ADDISONSFLAT.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 313, 1 August 1868, Page 6

ADDISONSFLAT.

(fkom our own CORRESPONDENT.,) The diggings at the new rush, between the Halfway-house and Dirty Mary's, are expected to turn out payable, four parties are now at work there, and are satisfied with their prospects. On Addison's proper there is the usual activity, most of the parties being satisfied with their results, making fair wages. On the Shamrock lead north, the claims on gold are doiug very well indeed. All the claims here are on gold, but those to the south, newly surveyed extended claims, have from, the great quantity of water to be contended with, and uncertainty as to the real direction of the lead knocked off for the present; they have not however abandoned their claims, as no one considers that the ground has had as yet a fair trial, the borings not being considered satisfactory. A movement is now on foot to obtain from the government boring irons, used at Mount Eochfort, for testing the depth of the coal seams. The parties owning the extended claims intend asking the Government for the use of those boring rods, as with their aid, the direction of the lead could easily be ascertained, and much hard labor and expense saved. It is sincerely to be hoped that the authorities will promptly meet the miners at least halfway in their untiring efforts ; indeed it would be very far from expecting too much of the Government, even in their own interest, to organise a party of practical men with the necessary requirements supplied them for boring the extensive flat known as the Shamrock Lead. Good gold has been discovered at both ends, and surely the centre cannot be deficient in gold also, the miners have now well nigh exhausted their means and energies in the

attempt to discover the direction of the lead.

The Commissioner having lately ridden over to Addison's and seen the state of the road, has put on two men to repair as it its worst places. It is u very great pity and a very great loss to the community, by whom we also mean the government, as its servants, that road repairs are not annually let, as in the old country, by contract to local parties who have most interest in their maintenance, and who for half the sum now spent on men doing quietly the " Government stroke," would always keep the roads in an efficient state of repair. In going to Addison's you must dodye into the Pakihis iu twenty or thirty places and leave the road altogether, by the time those places are put in order others will want repairs, and so expense goes on, and a good road never exists. I believe there are two men on the road from Addison's to the Shamrock Lead—six mouths hence perhaps it ma}' be in a passable state for horses. In the meantime pedestrians have to " hump" their tucker, tools, timber, &c,. &c, &c. Well, no matter, Addison's is becoming deserted, every day new departures for Queensland, Auckland, Nelson Creek, &c, &c. Bye-and ye the Government will have it to themselves, aud theo they can let it for making a railway.