CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 297, 14 July 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

Any visitor who has not been up to the Back Lead lately will be surprised at the changed scene presented on looking over the edge of the terrace. In the valley below, no fewer than three large water wheels are now at work, with two others in course of construction, all being within a few yards of each other, and adding the charm of cheerful activity to the beauty of the natural forest landscape. All the wheels derive their power from the same race, that of the Cosmopolitan Company, who have at a very large expenditure of time and labor succeeded in bringing in an abundant supply of water from the Nile River, at a point distant some four or five miles from the lead. The first wheel as you come down the race is that of the Dublin City Company. It. is the largest in point of diameter, measuring twenty-eight feet, and drives a battery of twelve stampers with the greatest ease, and power to spare. The machine, which has only been at work about five weeks, crushes at the rate of forty yards a day, but it is only within the last day or two that the outer stuff has been got through and payable dirt entered upon, yet the plates were looking very well. Adjoining is the battery, and other works being erected by the Cosmopolitan Company. The Paddock machine and t water wheel now almost completed, are the work of Messrs Graham, Mitchell, and Lowrie, reputed to be about the best tradesmen in the district, and certainly the workmanship does them credit. The wheel is a foot less in diameter than Kirwin's (the Dublin City), but is of greater breadth, 3 ft. 6. in., and much stronger built. The present battery consists of 12 stampers, but provision is made for six additional head, should such be required. It has a back delivery as well as front, and the spread of the tables will be something like 18 feet, while the machine will be self-feeding. Next in order, and situated not more than 10 yards from the wheel last mentioned, is that belonging to Keenan and party, which is smaller than the other two, being only 22 feet in diameter, the battery worked by it being considerably lighter. A little beyond a battery and wheel are being erected for Heron and party, the latter being of 26 feet diameter. All these machines employ a great many hands. The Dublin City has 14 men at work, whose wages are £4 10s per week, working from daylight till dark. In consequence of the accumulation of tailings it will soon be necessary for the various companies to join together and cut a tail race towards the river, which passes by not more than a quarter of a mile from the terrace. Mr Johnston, the barrister, who was remanded a few days ago on a

charge of lunacy, has snce been committed to the Nelson Asylum by Mr Broad, Besideut Magistrate, acting on a report of his condition presented by Doctors Dakers and Morton. The strength of the last gale of wind was manifested in a peculiar manner down at the heads,, the house of the harbor master, a good sized substantial structure having been shifted bodily a distance of about six feet, another yard or so and it would have toppled over the roeks into the channel. Captain Beveridge was not in the house at time theof its involuntary journey. The cutter Dart and ketch Constant took advantage of the fine bar on Sunday, to enter the harbour, the latter being from Westport, and the former from southward. The cutter Harry Bluff came to grief in the recent heavy weather, having no ballast on board, and her mooring lines parting, she got broadside on to the heavy swell rolling into the bay, and was turned completely over badly bilged, and afterwards buried to her deck in the sand. Her owners Charles Craddock and party, however have since raised her and intend going in for repairs. On Friday a Mrs Anderson, who recently figured at Westport in an insolvent case, was fined £5 by the Resident Magistrate, for committing a violent assault on Mr Boper at the Four Mile. It appears that the complainant who was rather weak in the less, owing to a recent attack of paralysis, having offended the good lady in some way, she knocked him down and hammered his fnce with a - piece of cement. She herself did not escape quite scathless, her nose showing marks of the man's nails, inflicted, to use his own words, when endeavoring to keep the tigress at bay as he lay on his back, on the ground, with his fair antagonist over him.