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went. Possibly many of the inhabitants who considered the proposal a mere chimera, did not trouble themselves to attend, and others might have preferred discussing the wider question of the need or otherwise of having a harbour at all to the restricted one of the merits of a particular plan. With all deference to the position and intelligence of the speakers, I do not consider that they made out a case. Capt. Sleigh’s advocacy of his own plan was all very right and natural, but will not weigh much with my fellow townsmen unless their judgments(sic) are convinced by a personal examination as well. Before we allow the town to be pledged by a few sanguine and interested speculators to a scheme that might (as you say) entirely alter the character of these towns, there are a few questions that require answering, which were not met by anything said at the meeting. As to the talk about the poor fishermen, &c. I regard as so much bosh - very taking at a public meeting, but a very poor foundation for harbour-​building​. If any of my brother townsmen who favour the movement would reply to these queries of mine they might be serving the borough and instructing me. – 1st. – Is it possible to combine the advantages of a first-rate watering-place with the privileges of a commercial port? 2nd. – If these be compatible will it be possible for Hastings as a port, to compete with other ports along the coast which have a better position and a settled trade? 3rd. – If it be doubtful, is the risk worth runing(sic) of deteriorating the value of the immense amount of lodging-house property in the borough by bringing more coasters and colliers near our beach and filling our streets and promenades with their crews and traffic? 4th. – Is not the vast increase in our local prosperity due almost wholly to the fact that great sums of money have been invested in houses for visitors, and to that natural beauty of our scenery, and to that cleanliness of our sea-beach which have attracted visitors to fill those houses? It is scarcely possible we could have made greater progress the last dozen years than we have. Doing this without a harbour where is the proof that we should do more with one? Is it not wise to let well alone? We have grown and are still growing. 5th. – If the proposed floating harbour be large enough to do one third of what is promised, who can guarantee that it will not extend further west than some of its promoters desire? And if it be not so large what good would it be? In the one case its size would spoil our frontage; in the other it would be only throwing money into the sea. 6th. – Supposing a harbour to be wanted, is the proposed plan the best? Are -