CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 256, 27 May 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

'Our readers will bo glad to learn that the long talked of track from Charleston to Addison's Flat is likely to be constructed, and after a much more substantial fashion than was at first contemplated. Mr Pell, the road overseer, has received instructions to ascertain the best line for a dray road to connect Charleston with Brown's Terrace and Addison's Flat. If the present route to Addison's, via Picneer Ferry is adopted, the length of road-making required to that place will be reduced to a minimum, but a branch road would then have to be made to Brown's Terrace. It is possible a line may be found, which without much difficulty, would take in the last named place on the way to the flat. In selecting tho best route, due consideration will no doubt be given to that which will open up and make available the greatest extent of likely looking country. It will be in the recollection of many of those who read this, that when an address was presented to Mr Dutton on the occasion of his leaving Charleston, to preside as Besident Magistrate and Warden over the Little Grey and Cobden District, allusion was made to a small token to be presented to him, not as a valuable gift, but as a mark of esteem which would serve the worthy Magistrate as a memento of his short sojourn amongst us. An order for an inkstand which was sent over to Melbourne, was duly executed but considerable delay occurred in the transmission of the package, in consequence of the Melbourne and Hokitika steamers declining to take charge of any parcel for Charleston. It was therefore Bent via Nelson* and eventually arrived here on Saturday evening. The inkstand is of solid silver> of massive, yet graceful proportions, the design having been left to the taste of the makers, Messrs Brush and the celebrated silversmiths and jewellers ; it is valued by them at £l6. The inkstand was exhibited in Mr Bain's window yesterday, and will be forwarded to its destination by the first opportunity. A general meeting of the Charleston Volunteer Bifle Corps was held in the large room of Hunter's Post Office Hotel on Friday evening, for the purpose of passing by-laws and transacting other business. A letter from Captain Beveridge protesting against the election of Captain Bowman was read by the honorary secretary, but the statements were negatived by many present, and the compauy declined to receive the protest. A code of rules and by-laws were adopted after a good deal of discussion, but the question of uniform was left open, pending the reply to a communication to be addressed on this subject to headquarters, j

At the weekly meeting of the Hospital Committee, the Visiting Members reported that there were at present six patients in the ward, all of whom were doing well. Dr. Dakers assumes office on the first proximo. There was nothing apparent in Charleston to mark yesterday as the anniversary of Her Majesty's birthday. All the banks, stores, shops, &c., were open as usual, the only places closed being the Government offices. The frightful weather, doubtless, was partly the cause of there being so little display of loyalty to distinguish the day from out of the common, but Monday, in any case, is a bad day for a holiday, because the business people have a custom of collecting their accounts on that day. It is a busy day also with the banks, but they get over the difficulty by making a holiday for themselves on the day following (Tuesday).