CHARLESTON NEWS.

Westport Times, Volume II, Issue 280, 24 June 1868, Page 3

CHARLESTON NEWS.

Some excitement was caused in town late on Saturday evening, owing to tho arrest of a well-known and respected resident, Mr Phil. Rooney and his partner assistant, Mr Christopher Brown, on a charge of having obstructing Custom-house officers in the execution of their duty. It will be seen by our police report that the hearing of the case was adjourned until 10 oclock on Wednesday. We are sorry to have to report another mining accident which happined on Monday morning to a man named George Hall. He was engaged in driving in a tunnel for the Pakiki Cement Crushing Company under the tho Bitllcr road, when a fall of cement struck him, inflicting some rather serious injuries. He was immediately taken to the hospital and attended to by Dr Dakers. The charge preferred against M. Rohan-and J. Wheelan, for grieviously iassaultihg George Bull will be heard on Friday next, the magistrate having meanwhile taken the deposition of the sufferer at the hospital. The Brighton people, who have on "many occasions shown a very liberal public spirit, have recently set an example which might be well followed in other localities, by subscribing a fund for defraying the cost of prospecting some new ground to the southward of the township. This naturally suggests the query of whether it would not be feasible to set on foot a similar movement here, in order to determine the vexed question of a second or true bottom to the diggings surrounding Charleston. We recommend the idea to the attention of our business men, and others interested in continuing the progress and development of this goldfield, and maintaining and improving Its present position. We think much good would result if miners and business people were to meet and discuss the matter in all its bearings. Such a discussion would probably elide many practical suggestionsof a useful character, and if any work was determined on the requisite funds would, there is very little doubt, be soon forthcoming from the general public. There is another subject also, which might be well handled by such a meeting, namely the subject of how a portion of the money recently voted by the Provincial Council for cutting exploring tracks into the bush, could be obtained for this district, and how it could he best spent to promote the object in view, that of opening up fresh country. The miners naturally look to the business people to initiate movements of this nature, and we hope the matter Ave have referred to will not bo allowed to pass out of sight. The Church of England Committee have arranged to canvass the town and suburbs, this week for subscriptions for building the Church and Parsonage. A sum of between £-100 and £SOO will he required to carry out the project, a hundred of which was subscribed at the first general meeting, and there is little doubt the numerous canvassers will succeed in collecting the remainder.

In the notice of the performance given at the Casino, which appears in Monday's paper a misprint occurred the name of Bain being printed instead ofßear, Mr Pecivalßearandhisbrother sustained the principal characters of the piece. There were only two ordinary cases of dnmkeness in tho|Magistrate's Court on Tuesday, which|wcre summarliydisposed of by the infliction of the usual fines. RESIDENT MAGISTRATE'S COURT. CHARLESTON, Monday, June 22. (Before C. Broad, Esq., R.M.) Andrew Hunter charged with disorderly conduct and resisting the police, pleaded guilty, a::d was fined 20s. John Hunter pleaded guilty to a charge of obstructing the police, and attempting to rescue a prisoner, and was fined 40s. Andrew Hunter charged with being drunk, and the offence being proved he was fined 20s. John AVhclan and Michael Bohan, were charged with committing a grevious assault upon G eorgc Bull on the morning of the 20th inst. The prisoners both stated they were drunk at the time. Mr Eranklyn, Inspector of Police, stated that in consequence of injuries received, Bull was in a dangerous condition and unablo to attend, and asked that his depositions might be taken at the hospital. The prisoners were remanded to the hospital for that purpose, bail being refused until his Worship had heard the complaiuan'ts statement at the hospital. Philip Rooney, publican, appeared to answer three informations laid against him, first, for obstructing Mr

Brown Custom-house officer, in the discharge of his duty ; second, for concealing on his premises spirits on which the full duty had not been paid, and third, for obstructing Mr Franklyn officer of Customs,in the execution "of his duty. Christopher Brown, dealer, was charged, according to the informations—first, with rescuing a certain keg of spirits from the custody of an officer ; and second, with "obstructing Mr Franklyn in the discharge of his duly as a customs' officer.

The prisoners plea led not guilty to all the charges, and requested an adjournment for a week, to enable them'to get rebutting evidence and counsel. Mr Pitt, who appeared for the Crown, objected to so long an adjournment, but would consent to the case being postponed until "Wednesday, at the same time he thought tho costs of such adjournment should be borne by the defendants. His Worship accordingly adjourned the two cases until 10 o'clock on Wednesday morning. CIVIL CASES. Hehir and Co. v. Mahoney.—Claim, £l3 Is 4d. Judgment confessed. APPLICATIONS FOB PUBLICANS' LICENSES. Brody to Fenton, transfer. G-ranted. Joseph lleid. jNo appearance. Harry Mann. JN"o appearance. WARDEN'S COURT. Tuesday, June 23. Before G-. W. Lightband, Esq. Richard Snell v. Goldsmith—The latter was summoned for refusing to pay plaintiff £lO, being his share of gold from the claim in which they were both mates. Hearing adjourned on payment of £3 costs until the 27th. Charles M'Carthy v. Con Hegan— The plaintiff claimed the sum of £4O 10s for rent of water, and got judgment for the amount and costs.

M'Carthy and party v. Coldwell and party, also Same v. Gidley and party —The defendants in both actions were summoned for running tailings into plaintiff's headrace. Decision reserved until the Warden visited the race. Thos. Ferguson and party v. Jeremiah Curtain and party —This was a dispute as to right of water. Judgment being given for the plaintiffs.

A correspondent of the London dailies, writing from Abyssinia, says—- " In order to work upon the religions and superstitions feelings and sympathies of the natives, it is not forgotten that St. George is the patron saint of Abyssinia. In front of the commissariat tent at Addiherat, a white flag with a red St. George's cross was erected some time ago, as a sacred guarantee that all transactions there would be conducted with a strict regard to the precepts, and imitation of all the virtues, associated with the name of the saint under whose emblem merchandise was being carried on. Now, in front of the Commander-in-Chief's tent, the Union Jack and St. George's cross float side by side. The happy union can hardly be intended for the contemplation of other than the chiefs and clergy, as the vulgar are strictly debarred the camp by a body of special constables.'