CHAELESTON

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 644, 12 April 1870, Page 2

CHAELESTON

SERIOUS DAMAGE BY FLOODS. Nothing of any consequence has occurred in mining matters during the last fortnight, so far as fresh fields or heavy yields are concerned. The rush to the new ground near Brown's Terrace has not resulted in any extent of ground being taken up, no encouraging prospects having been met with, except in the ground occupied by the prospectors. We have a fire engine here, and I believe also a Volunteer Eire Brigade —at least if such can be considered so, when certain individuals at a public meeting gave, or, by their quiescent consent, allowed their names to be entered on the roll—but from utter absence of any display in the form of drill during the past five weeks, I am inclined to believe that, although at the time of the fire a fire brigade was deemed a matter of the greatest necessity, at present it is an affair that can be readily done without. Perhaps the officials appointed will be able to give the Brigade a fall explanation (when the next meeting takes place) of the why and the wherefore drill has not been given. Mr Pell, the contractor for erecting the new bridge over the Nile, is getting along briskly in the work of cutting and squaring the required timber —a work of no small dificulty, as in some instances timber of the required quality has to be felled and dragged from almost inaccessible positions. Erom Brighton I hear that most of the parties who were out prospecting have returned to town, having found gold, but without any great result. Walsh and party, I am given to understand, are intending to remain out for a time. They have set in to work their ground, but at present without any unusual result. During the latter part of last week a large number of men with swags have passed through this place, from Greymouth and neighborhood, attracted by the report of the rush to Bradshaw Terrace.

Saturday evening set in very wet, and about midnight some very heavy squalls occurred, followed by heavy rain, which has caused some really serious damage in the neighborhood. I am informed that from the bursting of a dam of the Dublin City's the Maori Chief's claim has suffered damage to the extent of £1000; the wheel, tables, &c, being buried and tramway torn up by the rush of waters. The Nile and Cosmopolitan, I also hear, have sustained injury by their races having been carried away in several places. I shall visit the ground and will send fuller particulars in my next. Yesterday about 9 a.m. the old Nile bridge was in great jeopardy the heavy fresh coming down being an but level with the footway of the bridge, and a heavy tree brought down by the fresh lay along the piers, but the weight of the tree being fairly distributed saved the structure from annihilation. The casualties were numerous and severe in the higher portions of the country. The Charleston Progressive Water Eace Company have had some of their small dams burst, and portion of their race filled in with debris from the sides of the hills, but altogether they may congratulate themselves that the damage is no greater, considering the number of their dams and leugth of races. Boss and party's dam on Four Mile Plat gave way early on Sunday morning, startling the party engaged in constructing the portion of Haines' race, near the Deep Creek, and keeping them away from their hut in a state of semi-nudity for some time. This dam was carried away about a month ago, and as this is the second time, it is high time the shareholders gave proper attention to its construction. Halligan's dams in Mount Pleasant Creek have again given way. Parson's large dam has again burst, and carried away cement and gold belonging to Knox and party, in Argyle G-ully. Taylor and party's two dams have been swept away ; losses of auriferous stuff have been mentioned in consequence. The new race of Haines and Co. has been severely dealt with, especially that portion contiguous to the Brighton road, the side,of the hill having come away. It is probablo that the whole length of this part of the race will require fluming. The large dam in the rear of the Broomielaw Hotel was carried away, and flooded the garden belonging to the hotel, and also slightly damaged the government road. Scarcely without an exception every bridge and culvert between Charleston and Brighton has been more or less damaged by the heavy fall of rain on Saturday night. "We are at last possessed of a Pire Engine house, situated in the camp reserve. It is not at all a pretentious edifice, but wo hope it will serve the purpose for which it was erected.