CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume VI, Issue 924, 8 February 1872, Page 2

CHARLESTON.

our ows co-respondent.) Dr Giles held a sitting of the Resident Magistrate's and Warden's Courts at Charleston on Friday last. The only case of any importance was Russell v. Warne, in whieh plaintiff sued defendant for striking him with a whip. Prom the evidence it appeared that, plaintiff was walking past the shop of dci'eudant on Wednesday last, when he was struck with a piece of meat. He went back and was endeavouring to force his way past defendant so as to get into the shop, when defendant struck him with the whip. Dr Henry was called and stated that he had examined plaintiff, and found a wheal or welt upon his hip such as would be occasioned by the blow of a whip or some blunt instrument. Two other witnesses were examined. Dr Giles said that an assault had been cominitted, but the facts of the case were such as rendered it a slight one. Ho fined defendant 20s and costs.

Mr Browne, the editor of the " Charleston Herald," has of late been issuing some very hard hits against the fire brigade relative to a gdng lately purchased and erected by the brigade. Amongst other expressions that of a " pot" has been freely used by the " Charleston Herald " in referring to the gong. In consequence of the existing warfare between the fire brigade and the " Herald," a public meeting was convened by the fire brigade on Friday evening last, not as usual by advertisement, but by a placard placed outside of the Theatre Royal, where the meeting was to be held. At the bottom of the placard was the following significant, a la Weston, invitation to Mr Browne:— " Particular Notice. —Mr Browne is expected to continue his lecture upon pots, and during the evening he will say a few words upon the use and abuse of watercress aud Picton herrings." During the meeting, Mr Hugh Jones, who had been voted to the chair, said he had received what he designated a very impertinent letter from Mr Browne. Mr Browne stated in his letter that unavoidable circumstances prevented his appearance that evening, but that he would continue his lecture upon some future occasion; very probably at one of the Library Institute entertainments. The secretary, Mr Bear, read the balance sheet of the brigade, showing the amount in hand to be £1 18s after clearing all expenses. ' Immediately after the report having been received by the meeting, the captain, Mr Aldous, announced the resignation of tho brigade, they having served the term for which they had agreed, namely, 12 months, and in consequence of the poor encouragement t bey were receiving they thought it advisable to retire. Some of the speakers commented in bitter terms upon the lack of publis support which they had received from the pro-

perty holders in the town, and also th» cold water that had been thrown upon their efforts by the local paper. Mr Dwan, in what he himself termed a

" llowery " speech, defeuded tho action taken by the " Charleston Herald," identifying himself as hawing been in connection with that journal for the past four years. Only live gentlemen came forward to enter their names upon the roll of the new brigade. 9o

that virtually Charleston is at present without any brigade, and should a fire take place before steps are taken to reorganise the body,' it will be found to have been a very poor policy to " have got- off with the old .brigade before. they got on with the hew,"

Amongst the various means employed for providing water for mining purposes in this Afttrict, a novel, method is about being attempted/ to obtain a supply to work the rich eand upon the north side''of the Totara river. Messrs John Molloy and party are at present erecting a windmill in order to raise water from the Totara for that purpose. Its height from the foundation will be. SO feet, and the length of the arms 17 feet each. It is intended to throw the water about 20 feet high, when; it will be conducted, from/tho pump to, a dam. . • Mpuhlic meeting was. held at the Melbourne Hotel on Monday evening for the purpose of forming a committee' to wait upon and present a memorial to the Hon. Mr. Fox. Mr. HughJones was called to the chair. The

meeting was addressed by Messrs Dvvan, Doone, and some other gentlemen. Mr."Donne, in the course of

bis remarks, made mention of the loss this district would sustain through having the Warden removed from it. A committee of twelve having been appointed for the above-named purpose the meeting terminated. In consequence of the unfavorable weather Mr Murray's troupe were unable to perform until Tuesday evening, when they performed to a crowded house of over 400 persons. The performers were all received, and the entertainment seemed to be much appreciated by tho audience. During the performance Master Augustus Murray, a lad of eight years of age, walked in good style a mile in ten seconds less than ten minutes. '