and expressed a hope that they would act like men and remove a set of mean erections which were mainly used for Sunday trading and other immoral purposes. Mr. Ross would also like to see them taken down at once. The same desire was expressed by Mr. Ginner, who,however, reminded his colleagues that there were two freeholds which would have to be purchased. The last-named member at the same time stated that a sum of £139 9s. belonging to the Corporation had been in Chancery
since the year 1834.
Town Council Meetings - "Hastings News" Established
I will now return to the Commissioners for the remainder of their year’s performances, and then revert to the further transaction of their rivals in the Town Council, At an excited meeting of the Trustees of the Hastings and Flimwell Turnpike Road, which was held on the 1st of November, it was resolved to apply to Parliament to renew the Trust which would expire on the same day twelve months hence. This intention being known to the Commissioners, a notice was issued by them that they would oppose the granting a new Act unless the tolls were to be applied to the repair and proper maintenance of the roads, At the October meeting of the same body, Mr. Ginner remarked that with a view of supporting the Hastings paper, he thought the notices of the Commissioners should be given publicity to through that medium instead of by printed bills, It had, he said, a circulation of 500 copies, and he thought advertising was preferable to the old system. He knew no town in which newspapers had so little support. On the motion of Mr. Pain, the chairman’s views were acceded to. It may be explained that the paper referred to was the Hastings and St. Leonards News which was born on the 5th of May, 1848, died on the 27th of October following, was resuscitated on the 5th of January, 1849,and is still living, in a form of greatly enlarged dimensions, and, apparrently(sic), in a condition of robust health. Of this, the third local paper in numerical order of production and the first to stand its ground; more will be said anon.
At the meeting of the Town Council on the 2nd of February the topic of a District Prison Bill was discussed with considerable warmth, Mr. Frewen having given notice in the public papers of his intention to apply to Parliament “for certain purposes,“ which was understood to mean the abolition of the Borough Magistrates, and an otherwise inteference with municipal management, the non-assenting parties not having been consulted Alderman Scrivens could not believe that Mr. Frewen’s intentions were averse to the Corporation, whilst the Mayor (Mr. Ticehurst) declared that whatsoever might be intended, it had been said by Sir P. Micklethwaite that a jail would be built at Battle, out of the jurisdiction of Hastings. Mr. Chamberlin viewed the proceeding as an intentional insult, whilst Mr, Clement opined that it would not have answered the purpose of the party to show more courtesy. Mr. Ginner declared it to be the most impudent transaction he had ever heard of, and one or two others expressed the same opinion. Alderman Maw, however, with more calmness, thought that they would do well not to take further notice of it, seeing that the danger of disturbing the magisterial and municipal arrangements had been already averted. At the same meeting a communication from the Lords of the Admiralty was read, asking for information on harbours, rivers and tidal waters connected with the town. Such information, my readers can imagine, would be of small amount; but such as it was would, perhaps, at the present time be of some use to Mr. Councillor Idenden and others who are agitating for a harbour which vessels of large tonnage could not and would not use, and for which the dues on small craft would be insufficient to cover interest on outlay. Also at the same meeting, on the motion of Mr. Ross, two lever-jacks were ordered to be purchased for use on the stade, which jacks, I believe, are still in existence, and were found to be of service not very long ago in launching a stranded vessel.
At a special meeting of the Town Council it was resolved to recommend to the Secretary of State as additional magistrates, Messrs. R. Hollond (M.P.), F. Ticehurst, G. Scrivens, W. Crake, A. Burton, W. D. Lucas-Shadwell, N. H. Hall, Edmund Pepys, and Thomas Morris. The last-named gentleman (whose friendship and hospitality the present writer had often enjoyed) was a retired Welsh banker, residing consecutively at 1 Beach Cottages, 10 Pelham crescent and 4 Seymour place (now Grand parade). The gentlemen here named have all passed to that greater world where magisterial distinctions are supposed to have no existence. So also have those members of the Town Council who met to transact business on the 5th of May, namely, Aldermen Farncombe and Scrivens, and Councillors Amoore, Clement, Penfold, Emary, Yates, Hutchings, Burfleld, Ginner, Harvey, Austin, Mann, Putland, Chamberlin, Deudney and Murton. But the matters discussed by the local rulers of 1848 may still have some interest for those survivors who knew both the men and the manners of the time. Permission having been given to Payne and Bumstead to put down a capstan for their new pleasure boat, the British Lion, and Cobby of the bathing machines having objected, the matter was broached by Alderman Scrivens, who reminded the Council that they had got before them two very important questions as connected with the welfare of the town, namely bathing and boating. The former for some years had been in the hands of one family, and their machines were entirely in front of the parade wall at Pelham place. He could remember when they were further to the westward, but the beach had shifted and had thus sent them to where they then were. He could testify favourably to the manner in which the Cobbys conducted the bathing, but they had acquired no right to their present privileges, It was proper they should know that, and he thought they were once aware of it, for when ordered to remove a wooden house they did so with very good grace. It was objectionable to have pleasure-boats among the machines; and while discussing the subject he was anxious that there should be accommodation for visitors to bathe on Sundays at proper hours - say up to 9 o’clock; for many persons, now that the railway was opened, came down on Saturday night and returned on Monday morning. He saw nothing in Scripture to condemn it; on the contrary, cleanliness was next to godliness. Regarding the boats, he thought they should be placed where the British Fair and Emerald were [ Breeds place ]. Mr. Scrivens concluded by moving that a committee be appointed to consider the subject. Mr. Putland strongly objected to Sunday bathing, and thought it unwise of the Council to sanction such a desecration of the Sabbath. It was Customary with some People to do on that day anything which could not conveniently be done on other days, He could not allow the occasion to pass without saying it would be wrong for them to encourage Sabbath breaking, Whether the last-named Speaker was quite consistent in his opposition to Alderman Scrivens’s logical and temperately worded remarks I will leave my readers to determine for themselves after they have become acquainted with the following annecdote(sic).—
The gentleman who objected to bathing on Sunday before church hours as a violation of the Fourth Commandment was a lay preacher, and frequently employed his horse and vehicle to take himself and some other persons for Sunday duty in rural districts. Being reminded that the Fourth Commandment forbade the employment of beasts of burthen on the Sabbath day, it is said that the gentleman in question justified the act by averment that it was better for a hundred horses to be worked than that one poor should perish. But to return to the Council, Alderman Scrivens's motion was carried, the result of which will be shown.
At the May meeting of the Town Council the recommendation of the committee appointed to report on the boats and bathing-machines was adopted, such recommendation being that the whole of the capstans belonging to private persons be purchased; that in case if refusal to sell, the owners have notice to remove them; that the bathing-machines for ladies be placed in front of Pelham parade; that all pleasure-boats using capstans be placed to the west of Beach Cottages; that a certain sum per annum be paid for the use of the stade; and that £130 be paid by the Council to Ransom and Ridley for the capstans hitherto belonging to them. At a subsequent meeting the committee reported the purchase of all the capstans for the sum of £17 8s 6d, except the one used by Mr. Brisco’s pleasure-yatch(sic) British Fair. They also reported the removal of all capstans between Mr. Norton’s stables (present Site of the glass seat near Beach terrace) and the Chalk road (now Wellington place).
At the same meeting the Council granted permission to J. H. Maw, Esq., to erect an ornamental reservoir, to contain 1500 gallons of excellent water on ground belonging to the corporation at the East Well. The cost of this was to be met by the surplus of a fund subscribed two years before to reimburse the fishermen their losses by the burning down of their rope-shops. The reservoir or tank was also to be for the use of the fishermen. Mr. Maw’s application to the Council was more particularly for the Corporation land, the object itself having been already suggested by Dr. Mac Cabe at a meeting of the subscribers and a committee appointed for the appropriation of the £105 in that way. The committee consisted of Dr Mac Cabe, and Messrs Maw, Phillips, Jolly, Williams, Breath, Richardson, and S. Thwaites. On learning the decision of the Town Council on this matter a person signing himself Aquarius, sent the following to the Hastings News :—
”My Muse did once a joke desire,
And this a docter(sic) taught her,
That money raised because of fire
Was well laid out in water.”
At the same Council meeting it was resolved to forego the £10 a year theretofore paid for the Searcher's Office at East parade, and to raze the building forthwith as a town’s improvement.
At the same meeting the Mayor reported that, in company of the Town Clerk and Barons of the | Borough he had attended he® Majesty’s levée, had kisséd the hand of her Majesty, and had presented the loyal address, since which the following reply had been received from Buckingham Palace :
“ Sir,—
I have received the commands of His Royal Highness, the Prince Albert to convey to the Mayor» Aldermen and Burgesses of Hastings the expression of His Royal Highness’s thanks for the address which you have delivered to me and which I had the honour to present to His Royal Highness. His Royal Highness receives with sincere gratification the congratulations of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses on Her Majesty’s safe recovery and on the birth of a Princess. The feelings of gratification are considerably enhanced by the expression of loyalty to Her Majesty and attachment to the principles of Constitutional Government which his Royal Highness finds expressed in the address. I have the honour to be your obedient, humble servant,— C, B. Phipps,
To Robert Hollond, Esq., M.P.”
It seems like putting a train before the engine to quote the reply to an address before the address itself appears; yet even engines and their carriages are sometimes reversed, and so let it be for once with the present arrangement. The address, or rather the two addresses, were us follows.:—
”To the Queen's Most Excellent Majesty.
The humble and dutiful address of the Mayor, Aldermen and Burgesses of the Borough of Hastings, in Common Council assembled. May it please your Majesty, we, your Majesty’s most loyal and dutiful subjects, beg leave to approach your Majesty with feelings of devoted loyalty and attachment; more especially called forth on the present occasion by the assurance we receive of your Majesty's safety. We beg to offer, your Majesty and your illustrious consort our cordial congratulations on the birth of a Princess, Whilst contemplating with deep emotion the already destructive results of recent civil convulsions in neighbouring countries, we are the more deeply sensible of-the great benefits we enjoy under your majesty’s beneficent sway; and we earnestly trust that your Majesty may long live to reign over us and the other subjects of your vast empire in peace and prosperity. Also that under your Majesty’s fostering care the ancient institutions of the land may flourish and endure; and that your Majesty’s throne may be firmly secured in the love and affection of your Majesty’s loyal subjects, We sincerely hope that your Majesty may continue to enjoy, through a long life, that domestic happiness with which Divine Providence has so eminently blessed you,”
”To His Royal Highness, Field-Marshal Prince Albert of Saxe Coburg and Gotha,
We, the Mayor, &c., beg leave most respectfully to present to your Royal Highness our most sincere congratulations on Her Majesty’s safe recovery and on the birth of a Princess, We beg to assure your Royal Highness of our faithful adherence to the principles of Constitutional Government which have made Her Majesty the endeared and beloved monarch of a free and loyal people. That your Royal Highness may long live in the enjoyment of every domestic happiness is our most sincere wish and prayer.”
If the address to her Majesty smacks a little of fulsome adulation it does so no mere than do most of the addresses to royalty; and when we consider what an eventful year was 1848, with France in the throes of a revolution, Spain and other countries in martial strife, Ireland in rebellion, Manchester, Glasgow and Edinburgh in riot, and the Chartist demonstration in London of such a threatening character as to call forth all the energy of Government and the military resources of the country, it ought to be conceded that there was ample justification for the assurance of loyalty and attachment thus expressed. It should be remembered, too, that the tradesmen of Hastings and St. Leonards had derived commercial advantages, and the poor inhabitants pecuniary benefits in consequence of the several prolonged visits of the royal family to these towns. The Queen herself, before she ascended the throne, together with her mother was three months at St. Leonards; her aunt, the Princess Sophia of Gloucester, resided on one occasion at Hastings, and on another at St. Leonards; another aunt, the Dowager Queen Adelaide, also dwelt at St. Leonards for a considerable time; and an uncle and cousin, the Duke and Prince George of Cumberland, had resided several months at 5 nad 6 Breeds place. It is just possible, then, that the Hastings Corporation of 1848, while honestly expressing their loyalty, were at the same time hopeful of more royal visits in the future. If so they were not disappointed, for although her Majesty has not since been among us, her children and her grandchildren have, and more than once. But one of the best grounds for thankfulness is the realisation of the hope expressed in the address “ that your Majesty may long live to reign over us and the other subjects of your vast empire.”
On the 4th of January Mr. Durrant Cooper, of Lewes, lectured in the Hastings Mechanics’ Institution “ On the Antiquities of Britain previous to the Roman Invasion.”
At about the same time
On the 6th of January, Mr. Yates lessee of the Royal Oak Hotel displayed his usually good catering for his guests at his annual tradesmen's dinner, Mr. Burfield presiding.
On the 1st of May Messrs. Payne and Bumstead launched the new pleasure yacht, “ British Lion,” of ten tons, which had been built for them.
On the 2nd of May, Messrs. A. Amoore, J. Bannister, R, Dunk and J. Duke were re-elected directors, at the first annual meeting, of the Hastings Building Society.
On the 4th of May, Mr. John Banks was unanimously elected schoolmaster to Parker's Charity, at a salary of £156 per annum, in lieu of Mr. Rubie, deceased.
On the 5th of May Mr. William Ransom issued the first number of the Hastings and St. Leonards News, of which more particulars hereafter.
On May the 9th, the Rev, H. S. Foyster, brother of the Rev. J. G. Foyster, the esteemed Rector of Hastings, was married at the Episcopalian chapel of St. Mary-in-the-Castle, to Mary, the daughter of G. D. Harvey, Esq. of Stanmore, Middlesex. A long retinue in eight carriages proceeded from Wellington Square to the church, where the marriage rites were conducted by the bride’s brother, the Rev. W. W.Harvey, of Buckland Rectory, Hertfordshire,180 H-
