He had not a particle of feeling against St. Leonards, and hoped it would go on as flourishing as ever; but he did think the old town should not be deprived of its best portion. With regard to Mr. Putland's statement that the Magdalen parish did not belong to Hastings, it was well known that Hastings extended from Fairlight to Bulverhythe. Mr. Putland again explained that he had not stated that Hastings had no control over that parish as being in the borough, but that it was no part of Hastings proper as a town. [He might have added that only a few years before, when a Local Act was sought to be obtained for it under the name of "West Hastings." Mr. Ross was one of the strongest opponents.] He thought the best policy would be to carry his motion, and after that he would agree to Mr. Ginner's suggestion. He would leave it to them whether the name to be put up should be West Hastings or merely Hastings. On being put to the vote there were 15 for it and 5 against it, the latter being the powerless few who represented the West Ward.
Ald. Ross then moved that a copy of the resolution should be sent to the Postmaster-General, with a request that he would make the postal arrangement in accordance with the resolution.
Coun. Putland thought there had been no case made out in reference to the postal arrangement. There had been one isolated case where a letter went wrong through misdirection, but even that was remedied in a few hours. Of similar cases, he did not believe there was one in a thousand. They said they wished well to St. Leonards, but if they destroyed its character as a post-town they would ruin it, and with injury rather than benefit to Hastings. He maintained that two post-offices in the borough were better than one, or as well, at the very least. The chief ground of complaint as it appeared to him was that St. Leonards was now flourishing. At first the East Ward would not look upon them with a favourable or friendly eye, but scowled upon them [No, No!] Not by the gentlemen present, but by others before them. Yes the tradesmen of St. Leonards had been frowned upon. He objected to the changing of the name of a locality that had been so long known as St. Leonards. The two towns were now working in harmony, but the mover of the resolution would upset that harmony. They could not take away the post-office without inflicting a great injury, and they would get nothing by the present motion. They would have to petition Parliament, which in itself would be an honourable thing as compared to what they were now doing. He was aware that it was of no use for the West Ward to oppose with only five representatives, but if the East Ward succeeded in their purpose it would do them -
