cleaned up on Monday, and the result, I am told, is quite equal to the
last crushing.  The gold is coming down by the train to-morrow.

The Central was cleaning up when the mail left.

NEWS FROM THE NULLAGINE.

[BY BENGALEE.]

The population of this place is again steadily increasing, and as the time
draws nearer when there is a chance of getting rain, it will probably
increase to a greater extent.  Owing to a long stretch of dry weather the
waterholes are getting pretty low.  The claim on the hill to the right of
Grant's Gully, owned by McNamara & McKenzie, and also the claims owned by
the brothers M. & J. Marshall, are progressing, and both parties are said
to have a very good show of gold in a sort of cement lode, that runs
through their ground.  As for the rest of the field most of the men are
employed in getting wash-dirt and having it carted to the water.  But some
still stick to dry blowing.  Both at the clay pan and the forty mile, all
hands have had to come in for want of water.

The usual placidity of the mining community here, has been disturbed to a
very great extent by the action of two gentlemen taking out and applying
for a lease of eighteen acres on the hill near Grant's Gully.  At a public
meeting held here on the 22nd July, nearly all the mining population of
the Nullagine were present.  The feeling seems to be very strong in the
minds of the diggers against the system of gold mining leases.  This is
shown both at the meeting and the way the men rolled up to sign a petition
against this particular lease, and also against the system as a whole.  It
is not my intention to enter into a discussion on the merits or demerits
of the system, as in reality it is the abuse and not the use of leases on
goldfields that does harm, and it is to be devoutly hoped that the
practice of rushing about and pegging off leases for speculative purposes
will be nipped in the bud.

The late visit of the Warden has not been a very pleasant one to the
business people here, several having been fined various sums for slight
infringements of the Licensing Act, such as not having a lamp, no
signboard, etc. and in one case for selling without a licence or rather
neglecting to have had a licence transferred.  Now, how in the world is a
possible for anyone to comply with any regulation in the absence of any
one to apply to?  Even for mining purposes the regulations state that
notices of application for claims, dam sites, etc., have to be posted
seven clear days, before they can be granted.  The Warden stayed here six
days and a half, including Sunday, so how was it possible for anyone,
unless aware of his arrival, to do any business connected with mining
matters, except leases?

There is some talk of a party of men having made a valuable find of talc
or mica, somewhere on the Roebourne Road.  The Condon Road is beginning to
attract attention and without doubt, it is the way supplies will have to
be brought here, if ever the place is going to go ahead.  The distance
from here to Shellborough, a surveyed townsite at or near the mouth of the
DeGrey river, is stated to be a fully one hundred miles nearer than from
Roebourne, and the road from here to there is said to be a very fair one.
Several drays have come across lately and do not speak badly of the road.
The fact also of payable gold having been found at the Talga Talga Creek
and the Condon River is also an additional inducement for the opening up
of a road this way.  This road was spoken of some time ago, but probably
owing to interested motives was cried down, and it is within the bounds of
possibility that after trying to bring to life mummy townships like
Roebourne, it will be found advisable to start a fresh township in the
mining interest, either at Shellborough or Pt. Headland [sic], where there
is said to be a passable harbour.  A glance at the geographical position
of this place will illustrate the truth of my words, and according to the
report of men no way interested, who have come down hear from the DeGrey,
the road is not a bad one; but a well or two would have to be sunk between
here and Coppin's station to ensure a supply of water at all seasons.
The Nullagine, July 30.