such a measure would be the first step in advance backward! In a long residence at Hastings, I do not recollect a life being lost or a vessel wrecked that would have been saved by such a harbour as we could have on this coast; and you very properly remark in your last week’s excellent article ‘our fishermen’s lives are not lost on this coast, * but far away from home – often in the neighbourhood of harbours.’ I have only to hope that people in this borough will continue to see the truth of the old saying, “Leave well alone”. P. F. Maccabe. Mill Hill Lodge, Dec 4
“*I rejoice to say that our lifeboat is a sinecure.”
Hastings Mechanics’ Institution
The Committee’s report on the 7th of August, showed the number of members to be 304, or 36 fewer than at the preceding quarter. The treasurers a/c also shewed a cash reduction of about £7, thus leaving a balance in hand of a little over £6. The annual fête was announced to take place on the following Monday in the grounds of P. F. Robertson Esq., of whose continued liberality the committee could not speak too highly. It would be the fourth time the fête had been held in those grounds, and the members were asked to assist in making it as successful as had been the previous ones.
The Fête at Halton came off successfully on the evening selected, the grounds being prettily illuminated under the superintendence of Mr. Joshua Huggett (one of the hon. secretaries), the dancing on the lawn, under the management of Mr. Albert Emary, the music supplied by two or three bands, the refreshments provided by Mr. Sackleworth, and the beautiful fireworks well sustaining Mr. Southby’s reputation. Nearly 2,000 persons were present, and over £90 was taken at the gates including £6 worth of tickets for distribution, purchased by Mr. Robertson and Miss Robertson. The clear profit to the institution was £53 11s. 1d.
The Soirée. Although the soirées previously held in the connection with the Institution had been successful, and a meeting of that description had not been held for several years, the one that took place in the Music Hall on the 28th of October was not so well attended as was hoped for. Tea was partaken of by nearly 100 persons, preceded and succeeded by vocal and instrumental music. After tea the platform was filled by the officers and committeemen of the institution, Mr. Womersley, as president filling the chair. Addresses were delivered by Mr. Major Vidler (of Pevensey) Mr. Wm. Ransom, J. Rock, jun, Esq., and Dr. Hale. A long report was also read by Mr. Joshua Huggett.
The Quarterly Meeting on November 6th was held in the Institution’s room, and the Committee’s report showed that the receipts during the quarter, including the profit on the fête amounted to £79 15s. 10d. and the expenditure to £25 15s. 5d. leaving a balance in hand of £60 16s. 7d. There were, however, several liabilities to place that large balance, the soirée resulting in a loss, and the contract for constructing a partition in the reading-room.
