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argument used in favour of ​building​ new churches and chapels, new schools, new public institutions, new hotels and new railway stations. He wished also to ask Mr. Bromley what he meant by the remark about springing up like mushrooms. He was old enough to remember the time when Mr. Bromley himself sprang up in Hastings, and his remark was therefore in as bad taste as that of Mr. Vidler, that “if members were too lazy to walk up there they had better stay away”. He considered that the arguments for a new Hall had been put very fairly. He had not asked them to build a new Hall; only to look out for a site whilst there was a chance of getting land at a fair price; for, if they left it till the land was built upon, they would have to purchase the ​building​ as well as the land. He contended that the Town Hall ought to be near the centre of the borough and that now was the time to take the initiatory steps in the matter. [As speculative builders and buying up large parcels of land themselves whilst it was to be had at a fair price, it might be said that no one knew better than Mr. Howell (the mover) and Mr. Kenwood (the seconder) how all the land within a suitable area was likely to be secured by other parties; also for purposes of improvement when sites were wanted that were built upon what enormous sums had to be paid for them; the York Hotel to wit.] The motion, however, was negatived by 12 to 8. At a later date it was an illustration of the sometimes irony of facts that Mr. Winter, in his official capacity had to lay the foundation stone of the new Town Hall, and to formally open the St. Leonards Public Gardens, the acquirement of both of which he had previously so strongly opposed. A few days after the meeting a letter appeared in the Hastings News, from which the following is extracted:- “Of the thirteen speakers, eight admitted the reasonableness of the idea that the Hall will go westward; three refused to entertain it; two differed on a question of time; yet the division list showed by twelve against eight, that although the conviction was general, that a site must one day be found, they had not the moral courage to grapple with a difficulty which would be less to them than it can be to their successors. Every year will make it more costly and more difficult to get a good site; and I trust the collective wisdom will see in this a good cause for re-considering their late decision. I trust Mr. Howell will introduce the subject again at an early date; and if the speakers will keep to the point of securing a site for future action, I do not doubt that he will be successful, although like all who do anything to benefit the town he must expect to get more kicks than halfpence.” “A. Burgess”