of the chairman’s was a wise one, seeing that in all his previous explanations and admissions he had completely played into the hands of those gentlemen whose professed desire was to see that and the other kindred societies placed on a safer foundation; seeing also that the said chairman had declared that the Old Friendly had been going down hill, and that the down-hill progress might have been stopped when the rules were revised thirteen years ago, or even five years ago. If that were to be taken as a fact, then the gentlemen who had been stigmatized as opponents and who had only commenced an agitation for reform a year before, were clearly not the first who considered a change necessary in the rules of the society. They were even twelve months behind the warning of Mr. North, the borough’s parliamentary representative, that if the members did not alter their rules, the society would become bankrupt. That gentleman, who was present at the dinner (and not the first time by a good many) in responding to a toast, said he continued to feel great interest in the working of the society, but he did not think it would be wise on his part just then to go fully into its position. As regarded the charge brought against him of saying two years ago “that if they did not make a change the society would become bankrupt”, he would confess that he had a habit of saying what was uppermost in his mind. There was, however, an “if” in the matter, and now as they had revised the rules, and could get an accession of young members, he did not mind eating his own words by saying they would not become bankrupt.
Particular Dinners.
Other dinners than those of the Benefit Societies, of an annual or special character took place during the year as understated:-
The year came in with Judicial festivities, when the Recorder (W. W. Attree, Esq) entertained a large company at the Castle Hotel, including Esquires E. Hayles (Mayor), W. Ginner, G. Darby, P. F. Robertson, C. H. Frewen, A. Burton, G. Scrivens, T. Hickes, J. Grenside, F. Ticehurst, H. Elphinstone, T. Ross, J. Rock, G. Meadows and R. Growse; also Dr. MacCabe, Capt. Gough and Rev. T. Nightingale.
The Derwent Lodge of Freemasons had their annual meeting and dinner at the Swan hotel on the 9th of January, when the room was fitted up in true Masonic style, and in which the officers for the year were elected, including the instalment of Brother Edward Bowmer as Worshipful Master.
A Building-Society Dinner was also held at the Swan hotel on the 18th of January, to celebrate the successful winding up of the Rape of Hastings Benefit Building and Investment Society at the close of its thirteen years arrangement.
