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Chatham News, Saturday 24 January 1863.
Drainage of Fort Pitt.
The works for the more efficient drainage of this Fort, which have been
in course of construction during the last few months, are, spite of all
mishaps attending such an undertaking, nearly completed, and on Saturday
evening last Mr. Shrubsole, of Canterbury, the contractor, gave his
workmen and other persons who have been more or less connected with the
works - to the number of about 30 - an excellent dinner at Mr. Jessops,
the "Albion," Rochester, which was both substantially and plentifully
supplied, and reflected great credit upon the host and hostess.
The chair was taken by Mr. Shrubsole; the vice-chair by Mr. Kelson, the
foreman of the works. On the cloth being cleared, the chairman gave the
usual loyal toast; which were drunk with great cheering. The Chairman
then gave the names of Colonel Twiss and Captain Mann, the officers who
have had the superintendence of the works from the engineer
establishment, and spoke very highly of the kind and gentlemanly manner
in which they have treated the man of the works. This was followed by
the name of Mr. Caulfield, the Clerk of the Works. The Vice-Chairman
then proposed the health of the Chairman in very eulogistic terms. The
toast was received by the workmen with great cheering. The Chairman
briefly replied, thanking the company for the kind manner in which his
health had been received, and concluded by proposing the health of Mr.
Kelson, the former, who, he said, was a real Kentish man, and one who
would see justice done both to the employee and the employer; after some
other laudatory remarks, the toast was responded to in such a manner
that it was evident that Mr. Kelson is much respected for the whole of
the workmen. Mr. Kelson having thanked the company in a few words, the
Chairman then gave "The Trade and Prosperity of Chatham, and the Messrs.
Spencelayh," "The Mayor of Rochester," "The Press," and several other
toast. The conviviality of the evening was kept up with great spirit -
some excellent songs being sung by Mr. Hillman and Mr. Elvey, and
several other friends - until a late hour, and all departed, highly
pleased by their evening's entertainment.
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