BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume III, Issue 138, 2 July 1872, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(From our own Goirespondent.) June 26, 1572.

Accounts from down-country inform us that the weather has been exceptionally severe. Such has not been the case in tlrs district, so far; as, with the exception of a fortnight's intense frost, and some excessively cold nights, stern okl Winter has been very lenient towards us. On Midwinter's day a thaw took place, and the weather has kept tolerably open since. The crushing mills have recommenced work, and should no more heavy frosts supervene, the season will be shorn of half its terrors. At present, all the picturesque features of the valley are hidden by a dense fog, but as ibis is a usual phenomenon at this time of year, we must take it philosophically, albeit our view of the outer world is necessarily circumscribed.

The manager of the Oolclougb Co. is clearing a site for the proposed tunnel entrance, which, when driven, will give them a depth of 200 feet on the reef. I believe a number of tenders have been sent in, but have to receive the sanction of the directors. Delay in this matter should be strictly avoided, as the work appears to be the one thing needful to make the mine pay. The manager has about sixty tons to put through to complete his crushing, and a tolerable cake is confidently expected. In the Aurora mine, the reef being now excavated is from six to eight feet in width. The tributers are getting out another crushing, and from the appearance of the stone there is likely to be a considerable improvement in the yield. With a few more hands, the tea stampers might be kept constantly at work : the quantity would then tell, irrespective of quabty. In a poor reef, especially of such a width, continuous disintegration is the sure road to dividends.

All other reefing matters are in statu quo, but it is confidently expected that a re-action will set in shortly, and with the aid of the magician Capital, Bendigo is expected to spring into renewed and active vitality. I cannot point to any distinct grounds for such an expectation : whether it arises from the persistent ventilation of the subject by your humble servant, or from a presentiment in the public mind, where the wish is probably father to the thought. I am unable to say ; but such is the current opinion, and your readers must take ; t cum gntno sails. I have so frequently puignost'cated success to the phice without cooii '.-illation, that my reputation as a soothsayer is in a very tattered con-

ditiun. I therefore define to pledge myself further, hut bha'l be happy to welcome a change in our prospects for the better ; as it is, 1 believe the worst is past.

I bel ; eve it is tbe intention of Mr Goodall to ro-ccecb his hotel on tbe site of his la'e premises. TVs unfortunate calamity ought to teach owners of house property the necessity for insurance against fire : the : ' gentle public' may not always be in the humour to take the place of the underwriters, as they have so very laudably and generously done in the present instance. One of the sources of wonderment to the 3GOO " new cluims" who are expected to arrive during the ensuing three months, will be the infinite and incomprehensible variety of prices charged throughout the gold-fields for meat. With sheep on all sides of us. we are paying over 100 percent, more for mutton than the prices ruling at Drybread. twelve miles distant. If the animals were cheap as

they are nasty, there would be little need to compkini. Like the apothecary, they have a "lean and hungry look," better calculated for speed of foot than an imposing appearance in tbe butchers shop. Really. I think a commission <k lunatico inquire it do mi'dit be appointed to try the vendors for having the audacity to charge anything for such ghostly specimens of anatomy. However, we must eat to live.—and diggers, in common with others, have this misfortune, which is truly the squatter's opportunity. An epicure, desirous of reversing the order, and living to eat, would, as " Si'iidy 5 ' says, get :f scunnered."

Wo have lost two of the pioneers of the district during the past week, —Messrs and Thomas, of the Use and Shine Sluicing Company. They have gone up the Kawarau to attend to some mining interests they hold there, having let their shaves here on tribute. They were well known and respected by all. the community, whose best wishes for their success follow them in the ; r new enterprise.