Another Pier and Harbour. – At the October meeting, the Clerk read a letter from Mr. Manning, of London, on behalf of Messrs. Birch, civil engineers, who wished the Council to grant them a site near the Fishmarket for a pier and harbour. Two gentlemen had also called on Mr. Growse concerning the project, and he had told them what the Council had already granted in reference to the proposed pier near the Infirmary; also of Capt. Steigh’s plans. It would be right, (said Mr. G) to tell the Council that an Act was passed last Session which facilitated the erection of piers, harbours and similar works by giving power to the projectors to obtain loans from the National-Debt Commissioners. The letter stated that Messrs. Birch had been connected with Brighton and Margate piers. It also added that the work could be carried without any outlay or liability of the town. – Letter referred to the Stonebeach Committee.
The Proposal Debated. At the following meeting (Nov. 1st) the Stonebeach Committee presented an elaborate report emanating from the Town Clerk, who pointed out that under the Acts 24 & 25 Victoria, c 45 & 47, powers were given to Town Councils to memoralize(sic) the Board of Trade to be appointed a harbour authority for carrying out pier and harbour works, the construction of which was facilitated by the powers given in those Acts. Consent having been obtained, application had then to be made to the Admiralty for powers to raise the funds required. The Public Works Loan Commissioners, when permission was obtained would advance a loan on the security of the tolls and dues arising from such and harbour only. But before such loan was advanced, the Admiralty must be satisfied that the scheme was likely to realize sufficient funds to defray an interest of 3¼ per cent and a sinking fund to repay the principal in fifty years. Messrs. Birch (engineer) and Manning (solicitor) had attended the Committee and exhibited plans of a proposed pier, forming a harbour which would be constructed of iron at a cost not exceeding £100,000. The area of the proposed harbour would be forty acres, with a depth of 12 feet at low water. By diminishing the size the cost would be reduced, or the pier could be carried out into deeper water at an additional expense. The Committee now reported that such pier, forming a harbour, should be constructed off the Fishmarket, under the provisions of the recited Acts. They also reported if the necessary sanction of the Board of Trade and Admiralty could not be obtained, the cost of the plans and notices would not exceed £300, but if leave were obtained, this sum would be repaid out of the permanent fund. The £300 (said Mr. Growse) would be got from the borough funds. – Alderman Ginner was of opinion that a harbour at Hastings would not pay. A great many schemes for a harbour had been submitted to them, but he thought the public were liable to be misled. The one now proposed to them was -
