ST. BATHAN’S.

Dunstan Times, Issue 402, 31 December 1869, Page 3

ST. BATHAN’S.

(from our own correspondent.) December 27. Christmas-day of 1869 hag passed without any extraordinary demonstration on the part of this small section of the mining community. In fact, Ido not remember ever experiencing a more quiet holliday in the province, most people seeming to devote their energies principally to the delectation of the inner man. There was an entire absence of inebriety or rowdyness, the ordinary accompaniments hitherto of the festive season on the goldfields, speaking volumes in favor of the establishment of temperance societies and other civilizing institutions. I suppose holiday-making will bo the order of the day until the new year, winding up with a pic-n c under the auspices of the Abstinence Society on the Ist of January. This will be the first day of our annual races, and there is every appearance of our anticipations of a good day's sport being realised. A number of horses frdm other distreits have arrived, so there is likely to be plenty of competition for the various prizes. The weather is so far propitious, a ew showers having fallen yesterday, and public expectation is on the qui vivo, to the exclusion of all matters other than the merits of the equine favorites.

A good many parties having washed-up lately, the escort from this place next week ought to figure well on tho list. Our only hank agent, Air. Stowart, of tho Bank of New South Walwq must have had a heavy

time of it, aa the gold here is very difficult to clean.

An attempt is about to be made to bring in a large race from the Dnnstan Creek, to work the St. Bathau’s Basin. The said creek is a special reserve to the mining for flushing the sludge channel, the proprietors of which intend trying to t Avail themselves of it, by permission of the which is expected to reduce the price of water, so “God speed the undertaking” is the general prayer. In my next I shall probably have more news to communicate. This short epistle must suffice for the week, and I will conclude by wishing you all “A happy new year.”