CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 170, 15 February 1868, Page 2

CHARLESTON NEWS.

The deputation appointed at the meeting held at Black's Hotel on Monday, consisting of Mr M'Connell, Mr Bain, Mr Haines, and Mr Davis, had an interview with the Commissioner, Mr Kynnersley, or> Thursday afternoon. After a few introductory remarks from Mr Bain, Mr M'Donnell stated the immediate object of the visit was to asertain more particularly than could be gathered from the advertisement, the duties of the proposed congress of dele-

gates. The Commissioner explained-that the delegates would revise and amend the present mining regulations, and that tho revised codes would take effect immediately on their being approved by the superintendent, without any farther delay. The present plan had been adopted as appearing the readiest and most efficient, as well as the most economical. Some error audinconvenience had resulted in the neighboring province

from there having but one mining conference for the whole gold field ; to avoid, this, there would be one conference of miners in the Grey district, another of miners in the Brighton and Charleston districts, and a third of miners in the Buller district, the character of the mining in these several districts presenting a marked variety. The question of payment of delegates had been well considered, but it was thought the work would be done quicker and better if no payment was made, as there would then be no unnecessary prolonging of the conferences, and a better class of delegates be ensured. In reply to several •questions, the Commissioner said it was a mistake to suppose he was wholly unfavorable to mining-boards—theoreti-cally, he thought well of such a scheme, but practically there were a good many obstacles to be overcome. In the present case, even if the petition for a mining-board which had gone forward, "was favorably received, he thought it would be at least six months before the cumbrous machinery of such an establishment could he got into useful operation. If the present plan failed, the failure would form a good argument for the institution of a mining-board. After thanking the Commissioner for his attention, the deputation withdrew. The grand ball given by the Oddfellows came off with great eclat on Thursday evening. The stage of the Empire Theatre was entirely removed for the occasion, and the enlarged room was decorated with great taste. A capital band and a very large assemblage of the fair sex made the ball a great success, which was not lessened by a famous supper, the only fault connected with which was that the speechifying made it continue rather long, and so interfered with the progress of the dancing. Altogether, however, the ball was certainly the best ■which has been given in Charleston.