lect. Such duties were to those persons to whom he owed his living. He believed his political opinions agreed with most of those who sent him to Parliament, and when they did not he hoped they would turn him out.
The Ex. Mayor, in returning thanks, said the past year had been the happiest of his life, for it was no small honour to be Mayor of Hastings. The Town Council had done its best to increase the importance of the town, notwithstanding the accusations sometimes afloat of extravagance. The contracts for the drainage were £15,796, and the extras would be about £200. There was no town in England that had been so efficiently drained for that sum. Their Cemetery had cost them £6,276, a sum that in some places might have been paid for the ground only. Their water extension had cost them £5,668. Now they had a good drainage, an excellent cemetery and a good supply of water for less than £30,000. He was sure that the value of property would increase very much in consequence of these improvements.
Ald. Hayles said he had come to the town about ten years ago, and was so enchanted with the place that he collected his scattered fortune and took up his residence here.
Mr. Winter, as the youngest Councillor, hoped the young would prove worthy of confidence. As a member of the old Commission, he had taken an active part in introducing the Health of Towns Act. The introduction of that Act called into existence the Local Board of Health! If they had not carried out the drainage themselves the Government would have done it for them at an expense of about £30,000, instead of £16,000. If persons complained of taxation, they had quid pro quo for their money.
Press Opinions
"The New Mayor" The Hastings News of November 13th, in its comments on the civic election thus remarked:- "By the unanimous voice of the Council the honours and responsibilities of the Mayoralty were conferred on Mr. James Rock, jun. Of the general esteem in which that gentleman is held we need not speak; writing as we are for those by whom he has been known, and amongst whom he has the 'even tenour' of his unostentious(sic) but useful career for nearly the whole of his life. On his business habits it is still less necessary for us to offer comment. The man who is recognised throughout the county as the active manager of an extensive factory and the intelligent improver -
