Page:Charleston • Irwin Faris • (1941).pdf/225

 houses as being about 200 and remarked that most of them were public-houses. His estimate evidently referred to the township only, not to the field. Extensions were made to the Post Office, Warden’s house, and the Survey Office. The new Courthouse was completed. An enquiry was made in the Provincial Council as to whether a plan for a water supply at Charleston was to be submitted. The reply was “No.” The large coal-seam fire occurred, near to the Camp Reserve.

This is considered to have been the peak year of Charleston’s population and prosperity. Notwithstanding varying official statements and census figures, there is reason to believe that the population was about 12,000. Old-timers place it at from 10,000 to 14,000, so probably by “splitting the difference” a fair surmise is reached; for surmise only, it can now be.

A serious fire occurred in November, resulting in the loss of three business premises and three hotels, on the north side of Prince’s Street West.

In January a Police escort took £10,000 worth of gold to Westport; probably the “clean up” before Christmas of 1868.

1870. It was clearly in this year that Charleston’s golden glamour began to fade, that it became a goldfield rather than an El Dorado, and its floating population began to move elsewhere. The Warden reported that “many miners have left for the Thames field and for a new field south of Brighton.” However, it is estimated that at the end of the year the population was about 10,000. The number of Miners’ Rights issued in the financial year 1869-1870 was 1,220, as compared with 1,700 in the previous financial year. About 78 publicans’ licenses were held.

The first Shetlanders arrived at Nine-mile Beach and started to develop the beachcombing industry. The Hibernian Society’s branch was formed on 5th January. The banks in Charleston purchased £24,000 worth of gold during the week before Christmas, the result of a general “wash up.”

1871. The Foresters’ Lodge and the Mechanics’ Institute and Library were opened.

1872. St. Patrick’s School was opened, increasing the number of town schools to three. The Resident Magistrate,