CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 320, 10 August 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

Some little stir was made in, town the latter end of last week, by talk of anew rush northward, resulting from a prospecting claim being applied for by parties, named Joseph Richards, Alexander "Walker, William Ireland, and Patrick Farrell. The locality is some rather high terrace ground situated about throe miles to the north west of Brown's Terrace, and not very far from the surveyor's track, leading from that place to the Shamrock Lead, But the exact spot is difficult to find, and several meu who went out to look for the place returned without finding it, some speudiug Friday night in the bush. The sinking is about sixteen feet through—three or four feet of surface, gravelly cement, and grey sand, and the washdirt consists of about three feet of black sand of rather a poor quality. The " Herald" speaks of three hundred men being located on the ground, but we are informed by a good authority, that not more than sixty or seventy were there on Friday. Any number of claims were then pegged off and a few holes were going down, but unless better prospects are obtained than the prospectors show, no great deal of work will be done. The prospectors stated in their application, that they expect the ground will yield about £4 per week. Very likely it may prove better, ov superior diggings may be found in the neighborhood, the country being what is termed ' likely looking' and untried. We understand the Warden would have granted the prospectors an extended claim, only they had not the wherewithal to pay for the survey, and so protection has been granted in the meantime. On Saturday an application for a race in the above locality was made at the Warden's office. On Saturday afternoon some forty or fifty persons assembled on the Back Lead to witness the starting of the large water-wheel and battery belonging to the Cosmopolitan Company. Some partial trials had been before made, but it was not till Saturday that the whole battery was fairly set to its proper work. The water wheel, 26 feet odd in diameter, is said to be the most powerful in the district, being of greater width than the neighbouring one of Kirwan and party, though a foot less in diameter. The battery consists of twelve head of stampers, with double deliveries, self feeders and an unusually large spread of tables nearly 21 feel over all. The self feeders rest upon sted springs, and appear to act well. But probably the most pleasing sight to the visitors, was the view looking down from the edge of the terrace. Close to on the right, a steam worked battery was puffing away, while below three large water-wheels were spinning round driving their respective batteries, and the water dash-

ing over them in sparkling showers, while a fourth glittered in the sunshine a little way off amongst the trees. All are fed by the same race brought in by the Cosmopolitan Company, Savage and party. The visitors, many of whom were from town, were very hospitably entertained, and they did not fail to drink with proper spirit, success to the enterprising company who have spent so many many months on their undertaking.

On the Back Lead, Boyd and party have been for some time engaged in sinking a prospecting shaft on their claim, which was one of the very best on the lead. After putting a well timbered shaft to the depth of 115 feet they have knocked off, finding the expense pressing rather heavily on the two or three engaged. It is a thousand pities it should be so, for another twenty feet would probably prove the ground, and settle the vexed question of the existence of another bottom. From the level of the old lead of wash dirt, which is some twelve or fifteen feet from the surface, down to the lowest depth, is nothing but white sand without any change. A change, we believe, has taken place in the ownership of the Nile bridge, Mr Hutchinson having sold his interest to Mr P. Allen who is now the sole owner.