wealthy and fashionable community, the distance from their residences in the western portion of the borough, particularly in unfavourable or dubious weather - being considered too great; and the lack of funds from that cause having to be made up of evening fêtes, which, howsoever pleasurable as such, are not to the taste of aristocratic visitors of flower shows.
The Committee's Annual Report, which had been issued earlier in the year, stated that although there was a balance of £17, odd, due to the treasurer, the subscriptions had increased. The Committee regretted this their position of the society; but felt confident the balance would be reversed at the end of the year. The treasurer's balance against the society had been caused by the bad weather at the June exhibition, the increased value of prizes, and the freeing from the £8 a year liability of a marquee which was purchased in 1858, and which was now their property.
Hastings at the Exhibition
There were two excellent water-color paintings on view in the International Exhibition in which Hastings people would feel an interest. "David Cose" (wrote the Times) "who still affectionately writes junior after his name as if to keep alive the memory of his gifted father, has never done better work than in his 'East Cliff, Hastings' and, best, perhaps, of all, his 'Fairlight Mill, Sussex'".
An Exhibition Medal was awarded to Messrs. Rock and Son, of Hastings, for their improved sociable carriage, with convertible heads. The improvements exhibited in this carriage were applicable to their patented Dioropha and other carriages for which they obtained medals at London, in 1851 and at Paris in 1856.
Sudden Deaths and Inquests
Miss Anne Thwaites. On the 2nd of March, the Coroner held an inquest on the body of Miss Anne Thwaites, a maiden lady, who was found dead in bed by her sister, Mrs. John Bailey, of 25 George street. The deceased, who was 71 years of age, had been known to have been out of health, but not thought to be dangerously ill, had not complained, and when seen by her sister a few days before her death was regarded as being in better health than usual. Medical (or rather surgical) evidence was that death resulted from disease of the heart.
Several Sudden Deaths occurred during the week ending on Saturday Nov. 15th, and three of them within the period of two days. The said three deaths called for investigations under the direction of the Borough Coroner.
Catherine Chapman, house keeper to the Countess of Waldegrave, was the first. She died suddenly on Sunday morning, the 9th of November, while in the act of preparing breakfast. She was a native of Robertsbridge, was 56 years of age, and had only been in her Ladyship's service six weeks. She had previously lived at Mr. Foysters, and was supposed to have enjoyed good health. In a minute after complaining of pain, she dropped down sideways -
