CHARLESTON
1867, William Lynch 1868. The first Police officers were Sergeants Walsh and Connelly, who had a force of 8 or 9 constables.
It is believed that the first postmaster was James Duigan, who was appointed on 17th June, 1868. He was succeeded by Henry Day, 1st February, 1870; W. G. Sampson, 10th December, 1870; Thos. Finch, 12th February, 1873; John A. Crawford, 1st July, 1874; H. T. Keeley, 1st June, 1875; Thos. Nevin, 1st July, 1877.
Probably Mr. George Kirton was the first Manager of the Bank of New Zealand, and Mr. D. Walmsley, of the Bank of New South Wales. Mr. W. K. Johnson was gold-buyer and smelter for the Bank of New Zealand.
A brewery was early established by Mr. Garsides, later of the Standard Brewery at Charleston.
In October, 1867, Commissioner Kynnersley reported “the Brighton Hospital is now completed, and only requires internal fittings to make it serviceable.”
The rough foot-track of 1866 between Brighton and Charleston was early replaced by a good pack-track.
On 17th September, 1867, the Provincial Engineer reported: “Charleston to Brighton, 11 miles, consists of a good horse-road, metalled over the Pakihi, which is made up of ground partly level, partly undulating and hilly, and much of which is covered by bush and scrub. The road crosses three rivers of considerable size, one of which is bridged. It emerges on the beach about one and three-quarters or two miles north of Brighton, the latter portion being through scrub and very wet ground, which has been well and solidly paved with stone.”
On 23rd October, 1867, Commissioner Kynnersley reported: “South of Charleston and North of Brighton the coast road has only been made wide enough for drays for a short distance from the town, for the convenience of the neighbouring diggings; and the intermediate hilly country is traversed by a good bridle-track; which is now in an excellent state of repair.” The “short distance” referred to was from Charleston to Candlelight. On 30th October, 1867, a deputation of residents of Brighton waited upon the Commissioner
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