CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 218, 13 April 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

The election here passed off very ■quietly. During the forepart of the day, there was nothing apparent to distinguish one day from any other day of the week, but some little stir and bustle began to make itself shewn in the neigbourhood of the Camp, soon after dinner time. It was very soon known which way the polling was going, and there was some talk of Mr Home or Mr Donne resigning, in favor of his brother member, but even if either of the gentlemen could have been brought to consent to such a eourse, it would have been too late to cause any radical change in the results of the election. A considerable croud pressed forward to the polling-place, as four o'clock approached, and when the poll was declared there no lack of supporters to cheer Mr Gallagher as the successful candidate. As at the last elction there were a great many persons disqualified who should have been entitled to vote, and there cannot be two opinions about the necessity that exists for speedy revision of the electoral lawA large meeting of Irishmen assembled at the Belle d'TJnion Hotel on Thursday evening to express sympathy with their countrymen now lying in Hokitika Q-aol, charged with sedition and rout, and with the Celt newspaper. Mr A. Doyle acted as chair-

man, and the following resolutions were adopted. Proposed by Mr D. Slattery, seconded by Mr Michael Murray ' —" That this meeting urge on the public of the West Coast the urgent necessity there is for every true-hearted liberal-minded man to come forward at once, irrespective of creed and race,and subscribe his part towards the maintenance of the Celt and the defence of those noble-minded prisoners, now lying in Hokitika G-aol." Proposed by Mr Thomas Keenan, seconded by Mr Michael Murray:— " That this meeting thinks it highly necessary to establish a fund to be called 'The New Zealand Celt, and State Prisoner Defence Fund,' of which two-thirds will go towards procuring counsel for the defence of the State prisoners at the coming Sessions in Hokitika, and the remaining one-third will be placed in the Union Bank Charleston, to the credit of the "New Zealand Celt" newspaper Hokitika." A committee consisting of the following gentlemen was then appointed to carry the above resolutions into effect. Messrs Keenan, Dale, Hehir, M'Carthy, Murray, Slattery, O'Brien, Flanagan, O'Negan, and'Twohill. Mr Hehir was then chosen as Honorary Treasurer, and Mr D. Slattery Honorary Secretary, and a collection made in the room at the close of the meeting realised the sum of £4B.

On Friday the return match between the Miners and the Charleston Cricket Club, came off on the ground at the rear of the Post Office. So far as the players were concerned it was properly speaking, a scratch match, the men being chosen on the ground. The diggers who in the former match had it all their own way, were obliged to submit to as decided a reverse, the C.C.C. beating them in one innings with 33 runs to spare. Mr H. Mace who was absent in the first match, proved a great acquisition, and as might be expected added materially to gain success for the club of which he is so distinguished a member. Mr Simpson al so played very well. He and Mace were the first two at the wickets, and there he remained till the close of the innings, making quiet steady play and slowly adding to his score. On the side of the miners the most successful scorers were, Mr Reid, Mr Drury. and Mr Jones, but several were put out on their first ball by the wicket-keeper, Mace, who was rather too smart for them. The bowling of Moore and Thomas of the C.C.C. was very good. We append an account of the score C.C.C. Ist Innings. H. Mace .'. 22 Simpson 22 Moore 1 Jones 0 Jackson 0 Collings 3 Thomas 0 Cullen 3 M'Coy 7 M'Carthy 8 Bain 2 Byes 5 Wides 14 Total 87 Miners—lst and Innings. Drury 6 1 O'Neil 0 0 Marks 1 6 Neater 1 0 M'Kinnon 0 0 Cook 5 4 Reid 1 7 Lighthand 0 2 Wright .. 0 1 Jones 0 6 Meredith 0 0 Byes 3 2 Wides 3 2 Totals ... 20 31 Total 51 We beg to call attention to the beastly condition of the foot path leading to the Heads. We have now enjoyed a weeks fine weather, and yet the track referred to, is so deep in mud and filth as to be impassable, to all who are not wearers of watertigkts. Something should be done to render this, the pleasantest walk in our neighborhood, available' and the cost would be the merest trifle. At present our ladies and children are debarred from the enjoyment of a very delightful and health-growing recreation.

VOLUNTEER MOVEMENT. A Public Meeting of those favorable to tbe formation of a Volunteer Company in Charleston, was held in JollifFs Hotel, on Thursday evening. There was a very good attendance. Mr Home, M.P.C., having been voted to the chair, explained the effect of the meeting and remarked that the people of Charleston in desiring to form a Volunteer Corps, wore only following the example of every other important district of the colony. It was a noble Institution and one fchpfr

every young country had a right to be proud of, and apart from graver uses, volunteering was in itself a healtful and invigorating pastime, and conducive of improved sociabilities and good feeling. He would call on the gentleman who had the first proposition to make. Captain Bevericlge said he had called the present meeting, because he did not see why Charleston should be behind hand iu a matter of this sort.

In the country he came from every, little township or village mustering over a hundred men could boast of its company of Volunteers. He deprecated any attempt to couple with the present movement any party feeling. 'I hey did not go into it with that sort of spirit at all, but with a view to the good of the country, and their own improvement. He begged to propose the following resolution : " That in the opinion of this meeting it is highly desireable to form a Volunteer Rifle Corps in Charleston. This was seconded by Mr Meredith, and carried unanimously. Mr G-ellespio with a few preparatory remarks proposed the next resolution,

" that the offer of service be now laid upon the table, and signed by those desirous of enrolling themselves in the Corps." Seconded by Mr P. O'Kelly and carried. i>ir G-alland said he had much pleasure in proposing the third resolution which was placed in his hands, and which was to the following effect, "that a Committee be appointed, to consist of Messrs Bowman, Jackson, Ceilings, Donovan, Beveridge, Purness, Meredith, Speers, Bain, Hamilton, Jones, Williams and Vorley, to obtain further signatures, to transmit the offer of service to the proper authorities, and to take such other steps for the furtherance of the object as they may think desirable."

Seconded by Mr Vorley and carriedMr Dwan said, be had had a good deal of experience in Volunteering and that led him to propose that no one should be enrolled who was not sure of being at least six months in the district.

The chairman expressed dissent. Mr Dwan explained as a reason,that if members left soon after enrolment their arms and accoutrements would be wasted, for things returned to the armory would soon be eaten up with rust, &c, he therfore suggested that those persons only should put down their names who felt confident that they would be resident for some time in the district.

The chairman did not see how any waste would arise and thought that the question rased by Mr Dwan might very well be left to the discretion of the parties who came forward to sign their names. (Hear, hear.) He then read out the offer of service, and after pointing out the desirability of persons first considering whether they were prepared to go into the matter with earnestness and continued attention, called upon those who had made up their minds to come forward and attach their names.

The following offer of service was then signed by about a hundred present, and the meeting afterwards separated:—" We, the undersigned, being desirous of expressing our loyalty to our Most Gracious Queen, beg to offer our services as Volunteers under the regulations and laws at present in force affecting that movement."

On the same evening, the committee as appointed above held their first meeting. Mr Jones presiding as chairman.

After some discussion, a proposition made by Mr Bain, that the company about to be formed be called the " Charleston Volunteer Bide Company," was carried. A sub-committee was appointed to forward the offer of service to His Excellency the Governor, through Mr Kynnersley, and to arrange about procuring a room to drill in. The question of uniform being raised, Mr Speer said he had been informed the Government had agreed to give the Hokilika Volunteers £3 10s. per man to cover the expense of uniform.

Mr Vorley, having been elected Honorary Secretary, was instructed to communicate with Captain Pitt, of the Westport Eifles, with the view of getting information on this and other matters connected with the formation of the company. The Secretary was also directed to make application to the Government for a sufficient supply of arms, ammunition, and accoutrements.

Mr Hamilton was appointed drill instructor, and Mr Shelly, bugler, and before the committee dispersed it was understood that a general meeting of the company be called as early as possible by public advert sement for the purpose of commencing drill ami transacting other important business.