CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 151, 24 January 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

Mining affairs continue very quiet, and holders of surface claims about Candle Light and elsewhere talk about their ground as not likely to last much longer. Yet the fact of their being nearly fifty applications for water rights and other objects received at the camp in one day is a proof of the continued activity of these diggings. In consequence of the lessened cost of machinery, ground has been, and is being, taken up with a view to being wrought by horse or hand crushers, which before was passed over as unpayable. The workings on all the denned cement leads are doing well. On Hargreaves two new machines are about ready for starting, one of them belonging to Alec. Thompson and party, being of a very superior description. It consists os a six-horse power steam engine, driving a heavy battery of iron stampers, working in a castiron box of improved construction, the whole presenting as pretty a piece of work as any to he found in the district. It will be ready for regular work in a day or two. An addition to the number of machines on the Charleston Flat Lead was christened on Tuesday by a lady named Mrs. Mitchell, the wife of one of the proprietors. The battery is driven by a water-wheel of moderate diameter yet considerable power and, and the works altogether appear well adapted for the objects required, and we hope the " Eclipse " will turn out good returns like its

neighbours. Affairs generally at the Four Mile look prosperous, and all the claims are doing well. The far-famed prospectors, however, has had its day, if we may judge from the fact of a share being recently sold for a sum less than what, not long ago, each shareholder divided per week. The performances at the Empire Theatre on Wednesday night consisted of the little comedy, the Loan of a Lover, with tho very comical farce of the Family Failing, and the usual musical entertainment between. Mrs Evereste made her first appearance as the young lady of the piece, but the part was too small to allow any judgment to be formed of her merits as an actress. Mr. Smith also made a first appearance in the same piece, the principal character being played by Miss Annie Merton and Mr. Newton. The former as Gertrude looked the beau ideal of a soubrette, and acted the character as well as she looked it ; Farmer Peter being played by Mr Newton with all the dry unconscious humour which belongs to its character.