CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 596, 21 December 1869, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

(FBOM OUB OWN COBBESPOITDENT.) Dec. 20. Mining is being steadily pursued throughout the district, tho late rains having enabled those not fortunate in having a regular supply of water to resume operations. On every side can be heard the pleasant noise of steam engines and water machinery—the water being now made the most of, as the miners naturally wishing to secure as heavy washings as possible for the ensuing Christmas holidays. As subscriptions have been pretty liberally given, and the sale of the booths realized a fair figure, there is not the least doubt, from the programme published by the Sports' Committee, that they will be successful in their efforts in providing attractive amusement for the holidays. Mr Pell has lately been busily engaged in clearing away the bush adjacent to the cemetry at Constant Bay, it having been determined to erect there the much required and long talked of powder magazine. The Eev. Thomas Flavell has resumed his clerical duties, he having returned on Thursday last from Nelson. A tea meeting takes place about the end of the year for the purpose of raising a fund to defray the expense of painting the church, the building being greatly in want of a thorough painting, not only as a preservative, but with a view to appearance as well. Dr Giles, in the absence of Mr Broad, is conducting the duties of E.M. and Warden, but as he can only attend occasionally owing to his own district requiring his services, the omission of the regular routine of

business is seriously felt, particularly by those who reside at a distance from town, and who Lave occasionally to travel to no purpose through their cases not coming off at the time expected by them. In shipping very little has been doing during the last fortnight, the only arrivals being the Nile from G-reymoutb, and two of our mosquito fleet, the Standard and Constant, from Westport.