neighbourhood would not suffer from having their district correctly named. Mr. Putland was very much in error in saying that Hastings never exercised any authority in that part. He had to thank Mr. Ross for giving him through the Hastings News that day the fact that in 1624 a person of the name of Eversfield of St. Mary Magdalen parish, having refused his rate towards fortifying the town, was subjected to a distress. Mr. Putland explained that what he said was that St. Mary Magdalen parish was not a part of Hastings proper. He knew it was in the borough of Hastings, but it was not a part of Hastings town.
Coun. Bromley agreed with Mr. Ginner more than with the mover of the resolution; still, he thought they should call places by their right names. He did not at all agree with what Mr. Putland had said. They had nothing to do with Hastings as it was centuries back, but with Hastings as it was now. If Mr. Ross persisted in his motion he should vote for it, but he thought Mr. Ginner's suggestion was a better one.
Coun. Winter fully sympathised with Mr. Ginner, and thought it would be better for the mover to withdraw his motion, and make one on the postal arrangements. It was rather strange that they should have the mails from London, daily, and only one to St. Leonards. It seemed to him that a prestige attached to St. Leonards which ought not properly belong to it; and the inhabitants of the central part of the borough seemed inclined to sacrifice the interest of Hastings for the sake of that prestige. The newspapers were obliged to follow the postmaster's arrangement, for if they did not the visitors would not get their letters till another mail.
Coun. How said he could get letters three times a day, but Coun Picknell had heard of a gentleman at Verulam Place having a letter delayed a post because it was addressed Hastings; and he (the speaker) thought it was quite time the Council gave a decided opinion on the matter.
Ald. Ross, in his reply, said he quite agreed with Mr. Ginner, but at the same time every person there was well aware of the great influence of the Burton family, and the great difficulty which had been experienced in carrying measures on former occasions. He should therefore persist in his motion. His view was that the Council should do the thing themselves, and then ask the Post Office to carry out their arrangements accordingly. If the matter were left to others it would never be done [Hear Hear!].
