CHARLESTON MINING INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 349, 12 September 1868, Page 6

CHARLESTON MINING INTELLIGENCE.

(fkom the fotxb-mile.) Having been conducted by circumstances to tbe Eour Mile, for the first time, lam enabled to detail some information, carefully, and I trust accurately gleaned, with regard to the few, important claims of that locality; and as a matter of course, I must premise my re marks with an allusion to the all important Engine claim, of Mace and Greenwood; which claim, I may remark, has been the means of preserving the tone of the Four Mile for some time past ; as my informant laughingly assured me. This engine drives ten heads of stamp s, and is worked by eleven men. Though the party have been crushing with tolerable plodding for the last month, no result has as yet appeared to bear testimony to the richness of the cement, or to remunerate them for their exertions. I have no doubt but another month will bring about that desired issue (at least I have been informed to that effect). I only hope that the result will fully answer the expectations. Adjoining this claim is the " Eise and Shine," belonging to Eox and party. This a water wheel with eight \ heads of stamps ; and though the past yield has not at all answered the original expectations, each shareholder, however, at present receives on an ! average, from ten to fifteen pounds a week—an amount uot to be despised, considering that there is twelve months work in the claim.

The next claim, in importance, is that of Anderson and party. This is a horse machine, and considering the

want of speed connected with thai slow institution, I consider the presentation of £25 to£3o a week, on an average, to each share holder no despicable offering. I rather* think there is about six months work still in this claim.

Next, I may mentiou the " Homeward Bound " claim, a rather poetic and felicitous appellation for a claim. It appears to me that the projector of this title has some nice blood in his veins, and a yearning for the old home of his youth. However that may be, this claim I fear will not send him thither; though indeed £l2 a week, without incidental expenses, would soon provide him with material for that pleasant journey. The waterwheel drives four heads of stamps ; there may perhaps be about eight months work in the claim.

The claim- of Flanagan Bros, has lately undergone the operation of christening. It is a water-wheel driving six heads of stamps. The yield may average por share-holder, about six or seven pounds a week. " Sterling Castle claim " reminds me of mauy a Scottish tale, and beauti ful legend. It especially brings to my mind the hero of Yarrow uavisited, who had seen from its turrets, " The mazy Forth unravelled Had trod the banks of Clyde and Tay And with the Tweed had travelled." I am inclinad to those bright Utopian scenes can be surveyed from this Stirling Castle, the average yield is about seven pounds a week. It must be considered however, that it is a horse machine driving four heads of stampers. Next comes the United Miner's claim This is a horse battery driving four heads of stampers. The yield of this claim is much inferior to any that I have mentioned.

The Young London however deserves mention, and presents each shareholder with the respectable income of £2O a week. It is a water-wheel driving six heads of stampers. The Frenchman's and Dick's sluicing claim also deserves mention, and I think that when I have added these to the list, I have brought my remarks of the few claims of any account in the Four Mile to a termination; but before closing I should allude to a water wheel claim in course of erection, and which will be known as the True Briton. I have ascertained that the wheel will drive eight heads of stampers, and will be completed in a month. I may also mention, before bringing my remarks to a conclusion, that many of the claims above enumerated are composed of various qualities of cement; the majority are composed of the hard cement which as a rule pays best, while the others are either of a gravelly nature, or the soft sand. It is expected that the Amateur Concert at the Four Mile, in aid of the Church of England, and which will take place on Tuesday night, will turn out a complete succes. NEW BUSH AT BRIGHTON. "With regard to the new rush at Brighton, I forward a few particulars for the information of your readers. I have learned them from a reliable source, and I am satisfied as to their accuracy. The prospecting claim is situated about four miles from Brighton, on the top of a spur, and is one mile inland. The physical features of the locality, however, present a very infelicitous appearance, and the country around assumes that broken character in which it is impossible to detectthe semblance of a lead. It is the opinion of experienced miners who have visited the field, that there is no likelihood of gold being obtained in the immedite boundary, the prospecting claim being bounded on north and south by two very steep precipices, They however entertain the idea that gold will be ound on the numerous terraces contiguous to the claim. The prospect obtained is admitted to be very rich. I may add that my informant saw a prospect washed, and believes it to be one of the richest he ever saw, in the district. The height of wash dirt, is about 4 feet and consists of pure black sand. The people of Brighton, I am informed, are in a high state of excitement in consequence ; it cannot be wondered at, therefore; if property has become somewhat enhanced in value. There: are three-hundred mon on the ground. < A party of six men started on an exploring expedition to Jackson Bay, in a surf-boat, on Sunday afternoon ; the boat being purchased from the Surf Boat Co. and fitted out for the hazardous trip. It appears to me, to be a very perilous undertaking ; as a matter of course, the daring little party were lustily cheered from the rocks; It is to be hoped that they may meet with every success, and may discover a new "Eldorado —if they arrive at their proposed destination. The Constant arrivedon Sunday,from "Weatport, with a general cargo, and

started the same day on her return trip. The Fairy also arrived on the same day, laden with timber, for Gibbons, and also the cutter Lizzie, from Taranaki. The latter braught sixteen tons potatoes, consigned to J. W. Jackson,