den of taxation. If pursued as a private speculation, the Council should make every foot of the ground pay its proper value to the borough fund. Ald. Emary considered the proposed site very objectionable. Many years ago, efforts were made to clear the spot, and quite recently the inhabitants there had added money to the £40 paid by the Council for the purchase of Spice’s rope shop, which had been an obstruction. Coun. Ginner also strongly objected to the project, as it would contract the room of the stade, and enhance the danger of landing and getting off the colliers. The fishing and mercantile interest would also be inconvenienced; capstans would have to be moved, and more wall and groynes would have to be erected. Coun. Harvey admitted that washhouses and baths were desirable, but not on that spot; he therefore moved that the application be not entertained. Carried unanimously.
Twopenny General District Rate. This being recommended by the Finance Committee, Coun. Williams remarked that the first district rate under the Local Board was 9d in the pound, but if extended to a period of twelve months; the rate for the next six months was 6d, and then 2d for the next six months. He therefore congratulated the Council that in striking an average the rates were not a halfpenny more than they were under the old Commissioners; and this with all the cost of law proceedings and the purchase of the old Commissioners’ stock. The recommendation for the 2dy rate was adopted, but Coun. Deudney reminded Williams of the 1d special district rate and of the greatly increased valuation of property in the West Ward, the first of which was towards the payment of the Commissioners’ debt, and the other a considerable relief to the rating of the old town. A motion was next carried to confirm a previous order for a penny rate to raise £154 on the special district of the late Commissioners’ Act. Cavendish Place. It was resolved that notice should be given declaring the new portion of the thoroughfare near the Croft to be public property. This was a portion of the projecting building opposite the last house in Cavendish Place, and described in “Remiscences (sic) of Hastings” as Thorpe’s school-house, lately purchased by the Local Board for improving and widening the road.
Mr Putland’s Resignation. A lengthy report was received from the Surveyor on his plans for draining the Eastern District, but the report was not discussed because at the same time the Surveyor’s resignation was sent in, worded as follows:- “To the Hastings Local Board of Health. Gentlemen, I beg most respectfully to tender my resignation as your surveyor. In doing so, I feel it my duty to state that the labour and personal attention constantly required of your surveyor to the multifarious business of an increasing and important district has imposed on me heavier responsibilities than I anticipated when I accepted the office, and has proved at times a severe test to my health and strength. I am not disposed to meet the continued restless pressure from a few mem-
