CHARLESTON.
(from otje ow correspondent.) Mat 17. Since my last letter no matter of importance has occurred. Water has been universally plentiful, and has been eagerly taken advantage of by our mining population ; so much so that Charleston has been very quiet, the miners, doubtless, preferring to remain at home attending to their occupation, to participating in those sights, scenes, and amusements nightly offered to the public. I learn that one of the celebrated claims of this district has been worked out —I refer to the claim of Alex. Thompson and party, on Hargreaves Terrace. The engine used in the claim was, I believe, the first brought to the district, and, although a number of larger ones have been imported, few, if any, have been so complete in arrangements for saving the gold. The engine is now in course of removal to Ballarat Terrace, to work new ground. At this place the engines of M'CHrr and Co. and Greenwood and party are in full work. The cement is likely to pay all hands handsomely. On the Back Lead and Darkie's Terrace the machines are in full work, while on the flats, such as Fenian, Candlelight, and the Deep Lead, ground-sluicing is in full swing. The new machine on Brandon Hill has been completed, and reflects great credit on the builders, Messrs Scott and Hewett. On Whiskey Terrace, Clarke's machine has been working some fairish ground lately, and Gormley and party, who are box-sluicing, are doing well, and likely to continue so for a twelvemonth. A few other parties, principally fossickers, are working round this quarter with moderate success. Henderson's party are steadily prosecuting their tunnelling and race-cutting. This party certainly deserve great credit, as their undertaking, when finished, will be a heavy and costly job. The large dam near the Brighton road, next to the
one belonging to Gormley and party of Whiskey Terrace, gave way early on Sunday morning, carrying away several yards of fluming. The necessary repairs will occupy some time. The Government surveyor, who has lately been out surveying the line for the monster water-race has returned, and from reliable authority I hear that he considers the project perfectly feaaible. Many of the difficulties expected to be met with can be, in nearly every instance, avoided. The public have at last the Nile Bridge thrown open free of toll —a want long felt, especially by those whose business necessitated the frequent use of it, and it is to be hoped that this is but the first step of the Q-overnment to pay attention to other important requirements in this valuable district.
Numerous applications for dams, races, &c, continue to be made at the Warden's Court, fully employing the time of the officials.
The threatened scarcity of butcher's meat, which we were likely to experience from the long continuance of the late rough weather, has been obviated by the arrival during the past week of a large supply. Shipping business has been very brisk during the past week, there having been several arrivals, with full cargoes, consequently the Bay has worn quite a busy appearance. One of the arrivals, the Joseph Paul, a fine cutter, was much admired, and there is no doubt, from her splendid sailing qualities, that she will be a great favourite in the local coasting trade. The Waipara, from the south, called off the harbor on Tuesday evening last, and was tendered by one of the surfboats, several passengers for Charleston availing themselves of the opportunity to go on shore, and landing without any mishap, there being a smooth bar at the time. The only vessel at present in harbor is the schooner Palcou, and she will put to sea on the first favourable opportunity. May 19. I notice that the contractor for the work of making additions and alterations to the Court-hou3o here has made a beginning of his work this morning.
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Bibliographic details
Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 506, 20 May 1869, Page 2
Word Count
649CHARLESTON. Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 506, 20 May 1869, Page 2
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