1888.
JANUARY.
2.—Mr. Edward Compton’s company appeared at Norwich Theatre in Mr. W. G. Wills’ play, “Jane Shore,” with Miss Isabel Bateman in the title rôle.
17.—Mr. Andrew Johnston, Assistant Commissioner under the Boundary Commission appointed to make inquiries as to the delimitation of counties and Poor Law Unions, in view of impending legislation in the form of a new Local Government Bill, attended a meeting of the County Rate Basis Committee, held at Lynn under the presidency of Mr. R. T. Gurdon, and heard various statements made by the county magistrates. A Committee appointed to confer with the Commissioners reported at the County Sessions on April 5th that they considered it undesirable to alter the boundaries of the county. On April 10th a deputation appointed by the Norwich Town Council waited upon Mr. Ritchie to ask for the inclusion of Norwich in Schedule 4 of the Local Government Bill, in order that the city might be constituted a county in itself, and not be included in the county of Norfolk as was proposed. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on May 5th, passed resolutions in favour “of an alteration in the proposed electoral divisions so as to give a fair representation to the agricultural interest; of an extension of the term of office of the elective councillors; of one electoral register for all purposes; and of the postponement of the question of District Councils until next year.” The Chamber further agreed to petition Parliament in favour of the wheel tax.
—A report was submitted to the Norwich Town Council on the completion of the new Foundry Bridge. The original estimate for the work was £13,000; the actual cost, including all charges, was £12,032 11s. 4d. The width of the bridge is 50 feet—five feet more than was originally intended. The Great Eastern Railway Company contributed £1,200 towards the cost of the undertaking.
20.—Died, at Shadwell Court, Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart. The son of Sir John Jacob Buxton, Bart., by the eldest daughter of Sir Montagu Cholmeley, he succeeded to the title in 1842 as the third, and, in default of male issue, the last baronet. Sir Robert was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and married, in 1865, Mary Augusta Harriet, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone, by whom he left two daughters, Maud Isabel and Sybil Mary. He was a Deputy-Lieutenant for Norfolk, and sat in Parliament for the Southern Division of the county from 1871 to 1885. In 1870 he served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk, and was a justice of the peace for both Norfolk and Suffolk. Sir Robert was at one time an officer in the Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry, and afterwards identified himself with the Volunteer movement by accepting, in 1860, a captaincy in the 20th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers.
21.—At the annual meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. F. W. Harmer) presented to Mr. Arthur Waters Preston a handsome black marble clock of classical design, subscribed for by members and friends of the society in recognition of his services as hon. secretary from 1881 to 1888. Accompanying the testimonial was a cheque for £50 and an illuminated address.
23.—The action, Stanley v. the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich, arising out of the claim of the freemen to the Town Close Estate, came before Mr. Justice Kekewich in the Royal Court of Judicature. Mr. Walter Rye, Mr. Stanley’s agent, asked that it might be referred to Mr. Blofeld, Recorder of Ipswich and Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, to enquire and report who were the persons entitled as freemen to participate in the rents and profits of the estate, and what persons were entitled to be admitted as freemen under the inquiry directed by the judgment given in March, 1887. His lordship made the order asked for, and directed that the inquiry be held at the Guildhall, Norwich, or at such other place as the referee might from time to time direct. Mr. Blofeld opened the inquiry on March 19th, and continued the proceedings on the 20th, when a large number of freemen attended for the purpose of proving their right to have their names placed upon the roll. On the same day (the 20th) it was reported to the Town Council that the cost of the Town Close Estate litigation amounted to £4,500, and a resolution was adopted for leave to borrow the amount on mortgage of the estate. In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, on July 7th, a point was raised as to the jurisdiction of the court to affirm a declaration of the Attorney-General creating the Town Close Estate a charity. Mr. Justice Kekewich, on July 14th, sustained the objection taken by the respondents to the Attorney-General’s application, and held that before issuing a summons the Attorney-General must establish by independent proceedings an information that there was a charity in existence to be regulated. The summons had been so drawn as to assume the existence of a charity, and this was just what his lordship thought could not be assumed. On December 14th, in the Supreme Court, before Lords Justices Cotton, Lindley, and Bowen, the Attorney-General appealed from Mr. Justice Kekewich’s decision. Their lordships, after hearing arguments, held that Mr. Justice Kekewich had determined by his judgment that the Town Close Estate was a charitable trust. On December 20th, however, their lordships reconsidered their decision, directed the order of Mr. Justice Kekewich to be discharged, and ordered the summons to be set down for further argument, and to decide whether there was or was not a charity. (See January 21st, 1889.)
31.—Died, at Southwell Lodge, Norwich, Mr. John Willis, aged 54. Mr. Willis was a member of the firm of Willis and Southall, an alderman, and a justice of the peace for the city. A native of Gloucestershire, he had resided in Norwich for a quarter of a century. It was through his advocacy that the Artisans’ Dwellings Act was put into force in Norwich, and the rookeries in St. Paul’s were demolished. He also interested himself in the matter of the gas supply, and vigorously protested against what he conceived to be the unjust treatment of the citizens by the Gas Company. He married, in 1870, the only daughter of Mr. Colmam, of Stoke Holy Cross, and sister of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P.
FEBRUARY.
3.—In pursuance of requisition a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held for the purpose of considering a notice for rescinding a resolution passed on January 17th in relation to Anguish’s Charity, namely, “That this Council gives its cordial support to a proposal of the Charity Commissioners to utilise the funds of the Norwich Charities for the purposes of technical education.” Colonel Bignold moved, “That no application of the funds of Anguish’s and the allied charities can be satisfactory to this Council which is not strictly in accordance with the will of Thomas Anguish confirmed and settled by Royal Charter in 1629, namely, for the sustentation, relief, and maintenance, as well as the teaching, of all very poor children born and brought up in the city of Norwich.” This resolution was adopted at an adjourned meeting on the 7th, and a committee appointed “to consider the present position of the trust, and, if necessary, to confer with the Charity Trustees, and still further, if necessary, to communicate with the Commissioners.” On the 28th the Special Committee submitted the following suggestions to the Council for approval:—“(1) That in any scheme which may be submitted by the Charity Trustees to the Commissioners a sum not exceeding £200 per annum be set aside for the purposes of technical education out of the Boys’ Hospital. (2) That the residue of the fund be devoted to the sustentation, relief, maintenance, and elementary education of as many boys as the money will provide for. (3.) That if considered within the meaning of the trust this committee would be willing to accept a scheme of maintenance other than that provided for by the Home.” Meanwhile the Trustees submitted amended proposals, but on March 20th the Council adopted those drawn up by the Special Committee. (See January 21st, 1896).
7.—The members of the Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club having vacated their former premises on the Walk for larger and more convenient quarters in St. Giles’ Street, held a meeting, at which an inaugural address was delivered by Mr. S. Hoare, M.P. The newly-acquired premises formed originally a portion of the Norfolk’ Hotel, and adjoining was a large and handsome banqueting room, which for several years afterwards was used for Conservative gatherings and other purposes.
9.—The first of a series of “Science Lectures for the People,” delivered under the auspices of the Norwich Corporation through the instrumentality of the Gilchrist Educational Trust, was given at St. Andrew’s Hall by Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Astronomer Royal of Ireland, on “The Wonders of the Midnight Sky.” The second lecture, entitled “A Bank Holiday in the Country,” was delivered on February 21st by the Rev. W. Tuckwell, M.A., rector of Stockton, and late Fellow of New College, Oxford. (See January 14th, 1889.)
11.—A notorious poacher, named Robert Large, undergoing three months’ hard labour for an assault on a police-constable, effected his escape from the New Prison at Norwich, in company with another prisoner named Annison. The latter was arrested at Martham on the 16th, and on the following day Large was re-taken.
24.—A heavy fall of snow occurred, and on the 25th the ground was covered to the depth of several inches.
MARCH.
1.—Jim Mace, “retired champion of the world,” appeared at Norwich Theatre in a series of exhibition sparring contests with Wolf Bendoff, Pooley Mace, and Mike Jennett. The entertainment was repeated on the 2nd and 3rd.
3.—Lord Harris, Under-Secretary for War and chairman of the Grand Council, addressed a Primrose League meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.
6.—Hengler’s Grand Cirque opened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.
8.—Died, at his residence, St. Giles’ Street, Norwich, Mr. Charles Suckling Gilman, in his 81st year. Mr. Gilman for many years spent an active and busy life in the city. He initiated the Norwich Law Students’ Amicable Society, founded the Norfolk and Norwich Aquatic Club, whose members at one time engaged in rowing contests with the crews of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and aided the inauguration of the Norwich Athenæum. In 1834 Mr. Gilman founded the Militia Substitute Insurance Association, and after the memorable hailstorm in August, 1843, he established the General Hailstorm Insurance Society. In 1846 he became the leading promoter and secretary of the Norwich Mutual Marine Insurance Society, in 1849 he founded the Norfolk Farmers’ Cattle Insurance Society, and in 1856 assisted his son, Mr. C. R. Gilman, in the formation of the Norwich and London Accident Insurance Association. Mr. Gilman was the last surviving member of the Norwich Corporation of pre-Reform days, having been elected for the Wymer Ward in March, 1830. For some time he was a member of the new Corporation, a revising assessor and member of the old Court of Guardians, and a member of the old Paving Commission. Mr. Gilman was engaged with Mr. Joseph John Gurney and others in founding and organizing the Norwich District Visiting Society, and was one of the oldest life governors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and a member of the Festival Committee and of the Committees of the Blind Institution, the Norfolk and Norwich Eye Infirmary, the Norfolk and Norwich Dispensary, and the Jenny Lind Infirmary. With Mr. John Henry Gurney and Sir Samuel Bignold, he took an active part in the formation of the original Norwich Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gilman was descended from an old Norfolk family which goes back into the sixteenth century, and one of his maternal ancestors was the great Norfolk hero, Nelson.
—The first of a series of “Health Lectures for the People,” arranged by the Corporation of Norwich, was delivered at Prince’s Street Lecture Hall by Mr. S. H. Burton. The subject was “Healthy Homes and how to keep them so.” On the 15th Mr. Donald Day lectured on “Foods and Drinks,” and on the 22nd Dr. S. J. Barton on “Personal Health.”
10.—The silver wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales was celebrated in Norwich and the county. Congratulatory addresses were adopted by the Corporations of Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn; and on April 2nd the citizens of Norwich presented their Royal Highnesses with replicas of portions of the Corporation plate. Presents were also given by the tenants on the Sandringham estate and by the West Norfolk Hunt. In commemoration of the event the Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. Harmer and Mr. Bagshaw) entertained 950 of the aged poor of the city to dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall; and on August 24th Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., gave a treat to the inmates of the Workhouse.
22.—Died, at his residence, Willow Lane, Norwich, Mr. Charles Goodwin, formerly house surgeon of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Mr. Goodwin held important posts in connection with other city charities, and was on the commission of the peace for Norwich.
23.—At the Norwich Police Court, Mr. Edward Burgess, accompanied by several members of the committee of the Unemployed Relief Fund, applied for the issue of a summons for libel against the Norwich District Visiting Society and the editor of the Norfolk Chronicle. The newspaper had published an article in which the committee were referred to “as certain persons who are not entitled to constitute themselves almoners of the general public as an excuse for pursuing their favourite policy of sending round the hat and beating a drum in the manner of other mountebanks.” This article had been reprinted and circulated by the officers of the Visiting Society. The magistrates were of opinion that the article was not libellous, and dismissed the application.
APRIL.
1.—Died suddenly, at his residence, Bank Plain, Norwich, Mr. Arthur Preston, solicitor. He was the youngest son of Mr. John Preston, of Great Yarmouth (who was twice Mayor of that borough), and was born on July 3rd, 1819. After serving his articles with Mr. Roger Kerrison he was admitted a solicitor in 1842, and from 1844 to 1864, when Mr. Kerrison died, he was in partnership with him. Mr. Preston was appointed Clerk to the Burials Board in 1861, and held the office until his death; he had been a director of the Norwich Union Life Insurance Society since 1867, and president since 1885; and he was the Norwich solicitor to the British Gas Light Company, Limited, to which office he was appointed in 1864. Mr. Preston was twice married—in 1854 to Maria, daughter of Mr. Robert Waters, and in 1869 to Louisa Jane, daughter of the Rev. J. Culling Evans, of Stoke Pogis, Buckinghamshire. He left a family of five sons and three daughters.
—An outbreak of fire at West Beckham Workhouse caused damage to the amount of £1,500.
5.—The proceedings of the Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, and concluded on the 6th.
16.—The E and D Troops of the 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars marched from Norwich Cavalry Barracks for Hampton Court and Kensington. The remaining troops left on the 26th, on which day three troops of the 20th Hussars marched in under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Blake.
21.*—“A party of emigrants, numbering sixty, from parishes in the neighbourhood of Diss, have left this week for Canada.”
28.—Died, at 19, Hanover Terrace, Ladbroke Square, London, Lieut.-Colonel George Black, formerly Chief Constable of Norfolk, in his 79th year. It was on October 20th, 1852, that Colonel (then Captain) Black, a half-pay officer of the Royal Staff Corps, who had seen service as adjutant in Canada, was appointed to the command of the Norfolk Constabulary, and he held the post until the autumn of 1880, when he retired on a pension. For sixteen or seventeen years Colonel Black held the command of the Norwich Rifle Battalion in succession to Colonel Brett. At the funeral, which took place at Willesden Cemetery on May 2nd, the coffin was borne to the grave by six superintendents of the Norfolk Constabulary.
MAY.
2.—Nine cottages were destroyed by fire at Hockering. Most of the furniture and belongings of the occupants were consumed, and a public subscription was opened for the relief of the sufferers.
19.—The Norfolk Artillery Volunteer Brigade went into camp at Yarmouth under the command of Lieut.-Colonel H. M. Leathes.
22.—Died, at Norwich, Mr. John Betts, in his 89th year. The head of a large wholesale and retail drapery establishment, he was appointed Sheriff in 1844, elected Mayor in 1845, and placed on the commission of the peace in 1848.
24.—Died, at Bracondale, Norwich, Major-General James Cockburn, formerly of the 79th Cameron Highlanders, aged 77. He was second son of Major-General James Patteson Cockburn, of the Royal Artillery, and was born in Norwich when his father was stationed there in 1810. After serving in Canada he received the appointment of staff officer of pensioners in the Norwich District, from which post he retired in 1877. General Cockburn was a justice of the peace for the city, and vice-president of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society.
—The members of the British Dairy Farmers’ Association arrived at Trowse railway station, and visited Carrow Abbey, where they were entertained to luncheon by Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P. After inspecting the Whitlingham herd, they proceeded to Norwich, and held a conference at the Agricultural Hall. In the evening the members dined at the Royal Hotel under the presidency of Mr. Clare Sewell Read; and on the 25th proceeded by train to King’s Lynn and Sandringham.
30.—The Earl of Leicester presided at a public meeting at Norwich, and made an eloquent appeal on behalf of a fund for the enlargement and reconstruction of the Blind Institution. The cost of the proposed work was estimated at £4,000. (See October 16th, 1891.)
JUNE.
12.—An inter-county match between teams of twenty men each took place on the occasion of the annual meeting at Yarmouth of the Norfolk Volunteer Service Association. Total scores: Suffolk, 1,711; Lincolnshire, 1,697; Norfolk, 1,652; Essex, 1,557.
18.—The staff of the 4th Battalion Norfolk Regiment left Yarmouth and took up their quarters at the Infantry Depot known as the Britannia Barracks, Norwich.
19.—The Norwich Town Council adopted an address of condolence with the Queen and with the Empress of Germany on the death of the German Emperor. Similar addresses were passed by the Corporations of Yarmouth and Lynn.
21.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at East Dereham. Mr. R. T. Gurdon, M.P., presided at the luncheon. The show was continued on the 22nd.
28.—The church of St. Thomas, Heigham, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. The building was designed by Mr. Ewan Christian, of London, and erected by Mr. G. E. Hawes, at the total cost of £6,600.
30.—Dr. S. J. Barton was elected an honorary physician of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital in place of Sir Peter Eade, who retired from the post of senior physician. Dr. Beverley was elected honorary surgeon to fill the vacancy occasioned by the resignation of Mr. T. W. Crosse.
JULY.
5.—A severe thunderstorm, accompanied by heavy rain and hail, occurred in Norfolk.
7.—Died, at East Dereham, Mr. Samuel Bates, who was born in that town in 1789. He started in business in the Market Place in 1814, and was a subscriber to the dinner held in 1815 on the occasion of the celebration of peace. In 1809 he witnessed and took part in the festivities connected with the Jubilee of George III., and seventy-seven years later participated in the celebration of the Jubilee of Queen Victoria.
9.—The Mayor (Mr. F. W. Harmer) opened, at the rooms of the Norwich Art Circle, Queen Street, a loan collection of works by John Sell Cotman.
14.*—“Lieut.-Colonel William Earle Gascoyne Lytton Bulwer is gazetted to the command of the Eastern Counties Volunteer Brigade.”
21.—At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Deputy-Mayor (Sir Harry Bullard), a local branch was established of the National Association for the Employment of Reserve and Discharged Soldiers.
—The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions of the Norfolk Regiment went into camp at Great Yarmouth. The marching in state was 2,000.
24.—The Fellows of the Huguenot Society of London held their summer conference at Norwich. The proceedings were continued on the 25th.
AUGUST.
6.—The Norwich Cricket Week commenced on this date, and concluded on the 11th. The principal match of the week was Norfolk v. Parsees. Scores: Norfolk, 138–73; Parsees, 78–129. Sir Kenneth Kemp’s amateur theatrical company appeared at the Theatre on the 8th in “The Porter’s Knot” and “To Oblige Benson”; on the 10th the comedy was repeated, and a “Cups and Saucers” was produced as an after-piece.
10.—Upwards of 10,000 people were present at a Primrose League fête given at Houghton Park by Mr. E. Kenyon-Stow. Addresses were delivered by Lord Henry Bentinck, M.P., Mr. Weston Jarvis, M.P., and Mr. Whitmore, M.P.
18.—Died, at Norwich, Mr. Henry Stevenson, F.L.S. He was the youngest son of Mr. Seth William Stevenson, and was born at Surrey Street, Norwich, March 30th, 1833. Educated at King’s College School, London, he became, on attaining his majority, a co-partner in the proprietorship of the Norfolk Chronicle, and at the age of 22 was elected honorary secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum, a position which he filled with marked ability to the close of his life. Volume I. of his standard work, “The Birds of Norfolk,” was published in December, 1866, and Volume II. in September, 1870; and Volume III. was in course of publication at the time of his death. His other literary work included a memoir of his friend, the Rev. Richard Lubbock, M.A., rector of Eccles, published with a revised edition of Lubbock’s “Fauna of Norfolk,” edited by Mr. T. Southwell (1879), and numerous contributions to the Transactions of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Society, of which he was one of the founders, and filled the office of president in 1871–72. Mr. Stevenson was appointed Sheriff of Norwich in 1875. He married, in 1856, Eliza Dangerfield, stepdaughter of Mr. Edward Slater, who died from injuries received in a carriage accident on July 17th, 1862; his second wife was Ann Emilia, eldest daughter of Mr. Wm. Self, surgeon, of Hackney.
30.—Lord Walsingham killed to his own gun, on his small moor at Blubberhouses, Yorkshire, 1,058 grouse. Of these, 1,036 were taken home the same night, and 22 were picked up the following day. “The record of his having killed 842 grouse to his own gun on August 28th, 1872, had been so freely disputed by many persons, who professed to regard it as a physical impossibility, that it was his lordship’s intention to prove more could be accomplished.”
SEPTEMBER.
6.—Died, at Ormesby Lodge, Sir Edmund Henry Knowles Lacon, Bart. He was the eldest son of Sir Edmund Knowles Lacon, and his wife, Eliza Dixon, eldest daughter and co-heiress of Mr. Thomas Beecroft, of Sculthorpe Hall. Born August 14th, 1807, he was educated at Eton and Emmanuel College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. in 1828 and his M.A. degree in 1831. In 1839 he married Eliza Georgiana, daughter of Mr. James Esdale Hammet, of Battersea. He succeeded to the baronetcy in 1839. Sir Edmund was first returned to Parliament for the borough of Yarmouth in 1852. At the next General Election, in March, 1857, Mr. McCallagh and Mr. E. A. Watkin gained the representation of the constituency by a narrow majority over Sir Edmund and his colleague, the Hon. Charles Smyth Vereker, son of Viscount Gort. A petition was presented, and a Committee of the House of Commons declared the election void. Thereupon Sir Edmund issued an address, but subsequently followed the example of Mr. Vereker, and retired, so that Serjeant (afterwards Mr. Justice) Mellor and Mr. Adolphus W. Young had a walk-over. On the dissolution taking place in 1859 he and Sir Henry Stracey defeated Messrs. Watkin and Young; a petition and enquiry followed, but they were declared duly elected. In 1865 Sir Henry Stracey retired, leaving Sir Edmund with Mr. James Goodson as his colleague, and both were returned in opposition to Mr. Alexander Brogden and Mr. Philip Vanderbyl, who presented a petition, which, though the sitting members were undisturbed, resulted in the Committee reporting that they had reason to believe corrupt practices had prevailed. A Royal Commission and the disfranchisement of the borough followed. Then came the Reform and Redistribution Acts of 1868, under which the county of Norfolk was divided into three parts, and Yarmouth was merged in the Northern Division. At the first election under the new arrangement Sir Edmund Lacon and his colleague, the Hon. Frederick Walpole, were returned, notwithstanding the powerful opposition of the Liberal party, who had brought forward Mr. Edmond R. Wodehouse and Mr. R. T. Gurdon. A petition was presented, and failed. In 1869 Sir Edmund was presented by his constituents with a piece of silver plate weighing 900 ozs., and valued at upwards of £600, in recognition of his services to the Conservative cause. In 1874 he and Mr. Walpole were returned unopposed, and in 1880 there was again no contest, when Sir Edmund and Mr. (afterwards Sir Edward) Birkbeck were elected on the death of Colonel Duff, who had succeeded Mr. Walpole. Under the redistribution scheme of 1885 Yarmouth was allowed one member, but at the next General Election Sir Edmund retired, and Sir H. W. Tyler was elected in his stead. Sir Edmund Lacon was senior partner in the banking firm of Lacons, Youells, and Co., and in the extensive brewery of Lacons and Co. On the death of Lord Sondes in 1875 he was appointed High Steward of Yarmouth; he was a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk and a magistrate for Norfolk and Suffolk. Sir Edmund was formerly Colonel Commandant, and at the time of his death Honorary Colonel, of the East Norfolk Militia.
9.—A serious fire occurred at the Orchard Street Saw Mills, Norwich, occupied by Messrs. Cunnington Bros, timber merchants. Considerable damage was done to the machinery and stock-in-trade, and a large building was destroyed.
11.—The detachment of Royal Engineers, who had for ten years been engaged on the Ordnance Survey, left Norwich for York. The work in Norfolk was completed in 1883, and it was found that very little alteration was needed in the map drawn thirty or forty years previously. The survey of the northern half of Cambridgeshire was then commenced and was completed in 1885; this was followed by the survey of a portion of Huntingdonshire and Northamptonshire, including the city of Peterborough; and finally the southern half of Lincolnshire, which was finished in April, 1887. The detachment, including women and children, numbered 120, and the official papers, books, &c., weighed between 30 and 40 tons. The first commanding officer was Captain Macpherson, who was succeeded by Captain Day and by Major Washington.
20.—The new Hospital, erected at Dene Side, Yarmouth, was publicly opened by Sir James Paget, the distinguished physician, a native of the town. The total cost of the institution was estimated at £10,750.
OCTOBER.
19.—A great Conservative demonstration took place at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in connection with a conference of the Eastern Division of the National Union of Conservative Associations. Lord Walsingham presided, and Sir John Gorst, Q.C., M.P., Under Secretary for India, was the principal speaker.
NOVEMBER.
2.—Died, Sir Lewis Whincop Jarvis, in his 72nd year. He was a son of Mr. Lewis Weston Jarvis, and a grandson of Mr. Robert T. Whincop, a former Town Clerk of Lynn. For more than fifty years he carried on business as a banker and solicitor in his native town of Lynn, and on January 15th, 1878, received the honour of knighthood in recognition of the many eminent services he had rendered to the borough. He married, in 1850, Emma, daughter of Mr. Alexander Bowker, by whom he left issue five sons and a daughter. Sir Lewis was an alderman of Lynn, and was Mayor for three successive years, 1860–63.
9.—At the meeting of the Norwich Town Council Mr. Alexander Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor of the city, but upon his declining to qualify Mr. Joshua Farrar Ranson was chosen. Mr. George White was appointed Sheriff.
—The Marquis of Salisbury was appointed High Steward of the borough of Great Yarmouth.
10.—The Gorleston lifeboat, the Refuge, was capsized whilst upon salvage service, and of her crew four were drowned.
13.—Mr. Harry Furniss delivered at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, a lecture on “Art and Artists.”
15.—Upton church, which had been restored at the cost of £1,122, was re-opened by the Bishop of Norwich.
26.—At Blofield Petty Sessions, Jeremiah Cozens Wiley, farmer, of Little Plumstead; Samuel Rose, farm steward; William Feek and Thomas Powley, labourers, of the same place, were summoned on the information of John Ford, an inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for “unlawfully ill-treating and torturing 16 bullocks by dishorning them on October 8th and 15th.” Mr. Colam, barrister-at-law, prosecuted on behalf of the society, and Mr. H. J. Gidney, of Aylsham, defended. The case excited great interest, and the court was crowded by a large number of scientific witnesses and leading agriculturists. The act of dishorning the animals was admitted by the defendants, and in support of the contention of the prosecution that the operation was unnecessary and cruel were called Professor Walley, principal of the Edinburgh Veterinary College; Professor McCall, principal of the Glasgow Veterinary College; Professor F. Collins, F.R.C.V.S., Mr. G. A. Lepper, F.R.C.V.S, Professor Pritchard, President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London; Mr. Cox, F.R.C.V.S., Professor J. McQueen, and several local veterinary surgeons. It was urged in defence that the operation, although painful, was necessary and humane, because it prevented cattle injuring each other with their horns. Several prominent agriculturists and graziers, including Mr. Clare Sewell Read, Mr. B. B. Sapwell, and Mr. William Case, gave evidence in support of this view. The magistrates dismissed the informations, and the chairman (Mr. Edward Gilbert) said “they considered the operation a most painful one, but they did not suppose that Mr. Wiley did it with any cruel intention towards the animals on which the operation was performed. If it went forth to the public that it was advisable to have polled cattle it would be seen also that it was advisable that the animals should be operated upon at an earlier stage.” (See April 16th, 1889.)
29.—Mr. J. L. Toole commenced a three nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre as Mr. Milliken, M.A., in the comedy of “The Don.” The pieces produced on the 30th and on December 1st were “The Butler,” “The Spitalfields Weaver,” “Paul Pry,” and “Ici On Parle Français.”
DECEMBER.
1.—The weather was very mild at this date. “That 1888 will be noted as an extraordinary year in the meteorological annals of this country is a fact requiring no demonstration—snow in harvest and blossoming primroses in the open air on the eve of December, February rains throughout the summer months, and March gales in November.” A correspondent, writing to “The Times,” on December 3rd, stated: “I am still supplied with green peas grown in my garden at Brundall, the roses are all in flower; the fields abound in primroses and wild flowers.” The cuckoo was said to have been heard at North Elmham on December 6th. In Norwich primroses and other vernal flowers were in full bloom on Christmas eve, and strawberries were gathered at Swainsthorpe on Christmas morning.
5.—The Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales arrived at Didlington Hall on a visit to Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., and left on the 8th.
10.—Lieut.-Colonel Foster was presented with a gold watch, subscribed for by past and present members of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, on his retirement from the corps, after twenty-five years’ service.
22.—A public inquiry was held at the Guildhall Norwich, by Mr. Charles Chapman, Assistant Commissioner under the Royal Commission on market rates and tolls, into the circumstances of markets and fairs in the city. Statements were made by many of the leading citizens. A similar inquiry was held at Yarmouth.
29.—The Norfolk County Club, whose quarters were originally at the Royal Hotel, and subsequently in St. Giles’ Street, having purchased the old Bank House, Upper King Street, Norwich, the reconstruction of the premises for the purposes of the club was completed on this date under the superintendence of Mr. Edward Boardman. The house was formerly the residence of Mr. Anthony Hudson, and was afterwards known as Greyfriars’ College.
31.—Mr. Henry Birkbeck, on the completion of the fiftieth year of his connection with the banking-house of Gurneys, Birkbecks, Barclay, and Buxtons, “the Norwich and Norfolk Bank,” was presented by the managers and clerks with a silver salver in commemoration of the event.
1889.
JANUARY.
3.—The Norfolk magistrates met at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the last time for the discharge of the general business of the county. Mr. J. R. Bulwer, Q.C., presided. On the motion of Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., seconded by Mr. C. S. Read, a vote of thanks was accorded to the senior Chairman, Mr. R. T. Gurdon, “for the impartial, courteous, and punctual manner in which he has discharged the various duties appertaining to the office of Chairman during the eighteen years in which he has with marked ability presided over this Court.” One of the last acts of the Court was to grant to the Under-Sheriff (Mr. Hales) the sum of £700 towards the expenses of the County Council elections, which took place on January 24th. The first meeting of the Norfolk Provisional County Council was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, on February 7th. Mr. Gurdon was elected provisional chairman by 37 votes against 18 recorded for Lord Kimberley. After the election of aldermen the meeting was adjourned until February 16th, when Mr. Gurdon was elected permanent Chairman by 53 votes against 20 polled by Lord Kimberley. Lord Walsingham was elected Vice-Chairman. It was reported that the cost of the elections was £3,308 4s. 6d. The first meeting of the fully-constituted Council took place at the Shirehall on April 13th; and on December 14th it adopted a comprehensive scheme for the management of the main roads of the county.
—A regimental ball, given by the officers of the 20th Hussars, took place at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.
9.—A meeting of the citizens was held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, for the consideration of the Norwich Corporation Bill, which, during the preceding year the Town Council had decided to present to Parliament. The Mayor (Mr. J. Farrar Ranson) presided, and the proceedings were of a most disorderly character. At the adjourned meeting on the 23rd similar scenes were witnessed. The Bill, which was very comprehensive, and contained provisions relating to infectious diseases, police regulations, private street works, hackney carriages, the employment of children, consolidation of parishes, &c., passed through Select Committee of the House of Commons on June 18th.
14.—The first of another series of “Science Lectures for the People” was given, under the Gilchrist Educational Trust, at St. Andrew’s Hall by Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Astronomer Royal for Ireland, on “The Sun, the Fountain of life and Light.” Dr. Lant Carpenter, on January 28th, lectured upon “Electric Lighting”; Dr. Andrew Wilson, February 9th, on “Some Animal Architects: Chalk Builders and Coral Makers”; Professor Miall, February 25th, on “The Life-history of the Earth”; Professor Seeley, March 11th, on “Water and its Action in Land-shaping”; and the Rev. Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S., F.L.S., president of the Royal Microscopical Society, March 25th, on “Contrasts of Nature—the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Small.” The Corporation in December arranged a series of lectures independently of the Gilchrist Trust. On the 4th of that month Sir Robert Ball lectured on “Shooting Stars,” and on the 18th Dr. Andrew Wilson discoursed on “The Heart and its Action.” (See March 5th, 1890.)
21.—The freemen of Norwich unanimously agreed that it was undesirable to take any steps in opposition to the Attorney-General’s motion for declaring the Town Close Estate a charity. In the Court of Appeal, on June 22nd, before Lords Justices Cotton, Bowen, and Fry, Mr. Ingle Joyce informed their lordships that a scheme was to be devised for the management of the estate; the Corporation were to retain a sufficient sum to cover their costs, and the plaintiffs in the action were to have their costs as between party and party. Their lordships sanctioned the agreement. “All that now remains to be done in the original action is to settle the roll by striking off the names of freemen wrongfully admitted.” At a meeting of the Town Council on August 27th it was reported that the estimated costs in the litigation amounted to £5,000. (See February 6th, 1892.)
23.—Died, at Yarmouth, Mrs. Rose Ellen Thackeray, widow of the Rev. Joseph Thackeray, many years rector of Horstead and Coltishall. Mrs. Thackeray, who was in her 79th year, was the authoress of “Social Skeletons,” and “Pictures of the Past,” and a contributor of poetical sketches to various magazines. She was the youngest daughter of Captain John Robinson, of the Scots Guards.
24.—Mr. and Mrs. Kendall commenced a three nights’ engagement at Norwich Theatre in “The Queen’s Shilling.” “A Scrap of Paper” was performed on the 25th, and “Two Friends” on the 26th.
26.—Died, at St. Andrew’s Hall Plain, Norwich, Mr. Alfred Stannard, artist, in his 83rd year. He was the last survivor of the Norwich School of Artists, which commenced with Old Crome. He was the younger brother of the famous Joseph Stannard, and father of Miss Stannard, the well-known painter of fruit and flowers. During the last few years of his life Mr. Stannard was in receipt of an annual pension of £50 from the Turner Fund of the Royal Academy.
26.—Died, at the Cathedral Close, Norwich, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, widow of Mr. John Oddin Taylor, aged 81. She was the eldest of the twelve children of Mr. John Brewer, of Mile End House, Eaton. Among her brothers were Professor Brewer, Preacher at the Rolls-Chapel, and editor of the State Papers of the time of Henry VIII.; Dr. William Brewer, Chairman of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and sometime Member of Parliament for Colchester; and Dr. Cobham Brewer, the well-known author of the “Guide to Science” and other educational works. Born on November 9th, 1807, she was educated with her brothers at Mile End School, and there acquired that proficiency in the classics and love of literature generally which she maintained and cherished throughout her life. Among the pupils attending her father’s school was John Oddin Taylor, who was destined to become her husband. Early in life she manifested an ardent enthusiasm for music, and studied under Dr. Crotch, and for her great proficiency in the art was on two occasions awarded a medal. With her high intellectual gifts were combined broad and liberal sympathies, and she won the confidence and affection of all.
29.—Mr. T. P. O’Connor, M.P., addressed a Gladstonian Liberal meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. J. J. Colman.
FEBRUARY.
5.—A series of military tournaments, given by the 20th Hussars in aid of the city charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 9th.
9.—A severe gale did great damage to the fishing fleet in the North Sea. Several Yarmouth fishermen were drowned. Heavy snowstorms occurred on the 10th.
20.—At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Field, George Edward Brock (46), solicitor, was sentenced to ten months’ imprisonment for obtaining money by false pretences.
21.—A murderous attack was made upon Police-constable Southgate, of the Norwich police, by a man named Joseph Betts, who in 1883 was charged with sending threatening letters to the Bishop of Norwich and Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., signed “Another Invincible.” Southgate was returning from night duty at 6.35 a.m., when he was accosted by Betts, who fired a revolver at him, the bullet passing between his left arm and the side of his body. Betts then withdrew to his house in Northumberland Street, where he barricaded himself. Several police-officers went to the house to effect his apprehension; a ladder was procured, and while Inspector Guiett was preparing to ascend to the bedroom window Betts appeared above and deliberately fired at the officer. The bullet struck the leather peak of the inspector’s cap, and, glancing off, inflicted a superficial wound upon his head. Ultimately the prisoner was captured by a ruse, and removed to the police-station. On March 1st he was committed for trial. Betts was tried at the Norwich Assizes on July 20th on the charge of firing a pistol at Police-constable Southgate with intent to murder him. He was found guilty of intent to do grievous bodily harm, and was sentenced by Lord Chief Justice Coleridge to fifteen years’ penal servitude. The prisoner was afterwards removed to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
—Died, at Ashill Rectory, the Rev. Bartholomew Edwards, “within ten days of his 100th year.” Born on March 2nd, 1789, he graduated at St. John’s College, Cambridge, taking his B.A. degree (7th Sen. Opt.) in 1811. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Bathurst at Norwich in 1812, and priest in 1813. In the last-named year he received his only preferment, which he held for 76 years. Mr. Edwards, who was the oldest clergyman in the Church of England, was a rural dean, a justice of the peace, and a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk. He recorded his vote at the County Council election on January 24th, and caught a chill; congestion of the lungs supervened, and this attack was the immediate cause of his death.
27.—The Marquis of Hartington visited Norwich and addressed a large meeting of the Unionist party held at St. Andrew’s Hall. The Earl of Leicester presided, and was supported by several representatives of the nobility and county gentry.
MARCH.
5.—Hengler’s Circus company commenced a season’s engagement at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich. Mr. George Gilbert, a native of the city, and Miss Jennie O’ Brien (Mrs. Gilbert), members of the company, were enthusiastically received at the opening performance.
19.—The Norwich Town Council unanimously adopted a farewell address to the Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn on his resignation of the Deanery of Norwich. The address was presented to Dean Goulburn at the Deanery on April 23rd by the Mayor (Mr. J. Farrar Ranson), who was accompanied by the Sheriff (Mr. G. White) and other members of the Corporation. (See July 5th.)
APRIL.
2.—The new lifeboat, Mark Lane, presented to the National Lifeboat Institution by traders at Mark Lane, was launched at Yarmouth.
—Captain Wiggins, F.R.G.S., lectured at Norwich, upon his experiences in the Arctic Seas and Siberia. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., F.Z.S., F.L.S., who presided, introduced the lecturer as a native of the city. Captain Wiggins referred to the fact that forty-three years previously he lived as a boy at Norwich, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to return to his native town to tell them of things which he never dreamed of years ago. On the previous day Captain Wiggins was received at Marlborough House by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
9.—The Sheriff of Norwich and Mrs. White gave a soirée at St. Andrew’s Hall, at which many residents in the city and county were present.
12.—The Earl of Rosebery addressed a great Gladstonian meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Kimberley. His lordship, after making an eloquent speech in favour of Home Rule, entered Mr. J. J. Colman’s carriage, and, preceded by two brass bands, and escorted by torchbearers, was driven to Carrow House.
13.—Died, at Mill Hill Road, Norwich, aged 60, Mr. James Darkin, a well-known music seller, who had been the means of introducing to the city many talented singers and musicians.
16.—In the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, before Lord Coleridge and Mr. Justice Hawkins, was mentioned the case, Ford v. Wiley. This case arose out of the question whether the operation of dishorning cattle, i.e., sawing off their horns at the roots, was cruelty within the meaning of the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Blofield Bench of magistrates had ruled in the negative. Lord Coleridge said: “All that we have to say for the present is that we have made up our minds distinctly and clearly to give judgment reversing the decision of the magistrates, holding as we do that the practice of dishorning is unlawful. But as we differ from several judgments we think it only respectful to the learned judges who decided those cases to say that we have duly considered everything they have said on the subject, and therefore we have thought right to take time to put our judgment into writing (though we entirely agree in it), and we will deliver judgment early in the next sitting.” On May 18th the Lord Chief Justice, in delivering judgment, said the operation of dishorning was detestably brutal, and it was also unnecessary except to enable its owner to obtain a pound or two more for the animal on its sale. Mr. Justice Hawkins concurred, and the case was remitted to the magistrates for further hearing.
23.—The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise, arrived at Sandringham on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales. His Royal Highness, with whom was Prince Albert Victor, welcomed her Majesty at Lynn railway station, where she was presented with an address by the Mayor (Mr. G. G. Sadler) on behalf of the Corporation of the borough. On driving from Wolferton station to Sandringham House her Majesty was escorted by a large number of the members of the Norfolk Hunt, headed by Sir Dighton Probyn; and in the grounds one hundred men of the Norfolk Artillery formed a guard of honour. The officers in attendance were Colonel Lord Suffield, Major Dawson, Lieutenant the Hon. H. Tyrwhitt Wilson, and Lieutenant Lombe. On the 22nd her Majesty visited the Artillery camp in the park, and drove to Castle Rising and inspected the ruins; on the 23rd several of the neighbouring villages were visited, and in the afternoon the Queen received a deputation of the tenantry on the estate, who presented to her a loyal address; and on the evening of the 26th her Majesty witnessed a performance of “The Bells” and “The Merchant of Venice,” given by Mr. Henry Irving, Miss Ellen Terry, and the Lyceum Company. Her Majesty returned to Windsor on the 27th.
25.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Bishop of the Diocese, and was continued on the 26th.
26.—The phonograph, described as “Edison’s wonderful talking machine,” was exhibited for the first time in Norwich, “with a unique library of voices,” by Mr. William Lynd, M.I.C.E.
MAY.
7.—Died, at Norwich, aged 36, Mr. Edward Preston Willins, A.R.I.B.A. He was the youngest son of Mr. William Willins, and published a handsome volume, entitled, “Quaint Old Norwich,” a work much sought after by local collectors.
9.—Lieutenant Campbell, Quartermaster of the 20th Hussars, was accidentally drowned in the Yare by the capsizing of his sailing boat, near Buckenham Ferry. His wife, who was with him at the time of the accident, was saved by his servant, Private Moore. Mr. Campbell was 33 years of age, and had been in the regiment since 1872. He had served through the Egyptian campaigns, and had received the Egyptian and Khedive’s stars and the clasp for Suakim. His remains were interred at Norwich Cemetery with full military honours on the 13th. Private Moore on June 11th was presented at the Cavalry Barracks, on the occasion of a full-dress parade of the regiment, with the silver medal and certificate of the Royal Humane Society, handed to him by Colonel Blake, the officer commanding; and with a purse, containing £45, presented by the Mayor (Mr. J. Farrar Ranson) on behalf of the citizens.
24.—The western portion of the Castle Gardens at Norwich was thrown open to the public at noon.
27.—Lydia Baker, widow, of Alburgh, completed her 100th year, and was entertained with her nearest relatives at the rectory by the Rev. C. W. and Mrs. Lohr. Among the many presents received by the old lady was a stocking containing 100 shillings.
27.—Died, at Longford, Derby, the Hon. Edward Wentworth Coke, aged 64. A son of the first Earl of Leicester, he for five years represented the old Division of West Norfolk, for which he was elected on August 16th, 1847, as a Liberal, in conjunction with Mr. William Bagge, the Tory and Protectionist. Mr. Coke was formerly a captain, in the Scots Fusiliers, and was widely known as a breeder of shire horses.
JUNE.
1.—Heavy and destructive thunderstorms occurred throughout Norfolk, and especially in the western portion of the county. Immense damage was done to the growing crops.
6.—The Church of England portion of Attleborough Cemetery was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. The ceremony had been delayed by a prolonged and unpleasant controversy.
8.—The 1st Volunteer Brigade Norfolk Artillery went into camp at Yarmouth. During the night of the 9th tents and marquees were overturned by a heavy gale from the north, accompanied by torrents of rain. The camp was struck on the 12th.
18.—The Norwich Town Council decided to purchase the Carrow Bridge undertaking, under powers conferred by the new Corporation Act, at a cost not exceeding £3,000, towards which sum Messrs. J. and J. Colman offered to contribute £1,500.
19.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association opened at Swaffham. Mr. Anthony Hamond was president.
21.—The Sheriff of Norwich and Mrs. White entertained 700 of the aged poor of the city to dinner at St. Andrew’s Hall in celebration of the marriage of their daughter, Miss Ellen Constance White.
—Died, at Antingham Rectory, the Rev. John Dolphin, in his 85th year. “He was among the few survivors of the University elevens that first competed for cricketing honours in the year 1827, when he played as an old Etonian captain for Cambridge.”
22.—An aeronaut named Grais made a balloon ascent from the Newmarket Road Cricket Ground, Norwich, and upon attaining an altitude of about 3,000 feet descended by means of a parachute. Grais made a similar descent at East Dereham on August 10th.
25.—Died, at West Lodge, Easton, Mr. Edward Fountaine, aged 68. He was a son of Mr. Andrew Fountaine, of Narford Hall, and was much devoted to the pursuit of ornithology. Mr. Fountaine achieved some fame as a breeder of eagle owls and was a regular contributor to “The Ibis.”
JULY.
1.—The sale of Mr. T. Fulcher’s herd of red polled cattle was conducted at Elmham Park by Mr. John Thornton. Thirty-nine heifers realised £1,026 18s., an average of £26 6s. 7d.; and eight bulls £159 12s., an average of £19 19s.
2.—The first biennial sale of shorthorn cattle and Southdown sheep, the property of the Prince of Wales, took place at Wolferton. His Royal Highness, accompanied by Prince George of Wales, was present at the luncheon, and during the subsequent proceedings. The total amount realised for the cattle was 3,000 guineas, an average of £50 each. The sheep made high prices. Mr. John Thornton was the auctioneer.
5.—The Ven. William Lefroy, Archdeacon of Warrington, was installed Dean of Norwich in succession to the Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn, D.D., resigned. Dean Lefroy preached his first sermon at the Cathedral on October 15th, on the occasion of the festival of the Church of England Temperance Society.
10.—Died, at Walpole House, Thorpe, Mr. William Houghton Clabburn, aged 69. He was for many years a partner in the firm of Clabburn, Sons, and Crisp, shawl manufacturers, whose products achieved for Norwich a world-wide celebrity. Mr. Clabburn was chairman of the directors of the Norwich Crape Company, and served the office of Sheriff in 1866–67.
16.—The Norwich Town Council voted a loyal and dutiful address to the Prince and Princess of Wales on the approaching marriage of Princess Louise with the Earl of Fife. The wedding on the 27th was celebrated in Norwich by the ringing of St. Peter Mancroft bells, and the display of flags on public buildings. The ladies of Norfolk presented to her Royal Highness a diamond bracelet and a grand pianoforte, and the farmers on the Sandringham estate gave a handsome diamond cross.
21.—Thunderstorms were general throughout the county. At Beechamwell seventeen sheep were killed by lightning, and everywhere the ripening corn crops were greatly damaged by rain and hail.
27.—The four Volunteer Battalions of the Norfolk Regiment went into brigade camp on Rushford Heath, under the command of Brigadier-General Bulwer. The marching in state was 1,563. General Buchanan, C.B., inspected the brigade on the 30th, and the camp was struck on August 1st.
AUGUST.
1.—The chancel of Cromer church, which had been restored at the cost of £6,800, under the superintendence of Sir A. W. Blomfield, A.R.A., was re-opened.
6.—The Royal Archæological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland visited Norwich, and held its inaugural meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall. The proceedings were attended by the Mayor and Corporation and by the members of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society. The Duke of Norfolk, as president for the week, delivered an opening address; and from this day until the closing meeting on the 15th many places of interest in the city and county were visited. On the 8th the Mayor and Mrs. Hanson gave a conversazione at St. Andrew’s Hall in honour of the visit of the Institute.
7.—The Norwich Cricket Week theatrical performance, organized by Sir Kenneth Kemp, Bart., was given at the Theatre Royal. It consisted of the production of the comedy, “Upper Crust.” The piece was performed again on the 9th.
SEPTEMBER.
2.—A violent thunderstorm occurred, accompanied by torrents of rain, which did excessive damage to unharvested crops.
19.—An amateur performance of “Lady Deadlock’s Secret” was given at Norwich Theatre in aid of the funds of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Lady Monckton sustained the character of Lady Deadlock, and was supported by Mr. Charles Colnaghi, Mr. George Nugent, Mr. E. F. Nugent, Mr. C. H. Clark, Mr. Eustace Ponsonby, Mr. C. W. A Trollope, and other distinguished amateurs. The performance was repeated on the 20th.
27.—Lieut.-Colonel Bignold, leader of the Conservative party in Norwich, was presented with his portrait, painted by W. B. Richmond, A.R.A., and with an album containing an illuminated address and list of subscribers—members of the Conservative party in city and county. The presentation was made by Sir Harry Bullard at a garden party given by Colonel Bignold at Harford Lodge.
29.—Died, at St. Benedict’s Plain, Norwich, Mr. George Branwhite Jay, aged 43. He was a native of Great Yarmouth, where his father practised as surgeon. Mr. Jay devoted much time to the study of parish and other registers, and for some time before his death had been engaged in preparing for the press a work, entitled, “Transcript of St. George of Tombland Register.”
OCTOBER.
15.—A conference of members of the Church of England Temperance Society, held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, was addressed by the Bishop of London.
23.—The lifeboat Elizabeth Simpson, presented to the National Lifeboat Institution by Miss Elizabeth Simpson Stone, of Norwich, was launched at Gorleston. On the 24th the boat was towed up the river to Norwich in order that the donor, who was unable to be present at the launch, might inspect the craft.
25.—The Higher Grade School, erected in Duke Street by the Norwich School Board, was opened. Mr. A. J. Mundella, M.P., gave an address, and the Mayor, Sheriff, and members for the city also took part in the proceedings. In the evening the Sheriff (as Chairman of the School Board) and Mrs. White gave a conversazione at St. Andrew’s Hall. The school, which occupies the site of the old Duke’s Head Inn, was designed by Mr. J. H. Brown, architect to the Board, and built by Messrs. J. Youngs and Son.
—Wroxham House, the residence of Mrs. Blake-Humfrey, was destroyed by fire. Soon after the fire was discovered a great quantity of wine was stolen from the cellars, and at the Petty Sessions held at the Shirehall, Norwich, on November 2nd, seven persons were convicted of the theft. It was alleged that one of the accused was taking away the wine in a bucket.
NOVEMBER.
2.—The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture passed a resolution affirming that the suppression of pleuro-pneumonia should be placed in the hands of the Government, and that compensation for compulsory slaughter be paid out of the National Exchequer, and not from the local rates.
7.—The Baroness Burdett-Coutts delivered an address at the Guildhall, Norwich, in support of the objects of the Norwich Band of Mercy.
9.—Mr. William Howard Dakin was elected Mayor and Mr. Edward Orams appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
13.—Died, at Tunbridge Wells, in his 81st year, Sir S. Morton Peto. He received his baronetcy for having contracted, in December, 1854, to construct a railway from Balaclava to Sebastopol, and other works, without profit or remuneration for superintendence. He was Liberal member for Norwich from 1847 to 1855, and successively represented Finsbury and Bristol. Sir Morton Peto was a civil engineer, and formerly a member of the firms of Grissell and Peto and of Peto and Betts.
16.—Died, Mr. Charles Edward Tuck, of St. Giles’ Street, Norwich, and the Grove, Blofield, in his 81st year. He was the fourth son of Mr. Thomas Tuck, of Strumpshaw Hall, and for many years practised as solicitor, and took an active part in public affairs. A Conservative in polities, he was elected in 1864 Mayor of Norwich. Mr. Tuck was a justice of the peace for the city, and vice-president of the Norwich Union Fire Office.
DECEMBER.
4.—Died, at Mount Pleasant, Norwich, Mrs. E. Ling, aged 101 years.
9.—The Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh arrived at Didlington Hall on a visit to Mr. and Mrs. Tyssen Amherst.
10.—Sir Harry and Lady Bullard entertained the members of the Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club, and their friends, to a soirée given at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.
17.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council it was reported that notice had been received from the solicitor to the Norwich Tramways Company of their intention to abandon the tramway scheme authorised by the Norwich Tramway Order, 1887. (See January 19th, 1897.)
—A resolution in favour of petitioning the Queen for an Order in Council authorising the alteration in the number or boundaries of the wards of the city, was adopted by a nominal majority of the Norwich Town Council. A majority of two-thirds of the members of the Corporation was necessary in order to make the motion effective. (See July 21st, 1891.)
—Died, at Taplow, aged 62, Colonel J. E. Harvey, of Thorpe, Norwich, and Springfield, Taplow. He was the eldest son of Mr. Kerrison Harvey, and entered the Army as ensign in the 36th Regiment. He took part in the suppression of the insurrection in Cephalonia, when that island was placed under martial law in 1849, and served with the 41st Regiment in the Crimean campaign. In 1869 he was appointed staff officer of pensioners, and served in that capacity in Jersey and at Great Yarmouth until 1881, when he retired into civilian life. Colonel Harvey married, in 1858, Octavia, daughter of the Rev. Richard Stevens, vicar of Belgrave, Leicestershire.
21.—Mr. George Ginnett’s Circus opened for the season at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.
26.—Lord Hartington arrived at Westacre as the guest of Sir Henry James. After three days’ shooting his lordship proceeded to Sandringham on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales, and remained there until January 6th, 1890, when he left for Merton Hall on a shooting visit to Baron de Hirsch, the then tenant of the Hall. Lord Hartington was taken ill immediately on his arrival, and was confined to bed for nearly three weeks by severe congestion of the lungs. His lordship was enabled to return to town on January 30th.