of the inhabitants, not only of St. Leonards proper, but also of the large district which had long been known by the name of St. Leonards (cheers). The proceedings in question might be divided into two heads. The first was the resolution of the Town Council "That the calling of the town of Hastings by any other than its proper name is injurious to its interest as a watering place and that this Council do agree that all that portion of the Borough of Hastings which lies to the east of the Archway which is the boundary of the township of St. Leonards shall henceforth be styled Hastings, and the names of streets and places be written up accordingly." The second resolution was to move the Postmaster General to take into consideration the necessity of making an alteration in the postal regulations of the borough, and that there should be only one general post-office for the whole borough! The chairman reminded the meeting that the word necessity was used in the resolution. He believed, however, that he was right in saying that if there was any one point on which the inhabitants of the district could be almost unanimous it was in the general impression that the present postal arrangements were perfectly satisfactory (cheers). They had been in force ever since the place was built, had increased in accommodation with the growth of the place and were most admirably managed (renewed cheers). He might also say that it required a long time to bring about such a state of perfection, and it would take years before a fresh arrangement could be made intelligible to the public. He was very much surprised to hear in answer to enquiries he had made that the number of letters which went through the St. Leonards post office amounted to no fewer than ten or twelve thousand a week. That was one convenience which the inhabitants had; and the money-order office was another, which to deprive them of would be seriously inconvenient. He was told that no less a sum than £30,000 a year went through that office. In consequence of it being a head office the receiving box was kept open to the latest moment at night, and if it ceased to be a head office, it would make a difference of at least an hour. These were matters of very serious importance to them, and ought not to be trifled with or dealt with summarily with without(sic) consultation with the parties immediately interested. (cheers) They might have their own views of little changes, but that was for themselves to consider, and not those who had nothing to do with the place. A man might as well get up at Battle and make proposals as had been done at Hastings. To take away their Post Office would be to deprive them of what they held most dear. In continuing, Sir Woodbine said it was for the meeting -
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From Historical Hastings
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