MOUNT BENGER.

Evening Star, Issue 2960, 14 August 1872, Page 4

MOUNT BENGER.

(FROM our own correspondent.)

Nothing but land meetings. We are all, in fact, laboring under a severe attack of twenty thousand acres on the brain All the “ cons” of the question have been stated and re-stated, and the “proa” so carefully ignored that one grows sick of the mono* tony. And, after all, the entire “excite* meut ” is spurious; for, except a few inte* rested parties, most people are rather glad at the likelihood of gentlemen so generally respected as Messrs Cargill and Anderson being permanently settled in the district. But such feelings must be carefully concealed, Thusly : I am a miner or cockatoo, rather short of both ready money and stores., I go to the dealer in such things, and state my w.rnts. “Hum! ha!” is the reply j “ but first here is a memorial I want you to sign ” ; or, “Here is a resolution I wish you to propose”; or, “ You’ll vote for such and such a candidate ” ; and thus the poor she p are led to the slaughter. Dispassionately considered, there is nothing to be urged against the sale. Our mining is entirely confined to the banks and beaches of the river, and a reserve of a mile back along the who'e frontage of the block has been allowed, chiefly I believe at the wish of the intending purchasers. This compares very favorably with the 50,000 acre block, where a reserve of only ten chains was provided. As for agricultural purposes, the fact of the land being over 1200 feet above the level of the sea disposes of that objection; and as for the water races, their rights are pretty well secured already by the Goldfields Act. The agitation is, however, fast subsiding, most people having been frightened by the tipsy valor of some crackbrained enthusiasts who contemplated armed resistance. Such a course, you may be sure, could never recommend itself to our smug townspeople, with whom discretion is ever the better part of valor. in writing thus an honest and unbiassed opinion on our one great topio you must know I expose myself to grave accusations, I am the base hireling of a bloated squatocracy, at whose commands I am ever ready to ply a venal pen. My exact emolument is 1 believe stated at some thousands a year or so. Unfortunately tailors are most unbelieving souls, and mine has actually refused me any further ere,at, although, offered a mortgage ou my first remittance. The thing that impresses me most is the vast wc iith of our runholders, who are not only able to keep up outside appearances, but contrive to find means to keep in their pay a Superintendent, Provincial Council,, and General Assembly, not to mention that bright and particular star, your Mount Benger correspondent. It is quite clear that such men must be entirely ignorant of such things as bills of sale, advance notes, mortgages, &c, &c. The river is again pretty well down, and most of the river claims have again started work. The recent fine weather has iuduced a few of our adventurous diggers to return to their claims qver the ranges; but I fe*r their hardihood will prove unavailing. We are to have some hack races for trifling prizes next week. There is modesty enough left iu the district te prevent the example of some other districts being followed, and the Mount Benger Spring Meeting being advertized in all its glory. I hear that the boxes of a party mining uear th.e Island. Block were rolißed some time ago. That Heathen Chinee again ! I own to some prejudices, and about the very strongest is against these cat-eyed mongrels. Just before closing this, a rumor—whether well founded or not I cannot say—has reached me that the wife of one of our most prominent citizens has fallen a victim to ap error in administering some medical preparation. I shall duly notify the result of my enquiries.

Mr Malcolm MacLennan, of Clyde celebrity, has returned to the scene of his forener adventures. This time he comes as the pioneer of a company for extracting gold from the bed of the river by aid of pneumatic tubes. Practical dredgers scoff at the whole affair.