CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 466, 16 February 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(fsom our own correspondent.) Feb, 12 th. The shipping business doing during the last week has been very fair. The Lizzy, which arrived from Onehunga on Wednesday, reports very rainy weather being prevalent in Auckland, and experienced the same sort of westher until she made Cape Egmont, when the prevalence of northeasterly winds put a stop to her advance to the southward. Among the mercantile community complaints of business being dull still continue, and the return of rain will be a source of satisfaction to all parties iu the district. A public meeting was held, on Thursday evening, in Hunter's Post-Oifice Hotel, and was well attended by tne inhabitants of Charleston, and others interested in the object for which the meeting was called. Mr Pell moved that Mr Gillespie take the chair. Carried. The Chairman then read the advertisement calling the meeting, stating that this was but a preliminary meeting, and entered somewhat at length into the advisability of obtaining a large water supply brought into the district. He pointed out the good effects likely to follow such an accomplishment, and called on Mr Liddel, C.E. Mr Liddel addressed the meeting at some length, and expatiated on the great necessity of a large water supply for the district. The mercantile community had been late in coming forward. He therefore concluded that, if miners wanted water, they must to a certain extent assist themselves. He adverted to the scheme atgreat length. Tde water proposed to be brought in late would effect no interest whatever, and wouid fupply twenty heads of water for, at least three months, independent of any rainfall.

A discussion here ensued between I several gentlemen, in reference to, the fluming, tunnelling, Ac, a part of the ground to which Mr Liddel replied. In answer to a questißn from the chairman, Mr Liddel said he would go in for 1,000 acres for a dam, water to be brought in from forks of the Fourmile. Mr Bain, C.E., then addressed the meeting, and corroborated remarks of the previous speaker, and referred to the Wardeu's refusal to grant Mr LidHel a large dam, which he thought might ba and, in fait, would almost certainly be obtained, if applied for by a large company, through a special grant for tho Superintendent. Mr Haines, miner, then addressed the meeting. He had advised Mr Liddel to try the Four Mile, and would be glad to go into his scheme, if it coulH be done at small expense. He would like Mr Liddel to go into full explanations. Mr Pell asked if the scheme could be extended to the Four Mile. Mr Liddel replied in the affirmative,

and also furnished the explanations required. Mr Pell spoke in reference to a sum of £SO now in the hands of the Prospecting Association, and proposed that theProspectingAssociation should have the line properly surveyed at their expense. The Chairman seconded this motion.

Mr Bain, as a member of the Prospecting Association, was then called on Ha stated he knew nothing of their proceedings, but agreed to do all in his power to further the matter. Mr Jackson, bootmaker, moved that a small committee be appointed to wait on the Prospecting Committee, in order to obtain the said sum. Mr Hunter, hotel-keeper, spoke as to the scheme and iu reference also to Mr Jackson's remarks, and advised the carrying out of the scheme in the most economical manner. Mr Haines seconded Mr Pell's motion. It was moved by Mr Jackson, and seconded by Mr Nahr, that Messrs Pell, M'Donald, Walker, Liddel, and Gasquoine form the committee. Several other gentlemen addressed the meeting in reference to the scheme of bringing in the supp.y of water, and also detailing their experience of affairs in other places bearing on the case; and, at the end of the discussion into which these recitals led the meeting, the chairman addressed a few words to those present, strongly urging that the scheme should be fully ventilated, and all the engineering talent of the district obtained. The meeting soon after separated, having accorded a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman, and agreed to meet at Hunter's Hotel, Camp street, on Saturday evening at 8 p.m. sharp.