CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 349, 12 September 1868, Page 4

CHARLESTON NEWS.

The Church Committee held their usual weekly meeting on Thursday evening at tho Melbourne Hotel. There were present, Messrs Broad (in chair,) Gasqoine, Jones, Kennedy, Neale, M'Coy, and I Conolly, the Church fund being reported by the Treasurer as in a somewhat unflouishing condition. The whole financial arrangements were intrusted into the hands of of Messera G-asqoine and Neale, who were instructed to see to the liquidation of present liabilities. The Treasurer (Mr Gasquoine) was then instructed to communicate with his Lordship the Bishop of Nelson, relative to the opening of the Church on the 20th instant, on which date it will be ready for Divine Worship. After some remarks about the sale of tickets for the approaching concert, to be held in the Casino in aid of the Church Fund, and the energy that should be exercised in its prosecution, a vote of thanks was passed to the chair. The meeting then adjourned. The Hospital Committee also held the usual meeting on the same evening at the Melbourne Hotel, Mr Broad in the chair. There were present, Messrs Kennedy, Neale, Bowman, and M'Carthy. The sub-committee appointed to enquire into the extras recently supplied to the Hospital furnished a satisfactory report relative thereto. The funds of the institution being rather low, it was proposed to make application for the grant. The meeting then adjourned. The lecture of the Bev. Mr Baxter, delivered on Wednesday evening, to a very poor house, in the Wesleyan Church, evinced some research, and a tolerable acquaintance with Boswell and the biographer of Parr, Samuel Johnson and Samuel Parr, being " I am the mayor and I am the manor" subject chosen for the occasion. It is needless to say that the many anecdotes of their eccentricities were given in a very able manner. Such men as Johnson and Parr will form a subject for comment till the end of time. They were dictators, pedants, but still scholars ; perhaps two of the greatest of that age. The rev. gentleman lectures again this evening (Friday) when it is to be hoped he will meet with a larger reception. The weather, which for the past week was all that could be desired by the most fastidious eye, changed on Thursday last, when a little rain fell. It was not however, of sufficient quantity to be of benefit, for when it is considered that many of the miners of this district depend solely on the clouds' bounty for water sufficient for mining purposes, it need scarcely be added that the more we have the better.

By the way Colonial, or Yankee starts as they are facetiously called, are I hear, rather fashionable in this district just now. It is amusing to remark the rapidity with which exits can be effected when parties are desirous of giving the slip. Many are doubtless like the unfortunate Mr Micawber and are compelled to from " circumstances over which they have no control," while others I am inclined to think, take a delight in the little game. Chattels disappear as if by magic, and the proprietors too in rapid succession all done by the golden rule of expediency. " They go on their way " likt John Bunyan in the Pilgrim's Progress and " we never see them more."

In the E. M. Court on Thursday, ¥m. O'Dwyer pleaded guilty to having on the 9th September, assaulted and beaten Mrs Taylor of the Broomielaw Hotel, with a long-handled shovel. For this offence he was fined £2O or three months imprisonment. For a similar offence on William Morgan, he was sentenced to two months imprisonment and for wilfully destroying the property of William Taylor, he was fined £5, and £5 damages, or the alternative of two months imprisonment.