The members of St Matthew’s gym nasium are getting the materials together for an immediate start with a winter pro gramme. This institution has already done a lot of good and it should be well supported, for, as a stranger remarked to me last evening with a good show of truth :—“ This is a funny place to live in for there is nothing to do at night but play billiards and drink whisky,” both which festivities may be very entertaining but they are not by any means profitable.
A number of townspeople met last Fri day and resolved to form themselves with a “Hastings Fire Police and Salvage Corps,” The steam engine and other plant with which the fire brigade are now furnished, are now so extensive that the brigade find it necessary not only to strengthen their own members, but to court the assistance of a body of five police to second their efforts and relieve them from certain parts of the duty. From the names of those forming the corps it is evident they mean business.
So far no move has been made by the insurance people to lower the rates of premiums which are scandalously high. But the formation of the fire police will be another weapon in tho hands of the people to compel an alteration very soon or else attain the same end by other means. They do not intend to be fooled about much longer.
