CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 558, 23 September 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(EEOM OUK OWN COERESPONDENT.) Sept. 17. This place has been unusually dull for some time past, though the established claims have been and are at the present time in full swing. No new mining adventures can be recorded. There is one matter which is engrossing the attention of all who have the prosperity of the district at heart. I allude to the approaching election of a Superintendent, and they regret to see by the tone of the Press that the inhabitants of Sleepy Hollow are more than usually apathetic in the matter. It would, indeed, be most undesirable for the welfare of the mining interests on the West Coast, if the present holder of office were to be re-elected, as his acts and language have ever been hostile to the interests of the inhabitants. In view of these facts cannot steps be taken to get some gentleman qualified to occupy that position, whose feelingß and aspirations would be more in unison with ours ? If a struggle is not made, it will imply that we are cravens indeed, and deserve to be re-saddled with the incubus of the past. It would, however, be very ill-advised for any local gentleman, howeverwell-qualified, to step into the area, only as a last resort, as a too premature announcement of his candidature might be the means of closing the door to some one who might be induced to come forward, whose chance of causing a diversion among the votes on the Nelson side would be much greater than any person located on the Goldfields could hope for. Having lately visited Brighton, I may mention that, although the town looks very quiet, trade is pretty sound, and that the generality of the mining population are getting very fair returns. Considerable prospecting is going on between Fox's River and the Razorback. Between the Whitehorse Terrace and St. Kilda several parties have set in to work the black sand on the beaches, and express themselves as fairly satisfied with their returns. The Robinson Water Race has now reached as far as the Brighton road, and will bring in water from the Fourmile river, a distance of about three miles. Sept. 20. The Heathcote, ketch, with a cargo of produce, was towed into port this morning by the surf-boat. She is from Motueka, and comes consigned to Messrs Gardner and Sutton. There were several small craft, bound to the southward, in the offing during the afternoon, and this, and the splendid weather, induced a great number of people to assemble at the entrance of the harbor. The want of water is again beginning to be felt by several of the. claims in this district, several small parties who have to buy their water being now at a standstill. On the Argyle, Harris and party Lave lately had a washing up, with a result of about five hundred ounces of amalgam for three weeks' crushing. Shire and party have renewed work, having been stopped a short time ago by the bursting of a dam. On Victoria Terrace, Taylor and party had stopped crushing to alter their machinery. Mace and Company had stopped crushing through want of water ; their claim still continues to yield good returns. Pero and party are also at a standstill through want of water. Greenslado and party, who have been engaged in extensive preparations for working their ground, have commenced washing and are sanguine of having very good returns. Giles and party, who have gone to great expense in erecting machinery, are now engaged in crushing, and will make good wages. "Peter the German," who is working as a " hatter," struck a very good patch lately, having made over £2O for a week's work. Green and party are about to erect a new water-wheel and battery for working their old ground, their present machinery not being heavy enough to crush their cement. Between the Nile and Totara rivers a number ol miners are engaged bringing in water, lor the purpose of washing the sand on the sea beach, where, with a supply of water, a man can make from four to six pounds per week. Mr Fred. Hall, of the Racecourse Hotel, lately disposed of his right to a dam, to Mr Monk, late of the White Horse Terrace, for fifty pounds, Mr Monk having resolved to try his hand at beach working. There would be room for a large number of miners if water were readily procurable, but it is not, and consequently the claims now taken up are in the only positions to which water can be brought. Sept. 21. On Sunday afternoon a little girl between two and three years old, while playing on the Nile road, was savagely attacked by a cock. "When the child's mother came to save her little one, the fowl had the poor thing down on the ground viciously pecking and spurring her head, inflicting several wounds. There is no doubt that she would have been killed or severely injured but for the timely aid of her parent. Dr Bruen was sent for to dress the child's wounds. There was one cut on the lip about two inches long, which had to be stitched. The child is now in a fair way of recovery. She is the daughter of Mr Mitchell, carpenter. I We have now a new surf-boat company here. The many threats used by the old company, that they;.

would haul their boats up, and not tender vessels, will have an opportunity of being put in practice. But if things go on as they are doing the boating will be a stale game to all parties.