OFFICIALS
appointed 21st April, 1875, under the Fire Inspectors’ Act of 1870.
Bellringers or Town Criers: A. McKay, 1868; George Hall, 1878; Chas. Challis, about 1879; Wm. Thompson.
Nightwatchmen: The only record is of Edward Anglin, 1868.
Harbourmasters and Port Signalmen: G. W. Salter, Signalman; —. Collinson, Signalman, 1866-1867; Alexander Beveridge, Harbourmaster, 1867-1869; D. Cunningham, Harbourmaster, November, 1869; James Parsons, Charles Craddock, George Hurburgh, Signalmen.
Members of Parliament: James Hennelly, of Charleston, was member of Provincial Council for Grey district; elected 12th February, 1869. George Donne, of Charleston, was elected member of Provincial Council for Grey district, 21st May, 1867, and for district of Charleston, 29th December, 1869. T. Gallagher, of Addison’s Flat, was Member of the House of Representatives, Buller electorate, which included Charleston, from 1868 to 1870. T. A. S. Kynnersley, 1870-1871; Eugene J. O’Conor, 1871-1876; Joseph Henry, of Charleston, 1876-1879.
Solicitors: J. S. Johnston, 1867; R. Patterson, 1867; W. L. Rees, 1867; G. W. Horne, 1867; J. E. Dodd, 1867; —. O’Neill, 1868.
Magistrates’ Court: In 1868 the Court heard 659 civil cases and 1,104 criminal cases. The amounts sued for totalled £10,229, and judgment was given for about half, viz., £5,008. The criminal cases included 56 for assault, and 169 for drunkenness. The number of convictions was only 307.
In financial year 1869-1870 the Court fees at Charleston and Brighton amounted to £223, which included fines paid. In 1872 there were 11 petitions in bankruptcy filed at Charleston. Only one criminal case came before the Court. In 1877 Charleston became the Court-centre of the district. A fortnightly Court sat, which also served Brighton and Addison’s Flat. In 1903, there were no criminal cases and only one civil case, a suit for 55/-. In 1905, there were six civil cases, the total of claims being only £2/15/-.
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