CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume 1, Issue 139, 10 January 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

As we have no particular fancy for being tarred and feathered or otherwise lynched, we beg to assure our readers, that in reporting the following circumstance we are inco3ent of any attempt to get up an overwhelming rush to Charleston. AMr James Sims has applied to the warden for a prospecting claim on a quartz reef said to be situated in close proximity to the town. The Warden however has asked for some information as to the extent, character, and prospects of the supposed reef. The exact locality is said to be the point forming the north head of Constant Bay —the rocks thereabout certainly containing some beautiful specimens of mica. The prospector is a stranger in Charleston, though we believe he is the same Sims who made some extraordinary supposed discoveries of gold on the Moutere Hills, near Nelson, concerning which there was a deal of contradictory correspondence in the papers. The Ann, schooner, has arrived from Greymouth, bringing a large cargo of general merchandise valued at £ISOO, for Messrs ICennsdy Brothers.

No actual business was transacted at the; Resident-Magistrate's Court on Wednesday (Extended - Jurisdiction day,) in consequence of the want of knowledge of the proceedure under the Mew Act. It seems the ResidentMagistrate has now no jurisdiction in eases where the value is over £2O, unless a written assent is produced, signed by both sides. A public meeting was held on "Wednesday evening at Hanney's Hotel, to consider what steps should b« taken in relation to the retirement of Sergeant Irvine, and the following resolutions, proposed by the persons named, were adopted. By Mr M'Carthy—" That tins meeting desires to express its approbation of the very able manner in which Mr Irvine discharged his duties while conne.-ted with the Charleston Police." By Mr Shanahan—" That Mr Irvine bs requested to fill the position he has hitherto occupied with credit to himself and the general public." By Mr M'Grath—>" That this meeting is of opinion that the resignation of Mr John Irvine is most impolitic and calculated to retard the advancement of the district of Charleston." By Mr M'Carthy—" That the services of Mr Irvine are earnestly desired and required by the people of Charleston in the police of that district." By Mr Brody—"That a purse of sovereigns be presented to Mr Irvine." By Mr Dixon—" That copies of the foregoing resolutions, accompanied by a memorial to Mr Commissioner Kynnersley, be forwarded." A committee consisting of Messrs Sturt, Shanahan, M'Grath and the chairman, Mr Drury, was appointed to carry out the above resolutions.

If there is no actual sign of the " coining man" to represent this district, one or two of the shadows which are said to precede him are beginning to put in a flickering appearance, so that we may rub our eyes and look forward with expectation. The school pic-nic, which was to have taken place on New Tear's Day, but postponed on account of the unfitness of the weather, came off on Saturday, though the day was not so bright or unclouded as one could have wished. The children mustered early at the school-house below the cutting, furnished with banners and armed with two or three billies and sundry mugs, &c, and here a photograph was taken of the group by the Messrs Webber Brothers, after which the little company, under the guidance of their worthy teacher, Mr Moore, marched through the town to a suitable spot of ground, prettily situated on the road to Brighton, where a gymnasium was erected and the day spent very pleasantly with all kinds of games with a not unwelcome interval for refreshments, and the gay party returned to ther homes all the better, no doubt, for their little outing.