ADDISON'S FLAT.

Westport Times, Volume IV, Issue 683, 12 July 1870, Page 2

ADDISON'S FLAT.

(fbom oxtb owit cobuespokdest.) July 9. In my last I mentioned Uobiuson and party, on the Cement Lead, as having just commenced crushing, and I may now report their returns from the same, as equal to their expectations when erecting their machinery ; and generally this side of the Flat seems pretty busy. M'Carthy and party have projected a scheme which would require rather a heavy outlay, but, we hope, in the event of their carrying it out, will amply repay them for their trouble. It is to bring in a tunnel of about 5000 feet from the Waimea Creek, which runs into the Buller at the foot of Snag Fall, to their claim, near the Bald Hill, at the back of Wilkinson's store. On the old Addison's Fiat Lead plenty of work is going on ; Moran's party and Carmody are just commencing their tunnels on the same scale as O'Toole's ; and TVl'Lary, whose lease is on a continuation of the same, is about to follow their example. With these drives of about 2000 feet each, they expect to have sufficient fall for ground sluicing, which undoubtedly is the best method of workiug. It will probably be next Christmas, however, before they will reap the benefit of these large undertakings, but from what I have seen, the returns may be considered highly payable, and well worth the labor being expended. I believe Moran and party intend bringing in a race from the Totara for supplying these claims. On the Shamrock Lead I hope soon to be able to report favorably, though there are not many parties working there at present. Dee's and M'Laren's, drained by a tunnel of 2500 feet, completed last Christmas, are doirg well, and Roger's ground is about to be fairly tested with the aid of the large wheel from Fitzgerald's old lead, to keep down the water. Last week this wheel was shifted to the ground from the South Shamrock, and made quite a stir, as it required the helping hands of a hundred volunteers from different parts of the field to carry it; and all doubts as to the practibility of the undertaking were quickly dispelled by their raising the whole mass on their shoulders and taking it to its required position on Rogers's ground, a distance of nearly half-a-mile, without a single refresher; copious drafts of Hennesaey being on the scene in any quantity. The wheel will be driven by the waters of the Shannon race, and on the capability of this method of keeping the ground free from water, so as to allow it to be thoroughly prospected, depends the ultimate prosperity of this portion of the Pakihi. There are a few claims about two miles to the westward of the Shamrock Lead, which I will notice in my next.