...189718981899...
Jan |
Feb |
Mar |
Apr |
May |
Jun |
Jul |
Aug |
Sep |
Oct |
Nov |
Dec
The Harbour Commissioners had formally asked the Corporation for financial aid. The work had been in abeyance for the past few weeks, and operations at the southern portion had been entirely suspended. The subscribed capital had been entirely spent, and ...
(more...)
Joseph Paul Bertel, the manager of the Eversfield Hotel, Eversfield Place, had shot himself in a railway carriage on 31 December 1897.
Harbour Deferred
From the Hastings News of 14/01/1898
The Council on 7 January considered the application of Harbour Commissioners for rate aid. The total cost would be £226,000, and the contractors were willing to bind themselves to complete and maintain for 6 months. The matter was referred to ...
(more...)
Suicide by inhaling gas was committed by William Harman Sutton, the assistant overseer and rate collector of All Saints Parish, on 9 January.
Bigger Cemetery
From the Hastings News of 14/01/1898
The Council on 7 January agreed that the cemetery should be enlarged by seven acres and three rods.
Liberal Candidate
From the Hastings News of 21/01/1898
Captain St John Mildmay had been chosen as the Liberal parliamentary candidate. He made his first public appearance at the Public Hall in Robertson Street on 18 January.
Killed by Bus
From the Hastings News of 28/01/1898
Alexander Masey, of 103 High Street, had been run over and killed by an omnibus near the Roebuck Inn, High Street.
Tram Opposition
From the Hastings News of 28/01/1898
An opposition meeting of influential residents was held at Queen's Avenue Assembly Rooms to tramways along the Front Line west of London Road. They asked the Corporation to note their petition of objection from the inhabitants of the Grand Parade ...
(more...)
At Central Hall, Bank Buildings, there was an opposition meeting to the proposal to put the Harbour costs on the rates in the form of a yearly subsidy to pay interest. The meeting looked for the best means of frustrating ...
(more...)
Tram Developments
From the Hastings News of 11/02/1898
Tahourdins and Hitchcock, agents for one tramway scheme, had communicated with Hastings Council. But the Council meeting on 4 February effectively quashed the efforts of outsiders to introduce electric tramcars. If tramcar lines were to be laid down, the Corporation ...
(more...)
Ore Fire
From the Hastings News of 11/02/1898
Immediate relief was necessary for sufferers of a fire at Albany Terrace, Ore, on the night of Sunday 6 February.
Milkman Dies
From the Hastings News of 25/02/1898
Former town councillor Charles Chapman fell dead while on his milk round on 21 February.
A new Freemasons' lodge had been set up. The 'Hastings' Lodge, No 2692, was officially consecrated at a meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Sussex on Tuesday 22 February at the Public Hall in Robertson Street. The ceremony was ...
(more...)
The Rev P Hughes, a retired Nonconformist minister, and his wife died of pneumonia on the same day, Wednesday 2 March, at Alfred Road, Clive Vale.
A deputation from the Ratepayers Committee, formed to oppose the subsidising of Hastings harbour, was received by the Council's General Purposes Committee on 7 March. The use of the unfinished harbour works as a coaling station was to be abandoned, ...
(more...)
The News said: "Can nothing be down to save the Castledown House Estate?" Access to the West Hill was still only via Castle Hill Road, through the Estate, "one of the few pretty spots still to be found" in Hastings. ...
(more...)
The News questioned how far the Corporation had waived its rights over the Rock-a-Nore foreshore by giving permission for harbour construction. A petition from women ratepayers to the council protested against municipal revenue going to the harbour. The ratepayers should ...
(more...)
Gale Damage
From the Hastings News of 15/04/1898
Heavy seas on Monday 11 April greatly damaged boats. One craft was washed away entirely; pieces of it were discovered near the Lifeboat House. The stades at Caroline Place and Denmark Place were torn to pieces, and gangs of men ...
(more...)
The borough engineer on 25 March had presented an exhaustive report to the Council on the tramway question. A special meeting of the Council a fortnight later considered the report but turned down the proposed scheme.
Mastins Rebuild
From the Hastings News of 06/05/1898
Mastin Bros, the popular drapers, had completed a splendid new frontage to their shop at 7-10 Breeds Place. They sold all types of clothing, dress fabrics, linens, lace curtains, carpets, linoleum, sunshades etc.
By 18 votes to 12, the Council meeting on 6 May decided to re-interview Mr WM Murphy, the Irish tramcar promoter. A conference was held with him on 19 May. On 7 June, the light railway commissioners opened a public ...
(more...)
Harbour Criticised
From the Hastings News of 13/05/1898
Sir Douglas Fox's report on the harbour works said the foundations were of insufficient depth to be left unprotected on the seaward side. The thickness of the breakwater was considerably less than generally held to be desirable. The News on ...
(more...)
The new infant school at West St Leonards was formally opened on Monday 16 May, reflecting the rapid development taking place in that area. It was built on the west side of the West St Leonards boys school at the ...
(more...)
The weekly meeting of the Board of Guardians agreed to spend £20 furnishing the new workhouse relief station at Bohemia which they had just obtained.
Harbour Poll
From the Hastings News of 03/06/1898
The Council held a special meeting on 27 May to consider suggestions from the Harbour Commissioners that £3,000 a year should be granted from the borough rates. It was decided that the ratepayers should be called on to give their ...
(more...)
Council Lit Up
From the Hastings News of 03/06/1898
The Front Line electric lighting came under Council control on Wednesday 1 June. Miles of new cable may be needed - "poor ratepayer", commented the News. In its 12 August edition, it reported that the Council's Public Lighting Committee had ...
(more...)
Another Dead Baby
From the Hastings News of 17/06/1898
The body of a newly born child was found in a field adjoining Ashburnham Road on 10 June.
Suicides
From the Hastings News of 24/06/1898
George Harding, an ironmonger at Cross Street, St Leonards, committed suicide on Saturday 18 June. His wife found him hanging from a hook in the ceiling of their living room. He had suffered headaches for seven months, and had been ...
(more...)
Harbour Finances
From the Hastings News of 24/06/1898
On the financial aspect of the harbour question, Mr J Chas Burrell gave details to the News. The total amount raised by the Harbour Commissioners was £118,000; of that £76,000 had been paid to the contractors for work done and ...
(more...)
John Blomfield, the 13 year old son of the well-known local photographer of the same name, was killed by a cricket ball which struck him over the heart while playing in the Grammar School nets. John senior ran a photographers ...
(more...)
A series of public meetings was held throughout Hastings and St Leonards by the Harbour Commissioners to test public opinion concerning the proposed rate-aided Corporation guarantee. They held an 'educational meeting at Central Hall on 29 June. There were few ...
(more...)
Improvements were being carried out at the Gaiety Theatre. A new iron-framed asbestos fireproof curtain, iron escape ladders and balcony projections would be provided. The News of 29 July reported the fatal fall of Thomas Streetton, of 11 Hill Street, ...
(more...)
The Harbour poll by postcard was a victory for the harbourites, by a majority of 1,077 (for: 3,422, against: 2,345). Seven out of ten wards supported the proposal. The News said the harbourites had spent a lot of money ...
(more...)
Sword Fish Landed
From the Hastings News of 08/07/1898
Captain Thomas Gallop captured a sword fish, eight feet long, off Hastings, in the Thomas and Elizabeth, on 1 July. The fish was presented to the museum.
Bravery Award
From the Hastings News of 08/07/1898
Mr WJ Hutchinson received a bravery award on 7 July for saving three people from drowning at White Rock on 22 May.
Dead Baby
From the Hastings News of 29/07/1898
A newly born male child was discovered dead under the sink at the Edinburgh Hotel, Warrior Square, on 16 July.
Beggars Prosecuted
From the Hastings News of 19/08/1898
At Hastings Borough Bench on 15 August, a man named John Benge was jailed for seven days for begging on the East Hill on Saturday 13 August. The policeman who arrested him said that Benge had approached a gentleman and ...
(more...)
The famous Earl de la Warr was acquitted of alleged contempt of court at the High Court Bankruptcy Division on Wednesday 17 August. This followed an order for committal to prison of the Earl and Messrs Broadley, Bradshaw and Rucker ...
(more...)
Bathing at Rock-a-Nore had become more perilous after fishermen had been compelled by the Harbour works to move their fishing boats to a spot where the 'free bathing place' had long held its name and habitation.
Water Reservoirs
From the Hastings News of 26/08/1898
The Town Clerk reported to the Council that the purchase of land in the parishes of Ore, Fairlight and Guestling to build reservoirs had been completed.
The Council meeting on 19 August decided that a passenger lift should be built from Rock-a-Nore to the East Hill. Ald Hutchings proposed that a deputation from the Council should meet the Rev Sayer-Milward to discuss the lift. The Council ...
(more...)
Circus in Town
From the Hastings News of 02/09/1898
There was a visit to Hastings of Barnum and Bailey's greatest show on earth circus. 20,000 people visited the performance, on Tuesday 30 August, in Hickmans Field, Hole Farm [where Ashford Road is today].
Harbour Hitch
From the Hastings News of 09/09/1898
There was a hitch for the harbour works: The Corporation could not see its way to grant the £3,000 pa in payment of interest on the suggested loan. No statutory power conferred on the Corporation the duty of granting municipal ...
(more...)
More Arson
From the Hastings News of 09/09/1898
There was a rick fire at Mr Horsfall's farm at Fairlight on Friday 2 September. It was the supposed work of an incendiary, being the fourth stack fired in the last few weeks. The News of 30 September reported that ...
(more...)
Another Child Dead
From the Hastings News of 09/09/1898
Yet another new-born male child was found dead, this time in an enclosure at Bohemia on 1 September. It was wrapped in newspaper.
Bankrupt Librarian
From the Hastings News of 07/10/1898
Frank Sanders, a stationer and librarian at Grand Parade, appeared in Hastings Bankruptcy Court.
Serious Fire
From the Hastings News of 07/10/1898
A large warehouse premises in Cornwallis Street on Friday 30 September was badly damaged in the most serious fire in the town for some time. The premises were used house furnishers Tapner & Woodman, by WF Vidler the plumber and ...
(more...)
Anthrax Outbreak
From the Hastings News of 14/10/1898
There was an outbreak of anthrax on the recently-purchased Hastings Corporation farm, Church House, Brede, part of the water service.
A Hastings man, Arthur Sorrell Chapman, a cello player, was found on 16 October lying in a pool of blood in a lodging house in Russell Square, London. There was suspicion of foul play.
Harbour End?
From the Hastings News of 28/10/1898
The Harbour contractors had been busy over the past few days clearing away their tackle. The Town Council meeting on 21 October delayed giving the proposed guarantee to the Harbour Commissioners.
There was a betting prosecution at Hastings Police Court. The greengrocer Thomas Tuck was watched from the Jolly Fisherman pub in East Beach Street, opposite the fishmarket.
Sweep’s Suicide
From the Hastings News of 28/10/1898
Albion Brown, a chimney sweep of 55 Church Street, Ore, committed suicide.
Poor Church Fund
From the Hastings News of 04/11/1898
The Fishermen's Church Sick and Poor Fund stood at only £1 15s 9d, at the beginning of the winter, when it was most needed.
The St Andrew's Archway under the railway was demolished in early November. The road was closed on Friday 4 November. Demolition was carried out through all Sunday and most of the work had been carried out by mid-day Monday 7th, ...
(more...)
Harbour supporters secured the appointment of Henry Wake as an engineering expert to report upon the present condition of the structure and to apply to Parliament for powers to authorize the Corporation to guarantee an annual sum towards the completion ...
(more...)
Hastings Man Lost
From the Hastings News of 11/11/1898
A Board of Trade inquiry was held into the Mohegan disaster on 14 October, when the ship sank off Cornwall and a hundred lives were lost, including a Hastings seaman named Daniells. The News of 18 November said a benefit ...
(more...)
Trams Re-appear
From the Hastings News of 18/11/1898
The Council meeting on 18 November agreed to go to Parliament for power to construct tramways in the recently-extended borough of Hastings. Mr WM Murphy made another application to authorise the maintenance and working of electric trams in the town. ...
(more...)
Death of Mr WH Matthews, the ex-chief officer at the Coastguard Station at Marine Parade. He died at his residence Pevensey Lodge, Milward Road.
The Hastings and St Leonards Ice and Cold Storage Company had been registered. It had acquired a site in Rock-a-Nore Road to erect a factory capable of making ten tons of ice a day. The chief fish salesmen and largest ...
(more...)
Golf Club Fire
From the Hastings News of 09/12/1898
The Hastings Golf Club House in Barley Lane was partially destroyed by fire on Tuesday 6 December.
The Council was given official approval by the Local Government Board for the purchase of the Hastings Electric Light Company. In October, the Board had held an inquiry into the takeover, and there had been opposition to the Council's proposed ...
(more...)
George Martin, a shrimper, was found dead in the Spoon reservoir in Ecclesbourne Glen. He lived at 112 All Saints Street with his parents. He had left a note saying he intended to commit suicide.
Police Exonerated
From the Hastings News of 18/12/1898
The Council's Watch Committee investigated statements made at the recent trial of the young Italian Labella Guiseppe, who was acquitted at Hastings Quarter Sessions of burglary, but Hastings police behaviour was exonerated.
Railway Collision
From the Hastings News of 30/12/1898
A Hastings train was badly damaged in a collision at Appledore, on Romney Marsh. Eighteen people were injured.