Hastings Chronicle

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 20 May commented on Fox’s report, saying it showed serious defects in a mass exposed to strong tidal action. It estimated the cost of extra work at £44,000 above the engineer in chief’s estimate. The News said that any attempt to offload costs onto the ratepayer were more than a blunder, they were a crime.