NOTES PROM CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 435, 22 December 1868, Page 2

NOTES PROM CHARLESTON.

'("FROM OUB OAVIf COEB.ESPO3TDENT.) Dec. 19. Shipping business during the past week ans been ranch retarded by the rough weather we have lately experienced. The arrivals 'during the week have been three in number. Several small crafts are daily expected. The heavy fall of rain on Thursday and Friday last caused a rather heavy fresh in the Nile, and at one time fears were entertained for the safety of the bridge, but fortunately the water rapidly subsided without causing any damage to it. In anticipation of the Christinas sports, the booths, &e, Were submitted to public competition on last Tuesday, the sale of them realising the sum of £99 15s. These booths, &c, were (previously to the public sale,) disposed of privately by the Sports Committee to one of their own body, for the sum of £SO, a proceeding reflecting little credit on them. Several letters have appeared in connection ■with this affair, and I hear its legality is likely to ba tested in the Resident Magistrate's Court, the report being that one of our prominent citizens has taken the matter in hand. U * precedent of tliis kind should be estab-,

lished and custodians of money contributed by the public are permitted to carry on such objectionable proceedings as are illustrated in this instance, I feir that in the future support woufitnot readily be rendered, and that mistrust vrakjd nullify any exertions that might bo matte to carry out such schemes successfully. Nea.-ly every public matter which has engrossed attention in this district has died out almost at the outset through the apathy and seemingly the want of ability in these gentlemen who got placed as Committee men. The Progress Committee as a body have all but collapsed, as nothing is heard of them. The benefit to the district from their exertions is exceedingly problematic*. The Prospecting Association, although commenced under favorable circumstances, was but feebly supported, and as nothing is heard of the existence of such a thing I conclude its short career is closed. Much of this state of things would be avoided if gentlemen would consider thejduties appertaining to the office, before allowing themselves to be •nominated, an oversight which has been most conspicuous here. It is to behoped that our public men may for the future have more success in their efforts for the improvement of this district than has hitherto been accorded them.