The year 1725 decree for the election of freemen. The town lighted with gas
1725. April 8. At an assembly in the Common Hall, Whereas this Corporation consists of a Mayor, 12 jurats and an indefinite number of freemen, which freemen are chosed by the Mayor and jurats for the time being, but that of late divers(sic) disputes have arisen relating to the method of electing such freemen, to prevent the inconvenience of such disputes for the future, it is this day ordered, pursuant to the Powers given by the Charters, that the following shall be strictly adhered to All persons intended to be elected freemen shall at least, 14 days before the election, cause notice to be given to the Mayor who shall appoint the time thereof, and send notice thereof seven days before such time to every jurat, with the names of such persons. And no one shall be elected unless by a majority, or unless the votes be equal, and in such case the Mayor to have the casting vote.
Nothing is stated about fees in the above decree, but, two years later, it was further decreed by the Mayor and jurats that "in future 20/ shall be paid by the eldest sons of freemen on claiming their freedom and not less than 40/ by other persons." In that same year, however, Thos. Webb and Ben. Carswell were elected freemen, the former by paying 13/4 and the latter, 6/8. Although these were the fees demanded on several other dates, both before and after that year, there were 13 new freemen made on the same day in 1730, one of them paying 20s. and the others 40s. each.
The reader will remember that in 1830 the Hastings Commissioners appointed a committee from their number to examine into the general condition of the town and to report thereon as to necessary improvements; also that the said committee reported that it was expedient to apply to parliament for extended powers for providing water works, a new market, the removal of obstructions, &c. The discussion on this report was continued at the meetings in the present year, and a new Local Act was determined on. In framing the bill, the probable cost of the improvements was duly considered, as was also the probable revenue to be derived by a new supply of water, the poor of All Saints being exempt from forcible payment, and permission being given for the hawking of fish as theretofore. But as this Act was not obtained until 1832, further remarks thereon are relegated to that year.
The Gas Works which were started last year under the direction of Mr. Bryant were sufficiently forward for the town to be partially lighted on New Year's day, 1831. Although not so brilliant as it was a short time later, a large display of light from a standpipe at the top of the town enabled a man to read from a newspaper and some boys to play a game of marbles. Mr. Hugh Penfold had laid the pipes with great expedition, and several shops were using the new light.
Amongst the proceedings of the Corporation in 1831 were the following:- On the 24th of April, C. S. Crouch, surgeon was elected Mayor and J. G. Shorter, Town Clerk. The ground at Mercer's Bank on a part of which the Watch-house stood was re-leased to Daniel Gill, the principle Officer of Customs for 21 years at a rent of £10. The Corporation declined to grant to Edmund Strickland a piece of ground, 30 feet wide on the west side of Mr. Camac's stables, and in front of Breeds Place. On the 5th of December, the Corporation received the resignation of William Ball, Esq. as a jurat in consequnce of his being then a non-resident. They apprenticed Edward, a son of Edward Fisher, a journeyman butcher, to John Inskipp, a painter with the half-yearly fund from Saunder's Charity; also George Wood, an orphan, to John Bevins, a tailor.
Concerning church matters there is little to notice beyond the fact that on the 16th of January, the Bishop of Chichester consecrated an addition to the All Saints burial ground, the land having been given by Mr. Edward Milward.
