Page:Item 10 1862.pdf/14

he wanted to continue doing so; but he did not think a harbour would assist him. Seeing, however, influential names connected with the scheme, he would ask them if they thought it would pay? The Mayor said that question could not be gone into. Coun. Kenwood contended that he had a right to ask that question, as his vote might be influenced by the answer. He had, that day, come from London with a gentleman who told him that the harbour had ruined Dover by driving away its regular visitors, and that he was sure it would be an unfortunate thing for Hastings to have a harbour constructed. He (Mr. K.) should feel it his duty to oppose what he believed to be a mad scheme, and one which he believed was not intended to be carried by the originators themselves. It appeared to him to be brought forward to make office work (Hear, hear!). Ald. Rock said the question as to whether the harbour would be a paying concern was not for the consideration of the Council. [Yes, yes! No, no! and great confusion]. The subject had been discussed and the Council had agreed to give it its moral support. The promoters expected to receive that moral support; but he must say that the moral support of that Council was a strange thing [Laughter]. He could only say for himself that he did not intend it to be a mere myth in connection with the scheme. He hoped that it would be looked at as a matter of business; and if they did so, he thought they would be doing great service to the town. Coun. Putland also did not consider himself a myth in the matter. If the project was supported as he hoped it would be, he was prepared to run the risk whether there was any return or not. Whether it paid one per cent. or five per cent. could only concern the subscribers. Alluding to some remarks that were made at the public meeting, and after combatting some of the objections, Mr. Putland said he considered that when anything of so much importance as the present object was brought before that council there ought to be a most searching investigation; but he thought that the impertinent questions that had been put that day were beside the mark. [Some other members regarded Mr. Putland's last two sentences as anomalous and contradictory] Coun. Howell believed a harbour would benefit the town to more than three times its income. At present the freight of coals was 9s. at Hastings and only 7/- at Newhaven; and after making some other comparisons, concluded by saying that the scheme under consideration would benefit without doing harm, and therefore deserved the support of the town. - Coun. Bromley said he was determined to give all the opposition he could to a harbour; for, as an inhabitant of 20 years standing, he could say unhesitatingly that he believed nothing would inflict so great an injury even on the old town than a harbour. He denied that the expression of opinion at the public meeting [where many persons were non-ratepayers] could be taken -