THE FIRST WARNING.

Colonist, Volume III, Issue 288, 24 July 1860, Page 3

THE FIRST WARNING.

TE^Mdhonrne Age publishes the following letter, written by an old Bendigo miner, now at Snowy River, which had appeared in the columns of the Bendigo and remarks that the first Bendigo miner j who has; communicated the result of his trip to the Snowy River abandons the place, and announces hisintention of returningto his pl<l quarters. \ Th?s is ominous :— V;' f ; ■ lli^owy fßiver, l^th Juheylß6o. " Dear Sir,-—Your welcprne favor, I', am just in receipt of, and hasten to answer it by return of particularly as my stay 'heie won't be longer thaa three or four

days at the farthest, consequently a long epistle is out- of the question. I am1 sorry to inform you that my luck at mining has not been attended with any profit further than a shade more than food on this farfamed Eldorado. It seems to me that the people are going mad about this place; all down the lower diggings and everywhere else, also, there is expected an immense exodus to this place in the spring. I have no doubt but what it will be the case, and am also certain if it be as great as the rush to Port Curtis, the said rush won't be anything to it for,distress, disappointment and chagrin. I, myself.;know hundreds here that cannot make their food, with one or two exceptions,' over rations. : The ground was never better for working or mining operations, as the river is now down very tlow and has been for weeks. There have j been one Of two rushes in the neighborhood, and there is one just now, seventeen miles from here on the head of the Tumiit River, off the table top. The accounts are various, but it appears to be only a patch of surfacing, from what I can learn. Unless they find hill or deep sinking, this place, as the miners terni itj'i|; cooked. People who; have a home, and can make both ends meeti would do, better at home than cbme to this drecarious place or, part of the world. The cold is severe, and1 can't1 be depended on twelve hours together, the weather is so various—snow, sleetj fain, thick fog, the latter almost to total darkness, and so thick you could almost cut it with a knife. There a c more people here in business than working nrners, and flour is now (mid-winter) being hawked round the diggings for £8 per bag by draymen; the price is now in the stores (where there are large stocks, and the,multitude gone) £9 a bag, or Is. a lb. The spring is to be the great harvest for all concerned. I hope it may. I have just to wash our last bit of ground, get my share of proceeds, then pack up my blan- : kets, and start for Sandhurst and you. 'Tis no fool of a tramp; but thank heaven for health. Trusting this will find you in the enjoyment of the same, with its best accompaniments, I beg to remain, your humble servant, " Peter Calder."