ish Channel and alight on our coast. This latter phenomenon was pronounced by a St. Leonards naturalist, who had watched it for several hours, to be the French Invasion.
The Mechanic's Institution.
At an adjourned quarterly meeting on the 18th of February, the committee reported that the Institution from free from debt except that which was secured by mortgage. The number of members, however, had fallen off from 103 to 97, but there was a cash balance in hand of £250.3d. Twenty-one new volumes had been added to the library, and several additional papers had been placed in the reading room. The classes for French, Arithmetic, Writing and Grammar, continued to meet.
At the quarterly meeting on the 12th of May, the members had increased from 97 to 102, and the balance of cash had decreased from a favourable one of £25s 3d., to an unfavourable one of 2s. 7d. The classes had been discontinued for the summer months, and repairs and improvements had been effected, the expense of which was intended to be borne by the voluntary contributions of members and friends, so as not encumber the institution with debt, a condition from which it had lately emerged.
The next quarterly meeting was held on the 11th of August, when the committee's report showed the life-members to be 34, and the subscribing members 104, an increase of three. The treasurer had a surplus 1s.10d., instead of a deficit of 2s 7d. Congratulations were exchanged on the continued prosperity of the society.
At the quarterly and annual meeting on the 10th of November, it was shown that there was a further slight increase of members and a balance of 12/4 in the treasurer's hands. The repairs and improvements had cost £26. 18s. 6d, which had been met by special donations and three life-memberships. Mr. Puttand's resignation as secretary was reluctantly received and a eulogy passed upon for his past valuable services. The following officers were appointed: - President, Alfred Burton, Esq. (re-elected); Vice presidents, Rev. J A. Hatchard, Rev. W. N. Tilson-Marsh, W. H. M. Wagner, Esq., Mesrs. S. Butland, sen, Stoneman, Bickle, S. Putland, jun and Kenwood; Treasurer, T.B. Brett (re-elected); Secretaries, J. Davis and A Neve; auditors, Messrs. Wilson and Hatchman; Committeemen, Messrs. Bovis, Gibson, Page Stanford, Elphick, Kennard, Neve, Bevins and Jackson.
Old Roar Fair versus Old Rock Fair.
Such was the heading under which in the St. Leonards Gazette of July 9th appeared the following remarks: - It affords us considerable pleasure to learn that in the year of grace, 1864, the anniversary of an antiquated monstrosity y'clept the Hastings Rock Fair is to be observed by many of our townspeople in a more befitting manner than by visiting the relic of our ancient jewgaws and mountebanks. It certainly is an indication of progress when the debasing scenes of the tors-ring and the prize-ring, the river-sousings and -
