CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 221, 16 April 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

A meeting of volunteers was held in Hunter's Post-office Hotel, onTuesday ■evening, Capt. Beveridge being in the chair. The honorary secretary (Mr Vorley) read the minutes of business transacted by the committee appointed at the last general meeting, and the same were confirmed. Mr Thomas Kelly consented to act as Drill-Tustruc-tor in conjunction with Mr Hamilton, nnd it was arranged there should be three drill nights a-week, namely on Mondays, "Wednesdays, and Fridays, from half-past seven to half-past eight. The first drill to take place on Wednesday, 15th inst. Another committee, consisting of the following geutlemen, wa3 chosen to frame bye-laws and

manage affairs generally, until the company was regularly constituted : Messrs Davis, Collings, Bain, Anderson, Amos, Gillespie, Kelly, Galland, and Vorley. A letter was read from Captain Pitt of the Westport Rifles, stating the allowance made by Government for uniform, was understood to be £2 10s. Before the conclusion of the proceedings, a vote of thanks was passed to the late committee, and also to the chairman, Captain Beveridge. Tuesday was a very busy day at the Court-house, in consequence of an accumulation of work, caused by the holidays. There wis more than the usual number of applicati ins for dams, races, and cases for adjudications in the Warden's Court, as well as summonses for the K.M. Court, to be heard on Wednesday and Friday. We believe eminent coansel from Hokitika have been retained to appear in some of the more important cases set down for hearing this week. It was suggested at the Volunteer meeting that a large open shed should be erected for drill purposes in the Camp reserve or other convenient spot, and one or two artisans present volunteered to assist in its construction. This suggestion appears well worthy of consideration, and must not be lost sight of. No doubt the Government will, so soon as the Company is sworn in, be'ready to render assistance in such a matter if required and called upon to do so, for a shed of the necessary dimensions would be useful for a variety of purposes besides the main purpose of drill. We hear of several parties having returned to this district from the Queensland rush, very much disgusted of course with their late profitless journey.