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Charleston Argus, Volume 1, Issue 8, 10 April 1867, Page 2

It is satisfactory to notice, in the midst of the excitement necessarily caused by the late influx of people to this district, that the Government are evidently determined to lose no time in making local improvements. Amongst the most important of the works at present in course of completion, we may mention the cutting in Coal street, which, when finished cannot fail to add considerably to the comfort of the inhabitants of Charleston and appearance of the town. The contract is being rapidly carried out, and in the meantime we would suggest that a few lamps be placed 011 either side of the cutting to prevent accidents to those who are compelled to make use'of that thoroughfare after nightfall. Since our last issue there has been a " slight rush " to the ground at the rear of the Darkie's Terrace, where a new lead has been discovered, and bids fair to realise the expectations of the most sanguine. The lead is about a mile in length, the sinking from four to five feet, and the population already on the ground estimated at 200. We have visited the spot, and, while we can but speak in the highest terms of the auriferous

prospects of the locality, we would not advise our mining friends to forsake their claims, as at present the space of good ground is certainly limited.

Amongst the many additions that have come to Charleston, few are more necessary than a steam saw-mill. We are happy to state that one of the finest engines on the West Coast, an efficient staff, and a 1! working appliances has just been imported by Mr Nees, who will, in the course of a feudays, be prepared to supply cut timber in any quantity, and thus relieve the community of a difficulty that has, without doubt, been one of the most serious drawbacks to the progress of the town.

By a private communication received from Mr Warden Kynnersley yesterday afternoon, we learn that very large numbers are still arriving at the Buller rush, and that it is probable that in a few days the population of this new El Dorado will exceed 5000 persons. There has been some little excitement caused by the Buller rush, and many of our miners have left good paying claims here to try their fortunes on the new field. It is a very true saying that " distance lends enchantment to the view," and although we do not wish by any means to disparage the Buller, still we think that the miners who are in paying claims on th« Pakihi would do well to stick to them until information more tangible than we have yet received comes to hand.

We regret to hear of the death of Dr. Alexander Hunter, which took place in Hokitika on Saturday morning last. The deceased gentleman was an old colonist, and the following particulars of his career, which we condense from the " West Coast Times," will doubtless be read with interest by many:—"His death was rather sudden, thmgh not altogether unexpected, as he has been suffering for a long series of years from chronic bronchitis and congestion of the lungs. The career of Dr. Hunter has been one of a very chequered nature. He was born in the year 1816 at Heriot, idfthe Lothiaus, Scotland, and his father, the! Lev. Robert Hunter, minister of Heriot, died within one year of his birth. Dr. Hunter, very early in life displayed the evidence of great talent, and by his untiring energy was enabled to pass examination in surgery in Edinburgh, in the year A 835 was appointed Demonstrator of AnaJa Knox's School, Edinburgh, and utmer the celebrated""Mr Listou he was for some years engaged in the clinical department," anl. in setting up the various ana toxical prepartions required by that gentleman in his lectures He married, in 1843, Miss Handasyde, the sister of the late Lord Advocate of Scotland, and in 1945 obtained the honor of the degree of F.It.C.S. of Ed : n'ourgh, where he continual to practise his profession with great supcess until the year 1848. In 1818 he settled in Melbourne, where he for many yehrs pursued his practice. In 185!) he was elected to the Legislative Assembly in Victoria, and continued to sit for East Melbourne until his failing health, and the desire of placing his son at college in Edinburgh induced him to return home. After his return to Melbourne he resumed his practice, and at one time had amassed a very handsome competency, but owing to the fluctuations and vicissitudes of colonial life, he was compelled, after having determined to relinquish his practice, to resume it. Domestic troubles also came thick upon him. His only son, who was coming out to join his father, was drowned in the ill-fated London. At' this time Dr. Hunter, who had removed to Dunediu,aud was practising there, was in a very precarious .state of health, and th u blow occasioned by the news of the untimely death < f his son, whom he idolized, so weighed upon him that he gradually succumbed, and although he retained the use of his faculties, and actually advised with patients up to the day before his death, he never rallied from the shock.

For some time pa*t the scarcity of stamps has been much felt in this district and caused considerable inconvenience to a large section of the community. At the present time we believe postage stamps cannot be purchased in Charleston, a ,d the supply of receipt stamps is nothirg equal to the demand. It is to be hoped thir im mediate steps will be taken to supply this want, and that the Government will adopt measures to prevent a recurrence ot such a serious evil. We observe from the English papers that it was iuinored at Southampton, and currently believed, that " Thomas Chamberlay ne, Esq., of Cranbury-park, the owner of the Old Arrow, as she is familiarly called, intends to challenge Mr Bennett owner of the Henrietta, to a trial of speed across the Atlantic. The Arrow is the winner of many valuable prized, and has scarcely ever been beaten. She is a cutter of 102 tons. Mr Chamberlayne is vicecommodore of the li<>yal Squadron, and is \ a thorough yachtsman and sportsman in every sense of the word.'

It is rumored that the new SnicflHjH is being found fault with by the authomMß A great many are being turned out. lwo Palliser shot 9re superseding all others for our large naval guns, and penetrate any thickness of armour. At thirty degrees angle they are now made to pierce the plates, but it requires large charges ot powder, otherwise tney glance off the ships sides.