GIBBSTON FLAT.

Lake County Press, Issue 75, 8 November 1872, Page 3

GIBBSTON FLAT.

(From a Correspondent.) - GIBBSTON, Nov. 4. " Gibbston Flat ! What's doing there?" I think I heir the most of your readers say. Well we are all living, and likely to live, judging by appearances. The miners here are all in hopes that they will be able to knock out as much of the precious metal as will put them past Christmas ; and after that, of course, they commence work in the beginning of a new year, and diggers generally act up to the' rule (not exactly to let every day but) to let every year look out for" itself. The water races have all a pretty good supply of the liquid ; therefore, as far as the season has gone, the sluicing population have no occasion to growl; and there is only one party here at present not in that line, but driving close to the water's edge ; they are put to some loss and inconvenience by a rise in the river. We may in the meantime lay claim to the title of the " Contented Flat" if—ah! that little word "if"—we only had a post office. I learn by your last we k's issue that Mr Barr, Postmaster, wag up in the Wakatip district. It is a pity that we did not hear he was coming, ws might have got up a meeting and appointed a deputation to speak to him on the subject as he passed, as I see the business men of the Arrow did; and as this is a younger child of Arrowtown, I don't think it could do much harm to have followed our paternal's example. The Cambrian Race Co last week had about two heads water down on their claim on Cambrian Flat (as I hear the flat round the corner from us is christened), and commenced operations. It is to be hoped that this persevering party will soon begin to realise some precuniary compensation for their large outlay of capital. This is, I believe, the largest undertaking of the description in the district that has been begun and successfully carried out by a small party of working miners Of agricultural operations there is not much carried on in this vicinity. The miners of course have their garden patches here and there, and Mr Schieb has during last winter fenced in a large strip of ground running about half'a mile parallel to the main road. This he has sown principally in oats, which gives to our used-to-be tussocky flat a rather settled appearance. He is also at present making an addition to his Deep Creek Hotel, of a large room which will be very convenient for public meetings or amusements which are so requisite to break the monotony of a digger's life. Apropos of amusements, we had a visit last Wednesday evening from Messrs O'Brien and Glover's Royal Dramatic Co. There was no very convenient apartment for them, but a few hours Irbor fitted up Mr Sehieb's stable in a passable manner, and as many of the population as got notice put in an appearance. It is not often that a party of amusement-givers stop at our insignificant hamlet, therefore we are the more thankful to them for their really good entertainment. Miss Jessie Raymond's " Bonnie Fishwife " will long be remembered amongst us, and I think it will be some tune before Paddy Murphy's "stick up will your" will get out of our mouths. Mr O'Brien delineates the Irish character to perfection. Mr Glover besides his part in the pieces with the others, enlivened a portion of the evening with some dancing which we gave him great credit for, and he was lustily encored. Mr Westropp's ugly faces, which he can make to perfection, gives great effect to his songs and was the cause of much laughter; in fact we have all unanimously given the verdict that it is the best ° u ""b- - -'-»-- 1 , appeared up country, and we hope that it will not be long before they take another trip to this district. A good laugh they say is as beneficial to human nature as a dose of medicine, so we got it on Wednesday evening, and much more palatable than from the hands of the doctor.