Page:Charleston • Irwin Faris • (1941).pdf/223

 surf-boats, and a Harbourmaster was appointed. The P.S. Waipara entered the bay—the first steamer to cross its bar. There were 9 steam-batteries, and 78 water-wheels operating; the value of the plant being £83,600. Little Beach landing-place for seaborne supplies was abandoned.

On 15th January a petition signed by Robert Clarke and 1,024 other miners praying for the establishment of a Mining Board to amend the Mining Regulations was presented to the Warden, Mr. Dutton, who sent it to Commissioner Kynnersley, and he to the Provincial Secretary. Mr. Dutton failed to see the necessity for such a Board, and Mr. Kynnersley concurred, but admitted that the regulations were “inapplicable to the important cement workings and to the steam machinery that is now being introduced in the Charleston district.” The Government did not agree to the formation of such a Board.

On 20th May a motion was moved in the Provincial Council that there be placed on the Supplementary Estimates “a sum sufficient to reward the original prospectors of the Charleston Goldfields, now found to be permanent goldfields.” It was negatived. The Church of England was erected. The first cricket match was played, on St. Patrick’s Day. A volunteer Rifle Club was formed in April, and was disbanded in October. The Postmaster’s residence was built. Charleston was connected with Greymouth and Westport by telegraph.

The Satellite was wrecked at Totara River. The Masonic Lodge was opened. Charleston was separated from Cobden district and proclaimed a separate Goldfield district, with a resident Warden and Magistrate. “Hall’s Track” from Nine-mile Beach to Brown’s Terrace was constructed and a polltoll [sic] imposed.

The easily-won surface gold showed signs of diminishing. On 24th January the Wesport Daily Times commented: “Mining affairs continue very quiet, and holders of surface claims about Candlelight and elsewhere talk about their ground as not likely to last much longer.” A contrary opinion was expressed by the Warden about fifteen months later, on 31st March of the following year.

On 25th November a Westport newspaper speaking of Charleston said: “The town is very dull and reminds one