should be sent to the Ports and Ancient Towns, and it was that letter which brought them together that day. He would ask them to assist him in the deliberations which would come before them, and he felt sure that he should meet with a hearty response. He hoped everything would be conducted with good humour, and that they would bear and forbear if a discussion should, and that they would depart in the same kind spirit which had been implanted in them by the chaplain [Applause]. The Speaker then appointed the Hastings Town Clerk as his own clerk for the day. The Crier of Hastings (Mr. Poole) then called for the returns from each Port and Ancient Town, the one from Hastings being Thomas Ross, Esq., Mayor; Aldermen Ginner and Rock, barons; and Councillors Emary and Putland, combarons. The gentlemen from Seaford were H. Simmonds, Esq. (Bailiff), J. S. Turner, Esq. (Jurat) and F. H. Gell (Town Clerk). I have no list of names from other places except such as appear among those who took part in the discussions.
The Mayor of Winchelsea (C. Robson, Esq.) said he stood there alone, some of the freemen of that town having objected to send a deputation to the meeting.
The Deputy Mayor of New Romney thought it was a question whether Winchelsea should be again fined.
The Solicitor (Mr. Stringer) said that at the last Brotherhood and Guestling a fine of £60 and one of £15 had been inflicted on Winchelsea, neither of which had been paid. He should have to bring the case before them later on.
The Speaker said it was his duty to inform them of the cause for which the meeting had been called. After 29 years he thought that a meeting ought to be held, particularly as at the last meeting it was the expressed wish of the whole house that not more than seven years should pass oer without a meeting.
Other causes were that there had been no audit of accounts since 1828, and that one of the solicitors had died. Another object was to ascertain who would be Speaker of the Ports after the 9th of November. The Speaker came into office in May, but in those towns which were now under the Municipal Act, the Mayor was elected in November. They had not so much business to transact as in former years, but he was one of those who did not like to give up that which had brought so much honour to the country and had upheld the liberties of the people [Cheers]. He then said that the Solicitor to the Ports and the Deputy-Mayor of New Romney would open the chest and take out the celebrated Black Book. He would have much pleasure in meeting them -
