# Charleston: Its Rise and Decline/Chapter 16

Chapter XVI.
OFFICIALS.
CHARLESTON was at first a part of Cobden district, within the Nelson South-West Goldfields, which were proclaimed a district by the Superintendent of the Province on 31st July, 1865. In March of 1868 the district of Cobden was divided, and Charleston-Brighton became a separate district.
Wardens and Magistrates: John Blackett, 1866; T. A. Sneyd Kynnersley, 1866. For a short time after his arrival at Charleston he lived and discharged his duties in a tent. On the recommendation of the superintendent of the Province, Alfred Saunders, he was, on 10th January, 1867, appointed Chief Warden and Commissioner of the Nelson South-West Goldfields and took charge of the Cobden district in succession to Mr. Blackett. G. W. Lightband, 1866-June, 1868; A. Greenfield, 1866; Hugh Jones, 1866-1867; —. Harris (acting), 1867; J. R. Dutton, 1867; Charles Broad, 1868; Joseph Giles, 1871; W. H. Revell, 1880; F. Bird, 1885; H. Eyre Kenny, 1890.
In a letter dated 26th June, 1868, Mr. Oswald Curtis, Superintendent of the Province, informed the Colonial Secretary that “the services of Mr. G. W. Lightband, Warden stationed at Charleston, can now be dispensed with, and I have to request that you will instruct Mr. Lightband accordingly. It is proposed to remove Mr. Broad, Brighton to Charleston, and to require him to combine the duties now performed by Mr. Lightband and himself. Lightband has always performed his duties admirably, and this is an economy measure suggested by the Provincial Government. Lightband ​to receive six months’ salary at the rate of £400 per annum in lieu of notice.” This action was taken.
The Charleston Herald of 3rd March, 1868, reported a farewell to Mr. Kynnersley, by the Government officials of the Coast, when he vacated the active post of Warden to take up the duties of Commissioner: “The banquet given last night to Mr. Kynnersley at the Post Office Hotel, was well attended. The parting guest was presented with a very handsome gold watch of the value of fifty-five guineas.” Mr. Kynnersley was also presented, by the townspeople of Charleston, with a purse of fifty sovereigns, at a banquet held in the Bank Hotel on 6th October, 1868.
Charles Broad was the first Resident Warden and Magistrate at Brighton, 1867; Charleston, 1868; Reefton, 1872; and Westport a little later. While at Westport he visited Charleston monthly and held a Court there. He was transferred to Greymouth in 1878, and was, upon his departure for there, tendered a farewell banquet at Charleston.
Mr. Dutton when leaving was presented with a solid silver inkstand which had been obtained from Melbourne. Joseph Giles was a qualified medical man, and frequently prescribed for ailing miners while on his travels.
Clerks of Court: C. H. Webb-Bowen took up duty in 1866, and was formally appointed in July, 1867, and again on 31st August, 1868. He, like the Warden, for a short period lived and conducted his duties in a tent. J. D. Clarke, 1868; Henry McArdle, 7th August, 1876; H. E. A. Cross, 1879; H. H. G. Ralfe, 1880; T. L. Shepherd, 1882.
From about 1883 the duties were attended to by postmasters, until about 1898 when they were taken over by the police. On 31st December, 1922, the Warden’s and Magistrate’s Courts were closed, but the duties of Clerk were still attended to by the police. Upon leaving Charleston, Mr. Ralfe was presented with a gold watch suitably inscribed.
Receivers of Gold Revenue: C. H. Webb-Bowen, 1866-1868; Charles Broad, October, 1868; E. C. Kelling, February, 1871; Henry McArdle, August, 1876. Later this duty was performed by Clerks of Court, postmasters and police officers-in-charge.
​Inspectors of Police: Thos. Broham, 1867; W. N. Franklyn, September, 1867; J. Hearl, 1877; S. Goodall (Sub-Inspector), 1877; John Emerson. Charleston was until 1889 within the Hokitika district, and later a sub-district of the Greymouth district.
Resident Sergeants of Police: —. Houston, 1867; W. Kiely, September, 1867; —. Irvine, January, 1868; Wm. Stephenson; W. Mayberry, 1873; Henry McArdle, August, 1876; John MacMahon, 1877-1878. From 1878 no sergeant was stationed at Charleston, the police officer-in-charge working under the control of the sergeant at Westport. When leaving Charleston, Sergeant Irvine was presented with a purse of sovereigns by the townspeople. In 1867, Sergeant Houston had with him 1 mounted constable, 7 foot constables, and 1 detective.
Police Staff: James Daley, Constable and Gaoler, 1866; James Rowley, Detective, 1867; H. McArdle, Mounted Constable, May, 1867; M. O’Meara, Constable, 1867; Fitzgerald, Constable, 1867; H. V. Drury, Constable, May, 1867; J. B. Rhodes, Mounted Constable, 1868; J. Franklyn, Constable and Gaoler, 1868; —. Poole, Constable, 1868; —. Rigby, Constable, 1868; —. McDonald, Constable, 1868; R. Loder, Constable, 1868 (died at Charleston same year).
Police Officers-in-Charge: John Jeffries, 1878-1891; John Bird, 1891-1896; T. R. W. Philpotts, 1896-1899; T. A. Godfrey, 1899-1902; Robert McGlone, 1902-1906; Edward Brophy, 1906-1909; Richard Allan, 1909 until now, 1940.
Bailiffs: James Hunter, January, 1868; John McIvor, 1868; H. E. West, 1875; Thomas Dollman, 1877. From about 1878 the duties devolved upon postmasters, and from about 1898 upon the police.
Justices of the Peace: Only the following names are ascertainable. T. G. Macarthy, Thos. Dwan, J. Henry, J. W. Fair, J. G. Hartill, J. C. Mordaunt, Chas. Gasquoine, J. M. Powell, R. J. Colvin. When leaving Charleston Mr. Gasquoine was presented with an illuminated address and a gold watch, by the townspeople.
Fire Inspectors: D. McBeath, Thos. Dwan. Both ​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/-.