CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 300, 17 July 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

PUBLIC MEETING-. The second public meeting called by advertisement to consider the expediency of forming a Progress Com mittee, was held in the Melbourne Hotel on Wednesday evening, Mr Harry Kennedy being voted to the chair, A considerable number of citizens were present. After a few opening remarks from the chairman, Mr Russell (of the firm of Ching and Russell) proposed the first resolution, which was to the following effect, —" That in the opening of this meeting it is desirable that a Progress Committee be formed in Charleston." Mr Dwan said he would have much pleasure in seconding the resolution if | tho last llvo words were altered to "for the town of Charleston." This being agreed to, the motion was put to the meeting and carried. Mr A. Bain said the second resolution, which he held in his hand, was as follows, —" That the said Committee consist of nine members, to bo nomi-

uated and elected on a day to be Qxed by the meeting, all holders of business licenses to be eligible for voting or election." The system had been raised at tbe last meeting as to the objects proposed to be embraced by the present movement, and whether they were to be restricted to the town only. He should say not, and thought that if the Committee about to be elected were worth any thing at all they would not confine their exertions to the town, but take cognisance of every matter affecting the welfare and progress of the whole district. The mining interest was so bound up with the commercial that they were, in point of fact, identical; like the Siamese twins, if one was pinched the other would be sure to sing out. Then as to the objects aimed at, they very numerous, but he would only mention a few that occurred to him. "When it was decided to make the road to Brown's Terrace and so on to Addison's, it was understood by the public that a dray road was to bo constructed, instead of which a packer's track bad been put in hand. As the cuttings and bridges were to be the full width, it would not be very much additional expense were a proper dray road made at once, and he believed that if the projected committee had been in existence at the time the work was determined upon, they would bave succeeded in inducing the Government to carry out the original design, perhaps it was not yet too late. There was another matter which might properly be taken up by a Progress Committee, namely, the cutting of an exploration track into the interior. A sum of money was placed upon the Estimates duriug last session for such a purpose, and it was only reasonable to suppose that if tbe matter was properly represented, a fair portion at least of that money would be allocated to this district. Then again there was the Nile bridge affair. The Council had voted for the purchase of the bridge, but it appeared there was a hitch as to who was the rightful owner to purchase from andinconseqencethe mattermight remain in abeyance for an indefinite period, unless the Government were urged on to action by the constant pressure of such a public body as the Progress Committee. Erom the unanamity displayed in passing the first resolution, he had no doubt the second would meet their approval also, Mr Neale, in seconding the resolution said he fully endorsed the remarks made by the last speaker. The resolution was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously.

Mr G-asquoine then moved " That the nomination take phice this day week, and the election on the 2ith inst." Seconded by MrDwan. Mr Neale proposed as an an amendment that the nomination take place; at once. This was seconded by Mr Jones, but on being put to the meetingwas lost, and the original motion declared carried. On the motion of Mr Isaacs, seconded by Mr E. P. Bain, Mr Jones was deputed to act as Reterning Officer. A proposition from the same gentleman, seconded by Mr Russell, that two scrutineers be appointed, was adopted, an amendment by Mr Dwan, that the candidates should appoint their own, being negatived. Some difficulty arising about the appointment of scrutineers, Mr Neale and Mr Allen kindly volunteered to act. It was then resolved on the motion of Mr G-asqoine, seconded by Mr Amos, that the voting be by ballot and that voting papers be printed. Mr Jones intimated that he would be prepared to fulfil the duties of returning officer on the days named for the nomination and election, between the hours of 1 and 4 p.m. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the proceedings.

AV'e extract' also the telegram received by the No.'s.m papers, which is how-

ever, ridiculously deficient in details, and is subjoined. Bluff, Tuesday. The English Mail has not arrived. The following telegrams are from the Argus : The A. S. N. Company's steamship Rangatira arrived at Glenoid at 5 p. m. from King George's, with Australian mails. The upward passage occupied 150 hours, the down passage 93 hours. A hurricane, of three days' duration, was experienced on the up-passage. The Northumberland, 1200 tons,. coal laden, foundered on the 20ult. off Bald Head, King George's Sound ; all the crew saved. The Bombay, Captain Hector, R.N R, arrived at the Sound at 3p.m. on the Ist July. Captain Burne, of the Bombay, has gone home on leave of absence. The Bombay left Galle at 1 p. m. on the 17th June, and experienced light south-west winds and variable weather and calms with moderate south-east trades. The steamer Surat met With an accident on her voyage to the Red Sea , she broke the blade of he screw, which was driven through the stem; the saloon was in consequence filled with water. The accident occurred 400 mib'S from Galle ; she put back to t it'.t port. All the passengers were kept at the pumps night and day.