CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 589, 4 December 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(from our own co-respondent.) Dec. 4. Since my last communication but little has occurred of any moment. The late dry weather has had its usual effect in making all branches of business very dull. The small quantity of water obtained on Sunday and. Monday last will soon be exhausted, and our miners will again be at a standstill, unless we are soon favored with rain. Captain Beveridge, who has held the office of Harbor-Master during the last three years, has resigned; private affairs requiring his presence in Auckland. A numerously signed testimonial was presented to him on leaving, bearing testimony to the admiration and respect his conduct was held in by the residents of this place. Captain Beveridge is succeeded by Mr David Cunningham, who was for some years in the Melbourne pilot service. A petition has been going round for signatures, praying the Superintendent not to gazette Mr T. G-. M'Carthy and Dr Henry, as justices of the peace. Why Dr Henry should be selected for such an honor I cannot understand, seeing that he is a stranger iu our midst, and that there are several gentlemen, old residents, who are equally competent and, no doubt, ready to accept such honor. It is said that Mr M'Carthy will probably decline the honor, on the score of business. "We have had a visit from Thatcher's company during the past week. They drew crowded houses, and must have left with a good opinion of the financial position of the district; Except the "locals" there was nothing new in Thatcher's or Small's usual style. Mr Daniels was very warmly received, his rendering of some well selected songs being greatly appreciated. I would give the company a word of advice—the next time they visit Charleston they should bring forward something original, as so much repetition of the stock songs is giving anything but satisfaction in this quarter.

Some gentlemen have interested themselves in endeavors to gather subscriptions for a fund for sports, to be held at Christmas; and they have succeeded in getting about £l2O, with a promise of more, so that, though rather late, there will be some amusements provided so as to deter the bulk of the population from going elsewhere. On mining matters little can be said. Nothing has as yet been heard from the four men sent out by the Prospecting Association. Mr Kochford is out at the back of the Brighton township, and is very sanguine of striking gold. There is also another party prospecting down south, in the neighborhood of " G-entle Annie." Taylor and party, of the Victoria Terrace, Candlelight, are erecting a water-wheel of forty-five feet in diameter, to drive a battery of ten heads of stampers, of about four hundred and fifty pounds each. This wheel will be the largest in the district. The Brethren of the Charleston Kilwinning Lodge met on Thursday evening for the election of officers for the ensuing twelve months. Bro. C. Broad was elected B.W.M. 5 Bro. Parker, G.M.; Bro. Thompson, S.M. ; Bro. Isaacs, S.W.; Bro. Bowen, J.W.; Bro. Launey, S.D.; Bro. M'Kerrow, J.D.; Bro. Weishiemer, I.G-. ; Bro. Cunningham, O.G-.