Town Council Meetings
Tippling. At the Council meeting of Jan. 6th, the Mayor (C. Clift, Esq.) having requested the presence of the police force, cautioned them, as he said, from the highest to the lowest against the practice of tipling(sic) at public houses; also warning them that if they continued the practice they would be discharged [See page 70 ]
Removal of Boats. In reference to the application of James Landell? and others, the Stone-beach Committee recommended that the request be complied with as far as practicable, and that the owners of boats then lying in front of Breeds Place be requested to allow the council to remove the said boats for the winter season, and replace them after that period. In reply to a question by Coun. Hickes, the Clerk said he thought the Council had no power to remove the boats without the consent of the owners.
A District Rate at 5d. was agreed upon, instead of 7d, in consequence of the dearness of provisions and the distress among the poor and the severity of the weather, during which latter’s continuance, 3d per day was ordered to be added to the wages of the Local Board labourers.
Advertising. It was resolved that the Municipal and Local Board advertisements be extended to the Sussex Advertiser and Sussex Express, two papers printed at Lewes, and those papers to be placed on the same footing as the Hastings News.
Jurisdiction of Groynes. In reply to enquiries, The Pierwarden stated that he had jurisdiction only over the groynes between Rock-a-Nore and the Chalk road. On the motion of Mr. Ross, it was agreed that his services in that capacity should extend to the St. Leonards Archway, with an additional £10 to his salary.
Parade Seats. Notices having been sent to five owners of seats on the Eversfield parade to remove them at once or to apply for permission to continue them, Mr. John Thorpe, of Grand parade applied for his seat to remain, it having been there for five years. Mr. Nelson Andrews, who had two seats opposite Verulam place, also wished them to remain. It was resolved to enforce the demand on those who had not applied, it being argued by Coun. Ross and others that if let alone, in course of time the ground on which the seats were placed might be claimed as freehold.
General Drainage. At an adjourned meeting of the Local Board in the Market Hall, Mr. Gant’s plans were laid out for inspection. The drawings and sections altogether were 44 yards in length, and embraced three outfalls – one at Rock-a-Nore, one at the Priory, and one at Warrior Square. At another adjourned meeting, on March 17th, a list of questions having been sent to 21 towns where the Public Health Act had been adopted, asking for information about their drainage operations, only eight had replied, and the replies were so various as not to be of much service, except that most of them had employed special engineers. After much discussion, it was resolved, on the motion of Ald. Scrivens “That this meeting, impressed with the importance of the duties which devolve upon them, resolve that an engineer be engaged to view the area of the town, examine the plans drawn, -
