The Express.
London, England, 1866-12-19 00:00:00

- - -
;FORM MEETING AT HASTINGS.

This ancient Cinque Port, though on the whole
possessing a population strcngly tinged with liberal poli-
tics, has not shown any very marked interest in political
questions uutil the present year. Under the auspices of a
Reform and Registration Association, the largest reform
meeting ever held there took place on Monday night, in the
,Music-ball, when the building was crevided to excess. The
platform was occupied by a large number of the most in-
nuentisi members of the liberal party, and the proceedings
excited the warmest enthusiasm. Mr. F. North, fonuerly
one of the liberal membere, was called to the chair arid
was supported by Mr. Edward Baines, M.P., Mr. Barnes,
M.P., Sic., Letters of regret at absence were read
from Lord Cavendish and Mr. J. G. Dodson, the
liberal members for East Sussex, the lion. Dreorege
Waldegrave-Leslie, DI.P. and Mr. T. Brassey, jun.
The Chairman having briefly opened the ',roomed:hop,
Mr. Wailerslcy, one ot the delegates to the Manchester
Conference, moved, " That this meeting records its deep
disappointment at the late failure in obtaining a unladen-
tia measure of reform ; and, further, its indignant
remonstrance at the conduct of those who long
cl
, andims, at
often
lest combined to um 44. them on the shallowest pretenote."
ed the justice of the peple s a
baying acknowledf
bad alt the wn,;•.2th of reform
The resolution was secontie;! by the Rev. William Barker,
Baptist minister, and supports,: by Air. Baines, who said
he had been told that they
in the north, and that there was none in the south • but as
should be able to tell his friends in the House of Clemons
that they were much mistaken on that point. There was
before him just the same kind of audience as be was accus-
tomed to addrese in Leeds or Bradford, with the rune
patient intelligence, manifesting that they were worth: to
have the franchise. He was glad that Hastings had taken
the step it had. It was a great satisfaction to find himself
there ; for in that meeting he found a fre,.h argaumst in
favour of a measure which he had all his life advocated—
the extension of the rights and privileges oi the people.
He thought it was not possible much longer to prevent a
s-ttlement of the great reform question ; and in that case
Hastings would not have liked to have been left 'without
the credit of taking part in bringing about that which will
be memorable in the future history of England. The
pr
question was, will Lord Derby give us a reforhi
bill or not. His (the speaker's) opinion was, that themgh
the party was in a most desperate fix, yet upon the whole
they must bring in a reform measure • or, it they did not,
they would soon be turned out of office. The resolution was
carried unanimously and amid general applause. Mr.
"Thatm Ransom moved, and Mr. IValter Betts seconded :
ha this meeting pledges itself to the determined nee
of every constitutional effort for the speedy scoomplish-
meat of the long-promised reform in par
Ham
repre-
sentation." The motion was supported by Mr. Barnes,
M.P. and carried by acclamation ; and the meeting *ope-
rated', after passing votes of thanks to Messrs. Baines and
and to the chairman.

GUILDFORD ELZGTIO/C.—The polling commenced
yesterday morning st eight o'clock, and, as was antieipatall.
the contest was • very severe one. At the close of Up
poll the numbers were :--Oarth (Consercative), 30
Pocock (Liberal), 301. Majority for Garth, 39.
The second ordinary meeting of the Statistical
Society for the passing session wu held lest eum-
ing. Colonel Sykes, one of the vurpresidents
of the society, was in the chair, and was
a pretty numerous attendance of fellows. Reseal
gentlemen having been sleeted fellow, of the
and other business having been disposed at, Mr.
Jaeob Waley, M.A., read • paper' On Combinations and
Strikes, with relszemos to the late of ware."