OUR BENDIGO LETTER.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1016, 7 October 1881, Page 3

OUR BENDIGO LETTER.

(Communicated. ) We appear to be retrograding of late in more ways than one. Tenders are called for the conveyance of Her Majesty’s mails to this place once a-week, for a period of two years, commencing ou Januaary 1 next. During the past 12 years wo have had the mails delivered twice a-week, with two outward mails per week; but henceforth (as per notice of tenders) we shall have to ho content with fewer privileges. Our paper messengers also will arrive only once aweek I would most assuredly advise that an expression of opinion be given by the residents on this subject. If silence is maintained, the signification will be consent to the meditated change. In matters of this kind the authorities are guided by returns, irrespective of anything else, and as it is not to be supposed that they can be informed of all the circumstances, it behoves the people to enlighten them. A respectfully-worded memorial from tire mine-holders, station-holders, and others, pointing out the great disadvantages of the proposed change, should have the desired effect. At any rate it would show that the people were alive to their own interests, and if the worst came they could console themselves witli the fact of having made an attempt to prevent the perpetration of so great an injustice. There are divers reasons assigned for the intended change, but the probable cause is that, of late, the bulk of the correspondence which should pass through our post-office is carried by private hands, and posted elsewhere, few c iring to trouble our not over-obliging postmaster. One instance will suffice; Some time ago a letter, addressed to one of the station managers, found its way to the post-office, but, having a docket upon it for 2d., it was thrown by, and (after the prescribed term) was sent to Wellington as an unclaimed letter, and returned to the writer. Again, some think that the changing of the postmaster so frequently tends to help on the retrogade step. Some time ago the postmaster left for Clyde, Cromwell, and Bannockburn, and appointed the manager of the Cromwell Company to act in his stead for a period of some weeks ; but as the newly-appointed post-master had made himself rather conspicuous in the late strike, very few patronised the post-office. The result is a weekly mail for Bendigo. While it is a painful duty, it is necessary for me to bring public opinion to bear on such men ’that they may he induced to mend their ways.

While speaking of our post-office, I am reminded of our public school, and if many, tongued Humor ho correct, a change in the discipline is much needed. At a late meeting of the School Committee a member said his children wore in such dread of the corporeal punishment administered by the teacher that when ho sent them to school they often took to the ranges, and stayed there until school was out. One instance will show that correction is attended to with a vengeance, as was stated at the same meeting : A boy of tender years arrived at the school shortly after opening time, and was placed across a desk and thrashed most unmercifully. His lunch was taken from him, and ho was made to fast the whole of the school hours. The poor child had had no breakfast before going to school, and what makes the inhuman condnot of the pedagogue appear so aggravating, is the fact that the victim is absolutely worse off than if he was an orphan, for he and his two sisters have neither father or mother to shield them, and are living on the cold charity of strangers. I should like to know what are the duties of the School Committee ; or if they have any control over the schoolmaster. His own statement is that ho treats them with contempt,and calls them a lot of washed-out miners.

Speaking of miners reminds me of mining matters, which are dull in general The cake from the CromWell Co.’s mine, sent down last week, did nut come up to the mark—2l3oz. fllwts. 3grs. for five weeks’ crushing is rather disappointing, as the four weeks’ crushing before the strike realised 5400z. retorted gold. The cause of this falling off in the yield I will not venture to say ; but some who forget that this is not the place of rewards, but of punishments, think it is a just retribution on the company for having so ruthlessly evicted the poor families from their little Others—and I think they are, in the main, right— attribute it to the mixing of mullock and quartz together by the turf-miners, who have not the knowledge and experience to discern the difference between the two. However, lot these things be as they may, time will prove that the Cromwell Co. have gained nothing, but have lost much, by not employing the old hands in preference to new chum minors. No serious accidents have yet occurred. Only one new hand fell down a shoot, and another had his finger shattered, and since amputated; but there is a fund for accidents happening in the mine, and will come in very handy in the future.