GROWTH AND PROGRESS
Dr. Joseph Giles, reported upon “the falling-off of the population of Charleston.” The Warden, Mr. C. Broad, reported: “At Brown’s Terrace, near Charleston, where are immense deposits of goldbearing cement, machinery of the most approved and latest kind is to be erected. It is estimated that 2 dwts. to the ton should give shareholders substantial dividends. The experiment will be watched with interest.”
On 13th May, Dr. Giles reported: “Ground sluicing is prevalent at Charleston. Cement-crushing by means of batteries of stamp-heads has been the distinguishing feature of Charleston district, but this is a mode of working that has lately declined owing to the best ground being worked out, and ground sluicing of large areas is becoming the more common mode of working.” There were 6¼ miles of water-races, 21 dams, and 3 reservoirs.
In this year there were 11 petitions in bankruptcy, but only 1 criminal case heard at the Court.
1873. Mr. G. R. Sayle completed the survey of Charleston. The road from Westport to Charleston was constructed as far as Addison’s Flat. The Charleston Herald of 1st October stated: “There has been no meat in Charleston for three weeks.” The Lower Flat was swept by fire, and was not rebuilt.
1874. The road from Westport to Charleston was completed, and the Beach-route abandoned. The Nile bridge was washed away and a ferry operated across the river. The P.S. Result started trading to the Nile River. The old cemetery at Constant Bay was closed and a new cemetery opened on Nile Hill.
1875. A second newspaper, the Charleston News, started but did not last for long. The first suspension bridge in New Zealand was erected across the Nile River. A wharf was erected on the north side of the Nile River and the old wharf on the south side abandoned. Mrs. West’s School was opened and Mitchell’s School was closed. The Resident Magistrate reported, “population and business of all kinds has sensibly declined.”
1876. A horse-road from the Back Lead to the head gorge of the Nile River was completed, the Government making
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