventually be lowered, but with many others I take the liberty of thinking the epoch has not yet arrived. If the question of dividend or no dividend is to be settled by the entailment of a few shillings per week from a dozen or so of men in any quartz mine, the sooner such mine is closed the better, to be reopened under happier auspices when—well, say, when the great immigration scheme is wrought to fruition in this Southern Britain. f