Miscellaneous Occurrences
New Sun Dial. — On the 29th of May, the Commissioners’ Surveyor commenced the erection of a new sun dial on the East parade, the same to be fitted with barometer and thermometer.
The Queen’s Birthday — was commemorated by the ringing of Church bells, the discharge of the town guns and a feu-de-joie by the coastguards on the East Hill.
The Whit-Monday procession brought, as usual, a great number of sightseers into the town, and upwards of a thousand persons visited the St. Clement’s Caves. Most of the shops were closed, and the date was June 9th. The “Old Friendly Society” marched with the Hastings Band, the Oddfellows, with the Fairlight Band, and the “Benevolent” with Brett’s St. Leonards Brass Band.
Mr. Rock’s Birthday anniversary on the 24th of June was celebrated by nearly 60 persons in the employ of Messrs. Rock and Son, coach-builders at the White-rock factory, and a few other persons sitting down to a meat-tea. They were addressed by the principal of the firm, who said he rejoiced to see a great improvement in the conduct of his workmen from that which prevailed when he commenced business nearly thirty years before.
Visits to the Great Exhibition. Through the intercession of the Rev. John Parkin, as weekly visitor to the Infirmary, a free passage for the servants of that institution to the Exhibition was granted by the South-Eastern Railway Company. — The children of the Union Workhouse also visited the Exhibition on the 3rd of August, they being conveyed thither by the L.B.&S.C. Railway at 1/6 each, and those who attended them at 4/-each. The money had been got together by subscription. — On the 24th of July the Messrs. Burfield granted all the men in their employ a day’s holiday, together with a gratuity of 8/-each, for the purpose of visiting the Exhibition. — On the 1st of August, the gaol being empty, the gaoler (Mr. Jas. Wellerd, who was afterwards cruelly murdered) was granted a three days’ leave to visit the same show. It was his first holiday during a service of nine years. — On the 13th of August, a monster excursion party organised by the Ore Burial Society, left Hastings for a similar visit. They were conveyed by 26 carriages and two engines on the London, Brighton and South-Coast railway. — Mr. Amoore also treated all his men connected with the brewery to the Exhibition, and paid all expenses for four days.
The Coastguards, on the 7th of August, were exercised at drill on the East Hill by Capt. Bingham, Inspecting Commander. They numbered about sixty, and by their frequent discharge of firearms they awoke the echoes of the old town.
The Fête Champêtre, which was to have been held in the grounds of P. F. Robertson, Esq., at Halton, on Prince Albert’s birth-day, had to be postponed in consequence of persistent rain, which turned the intended fireworks into waterworks. The next day was also of a showery character until towards evening, when the whole of the charming grounds were opened to a large company of about 800 persons who there assembled. The German band was in attendance, -
