CHARLESTON.

Westport Times, Volume III, Issue 518, 17 June 1869, Page 3

CHARLESTON.

THE WATEE-EACE COMPANY. (from: our own corsespoi>dext.) Juxe IG. A meeting of the Provisional Directors of the Charleston "Water-race Company was held on Monday evening at Gilmer's Melbourne Hotel. Present, Messrs Bain, Walker, M'Gowan, Pell, M'Carthy, Parker, Veale, P. McCarthy, Haines, Jackson, and Gasquoine, the Chairman. Mr Walker, the Manager, reported having disposed often shares since the last meeting, which would make a total of four hundred and forty-four disposed of atpresent, irrespective of what Mr Jackson had effected in Nelson. Mr Jackson handed in a letter from the Provincial Government, replying to the application of the Company, and it was read to the meeting by the Chairman. It granted the right to a race with permission to occupy ten feet of ground on each side of the race, the race to carry forty government sluice-heads and to be four feet wide and two feet deep, the water to be obtained from the Four-Mile river, from the point desired; such right to be for a terrn of seven years at a rental of £2O per annum, subject to the Mining Eules and Regulations of the Nelson SouthWest Goldfields, and conditionally that no interference be made with existing privileges. The letter also i stated that the Government would furnish a surveyor, but with, the understanding that the Company would give him their assistance. After a discussion relative to the survey it was proposed to request Mr Dobson's presence, and that gentleman accordingly attended, and stated to the meeting that the survey by him was to be of a detailed nature, and that he was ready to proceed with it at once. It was then proposed by Mr Pell and seconded by Mr M'Carthy, that Mr Dobson be empowered to employ what labor he requires. This was carried, la answer to a question Mr Dobson replied that he would require the labor of three men. Sundry accounts

were then submitted to the meeting, and, with one exception, passed. Mr Jackson reported having effected the sale of 105 shares in Nelson, and also 20 Bhares to Mr Hennelly. The meeting then entered into a slight discussion on the proceedings of Mr Jackson, who, it appeared, had done everything requisite whilst in Nelson. The expenses Mr Jackson had incurred on his mission on the business of the Company, were ordered to be paid. In answer to a question Mr Bain stated that the total number of shares disposed of amounted to five-hundred and sixty-nine. Mr Veale proposed, and Mr Parker seconded, that the share-list be closed in one week after notice appearing. Carried. An account for advertising in Nelson papers, the Colonist and Gazette, amounting to £G Ss, was submitted to the meeting, and ordered to be paid. Mr Parker proposed and Mr M'Carthy seconded, that Mr Walker, while with Mr Dobson, be paid a subsidy, making his salary £Q per week. Carried. The meeting then adjourned. I see by your issue of to-day that a public meeting is called for the purpose of considering the formation of a Volunteer Fire Brigade. With the late calamity at G-reymouth fresh in our memories, I think that some of our leading men should follow the example of the VVestportians and convene a meeting for the same purpose, as we are very similarly situated to Westport in regard to preventive measures, though, perhaps, slightly better off for water supply from the water-races, than the upper part of your township is. There are a number of young men here who, I have no doubt, would, if the movement were properly organised, be glad to join, and with the Government allowance, and a little help from our business men, we might soon be in the possession of appliances to arrest the spread of that dire calamity to which, at any time, from the nature of the buildings, wc are exposed.