ADDISON'S FLAT.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 483, 27 March 1869, Page 2

ADDISON'S FLAT.

(PEOM OTJB OWN COBEESPOKDENT.) Maech 23. The latter end of last week was generally observed here as a holiday. On St. Patrick's day numbers assembled in the township, and, ranged in pairs, each with a green badge of some description, and with band playing and banners flying, proceeded to the Shamrock Lead, and there joined their auxiliaries, ultimately wending their way to the beach—whereon was appointed their meeting with the Charleston men, to try their skill at football. At to the result, I cannot speak, there being a diversity of opinion in the matter. Haylock and party have applied for three acres of ground recently abandoned. They intend bringing in a tunnel tail-race in length about two hundred yards. They also propose working the ground in a manner altogether different from their predecessors. As far as I can learn, instead of hoisting the wash-dirt up in the shaft, they meditate constructing a tunnel of an easy gradient from the surface to a level with the underground workings, and by laying a tramway bring the dirt to the surface in a truck. To effect this, they will also erect a whim. The washdirt will be disposed of in a large hopper constructed, on the selffeeding principle, and thus dispense with considerable manual labor. In theory the idea presents itself meritoriously, and it may be expected that the practice will prove effectual. These are steps in the right direction, for, if successful, they will be the means of introducing a new era in the system of mining on this flat, and, as a consequence, will be a leading principle in securing the present population—if not extending it. Almost every day we have an accession to our mining population. From this fact the inference may be easily drawn that many who have left this place for near and distant wanderings have not found a more productive field for

their labors than Addison's Plat. Such a fact is not to be wondered at when we look at the respective inducements afforded by other localities. In however glowing a manner they may be represented at a distance, a nearer inspection discovers their true position, and by the hard taskmaster, experience, the diggers are often taught the truth of the adage, "All is not gold that glitters." The inducements for mining enterprise here are substantial. With truth it may be said that there is abundant ground of moderate prospects which, with more extensive means of working, will pay well. Not to indulge in vague generalities, ground that will pay three pounds a week, with the present meagre appliances, is now being untouched. There are many who may hold such a degree of quality in low estimation, but I do not like to overstep the mark. lam a miner myself and have experienced some of the reverses I have above alluded to, and would not therefore hazard an opinion of brighter prospects than are consistent with my judgment. The scientific research which in the present century has revolutionised the system of agricultural labor, might worthily be directed to the labor connected with the mining industry. The present appliances, although fully attesting the engineering skill of the miners, are capable of much improvement. Again we are losing gold, and we know it, and were the exact proportionfully ascertained,l am confident it would prove prodigious. Although we may possess the faculties for discovering a remedy for this evil, we have neither the time, nor the means, of ascertaining the specific gravity, and the respective affinities of the material of which our washdirt is composed. The attention that has been directed to this "question in California is a continual rebuke to our exceeding apathy.