CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 331, 22 August 1868, Page 6

CHARLESTON NEWS.

The Foley Troupe made their debut here on Monday evening at the Casino de Venice, and if the large_ attendance of the public present on that occasion be any criterion, it was a very successful one. The varied amusements offered by the Troupe appear to suit the ideas of the bulk of our pleasure seekers. Madame Tournear's exhibition on the tight-rope and fancy dancing drew immense applause, as also little Johnny's songs and 'great sensation feat'. Mr Anderson appeared only in the last piece, the " Swiss Cottage," and sang two capital songs. During the evening Mr West, who is at present fulfilling an engagement here, sang a few songs in excellent taste. This gentleman has a fine voice which appeared to great advantage in the " Death of Nelson," the beautiful effect of which was slightly marred by some drunken idiot who insisted on making imbecile remarks out loud, and was within an ace of being pitched out of the house by the exasperated audience. The encore of 'I never shall forget" was beautifully sung with piano and clarionet accompaniment. The Foley Troupe have entered into an arrangement with Messrs Foyne, Sturt and Co., the proprietors of the Casino, to play seven nights, and we understand the programme is to be varied every evening. It is rumored here that the Superintendent intends to honor us with a visit shortly, but, considering his present engagements at Wellington, we hardly think there can ba any foundation for the report. There was no business of any importance transacted in the Resident Magistrate's Court either on Monday or Tuesday. A summons of Parker and Garsides against the trustees in Hennelly and Milieu's estate was enlarged for a week. The extraordinary circumstance of a week's fine weather is not without its drawbacks, as far as this locality is coucerned, for dam-holders, raceholders, and indeed all interested in mining pursuits, are already complaining of the want of water. It is a pity an arrangement cannot be entered into with the clerk of the weather (whoever that mythical individual may be) whereby a few inches of rain might be allowed to fall every second night, say between the hours of two and seven, when all good people are in bed.

The Telegraph office was opened to the public on Monday, and a good many availed themselves of thenewly acquired privilege to communicate with correspondents in various parts of the colony Communication was perfected on the day previous, when the English mail telegrams were received from the Bluff •""'' Wellington. The telegraph opera-

tor received intimation of an earthquake having occurred at Lyttelton, which appeared in the Herald extra as a special telegraphs We understand no instructions have yet been received by the Agent here as to making public the shipping news. It is very important that this omission should be rectified as soon as possible, for on this Coast the arrivals and departures of shipping interest a large section of the community, and forms one of the most valuable pieces of information which the telegraph can make available.

Mr Lowe as was expected, has taken charge of the public works in this portion of the Province, and went up to Addison's on Tuesday for the purpose of inspecting the road. Tenders for the maintenance of the tracks have already been accepted. We Understand that negotiations have been- entered into by the Athenaeum Committee for the purchase of Grant's hotel in Kennedy street, opposite the Custom House. We are not aware whether anything is likely to come of it, but a better site or building for the purpose could scarcely be procured if the funds permit.

A large number of people saw the Penn off on Tuesday, amongst them many woe-begone creditors who were unwilling witnesses to their customers' departure. Some of those who had made preparations for flitting however were not successful, no less than three falling into the hands of btony hearted bailiffs, on going on board. We are glad to say that the proposition to present a suitable testimonial to Mr Kynnersley has everywhere been most warmly received. Even those who were most opposed to him, in connection with the April disturbances, cordially admit the great services he has rendered this coast, and the imperative duty of the public to acknowledge them on his retirement. We do not believe there is an individual in the [districts over which he has held authority but will most gladly join in any movement of the kind, and the result of the feeling will be worthy of this portion of the Nelson Province. Apropos of this subject we were misinformed in reference to the meeting on Wednesday night. A committee consisting of the chief business men of the town was formed a week ago, and at their first meeting the official referred to was pressed to act as secretary pro tern. Another meeting was fixed, for Monday last, but owing to a variety of circumstances could not be held, and this gentleman merely sent an intimation of the night being changed to Wednesday, to the previously chosen committee. We are glad to offer this explanation, and are also informed that as soon as the committee have matured their arrangements, public meetings will be held, as we suggested, at all the principal places on the Coast, on the subject. The Athenaeum Committee met on Saturday last, at which were present the Bev W. Harvey, chairman, Messrs Munro, Kerr, Harris, M'Dowell, and Whitfoord. The treasurer stated that no further payments had been made into the bank since last meeting. The chairman stated the amount collected was £35. Mr Harvey was selected to canvass instead of Mr O'Conor. The following distribution of money to purchase books was agreed upon, namely, history, £2O ; poetry, £lO ; science, £10; fiction, £lO. Messrs Harris Whitfoord, and Kerr, were chosen as a committae to draw up rules for the guidance of the committee, and conduct of the institution, after which the committee adjourned until Saturday the 21st inst.

A very distinct shock of earthquake was felt on Monday moruing, a little after 10 o'clock, in Westport, but it was too slight to either occasion alarm or damage. At Lyttelton on Saturday last, a severe shock was felt, and the effect on the harbour was extraordinary the sea receding for a length of two miles, and after two or three minutes returning in a perfect wall of water, over twenty feet in height. Great damage was done to the shipping, but we have no partciulars to hand. Referring to the Nelson Contingent for active service at Patea, the Colonist says : —A letter from one of the Nelson Contingent, received by Captain Lockett, has the following : —" I regret to have to tell you that "Walter Wrey has come to great grief, He was given in charge for aiding and abetting in broaching cargo on board the Woodpecker, with eight of the men from Nelson, who were all the worst of the company. The Nelson men requested Colonel Reader to discharge these men, which, I am happy to say has been done. Colonel Reader speaks very highly of the remainder, and also of Color-Sergeant Smith. * * Don't forget to let the Nelson people know all the particulars, and especially

that the discharged men were not recognised by the Nelson men, as they are a lot of low roughs. commission is cancelled." The Timaru Herald states that a sample of chicory, ground and manufactured in the neighborhood, has been compared with the imported English article, and in every way its equal. It is said that the land near Timaru is very favorable for its production, and that a ready sale in the market at about £4 per ton could readily be obtained. During the hearing of the case, Banson v. Porter, Mr Tyler said that in this case he had acted for both parties, but was looking more after the Interest of Mr Banson than Porter, as Mr Banson was his client. His Honor said he wished to make a few remarks respecting such cases. When one solicitor was acting for two parties, it was utterly impossible to give satisfaction, and it left all transactions open to grave suspicion. If he (his Honor) was practising he would not act for two parties, and it would save much litigation and trouble if each client were to engage their own solicitors. Mr Lowe, district engineer, went over'theCeledoniantrackon Wednesday and expressed himself satisfied with its condition, with the exception of one or two small bits. He has also taken steps in reference to the formation of a track to Giles' terrace, and if gold is struck in a few more claims the work will be at once proceeded with. There are three parties there who expect to be on gold this week, and if their anticipations are reaclisd, no doubt the track will soon follow, Mokihinui is still as dull as can be, and even the small population,hitherto there, is dwindling by degrees. The coal mine however is being worked more vigorously, and some excellent mineral is now being got out. The ketch Enterprise is there, and is to be sent nearly a mile up the river, to the foot of the first fall, taking advantage of the spring tides. This is only half a mile from the mine, and it is expected, that even with the limited means at disposal, she can be filled up in two days with thirty tons of coal. In connection with the Mokihinui coal, we may say that protection has been granted to the lessees for a coal wharf on the Buller, opposite Bright street, and that it will be built as soon as the river protection works at that part are finished. The Mokihinui bar is reported in excellent condition, deep water and a fine channel. On Wednesday Messrs Milne and Gilmer visited the Caledonian as a-'de-putation from the Kynnersley Testimonial Committee of Westport, to invite the people of that place to join them in presenting a testimonial to Mr Kynnersley, on his retirement from the Commissionership of the Nelson South West goldflelds. Messrs Braithwaite, Brennan, M'Coll, and M' Farlane, agreed to act as a temporary committee, prior to a public meeting on the subject, which will be held to-mor-row evening, as will be seen by advertisement in another column. There is no doubt whatever, that this portion of the district will come out well in the matter, and they have set an example, in calling a public meeting, that we should like to see followed in Westport, and elsewhere. A great change in the weather took place on Friday afternoon, to the great delight of many householders, and many more miners, who even after a few days fine weather were beginning to feel the want of water Every water barrel was dry, and at Charleston many of the machines would have had to knock off working if the fine weather had continued a day or two longer. A great many people have suffered from diarrhoea and bowel complaints generally during the last week, and this we are informed on good authority, has in many cases been occasioned through drinking river water, taken at an improper time of tide when it was brackish. The same afternoon a sharp north-easter set in, bringing wit it anh abundance of rain, and some very heavy showers fell. There is every probability of this lasting many little time, judging from appearances" at the time of writing. .latest fbom Patea.—A late Wanganui paper says :—" On Monday 1 st the Patea Field Force numbered 720 men and thirty-four officers, with reinforcements still going forward. That is the largest colonial force that as ever yet taken the field, but when we deduct from that the number of men required to be left to defend Patea and the outlying posts, it would not leave Colonel M'Donnell more than 300 effective fighting men for an attack. We say effective-fighting men, because many of the men sent to the Front did nob know how to load a rifle. Others were so physically unfit for service that Dr. Brewster rejected a number of them. All things conside-

red, it is necessary to patiently await the current of events. Of one thing we feel certain, and that is, that the moment Colonel M'Donnell feels confident that his arrangements are complete, he will make a dash forward, but not before. A few days hence we may hear more upon the subject. Correspondence from the front continues to reach us :—Colonel M'Donnell and Major Hunter are spoken of in anything but complimentary terms. Major Vom Tempsky and Captain Buck are very popular ; the latter officer's men are styled " Buck's Bruisers ?' Numbers of men went to join the Bruisers." Bttssiak Customs —Many Muscovite celebrities never think of going to bed. They do not know how to go to bed, most of them. An ex-governor-general of St. Petersbnrg, and a minister of state were both discovered between sheets at one of the late emperor's palaces in full uniform, with their jack-boots and spurs on. A Bussian peasant scarcely knows what the use of a bed means. He rolls himself up in his sheepskin anywhere and everywhere, and sleeps till he is hungry. He has no fixed hours of rest; and is as likely to be asleep at noonday as awake at midnight. A Bussian household is never all asleep or all awake at the same time. The Sultan of Turkey has just ordered to be manufactured in Paris, a silver table, the price of which will be not less than three millions francs.