May 7th.—The first stone of the New Bethel had been laid. This building was to replace the old Bethel which for so many years had been held in the ancient house, belonging for several generations to the Palmer family, near the Sailors’ Home.
May 14th.—It was proposed to erect a Memorial to the late Prince Consort in the town.
Practical joking still continued in the Borough.
May 17th.—C. J. Palmer, Esq., had presented the Corporation with a scarlet silk gown and black gown formerly worn by the Mayors as robes of office.
The following table of precedence had been drawn up by the Council:—
1.—The Mayor.
2.—The Recorder.
3.—The Town Clerk.
4.—The M.P.’s for the Borough.
5.—The Members of the Council who had served the office of Mayor according to priority of election.