state. Another associative item is that the Union-house girls, accompanied by their matron and school-mistress, were treated to an excursion to Icklesham and Winchelsea, refreshments being amply provided for them.
Town Council Meetings
Police Matters. At the Council's first meeting of the year (Jan. 3rd), a communication was received from Sir George Grey, the Secretary of State certifying the efficiency of the Police force.
A New Station. At the May monthly meeting, Mr. Gausden said it was nearly a year since the necessity of a police station in the western part of the borough was brought under notice by the Government Inspector, and it was eight months since an order was made that the ground should be purchased from Mr. Burton. The whole expense, putting the estimate of land and building together would require only a twopenny rate, and he would move that the Surveyor be instructed to get out plans, sections and estimates for the new police stations. Coun. Bromley questioned if the same neccessity existed as when the Council passed the vote. His own impresion was that the borough was going on remarkably well, and when he heard so much about the efficiency of the police and the absence of business at the Quarter Sessions, it appeared to him that there was no necessity for going into the proposed expense. The Town Clerk remrked that when the Government Inspector was here, he asked how soon the west police station was going to be built, and wanted to know the cause of delay, as he had reported to the Government that such was wanted, and that the Council were about to build it. Coun. Putland observed that the whole subject had been gone into at the Council meeting when it was discussed, and he thought that they were fully convinced that from the increasing population and value of property westward there was really want of a police station there. Coun. Howell said that even if the new station were useless, it must be had if only on account of the opposition to the town having more central offices and a more central police station. While members of the Council insisted on the business being conducted at the extreme end of the town they must expect a waste of the ratepayer's money. Coun. Gausden was sorry Mr. Bromley had questioned the necessity of the building, and submitted that gentlemen residing in the west were the best judges of the wants of the west. It was not likely they would ask the borough to spend £900, two-thirds of which the West Ward would have to pay, unless they were thoroughly convinced there was a necessity for it. The Mayor observed that, as a magistrate, he could bear witness to how much the new station was wanted. Ald. Ticehurst could also offer similar testimony. Mr. Gausden's motion was carried by 9 to 5.
Alteration of Gaol. At the same meeting (May 2nd), an alteration of the old gaol, according to plans drawn by the Surveyor, received the attention of the Council, and, upon the motion of Mr. Winter, seconded by Mr. Bromley it was re-
