CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 153, 27 January 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

MESSRS. HENNELLY AND DWAN'S MEETING. There was a very crowded meeting at Eooney's Hotel on Friday evening, summoned to listen to addresses from the two candidates, Messrs Hennelly and Mr Dwan. After a little delay, Mr CarroU was voted to the chair, and with a few introductory remarks he called upon Mr Hennelly, who was reeived with great cheers, said—Mr Chairman, and gentlemen electors, I would not trouble you by listening to the tones of my sweet voice were it not that I have a duty to perform and a debt of gratitude to repay, in the form of returning you my most sincere thanks for the trouble you h»vo taken to secure my election : also for the

confidence you have placed in me hy considering me as ono worthy of the honor'of becom ing your representative in the Nelson Provincial Council ; that confidence you have evidenced by presenting me with a requisition signed by over 500 persons residents of Charleston and surrounding districts, that I would allow myself to he nominated as a candidate for the forthcoming election of increased representation in the Nelson Provincial Council for the district of Grey. In the faith ol' that requisition I had no other alternative but to accede to your request, which I felt proud in having the honor to be called to fulfil such an important position. I did so through a sense of duty to you, and not through any ambitious desires of aspiring to such high honors ; and I also acceded to your request in order to guard the interest and welfare of the district ; but in order to arrive at the motive for which I now address you on this subject, I beg to inform you that after due consideration I have arrived at the conclusion that for your interests and welfare I had better resign as I could not count on my stay amongst you being of long duration, therefore it will be better for you that I should give way to a better man; that I have provided one who is in every respect more qualified to represent you. I need hardly tell you when I mention the gentleman's name that from the business relations that has existed between him and me, I have a right to be a judge of that gentleman's character; however, you can judge for yourself. I may further state vhat I have knrwn a little of his antecedents. He has fulfilled an honourable position as member of the Ingle wood Town Council, which oflice he fulfilled with credit. During his term of Town Councillor he had been requested to fulfil the office of Mayor. Further comments is unnecessary ; but once more I return you my sincere thanks, and hope you will accept my retiring from the contest in the same good faith that has prompted me to submit to such a course. Therefore, gentlemen, with your permission, I b,eg to introduce Mr Thomas Dwan as the gentleman I allude to, and resign in his favour. Mr Dwan, who, on rising, was loudly chccrecd, said, Mr Hennelly had taken a- course that evening which he (Mr Dwan) was only aware of a few hours before, and he might, therefore, say was quite unexpected. He then went on to speak of his antecedents as being not obscure. He had knocked about the world a good deal, had experienced many ups and downs and vicissitudes, had run for Parliaments, mayoralties, and a few other things of that sort. lie had attended there on the requisition of a number of citizens, also a few thousand miners, and in thus coming forward disclaimed any motive of ambition or selfishness. He then cautioned the electors against an uneducated man as their representative, as his sentiments and actions would be taken as a reflection of theirs, and {rocecded to give one or two stiking illustrations of incompetency, which afforded much amusement. He was in favor of Charleston Leing declared a Port of Entry, and explained how easy the duties connected with the Custom-house could bo performed under Mr Munday's supervision. As a port Charleston was known all over th' world, and it would not take much to turn it, into a good dock. To carry out this scheme he proposed to expend £SOOO in erecting flood gates at the entrance, and afterwards, dry dock o , ai d other ap lic.mces for the repairing of ships could be con.-tructed. If Government object to such expenliture he would suggest the inhabitants should guarantee that the wharfage rates amount to the interest of the money laid out, so that the Government would only have to send the money. There was another scheme which he should advocate, and that was a water scheme on a somewhat grand, he might say. gigantic scale. He would propose to cut a canal from a point about six miles up the river, to convey water on to the diggings and into the township, so that every digger might have a plentiful supply, and every citizen could lav on his own service pipes, thereby conducing much to the health of the town. (Great

laughter.) Tliey might laugh as much as j tliey liked, but it would be a good scheme and would pay in about five years, more or less, lie was in favour of a reduction in the price of a miner's right. He estimated the revenue this year would amount to £100,0(10, of which the tax on gold would produce over .£15,000, and miners" rights £14.000, making a total of £59,000. He believed the first sum alone would meet all expenses, and thought the price of the right should be reduced to seven shillings and sixpence There was another class heavily taxed, and that was publicans, who paid £3O a year for a license, and another £5 a year for a business license. He ; ut it to the meeting whether this was not too much. (Cries of no; too little, and laughter.) He then asked if they wanted a Mining Board, if so, he would get thorn one; and he proceeded to speak of the Boards in Victoria and the advisability of their being established here. He was in favour of a national system of education, and would advocate a penal settlement being founded at the Auckland Islands. He would favor the appointment of a few Justices of Peace, being of opinion that no man should hold the seats of justice singlehanded. He concluded by remarking that his first committee had acted very badly towards him, having thrown him over and picked up another candidate, but that he had provided himself with another, and assuring the electors that he would not disgi'ace them if returned, and resumed his seat amidst cheers and confusion. The chairman said that the candidate -was now ready f o answer any questions that might be put to him. Considerable squabblo and confusion then took place over one or "two ridiculous questions.

Mr Drury inquired -whether the candidate J knew what proportion of revenue was returned by the General Government to the Province '• Mr Dwan believed it was two-thirds. (Cries of li No; it's three-eighths.") Mr Davies asked whether he would be in favor of a track to Addison's Flat ? also, whether he was in favor of cutting tracks into the country to facilitate prospecting ? Mr Dwan replied he could not help advocating the making of a track to Addison's, and as for cutting tracks for prospectors, he would cut tracks right over Mount Faraday, if necessary. Mr Hennelly proposed that Mr Dwan is a fit and proper person to represent the district in the Provincial Council, and the motion was put to the meeting, but tl o chairman made no declaration.

Mr Drury then rose to address tVie audience, but hud not uttered many sentences when ho was interrupted by Mr Henelly, who apparently wished to speak. The latter was called to order by the chairman, but refused to sit down, whereupon followed a great scene of noise and confusion.

Subsequently another chairman was obtained and Mr Drury made a speech advocating the cause of M'Carthy, but, increasing fears as to the stability of the building at length caused the meeting to disperse.