be empowered to determine on the management of the cemetery agreeably to the system suggested by the Clerk - namely, that there should be a superintendent and sexton on the ground; an officer, with an office in the town to receive all orders, fees, &c., and to keep a register, which would be transferred to slips of paper sent to the cemetery, copied and petitioned, and a duplicate register to be kept.
The Drainage
Non-execution of Contract. At a special meeting on the 22nd of August, the Roads Committee reported that Messrs. Rumball and Sheen had failed to execute their contract for the drainage, and that Mr. Rumball had refused to do so unless the payment clause was altered to monthly payments, with a retention of 10 per cent. on the amount of work done. On the motion of Coun. Ross, it was then resolved that any former motion pertaining to Rumball be rescinded. The next lowest tender being that of Mr. Rowe, the Clerk said he had written to him, and he also refused to take the contract without alterations. He (the Clerk) had since seen Mr. Mundy, whose tender was £118 more than Rowe's, and who was willing to go on with the work without any alterations in the conditions, and was ready to commence immediately. Coun. Ross had heard Munday spoken of as a man of good standing, and one who would do them justice; he therefore moved that Munday's tender be accepted. Ald. Clement seconded, and the motion was carried by 9 to 3, as against an amendment by Coun. Duke that the contract be offered to Rowe. - Mr. Munday being present at the meeting on Sept. 5th, said that during the time the question had been in abeyance, kiln bricks had become so scarce that it would be impossible to procure sufficient for the work, but as good clamp bricks would be just as well for the outer ring of the drain, he would allow a deduction of 3s. per thousand thereon. The Surveyor and Coun. Putland stated that no detriment would accrue by such arrangement and it was therefore agreed to.
Commencement of Drainage - The general drainage plans for the Hastings drainage, so many years in abeyance were commenced to be carried into effect on Saturday the 13th of September, when the Mayor, Town Clerk, Surveyor, contractor, most of the Town Council and a large number of townspeople collected at the East Well, where the ceremony was performed amidst the flaunting of flags and the booming of cannon. Refreshments were provided in a building close by which was originally intended for a steam mill. Some current coins were placed in a bottle which was put into the stone, there to be laid, together with a scroll bearing the wordsThe first stone of the drainage of Hastings was laid by Frederick Ticehurst, Esq., Mayor, on the 13th of September, 1856; John Laing, C. E. surveyor, George Munday, contractor, William Winter, Inspector.
Pavements and Cesspools. In a discussion on these matters, the Surveyor said that he would see that during the drainage, the pathways should be kept clear and all cesspools filled up.
