BENDIGO.

Cromwell Argus, Volume IV, Issue 160, 3 December 1872, Page 6

BENDIGO.

(From our own Correspondent. ) November 20, 1572. I am ashamed to say I have no novelties to chronicle this week. The same " demnition grind" is going on. The inhabitants of this place must be very mildly affected by the aim sacra fames, generally speaking, if they imagine that Bendigo is to " rise and shine" by the anti-progressive system of following up mining pursuits which at present obtains. lam almost inclined to think, at times, that the old race of gold diggers has completely died out, so little of the "true grit" do we see in these degenerate days. To make a bare living of the industry appears to be the summit of the ambition of most of the class, and anything like speculation is carefully eschewed. Gold mining has been defined as essentially a gambling pursuit: accepting this definition, which is partially true, I may remind my neighbours of the axiom, " Nothing venture, nothing win," and leave the subject.

The weather still keeps dry, and frightfully warm ; in fact the heat is equal to midsummer. Asa natural consequence, the watcinsupply is falling oil"; one water-race, the Kohinoor, having already succumbed. Like its great namesake, its water is of the purest ; hut, alas ! the quantity is so scant now that Mr M'Loan's sheep, which are being mustered in its vicinity, actually drink it all. Memo for our embryo Miners' Association : Will an action for damages lie against the squatter I All the Bendigo gully water is now running over the Cromwell Co.'s wheel, and unless the Aurora race is turned in, they may have soon to hang up some of the stampers. I fancy a pecan of praise would ascend from the fanners for a boon of a few hours' rain, as without it I am afraid a very poor account of the crops will have to be rendered this season. The contractors for the Lucknow tunnel are prosecuting the work with extraordinary vigour. They are already in over forty feet, and should the "country" prove as good throughout, the job will soon be mi fait accompli. Hetfernan and party, undismayed by their late disappointment in the Colclough line, have raised, and are carting to the Lucknow mill, a trial crushing from another abandoned claim, the Golden Crown, in which a deal of money was originally spent foolishly and of course fruitlessly : it is situated on Logan's line. Such pluck deserves reward, and I trust the party may meet with it this time. This sort of spirit, and this only, is needed to bring back prosperity to Bendigo. The Aurora tributers are still engaged raising stone, and purpose, 1 believe, to start the mill again shortly, as soon as some necessary repairs are effected in the head-race, which, taking its rise at the summit of the range, is extremely liable to damage, necessitating, when in regular use, a resident labourer at the head. lam very glad to sec that the Cromwell district is awaking to the necessity of conserving the mining interest, and forming a Miners' Association. What with the late lining of the tliggora at the Waikaka, and the impounding here, it, is high time the British Lion, f mean the miner, should begin to growl, and actually roar if necessary. The nil (ulnurari principle, I am afraid, prevail? too much in this community to admit of its becoming a very valuable contingent to the main body. I casually opened the questior the other day to one of our miners (!), ant he said Mining Associations might go to tin for him, meaning thereby a personage i wdio is not generally supposed to receive visit.' from virtuous people. Not taking this in the ! this in the light of encouragement, I droppec the subject, and went on my way sorrowing

I will state, however, that we are not all so supine, and doubtless when the time arrives for action, we will not be found in the rear. I really am surprised in some instances to see apathy displayed by miners where their best interests are concerned, and were I not afraid that, according to the dictum of the great Haut-ton, I might be dubbed "loafing parasite," "stumper," or agitator "not without influence on public opinion through the Press," I might mount what the apparently defunct "Crusher" used to describe as another of my " hobbies."

Washing and shearing are in full swing at Ardgour station, and will be finished in about three weeks if the present weather lasts. The squatters are in luck in these days ; even the very weather favours their chances of realising speedy " piles." I think with Providence dealing out benefits so largely to them, they could afford to drop their autocratic notions, and extend a little sympathy to the unfortunate miners Avho are compelled to consume their worn-out sheep. The cutting and tailing of the lambs have been deferred this year until after shearing,—an unusual course, I fancy, but then I am not au fait in sheep farming ; but I cannot help thinking the torture of the operation must be much greater than if performed at an earlier stage in the young jimboks' career.