NOTES FROM CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 436, 23 December 1868, Page 2

NOTES FROM CHARLESTON.

A letter has been forwarded to the General Government, by a gentleman now residing in this district, and who has served in Her Majesty's service with great distinction in India and the Crimea, proposing to raise a company of volunteei s for service at the seat of war in the North Island. Should his proposition be accepted, he has reason to believe he would quickly raise a strong company. The mining community are all busily employed, the wet weather enabling all parties to -work to advantage. From the appearance of the plates, on taking a casual round, and from what information I have had, I have no doubt that the banks will be kept very busy during the ensuing week. The really talented artistes, the Gourlay Family, made their first appearance here on Wednesday evening at the Theatre Eoyal, before a numerous and select audience. ' A mast refreshing and exhilarating performance a la Woodin took place. Genuine talent and finished performances are sure to meet with a certain meed of praise, but last evening's entertainment has been unequalled in Charleston. Every member of the family exhibited a striking contrast to those who were wont to pay us a visit, and the parts taken by the infant Gourlays bore incontestible proof of the tuition accorded to them, and of the sterling abilities of the children themselves. Mrs Gourlay also sang some songs excellently, and took part with Mr Gourlay in an polyphonic entertainment in which he assumed a variety of characters in the style of some of the best artistes in the days of the Hanover Square Rooms. As a delineator of Scottish character especially, he may be said to be unrivalled.