Spring Creek, Ovens Diggings, Jan. 15. 1853.

We have now passed more than six months since leaving home, and have bade adieu to the year 1852. The close of the year was celebrated here by the diggers, in firing off guns and making bonfires, with the usual additions of drinking, fiddling, and the like; There was no such thing as any body sleeping till near morning. It is the custom of the diggers to keep up a temporary firing every night. It is the custom at all the diggings, and probably originated in the idea of letting the evil-disposed know that they were well armed. The diggers think, too, that it is necessary to discharge a gun or pistol at night, and charge it afresh; but, except in rainy weather, the powder in this climate is not likely to become damp. However, all are armed, and all fire off their guns at night in rapid succession, so that you may imagine the abominable noise. But the diggers seem like children, who are immensely delighted with the noise of gunpowder.

The diggers seem to have two especial propensities, those of firing guns and felling trees. It is amazing what a number of trees they fell. No sooner have they done their day's work, than they commence felling trees, which you hear falling continually with a crash, on one side of you or the other.