GROWTH AND PROGRESS
the northward.” This tendency resulted in the fields at Charleston and Brighton being discovered.
1866-1867. The progress during the first eighteen months of Charleston’s life was remarkable, and when recounted sounds like romance.
A port was established, with Signalman and Signal Station. A town was surveyed and built upon. A pack-track was formed to Brighton. A bridge was built across the Nile River. A Police Camp and Courthouse were established. The Beach-route coach and wagon service from Buller to Charleston was inaugurated. A newspaper was being published. Seaborne traffic increased tenfold, with landing-places at both Constant Bay and Little Beach. A tramway was operating from Little Beach, also one from Nile Bridge to Darkie’s Terrace Road. Constant Bay suffered its first shipwrecks—the Iona and the Emerald Isle. Two churches, three trading banks, two schools, the hospital, and the Oddfellows’ Lodge were opened. The main streets were formed and metalled. A mile-long metalled road was provided “from the town to the diggings”; probably Darkie’s Terrace. A railroad from Westport to Charleston was contemplated. Three large double-storeyed hotels were operating, and probably forty or fifty others. A coalmine was opened. Many crushing-batteries were erected, and gold was gathered beyond expectation. The Provincial Council voted £341 for branch roads, and £1,305 for public buildings. On 3rd July, 1867, it was moved in the Provincial Council, by Mr. Donne that: “Reserves should be set apart for educational, church, recreation, and other public purposes.” The motion was lost. The nearby goldfield of Addison’s Flat was discovered in May, 1867. On 17th July, 1867, the Superintendent of the Province reported that “the townships of Charleston and Brighton are now being surveyed.” Commissioner Kynnersley reported “a considerable increase in the population and prosperity of the district.” The postal business was transferred from Mr. H. W. Stebbing’s store to the Government Post Office erected in May, 1867. A ferry was established at Totara River by S. J. Loring, 1867.
1868. Progress continued apace. Constant Bay Harbour was crowded with small craft; larger vessels were tendered by
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