A fire occurred in one of the bedrooms at 13 Magdalen road on the 7th of September, which might have resulted in serious consequences had it not been energetically suppressed by Mr. and Mrs. Raven.
[The details of these and all other fires are given in "Our fires and firemen."]
The Fishery
During March and April trawl-net fishing became a topic for discussion in consequence of an attempt emanating from Sunderland, having been made to abolish the taking of fish by that means. A meeting to consider the question was held in the fishermen's club room at Hastings on the 11th of April, at which was expressed a pretty general opinion to the following effect:-Herrings, in large quantities were caught by the Hastings in the second week in November, but apprehension were rife that the season would be a short one.The trawl-fishing could not be dispensed with; that the trawls of the Hastings boats were smaller and less injurious than those of smacks; that the meshes of the nets might be made uniformly larger; and that at certain periods, a closing or fencing near the shore might be adopted with advantages.
Forresters' Fete
A Grand Demonstration was, according to previous announcements, to be made by the Ancient Order of Forresters on Monday the 8th of June at Battle Abbey. That there was a demonstration, no one could deny, but that such demonstration was attended by any considerable number of the a la Robin-Hood fraternity stood in the same category of uncertainty. So far as the public were concerned, however, there was little cause for complaint. A railway ride to Battle and back, including admission to the Abbey, was obtained at the low charge of 1s. 3d., and what with perambulating the beautiful grounds, archery shooting, foot races, leaping, &c., he must indeed have been a misanthropic being who could have grumbled at the sociality and amusements there witnessed. There wer fourteen hundred persons conveyed in three special trains from Hastings and St. Leonards, in addition to specials from Tonbridge, Rye and Brighton. There were also number of persons who went in hired vehicles and on foot to the scene of attraction; so that there must have been a very large number admitted within the Abbey ground during the day. Preparations were made by the inhabitants for a holiday, most of the shops being closed in the afternoon. There were many attractions in addition to those of the Abbey, and among them was a large dancing booth and a refreshment stall at the top of the town. Also in -
