CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 254, 25 May 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

On Friday afternoon a public meeting was hurriedly called together by the bellman, and held in the Casino; about eighty persons were present; Mr Mirfin was called to the chair. He stated that he believed the object of the meeting was to express indignation at the course the Government intended to adopt in selling the goldfields lands up at Nelson. He, himself thought that they were entitled to be treated in a fair and equitable spirit in this matter, and was of opinion that the lands of Charleston should be Sold in the locality. He called upon Mr Johnston.

Mr Johnston said the meeting was not convened by him, though he took considerable interest in the subject, having a short time ago written a long letter about it to the Herald. This letter he read out and remarked upon at some length. Mr Dwan said he was unaware of the meeting taking place until a few minutes before, but he quite coincided with the movement. He attributed the present depressed state of Westport, in a great measure to the circumstance of its lands having been sold at Nelson, and bought by Nelson men, who were non-residents and absentees* and spent no money in the place ; and if the Charleston people did not look out the same misfortune would happen to them. He had a resolution to move, which was as follows—

" That this meeting views with indignation and alarm the threat made by the Provincial Government to sell all the town lands situate on the South West Goldfields, in the city of Nelson, and protests against any such steps being taken either at present or at any future period."

Tho resolution was seconded by Mr Neale, and unanimously carried. Mr Drury proposed that a Committee be formed, to draw up a memorial to the Government to give effect to the above resolution, the said Committee to consist of Messrs Dwan, Gasqoine, Hennelly, Neab, Mirfin, Kennedy, and Rooney. Seconded by Mr Lichtscheind , and carrie \

Mr Biiin thought they were beginning at the wrong end, and that an expression of opinion should first be given as to the desirability of selling the town lands. m He saw by ihe papers the Pra-

vincial Secretary had stated in the Council, that it was not the intention of 'the Government to sell these lands. The chairman said he believed the last speaker Was in error on that point. Mr Cullen said he did not think the remarks Of Mr Bain uncalled for; at all events it would be a question for the Committee to enquire into before taking 'further steps. If the G-overnment had decided to sell the the town allotments, he was strongly of opinion such sale ought to take place in the locality. ~Mr Bain explained that ho was not unfavorable to the movement, only 'he would first like the meeting to express an opinion as to the desirability of selling the town lands. In order to obtain this he begged to move—" That it is the Opinion of this meeting that it is desirable that the town lands of Charleston be sold in the locality as soon as possible." Mr Collmgs thought the present system of'holding was the most convenient. If the lands were sold the conveyance of an allotment would be a troublest >me and expensive progress, costing some £8 or £lO. He did not see the necessity of any change, moreover the Government had hdt yet decided whether they would sell at all, The chairman read out the first resolution, altered as follows : —" That, this meeting desires the immediate sale of the town lands of Charleston, and views with alarm the threat made by the Provincial (Government to sell all the town lands of South-west Gold-, fields in the city of Nelson ; and protests against any such step being taken, either at present or at any future period." Mr Jackson considered it was only a question of time—that the lands would be sold sooner or later in Charleston as elsewhere. The matter rested entirely with the Grovernment. (Cries of no!)

Mr Dwan characterised as " old fogeyism " the opinion about not selling the lands, and spoke of the many! advantages which would result from the town lands being converted into freehold property.

A vote of thanks to the chairman was then moved by Mr Dwan, and the proceedings terminated.