At the next meeting, April 7th, all that the eight persons accomplished was to agree upon a poor-rate at 3d in the pound; the same sum for a similar rate being also figured at the September meeting. At a later meeting in the same month an order was received from the Mayor to collect £232 16s for a borough-rate, at 3d in the pound.
The Cemetery Movement. At a meeting on the 17th of November, with the Rev. W. W. Hume presiding, a resolution was passed similar to that of the St. Leonards Vestry – namely “That it is expedient that this parish concur with other parishes in providing a general cemetery, and that the overseers, together with Mr. S. Putland, confer with other parishes for that purpose”.
The Mechanics' Institution 1853
Although the Literary Institution at Hastings was under difficulties and the Mechanics’ Institution of that town appeared to be declining, the kindred society at St. Leonards was steadily progressing, and at its quarterly meeting on the 24th of February, the Secretary (Mr. C. T. How) in submitting the Committee’s report showed that the withdrawal of members was fewer than the additions. The thanks of the meeting were voted to those gentlemen and other residents of the town and neighbourhood who contributed to the late successful exhibition. The Treasurer’s ordinary a/c showed a favourable balance of £5 9s, whilst the receipts from the Exhibition were £185 10s 2d, and the expenses £102 0s 9d leaving a balance of £83 9s 5d in favour of the Institution. A vote of thanks was also passed to those members of the Institution (T. B. Brett, J. Skinner, P. Hook and others) who so zealously aided the special committee in the important work of the Exhibition; and another sub-committee was formed for looking out a site for a new building. A warm discussion, however, ensued on the alleged excess of power indulged in by the Exhibition Committee in acting imperiously against the wish of the general committee and that of the public to keep the show open for another week, when visitors thereto were increasing and additional exhibits (not in the catalogue) were being offered. The abrupt refusal of the committee to give the opportunity to see the Exhibition by persons who were increasingly coming from provincial towns and villages, and to the prospective benefit of the Institution, led to considerable unpleasantness, and to the resignation of the Secretary. This unique and well arranged exhibition, which occupied the entire building of the St. Leonards Assembly Rooms, was pronounced to be the best show of its kind ever held in the borough. It consisted of superb paintings, and other works of Art, ancient armoury, geological specimens, autographs, inventions, needle work, curious productions, etc., accompanied by lectures, music etc. details of which will be found in the separate “History of the Mechanics’ Institution.”
