ADDISON'S FLAT.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 271, 13 June 1868, Page 7

ADDISON'S FLAT.

(fiiom ottb own correspondent). June 4. On the right hand side as you come from the Buller, near the Bald Hills, I perceive fivo parties are erecting a crushing machine on the Cement Lead. This corner of the lead has been often prospected, but until now none of the prospectors put up a machine ; at the same time they all admitted that it would pay. At Kynnersley's Terrace there are four crushing machines at work, and paying well, Mr Addison's being the most remunerative on the ground. There are about 150 men here, and a number of them are already on gold. Some left the Flat a few months since, to take up ground on this lead. There are two butcher's shops, stores, &c., open, and the diggers have all they want in the tucker line close to them. The population on the Flat does not appear to be as large as it was a month or so ago, and no doubt some have left this for the Shamrock and Kynnersley's, not liking winter quarters there, as they must be anything but dry or comfortable; however, there are a good number on the Flat still, and many doing well. A few weeks ago they discovered a vein of black sand outside the cement on which they have been working, and I am informed that it will prove remunerative. The crushing machine which was working at the right hand corner of the cement lead, near the first township, has ceased operations for the present. The stampers were discovered to be insufficient in weight, but before long that will be rectified, and I hope to see them at work in a week or so.

On the first township there is very little doing, and a good many shafts have been abandoned since the heavy flood some months ago, and previous to that but a poor opinion was held as to their gold-producing qualites. In the second township several water-wheels have been erected, and some claims are doing well, Fitzgerald and Co., the prospectors in particular. Tbe township known as Skibbereen is becoming pretty thin as regards buildings, mo. t of the business people having gone to the third township. The tramway is going to be extended as far as Mrs Eox's creek, into the first township, for the purpose of more readily procuring wood. Some few people have moved their houses down to the end of Skibbereen, at the junction of Bourke-street, it being a better stand for business.

The third township is doing well, and there are some rich claims on it. M'Grinty and party are putting up a water-wheel, also Dillon and party, besides several others which are already at work. The tunnel is finished, but they are working drives at the end to dry it. Some claims are flooded since the last rain, but they have used no measures for the removal of the water and are waiting until the tunnel is dry to commence bailisg. This township has now a presentable and lively appearance as regards shops and buildings. The drapers especially have a very fine show of articles for the consumption of a mining population exhibited in their windows. The butchers have an exceedingly large and, varied supply of meat. Greengrocers, tobacconists, shoemakers, and all kinds of trades are well represented in this ( street. There was a rumor current a day or two ago of one bank that would in a few days take down the shutters and open again for business, but I do not know how credible the report may be; a bank at Addison's would most unquestionably do more in buying gold at least than any two in the Buller, but three banks spoiled each other, and opposition in this case was not the life of trade with the banks.

The Shamrock Lead is fully maintaining all that was expected from the ground. There are at present from ten to fifteen claims on gold ; all those parties have extended claims, and in each claim there are from ten to thirteen men, and the yield is rich. This Shamrock Lead is said by some to be a continuation of the Caledonian Lead, which I think it will shortly stand on <1 level with, as regards high paying claims, in fact, all the claims which have been bottomed, with one exception on the Shamrock Lead, have reached over £2O a man, some over £3O; the cause assigned for that one claim was, that the lead had taken a turn which proved to bo so correct, an saved many a party three months' work. There are about twenty parties sinking now, some will reach bottom 111 a few days, when we shall learn more news respecting the amount claims may be averaged at; certainly up to this they have fully realised the most sanguine expectations of the

parties concerned, and there has been no field on the coast where the yield from each claim has been so even or payable as on the Shamrock Lead, as far as it has been worked. Gold is not to be had without heavy labor and a considerable amount of hardship ; it takes a party three months to bottom a claim, and of course either capital or credit must be within the re;ich of the miner, but I believe the latter has been more familiar with the Addison's men than the former, at least the storekeepers most unhesitatingly assert so, as well as the butchers and bakers. When the Addison's men get on gold, they pay their debts, andas is designated, knock down a bit of money at balls, &c. | I must say they are a first-rate population for the business people. Tbere are some stores and public-houses on the Shamrock lead, besides butchers and bakers ; the present population is about three hundred and fifty and largely on the increase. Several business people are talking of leaving the 3rd township and taking their houses over there. The track from Bourke street over is in nearly as bad a state as the present Caledonian, and I heard a packer say he would not take goods over there again under £1 a cwt. Bourke street is not in a very good state either, especially it is dangerous at night, large boulders being protruding all along, and exceedingly likely to trip a pedestrian or a horse. I understand the parishioners of the Rev. Father Walsh have purchased a house which they are placing on an eligible site as a residence for that gentleman, and that he intends residing at Addison's in future.

A few days ago a miner named Thomson got a fall at the Shamrock Lead which dislocated his shoulder. Dr Peacock was called on and speedily reduced it. A local hospital would be required more at Addisons' than in Westport. I believe a great number of patients are in the hospital from time to time from Addison's, where, there is a large population daily engaged at work, which through the absence of sufficient care or otherwise is fraught with danger, and accidents will ocfiur. A branch hospital would be of great use in the Addison's district,jand if subscriptions to carry out the above were solicited, I am sure the Addisonians would cordially respond. The Mechanics' Institute is now finished, and the building though small is exceedingly comfortabe and well adapted for what it ia intended. The president, Dr Donovan presided at the commencement of a meeting the other evening, but the flooring gave way and those present had to retire till some future evening, when the Doctor promises to give his intended lecture. The road to Addison's is being repaired, which it badly wanted, as there is daily a large quantity of provisions Ac. packed from "Westport, and a horse with a pack-saddle or a few cwt. weight requires a good track he being more likely to come down, than if drawing a cart containing the same weight, or considerably larger weight.