ST. BATHANS.—July 11.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume I, Issue 24, 16 July 1869, Page 3

ST. BATHANS.—JuIy 11.

(From our own Correspondent.)

King Frost at last has laid an iron grasp on most of the tail races here, effectually stopping the working of the majority of the claims. Should no change take place, I anticipate a general holiday for a short time in the dis- j trick We have been very fortunate so j far, and must not complain. A meeting was held here last week to. fix a certain fall for all tail races discharging into the sludge channel, and also to limit the quantity of water to be used in each claim. A rule was. carried that the fall be seven inches to twelve feet, and not more than two heads to each race. It would be well for the promoters of the Hogburn sludge channel scheme to remember the aphorism, expercutia docet, in drawing up. their code for the working of theirs when constructed, so as to save after litigation. The Abstinence Society's ball and concert came off on Tuesday last. It was largely attended, and was a decided success. The votaries of Terpsichore footed away right merrily until an early hour next morning, when they parted, well pleased with the night's entertainment, and without fear of headaches —the usual result of balls conducted on other than temperance principles. . It is in contemplation to establish a Quadrille Assembly, to meet once a week in the schoolroom. This will supply a want long felt in this place, and, I should say, very much tend to consolidate the interests of the Abstinence Society, who are the originators of the idea.

" Shamrock,'.' on the subject of the rising generation of St. Bathans, is very amusing, and is read, here with great interest. I beg to add my testimony to the truth of his statements, and, although I decidedly wish to avoid personalities, I mudt ente'r a protest thus publicly against the interference of Mr. Stratford between parents and the schoolmaster. It does not coincide with Mr. S.V. professed Christina principles to pu 'sue, .with *ach releutloss malignity, the unfortunate victim of his august displeasure, because he failed to ruin him while n member* of the late School Committee. It is .stated, on good authority,. that he is trying to persuade parents not to send their children to the school, and thus insiduoasly ruin the institution and gain his end. Bern*- a lover of .fair play, I trust these.hints may induce him to alter his attitude, and stop the unmanly persecution. .

Tour paper appears to be gaining ground here, and doubtless will eventually meet with the support it so well merits. People's ideas are gradually enlarging, enabling them, to appreciate the value of a literary champion for the district.

The Knights of the Cleaver still keep up their opposition, and the public are proportionately benefitted thereby. Mutton is retailed at twopence per pound, and beef fourpeiice and sixpence. I presume we will be conferring a favor on them by taking it away for nothing in a few days. Verily, we have fallen upon good times. We have had a slight fall of snow during the week. The days continue fair, the nights bright and frosty, and, I imagine, will continue so until the moon's change.

from the Dunstah Creek. The tail race in co u;ie<-ti mi with this claim is about hilt" r ruiir in length, and cut the whole dist aice to a depth of from fifteen to twenty feet. I had an opportunity of witnessing several prospects from this claim tried, which were very satisfactory and encouraging to the party, and a just, reward for their patience and perseverance. Fordham and party's claim is somewhat similar to the above, and yielding very satisfactory results. The present population of the gully is about thirty-five, "all told."

The prosperity of this place is hot altogether in consequence of its -yield of the precious metal, but in-a great manner to its abundant yield of the " black diamond." I had an opportunity of inspecting the celebrated Welshman's "G-ully coal pit (quarry is a more appropriate term to use). The seam of coal is about twenty feet in thickness, and the face now being worked is from eighty to one hundred yards in length. The coal is of a very superior quality, numerous veins of resin running through it. It burns briskly v with very little dross, and gives a bright clear flame. The price, it will be seen from an advertisement for your .columns .which I enclose, is extremely moderate, considering its superior quality, and ought to command a ready sale. The quantity of coal in this quarry is something enormous ; and if the district were to increase one thousand fold in a few years, the quarry, it is calculated, would supply its wants for centuries to come. The state of the road from St. Bathans to this place is far from giving satisfaction ; in fact, it is as disgraceful as it is dangerous, it is the intention —and not a day too soon—of the residents in this district to make representations to the Government, through Mr. Gillies, to get this road put into better repair; at all events, to try and make it safe to trafel upon.