CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 214, 7 April 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

Considering that] our loyalty on Monday seems to be popularly measured by the depth of one's potations, it is surprising there were no rows or fights. As evening wore on most persons were on the tiptoe of

'expectation, that the mixture of argument, liquor and loyalty so generally indulged in, would create a scrimmage of some sort, but nothing of the kind happened, and the result reflects credit on the good sense and good feeling of the committee. Praise is due to the Demonstration Committee for their able conduct of the day's proceedings, as well as for the wisdom displayed in setting a limit to the open air speechifying. In this'respect the proceedings at Westport formed a marked contrast, and sufficiently explains why the rejoicings there turned out so unhappily, while here they resulted in such complete success. -Freedom of speech is all very well, but can we not fairly be upheld without the necessity of standing in the market place and revelling in abuse of our neighbors. Using strong language and calling names may be a relief to an excited individual's feelings, so may kissing another man's wife, but neither cause can lead to any good result, but as Mrs Partington says, " on the contrary quite the reverse." An instance of the extraordinary difference which sometimes appears in tenders for contracts was mentioned the other day, Amongst some leaders for providing posts and clearing the line for the telegraph, two were put in for a division between here and Westport, the one being at the rate of £22 per mile, the other at the rate of £223 per mile.

Considerable excitement prevailed in town, on the arrival, on Thursday, of the news about the riot at Addison's Flat. Next morning the interest was if anything, increased, there being rumours spread about of three or four persons having been killed and Constable Rhodes shot. The arrival ■of the coach, however, about midday dispelled any anxiety that might be felt on the state of the reported casualties, and we trust that the disturbance has, ere this reaches you, 'entirely subsided. We are glad to be able to contradict ; a report which seems to have got •about, that a well known hotelkeeper in this town had been arrested in Hokitika. The gentleman in question returned to town on Saturday evening, •and judging from his merry laugh, in his usual good hearty spirit. The Resident Magistrate held a "court on Friday, but there were no cases heard of any public importance. The Bar has been impracticable for the past four days, a heavy sea rolling into the bay, and knocking about the imprisoned craft in a way which the masters decidedly object to. The Fanny has'hadja good bumping about, but she will get over it as she has got over a good many previous bumpings in the same place. The Flora M'Donald as.d Marion are in a little better position, and we hope to see the weather clear up in a day or two so that they may be able to get out •to sea again.