CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 494, 22 April 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(fbom otjb own correspondent.) April 19. Since my last letter there have been no arrivals in harbor until Saturday last, when the Constant and Standard, with general cargoes, arrived from Westport. Both vessels discharged cargo on the fall of the tide and took in ballast, and made ready for sea. The Constant made an attempt to put to sea yesterday, but the swell was too heavy, aud she again made fast to her moorings. A serious accident occurred on Saturday morning in the claim of Gordon and party at the Deep Lead. It appears that Mr John Gordon was at work down the shaft filling the buckets, and when the one he had just filled was being hauled up the shaft, a piece of cement fell from it and struck him on the head, severely injuring him. Dr Hilliard was soon in attendance, but I am sorry to say that Mr Gordon is likely to be incapacitated from working for some time through this unfortunate occurrence. Gordon and party have taken up an acre during the past week, and are now crushing some excellent cement. Davey and party's sluicing claim have had a washing up, and have obtained a handsome return for their month's work. On Argyle Terrace, Pearson and party have erected a water-wheel of 35 feet in diameter, and are now engaged in erecting a battery to drive, for the present, fou? heads of stampers of four hundred weight each. This party have applied for a lease of five acres for a term of seven years. The heavy fall of rain in the beginning of last week caused great havoc to some of the dams in the district, dams that have been erected nearly two years not being able to stand the pressure of water so suddenly brought to bear on them. On Tuesday last, the large dam of Taylor and party, of the Victoria claim, gave way, the sudden rush of water carrying away the two dams immediately below it. The reconstruction of these dams will cause a great amount ©f time and labor. On the Deep Lead, the dam of Gordon and party broke away on "Wednesday night, carrying away a dam below it, and about 60 yards of fluming, the rush of water clearing away the tailings which three parties were engaged in washing. A grand masquerade ball takes place this evening at the Casino.