CHARLESTON MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 361, 26 September 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON MINING INTELLIGENCE.

On tbe Darkies Terrace and Back Lead, mining matters present an enlivening complexion, and I fully believe, that when other and more prosperous tributaries to the revenue of our young town shall have past away and exist only in dull memory this .particular district will still be in a healthy condition. When the expenses incidental to mining speculation in this rugged locality are taken into consideration —when the anxiety of mind, which past, tedious months of unreniunerative labour must have produced, is also borne in mind, it will scarcely be a matter of surprise if the persevering miners of the Darkies Terrace respectfully submit their claims to public approbation. True it is that now, or soon at all events, the golden harvest which industry should ever reap, is about to be garnered in, and that tbe capricious Goddess of Fortune purposes rewarding those who perseveringly solicit for her favours. Tothe Back Lead especially which I visited my remarks are applicable. Here there is prima facie evidence of great enterprise; machinery erected at the sacrifice of much capital and enormous labour on account of the swampy nature of the quick-sands ; water races on a large scale brought from the Nile lliver at considerable expense and as may calculated from subsequent obserya-

tions, may be looked -upon as the very mainstay that can give to : the terrace a thriving existence. These water races supply all tho machines on the lead. One of them, however, 'that of Savage and Party, and to which further allusion will be made, supplies tho majority. It may bo readily conceived, therefore, what a great source of wealth this must eventually become. But as a concise account of the claims I visited may, be somewhat interesting I shall premise with the Cosmopolitan Cement Crushing and Water Co., Registered, This company (Savage and Party) are the proprietors of the water race already particularly alluded to and in the light of an important and expensive undertaking, it has no parellel in the District. As already observed, it was brought from the Nile andit may beredilyinferred that it was an undertaking of no inconsiderable magnitude when the period occupied in its formation lasted 16 months. It is about three miles long and carries 13 government heads of water. There are two miles and a-half of fluming, the highest of which may be about 35 feet. It is the intention of the proprietors to further extend it so as to supply a new machine (AVard and Party) which is in course of erection. The wheel of this claim is 27 feet diameter and drives 12 heads of stamps, each of 160 lbs. with improved self feeders. The economy of this self feeding arrangement is considerable. Owing to the front of the terrace being of little value, cutting through tc the auriferous cement entailedconsiderable expense and labour, and what with the large expense attached to the construction of shoots, it is to be hoped that now when everything looks cherily and progressive, that the yield will be amply remunerative. The first washing will take place on next week. I believe there will be work in this cl aim for the next five or six years. Adjoining the Cosmopolitan is the claim of Keenan and party. This party have been working three months with only tolerable success ; recently however, and after enormous expense, they have got into good ground, and as a matter of course the last result, 550 ounces amalgam was something enlivening. The diameter of the wheel is about twenty feet. There are eight stamps averaging 120 lbs, and for the sake of economy the water is taken the wheel to work the tables, which are expensive. I may remark that an extensive spread of tables is now generally preferred; the other and former method not having at all proved satisfactory. The " Enterprise" just completed (M'Donald, Herring, and Party) adjoining the claim last mentioned, and commenced a few day ago ; everything bids well for a fair future. The wheel is 26 feet m diameter and drives eight heads of stamps. The "Excelsior" (Jenkins). The wheel of this claim works well, and drives eight heads of stamps. The new machine claim (Ward and party) in course of erection, and already alluded to, is expected to be completed in three weeks. The wheel is 20 feet in diameter. Farther on the lead is a large water wheel with an iron battery, some time imported from Melbourne. This claim and that of Philips and party, who have lately ordered au iron battery of some power from Sydney, I was not able to visit. The " Dublin City" however, at the other side of the Cosmopolitan, has a water wheel of 28 feet in diameter, and drives 12 heads of stampers. At the time of my visit the tables of he claim looked handsomely. It appears that by a recent arrangement this company are crushing for another, and as a matter of course, the tables had in consequence, to be enlarged so as to admit of division. Latterly, shares have ehanged hands at a good price and with the acquisition of new ground purchased last week, this claim must eventually become a very remunerative one.

The steam engine " Band of Hope" (Whiteside and party) adjoins the Dublin City. This claim was sold by auction some time ago ; but since the present proprietors have taken it in hand, owing to a better system of working, it has turned out a more profitable speculation. The engine drives six heads of stamps. I must observe in conclusion, that all the machines on the lead are fed by the Cosmopolitan water-race, excepting a few that receive their supply from the Nile Crushing Co. Registered (Davis and party).