BENDIGO GULLY.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 4, 1 December 1869, Page 3

BENDIGO GULLY.

We last week paid a visit to the reefs, and were certainly astonished at the number of stores, hotels, and buildings of all descriptions which have been erected within the last three weeks. A considerable township has sprung into existence as if by magic, and although perhaps at present there are more places of business than the trade of the place would seem to warrant) we have no doubt that in the course of a few months the population will be largely increased, and trade correspondingly brisker. In the meantime, there can be no doubt that the building mania which seized a number of our business people, a few weeks ago, has subsided, and that several who then had the idea of erecting branch places of business have given up the idea. As it is, we are afraid that buildings have been put up rather prematurely, and without due consideration of the actual requirements of the place. A large building, to be called the B<mdigo R '<*f Hotel, has been erected by Mr John W. Good all, at the bottom of the hill, near the Cromwell Quartz Mining Company's bittery. It is a substantial building, well-finished, and possessed of very good accommodation. Next door to Vfr Goodill's is Messrs Mitchison and H irrison's general store, with a large stock of goods of almost every description. With the exception of four small huts, the residences of miners employed at the crushing machine, these comprise the whole of the building; until Mussrs Smith and O'Donnell's hotel and store is reached. This is in close proximity to the new township of Bmdigo, the site for which was fixed upon by His Honor the Superintendent on the occasion of his recent visit. Messrs Smith and 0' Donnell are at present building a large, substantial stone store, ifec, in order to enable them to keep pace with the daily increasing requirements of the place. They have been in business in this localitv for a number of years, and are well and favourably known throughout the district. \fter leaving Messrs Smith and O'Don nell's. a rather steep ascent of about half-a-raile has to be surmounted, when the actual township (to which the name of Logintown has been very appropriately given) is reached. Here the large majority of buildings are erected—stores, hotels, butchers' and blacksmiths' shops, and other places of business being largelvrepresented. The first building erected on this spot was the general store of Mr James B;are, who his no doubt done very well by his venture, having had the trade to himself for some tinn. A neat little cottage for Mr Thomas Loaran, one of the pioneers of quirtz mining in the district, and after whom the township has been named, was the next structure on the ground ; an I since its commencement the rapidity with which buildings have been begun, gone on with, an 1 complete 1, has been so nothing surprising. Mr W. Shanly," of a-omwe'l, Mo John Perriam. of Lo.vbuni, and Mr J. Thor.nihlen, of Clyde, have all erected stores ; hotels have been built by Mr G. Bond, of Cirdrona, Mr J. Paterson, of Clyde, anil by Mr Russell: butchers' shops have been started by Mr W. J. Barry and Mr C. Williams ; while a bakery has been built by Mi- Stevenson, of Clvde, and a clothier's establishment by Mr Isaacs. Thos», with a blacksmith's shop, erected by Mr E. Lindsay, of Cromwell, at present complete the list of buildings. In reference to mining matters at the reefs, but little can Vie said. Work in the Cromwell Quartz Mining Cj.'s claim is being steadily gone on with, and we are informed that the returns from the claim are still highly satisfactory. The work in connection with the erection of the Aurora Co.'s madnnerv is being actively prosecuted, and by Clw-istm ts it is confidently anticipated that they will he in a position to crush. Meantime, thev are working hard in the claim, and wdl have a large quantity of stone in readiness by the time we have mentioned. Now th it all differences ae in a fur way of h*ing settled by the Warden, the working shareholders in most of the other claims are busilv employe 1 in making preparations for sinking shafts ; and by the tjmo. that 'a : "public crushing machine is erected at the reefs, whicih will in all probability" be u afc' 'no' very 'distant' date, any' quantity of stone, will be in Tcadincss, and the value of the claims will bo ascertained.. Meantime, \mtil the Aurora Company's machinery is in working order, but little further, progress can be reported.