CHARLESTON MINING- INTELLIGENCE.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 367, 3 October 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON MINING- INTELLIGENCE.

BLACK LEAD. The importance of the two water races already referred to in my description of the Back Lead, may not perhaps have been sufficiently dwelt upon, their utility however has never been so practically illustrated, as during the past few weeks of drought and of anxiety. It is by force of contrast alone, that a fair and judicious conclusion can ever obtain, respecting the merits or demerits of persons or things. In that part supplied by those tributaries there is no evidence of a suspension of mining operations, or of parties labouring under any disability from the late and unusually protracted period of sunshine, matters look as cheerfully as ever, the water supply is abundant, and will continue so till a drought of unusual length drives up the main artery, which considering the physical configuration of the district, is hardly a possible contingency. On the other hand, and on the portion of the Back Lead to which I am about inviting the readers attention, mining afiairs wear a holiday appearance, operations having almost entirely suspended, owing to the insuf ficiency of the primum mobile for gold, extraction, i.e. water. There is however, one claim (Maori Chief) which has not, shared a similar fate. This is entirely owing to the introduction of a centrifugal pump, which returns the used water to the dam, and which has been the means of keeping the party in motion during the recent unblest visitation. Though, not of general advantage, it is, nevertheless, in an individual point of view, and in dry weather especially, a very desirable institution, and merits some claim to attention, Before, however, taking leave of the already considered portion of the Back Lead, I may mention that another machine in the space between the Cosmopolitan claim and the Dublin City, by a certain party, who have been engaged for some time past in washing sand therein by the ordinary mode. They have already contracted for its completion within three weeks; and it is their intention, as also that of Philips and party (to whom reference was made in my remarks of last week,) to apply to the Cosmopolitan Co. for water, as from this source a permanent and satisfactory supply can always be had. Butto continue. The Maori Chief claim, (Wilson and party) above referred to, was originally a horse machine, but now is worked by steam and the. centrifugal pump, already mentioned. This pump not only preserves the water in dry weather, but also saves some labour in lifting tailings. The engine is eight-horse power, and drives eight heads of stampers. The party have been working by the new •method for the last five months with considerable success, and have averaged about £l6 a-week. Respectable wages may be made for the next two years.

Hannan and party's claim is situate some short distance from the above, and pays tolerably. The last washing having realised £l2 a-week for each shareholder. It is seldom this party have to succumb to the weather, their wheel being in such a position in the centre of the creek as commands the tail water of aU the claim around. Lordon and party's water wheel drives four heads of stampers, amd pays Tv-ell. The Chilian Mill (Hurley and party), ( has recently fallen into disuse, and has been superseded by a water wheel which drives eight heads of stamps. The yield some time since averaged abont £2O a-week for each man. The claim of Messrs Potham and party adjoins the latter, and was worked some few weeks since by horse power. Now however water has substituted the former arrangements, and it s supposed that a great result will be the consequence. The wheel drives eight heads of stamps. In the claim of Dalton and party, shares have only recently changed hands, for £IOO, and the old institution of horse machine, substituted by a water wheel. It is thought that if a sufficient supply of water can be obtained, a speedy remuneration will ensae.

Steele and party's claim, still preserves its already acquired, and justly merited reputation. Latterly the party have been engaged in driving a tunnel through old ground, to get to the face again, and after considerable labor have succeeded in doing so. I may also mention that they havealready entered an application for a lease of ground. The result of last washingwas 1100 ozs. amalgam, hitherto they have crushed for Moore and party, whose claim adjoins, and as I had occasion to remark seme time since, is one of the best in this part of the lead. It was in this "claim that a share was recently

sold for £4OO Though the last return was something handsome, it is thought that the next will by far exceed it. The claims of G-idley and party, and Cold well and party, adjoin the two latter and are paying handsomley. I may mention in conclusion, that the majority of the wheels above mentioned, have been idle for some few weeks past, for want of the indispensible element, water—they were at least at the time of my visit, a few days since. It is now however satisfactory to observe, that the late brilliant period of sunshine, has at last been interrupted, and it may be consequently inferred that that if they are not already in motion, they soon will be.