tained, whilst to reasonable outsiders there was never any doubt. Coun. Burfield, with reluctant resignation, remarked that it would have been more generous if St. Leonards had not disputed the payment, apparently forgetting the injunctive motto “Be just before generous!” Ald. Burton had stated at the outset that the contention on his part was not so much for the avoidance of cost as for the upholding a principle of equity. Curious as it was, there immediately followed a warm discussion in which those who had been throwing “principle” to the winds, objected to the payment of so small a sum as half-a-crown,
“On Principle”. The lessee of the market had charged 2/6 for his work in stamping the weights. Coun. Ross declared that the payment of half a crown to Mr Saunders was bad in principle, and that parties who would give the man such an amount, would give him £50 if they thought it necessary. Coun. Burfield protested against Mr. Ross’s statement [“Hear, hear!” and confusion]. The Mayor desired that not more than three gentlemen would speak at once. Coun. Harvey considered that in the narrowness of Mr. Ross’s mind it had not entered his shallow head [Order, order! and increased confusion]. Nothing (continued the speaker) was too bad, in response to this calumnious attack on the committee, and he for one, couldn’t stand it. The charge of 2/6 was not only for stamping the weights, but also for adjusting them. The dispute was at last given up, and a general district rate at 3d was agreed to.
The Custom House. A communication was received, stating that the Board of Customs, in consequence of the lease expiring in July, would require the Council to find a proper building or a suitable site for the requisite premises, of which a lease would be taken for 21 years. Two rooms would be required, each about 15 feet square. There was a piece of ground at the east end of the parade belonging to the ordnance, but as the Council desired to keep that clear, there was no wish of the Crown to interfere with it. The question was referred to the Stone-beach committee.
Criers Fees. The great increase of houses in the West Ward caused the Council to allow Cox to charge 1/6 for 40 cries of public notices, instead of 1/ for 20, as theretofore.
Crossings. At the same meeting it was resolved that all the stone crossings be taken up which existed near Earl Waldegrave’s stables, opposite the Town Hall, opposite the Swan Hotel, opposite Russel Court, opposite Diplock’s library, opposite the Royal Oak, and opposite Wellington Cottages. Widening the Parade and Road. At a special meeting, the Roads Committee recommended that at a distance of 35 feet from the east end of the Marine parade the sea-wall should commence to be carried further seaward, the line to be protracted to a distance of twenty feet on the east side of Beach Cottages, and to extend to an extreme distance -
