ADDISON'S FLAT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 474, 6 March 1869, Page 2

ADDISON'S FLAT.

(from our OWN correspondent.) The expectations of the residents here have to some extent been realised as to the merits of the new ground opened behind the township. There are three parties now engaged washing, some of whom affirm that the ground is as rich as the old lead was, but such statements are to be received with caution, as the ground has not yet been fairly tested. There is a party sinking, or rather, driving for the lead south of the prospectors, and, should they strike payable gold the prospects of this lead will be much brighter. There is no excitement manifested. I fancy it is generally acknowledged that the ground is not sur-

passingly rich. There is a p?»rty engaged in a wort of some importance, bringing up a tail-race, or, rather deepening an old one at the north end of the old lead. Their intention is to ground-sluice the old lead if practicable. Should this undertaking prove a success, it will most probably be the means of extending this method of working. Speaking from experience, where circumstances will admit of ground-sluicing, it is astonishing how small a prospect will pay ; the color of gold is almost sufficient. The party engaged in this undertaking are using the wise precaution of securing well their works as they proceed. Prom the Shamrock the mining news is quiet. The parties there appear all busily employed. I have heard Graham and party's claim spoken of in high terms, and I fancy deservedly. M'Laren and party have posted notices inviting tenders for the sinking of a shaft on their claim, to enable them to work some deeper ground. The mechanical appliances upon this lead are of considerable extent and value. A whim, water-wheel, and pump are to be seen erected on almost every claim ; it is to be hoped the enterprise thus exhibited will meet with a fitting reward. A stranger visiting Addison's would be struck with the desolate appearance L of the place, there are so many skeletons of abandoned tenements. To tell the truth it is altogether but a skeleton of its former self. Some have gone north, some south, and some aross the Bea. It would be difficult to say where the hundreds who once inhabitated this district have gone. There is no disguising the fact that we belong to the Nomadic tribe. We pitch our tents wheresoever' our inclination leads. In place of looking for pasturage for flocks and herds, we endeavor to discover fields of labor wherein the treasures are below. Tet we are sensible to our surroundings. We like to see the administration of affairs conducted in a manner becoming. We are to be allowed the exercise of our privilege of sending a representative to the Council shortly, but we are indifferent upon the matter, because we see no one anxious to secure our votes. Disraeli, some years ago, when asked by his constituency upon what interest he stood, —the landed, manufacturing, commercial, et cetera, —replied that he stood upon his head. Just so, we are also indifferent, because we cannot hear of any candidate who is able to stand upon his head. I wonder if it ever entered the mind of any competitor for the prize offered by the General Government, for the best essay on securing the permanent settlement of the goldfields, that a powerful incentive to such a consummation would be to provide every bachelor on the diggings with a wife. His roving propensities would thus receive a powerful check, and, nolens volens, he would be almost obliged to settle down to increase and multiply, to grow a corn patch, and eventually to develop into a thorough going settler. The Government must be prepared to supply a serviceable matrimonial article, else we will up with our swags and off again. It is a pity the soil upon these pakihis is not fertile whereupon this experiment might be made.