OPENING OF WORTHING PIER.
On Saturday, the new pier was formally opened. It is constructed of iron, and combines strength with a light and ornamental appearance. It was decorated at the entrance with a large archway of evergreens, bearing the words in holly leaves, “Success to the Worthing Pier.“ The whole length was at intervals enlivened by flags and banners. The 11th Sussex Volunteers mustered strongly, under the command of Captain Crofts, and with their band joined in the order. The procession, which assembled in Chapel Road, marched in the following order :
The Town Crier, carrying a large flag.
Four Police Constables.
The Band of the 11th Sussex, with all Officers, in full uniform.
The Coastguardsmen from both East and West Stations, with cutlasses.
A brass Band from London, which the Directors engaged for the day.
The Law Clerk and Secretary, W. H. Dennett. Esq.
The Engineer, Contractor, and Assistant-Engineer.
The Directors and Shareholders.
The Members of the Local Board.
The Magistrates and Clergymen of the Town in their robes.
The Townspeople and visitors.
The Contractor’s Foreman and Workmen.
The Pupils of the Worthing College, with the Principal, the Rev. F. A. Piggott, wearing the Collegiate caps and gowns.
The Juvenile Ride Corps, with their Fife and Drum Band.
The procession marched from the Town Hall down South Street, to the pier, on which ladies, being season ticket holders, had been admitted an hour previously. On arriving at the extreme end of the pier, the transverse head, the corps was halted on either side and faced outwards. An appropriate address was delivered by Jeremiah Pilcher, Esq., Chairman of the Directors, and the pier was declared to be opened to the public. The Rev. W. Reade made a few remarks, in which he expressed a hope that the pier might long remain an interesting ornament and a place of healthful recreation to the inhabitants of the town and its visitors. Two volleys and some file firing were given by the Corps, and the band played “God Save the Queen.” The corps was then marched off and halted in front of the Sea House Hotel, where the men had been invited to partake of refreshments, sherry, and biscuits. The principal part of the procession returned to the Town Hall and there dispersed until evening, when they again attended at the House Hotel to dinner.
