1858.

Jan. 2nd.—Contains the following article on the Old Year:—“1857 has been a good year for our port. Our fisheries have prospered; our mercantile and shipping report is favourable; and our commercial credit has stood firm and upright against the pressure of a severe monetary crisis. We have proved the elasticity of our resources, and have demonstrated the strength and stability of our enterprise. The fashionable season has also been one on which we have to congratulate ourselves. During the summer and autumn of 1857, Yarmouth was full of visitors; our beach was crowded with company; and our hotels and lodging houses were all full. In short, on New Year’s Day we find that we can strike a balance on the right side, and look forward with hope based on the solid foundation of proved success. There is but one great drawback to the seasonable satisfaction such a state of things affords. Our political divisions have materially diminished the account in our favour, and have seriously interfered with the social harmony of the town. We have suffered ourselves to be led away into personal altercations, and have so departed from the straight road of a defined and thought-out principle. This has been a grave mistake, as we are now beginning to discover. But generally we have yet to learn that political zeal is not inconsistent with the courtesies of society, and that ill-tempered advocacy is worse than useless. Let us hope, however, that the moderate men of both political opinions, who must, we are sure, see the error of this course, will for the future guard against indiscretions, which are as inherently wrong as they are manifestly prejudicial to any cause that stands upon Principle and is supported by its own Truth. We know we express the opinion of the thinking portion of the constituency in advising an abstinence from the littleness of factious strife, and in suggesting a more elevated view of political verities, we are satisfied we are answering to the wish of the most respectable members of the opposing parties, and are explaining what is only wanting to consolidate the established prosperity of Yarmouth.”

The Hospital meeting showed a deficit of from £40 to £50 on the annual accounts.

Jan. 6th.—It was rumoured than an addition would shortly be made to the local Magistracy.

Jan. 9th.—Mr. C. J. Palmer occupied the chair at the annual Library Meeting. It was stated that there were then nearly 10,000 volumes belonging to that Institution, of which about 22 were circulated daily.

Jan. 13th.—Mr. Roach (Station-master) was, much to the regret of the inhabitants, leaving Yarmouth.

Jan. 16th.—Mr. George Danby-Palmer had presided at a dinner given to B. Fenn, Esq., when that gentleman was presented with 203 oz. of plate (value £100) by the Great Yarmouth Provident Fisherman’s Society, of which he had acted as Hon. Sec. for 30 years.

The Russian guns were to be placed at the South end of the Hall Quay.

Court “Star of the East,” A.O.F., had held its anniversary at the Regent Tavern.

Jan. 23rd.—The Rev. F. W. Johnson had been appointed minister at St. John’s Church.

A meeting of the Town Council had been held to consider the question of the proposed appointment of Justices, when Mr. E. H. L. Preston moved, and Mr. B. Fenn seconded, the adoption of a memorial to the Lord Chancellor, deprecating the proposed appointment of Messrs. P. Pullyn, D. A. Gourlay, Frederick Palmer, William T. Clarke, John Barker, and John Owles, and Mr. George Danby-Palmer moved, and Mr. Chapman seconded, an amendment in favour of such appointments, which, on a division, was lost by 25 to 5 votes. The Mayor made some warm remarks of a personal nature, which brought a similar retort from Mr. Chapman, and it was stated that “the last portion of these remarks was given amid applause in the gallery and laughter of the members, the meeting breaking up in great confusion.”

Feb. 6th.—The same question had been discussed at a meeting of Magistrates, when the Clerk was directed to apply to the Lord Chancellor for the correspondence with regard to the proposed appointments.

Feb. 10th.—This request had been declined by his Lordship, and it appeared that the Roll had been sent for, which led to a discussion of a personal character.

Feb. 13th.—The Town Council, on the motion of Mr. C. J. Palmer, seconded by Mr. Burroughs, had voted an address to the Queen on the occasion of the marriage of the Princess Royal.

A letter was read at the same meeting, stating that the Lord Chancellor had added the names of the six before mentioned gentlemen to the Commission of the Peace.

Feb. 20th.—It was proposed to extend the Marine Parade.

The 9th Regiment of Foot had left Yarmouth for Bradford. During its stay here some 200 recruits had been obtained.

Mr. Frederick Palmer had qualified as a Justice of the Peace.

St. John’s Church had been opened for service, when the Revs. F. W. Johnson and George Hills preached in the morning and afternoon respectively.

Feb. 24th.—The cost of the maintenance of the poor of the parish had increased since the passing of the 9th and 10th Vic. cap. 56 from about £9,000 to £10,376 per annum.

Messrs. J. Barker and P. Pullyn had qualified as Magistrates.

Feb. 27th.—The 24-pounders at the Batteries were to be replaced by 74 pound guns.

March 6th.—Records the death of Rear-Admiral Sir Eaton Travers, K.H., aged 70. The dates of his appointments were—Lieutenant 1804, Commander 1814, Captain 1829, Rear-Admiral 1855. He had seen much service, and was nominated a K.H. on 4th of February, 1834. He possessed the silver naval medal with one clasp, had a good service pension, and was a D.L. for the county. Sir Eaton married in April, 1815, Anne Palmer, eldest daughter of William Steward, Esq., by whom he had issue five sons and two daughters.

It was hoped that the Yarmouth and Haddiscoe Railway would be opened by the 1st of September next.

March 13th.—A dispute had arisen between the Local Board of Health and George Danby-Palmer, Esq., with regard to certain land at the south-end of the town, and Mr. Chamberlin, acting as Mr. Palmer’s solicitor, had complained to the Bench of having been assaulted by Mr. Morant (Town Surveyor), upon the “locus in quo,” and what was described as a “scene” had ensued.

March 20th.—The Naval Hospital was being fitted up for the reception of sick and wounded men from India; it was noticed that although fitted up in a similar way during the Russian war, it had never then been used.

Complaint was made of the “niggardly” way in which the Southtown Road was lighted.

March 24th.—Lord Sondes had presented a petition from the Town Council to the House of Lords on the subject of the Magisterial appointments, but after an explanation by the Lord Chancellor, who justified his action, “the subject dropped.”

March 27th.—Mr. J. S. Cobb had delivered a lecture on “Chemistry.”

April 3rd.—Mr. R. Steward had protested against the Senior Magistrate taking the chair in Petty Session as a matter of right.

April 7th.—Ten publicans had been fined for keeping their houses open at illegal hours.

April 10th.—At the appointment of Overseers, Mr. E. H. L. Preston moved the appointment of Messrs. William Green, James Borking, John Clayton, and William Harbord; and Mr. Owles proposed Mr. James H. Harrison in the place of Mr. Green. Upon the votes being taken, there appeared: For Mr. Preston’s list—The Mayor and Messrs. William Danby-Palmer, E. H. L. Preston, J. C. Smith, W. Yetts, W. Thurtell, B. Jay, W. H. Bessey, J. Fenn, William Hurry Palmer, J. Cherry, R. Steward, C. C. Aldred, J. G. Plummer, and B. Fenn; and for Mr. Owles’ list—Messrs. Geo. Danby-Palmer, J. W. Shelley, W. Johnson, R. Hammond, P. Pullyn, D. A. Gourlay, Frederick Palmer, W. T. Clarke, J. Barker, and J. Owles.

April 17th.—From 3,000 to 4,000 persons had witnessed the launch of the “Froderica,” of 600 tons burthen, from Mr. Branford’s yard.

April 24th.—St. John’s Church had been consecrated by the Lord Bishop of Norwich.

H.M.S. “Edinburgh,” 74 tons, and two gun-boats had passed through the Roads.

April 28th.—Mr. John Clowes had been returned as a Councillor for the Nelson Ward without opposition in the place of Mr. Samuel V. Moore, deceased.

May 1st.—Ninety ladies and gentlemen had attended a ball at the Town Hall.

The sum of £137 had been collected at the Consecration Services at St. John’s Church. The Communion plate and stone pulpit in this church had been paid for from the proceeds arising from the sale of the second edition of the “Story of John Brock.”

May 5th.—Reference is made to the drowning of the only son of Captain Ellis, R.N., at Southwold.

The Poor’s rate was 1s. 4d. in the £.

The Summer excursion trains had commenced running, and had brought many visitors from Norwich.

May 8th.—Seventy invalids from Colchester camp were under treatment at the Naval Hospital. The officers in charge were Captain Jervois, Commandant; Captain Naylor, Pay-master; Staff-Surgeons, Bradford and Joy, and Mr. Rippon, Purveyor.

May 15th.—Disturbances had taken place between some of the Fermanagh Militia and townsmen at Southtown, and the conduct of the Mayor was impugned with regard to his desire to repress the report of this, when Mr. de Caux vindicated the reports sent by him to the newspapers he represented.

May 22nd.—The mackerel fleet (about 100 sail) were nearly all at sea, and prices had varied from 35s. to 45s. per hundred.

The “Nil Desperandum” (500 tons) had been launched from Mr. Rust’s yard.

June 12th.—Records the death of Sir E. N. Buxton, Bart., one of the M.P’s. for East Norfolk.

June 16th.—Sir Henry Stracey, a candidate for the seat thus vacant, had met the Conservative electors at the Angel-hotel, when Mr. E. H. L. Preston occupied the chair. It was stated that “Sir Henry is a favourite in Yarmouth from the interest he has taken in all that relates to the interest of the town.”

June 19th.—The Liberals had met at the Star Hotel, Mr. B. Dowson in the chair, when a resolution accepting the Hon. Wenman Clarence Walpole Coke as the candidate in the Whig interest had been adopted.

John Berry had committed suicide by shooting himself on the South Denes.

June 26th.—Mr. Falcke (a gentleman whose father formerly lived in the town) had given subscriptions to the Hospital and the Ragged and British Schools.

June 30th.—At the County election, Mr. E. Fellowes, M.P., proposed, and Colonel Fitzroy seconded Sir H. J. Stracey, Bart., and Mr. Bulwer proposed, and Mr. Upcher seconded the Hon. Wenman C. W. Coke; the show of hands was in favour of Sir H. J. Stracey, whereupon Mr. Bulwer demanded a poll on behalf of the Hon. Mr. Coke.

July 3rd.—The poll had been declared as follows:—

The Hon. W. C. W. Coke 2933
Sir H. J. Stracey 2720
Majority 213

An analysis of the polling at Yarmouth showed—

Coke. Stracey.
Yarmouth Voters 288 301
E&W. Flegg ,, 150 195
Out ,, 36 58
Gorleston ,, 6 4
Southtown ,, 14 14

Mr. Isaac Shuckford had been elected an Alderman in the place of Alderman T. Foreman deceased.

A fight had taken place on the North Denes between Plumb (of Bungay) and Swash (of Yarmouth) for £10 a side. It lasted 1 h. and 35 min., and 93 rounds were fought. Ultimately Swash was beaten.

July 10th.—The “Minstrel” had been launched from Mr. Symonds’ and the “Success” from Mr. Chapman’s yard.

July 14th.—“Frequent collisions” were taking place between the Irish Militia and the inhabitants.

July 17th.—Britannia Pier had been opened. The Mayor attended with the “civic authorities;” on his arrival two rockets were let off and cannon were discharged. At the “dejeuner” subsequently held, C. C. Aldred and C. Cory, Esqs., presided at the tables, faced by D. A. Gourlay, and G. B. Palmer, Esqs.

A “Marine Horticultural Fête” had been held on this pier.

July 21st.—A Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk Freemasons had been held at the Priory Hall, which 150 brethren attended. Subsequently a banquet was held at the Town Hall, when P.G.M. Bro. B. Bond Cabbell presided, Bros. Sir H. J. Stracey and C. H. Chamberlin occupying the vice-chairs.

July 24th.—Fifty-seven sick and wounded soldiers, mostly Indian sufferers, had arrived at the Royal Naval Hospital.

July 28th.—It was computed that there were between 8,000 and 9,000 visitors then in the town.

There had been a heavy gale from the S.W.

July 31st.—At the Regatta, which was held from the Wellington Pier,—umpires, Lieut.-Col. Beckham and Mr. M. Butcher; hon. secretary, Mr. Henry R. Harmer;—in the first yacht race the “Violet” (J. E. Kirby) beat the “Aretion” (J. Goodson, Esq.), and the “Silver Star” (— Mann, Esq.). The following yawls competed as under:—

Came in

H.

M.

S.

Eclipse

54 ft.

6

0

32

Royal Standard

49 ft.

5

58

40

Queen Victoria

63 ft.

5

50

20

Lady Hume

59 ft.

5

54

30

Young Prince

47 ft.

withdrew

Glance

47 ft.

6

3

23

In the next race (for small yachts) the “Kestrel” (W. Butcher) beat the “Belvidere” (T. Read), “Isabella” (O. Diver), “Rover” (T. Palmer), and “Gipsy Queen” (Harcourt); there were several other races. On this occasion 1,700 persons visited the Wellington Pier, upwards of £40 was taken at the gates, and it was computed that some 12,000 persons were on the Beach; 3,000 persons visited the Victoria Gardens, where “Sam Collins” performed, and Mr. Coe had the management of the display of fireworks.

Aug. 4th.—The acting Charity Trustees, Messrs. George Danby-Palmer and Thomas Brightwen, had selected the following additional Trustees of the Town Charity Estate:—The Rev. George Hills, Sir E. H. K. Lacon, and Messrs. C. J. Palmer, J. Brightwen, B. Jay, E. H. L. Preston, C. C. Aldred, Charles Cory, William H. Palmer, R. Hammond, W. P. Dowson, W. N. Burroughs, and J. W. Shelley. Objection had been taken to the names of Sir E. H. K. Lacon and Messrs. Aldred, Cory, C. J. Palmer, E. H. L. Preston, and W. P. Dowson, and the names of Messrs. Pullyn, C. Miller, G. Blake and J. Fenn proposed as Trustees.

Aug. 7th.—At the Water Frolic, Mr. O. Diver acted as hon. secretary, and in the first match the following yachts competed:—

Endora (latteen) Cooke Horstead 13 feet
Nautilus (cutter) — Bungay 12 ,,
Clara (cutter) C. Smith Aylsham 14 ,,
Fairy Queen (latteen) R. Morton ,, 13 ,,
Unique (cutter) W. Teasdel Gorleston 14 ,,

The Endora won. In the second race the entries were:—

Belvidere T. Read Yarmouth 28 feet
Victorine J. Fiddes ,, —
Iris A. D. Stone ,, 27 „
Tantivy Messrs. Morgan Norwich 19 ,,

The Belvidere won. The third contest was for a cup, presented by D. Falcke, Esq., for shrimp boats; the “Smack” won.

During the sports Mr. Gardiner (editor of the Yarmouth Independent) was knocked overboard by the boom of Mr. Diver’s boat, but, being a swimmer, escaped with a “good ducking.”

Aug. 14th.—A meeting had been held for the purpose of establishing a “Beachman’s Institute.” The Mayor occupied the chair, and G. Harcourt, Esq., addressed the meeting at some length; Mr. Fisher and the Rev. G. Hills also took part in these proceedings.

A mirage had been seen off the coast, presenting the appearance of a number of ships sailing between two chalk cliffs, thought by some to pourtray the Isle of Wight. Nothing of a similar kind had been seen in Yarmouth for 75 years. It was noticed the weather had been close and sultry and the tides low.

Aug. 18th.—The sum of £139 18s. 6d. had been contributed for the Beachman’s Institute.

Aug. 25th.—The Norfolk Hotel, Marine Drive, had been purchased by Messrs. Hills and Underwood for the sum of £2,160.

Sept. 1st.—The sum of £448 had been subscribed for the restoration of the Nelson Monument.

About 100 vessels were then engaged in the North Sea herring fishing, the fish realising from £12 15s. to £26 per last.

George Wells Holt, Esq., who had officiated as Magistrates’ Clerk for more than 22 years, had resigned that appointment.

Mr. W. Holt (son of the late Clerk), Mr. H. R. Harmer and Mr. Costerton were candidates for the office.

Sept. 8th.—The following Magistrates attended on the appointment being filled up:—F. Worship, Esq., (Mayor), R. Hammond, B. Fenn, J. G. Plummer, W. Johnson, P. Pullyn, F. Palmer, R. Steward, D. A. Gourlay, W. T. Clarke, J. Fenn, E. H. L. Preston, B. Jay, W. H. Palmer, W. Yetts, C. C. Aldred, W. H. Bessey, G. D. Palmer, W. Thurtell, T. Brightwen, J. Owles, and J. C. Smith, Esqs., and on the motion of Mr. Hammond, seconded by Mr. Steward, Mr. William Holt was unanimously elected.

The emoluments of the office were then about £375 per annum.

Messrs. Mellor and Young, the M.P’s. for the town, had arrived, the former at the Norfolk, and the latter at the Royal Hotel.

The Artillery Militia had assembled for 21 days’ drill.

There had been further disturbances between the Fermanagh Militia and the townspeople, which had led to a conference between the Magistrates and the officer commanding that Regiment, since which the soldiers had not been allowed to enter the town after 6.30 p.m., and a picket had been stationed on the Bridge.

A fancy fair in aid of the Sailors’ Institute was being held in three marquees fronting the Norfolk Hotel.

H.M.S. “Pembroke,” 60 guns, had sailed for Harwich, after remaining in the Roads 14 days. During her stay 40 volunteers had been entered upon her books.

The King of Prussia’s yacht “Grille” had arrived in the Harbour; she was of 400 tons, and rigged as a three-masted schooner. The officers on board were Captain baron Bothwell, Lieutenants Baron St. Paul, Baron Dobenack, and Count Moate.

Sept. 15th.—The Fermanagh Militia had left Yarmouth for Bradford, and were to be succeeded by the Louth Rifles.

The comet (visible with the naked eye) was getting brighter every night.

Sept. 22nd.—One of a recently-arrived advance party of the Louth Rifles named John Carret had been found drowned in the Yare.

Sept. 25th.—Herring were selling at from £3 to £4 per last for manure.

Sept. 29th.—The subscriptions to the Races amounted to only £289 18s. 6d., leaving the balance to be raised by sale of race-cards, &c.

Mr. Colley was acting as House Surgeon at the Hospital.

Oct. 2nd.—The East Norfolk Militia had been inspected by Colonel Lewis prior to being disbanded.

The Louth Rifles, 500 strong, had arrived, and marched into the Southtown Barracks. The officers were Colonel Lord Bellew, Lieut.-Colonel Sir J. Robinson, Bart.; Major Taaffe, Adjutant Bellingham, Surgeon Dixon, Quarter-Master Edward Burke, Paymaster J. Burke, Captains O’Reiley, Smith, Singleton, and Murray, Lieutenants Evans, Osborne, Townley, Murphy, and Cormack, and Ensigns Mason, Lindsay, Standidge, O’Donald and Twentyman.

Oct. 6th.—The mortality in the town was then 23 in 1,000 persons.

Oct. 9th.—The fishing had improved, and herring was selling at from £19 5s. to £22 per last.

William Holt, Esq., had given a dinner at the Crown and Anchor to the officials connected with the Police Court.

Mr. S. J. F. Stafford had been elected Surgeon for the North District.

Oct. 16th.—The County Revision had been held before Mr. R. Couch at the Tolhouse, Mr. Clowes appearing for the Liberals and Mr. Cufaude for the Tories; also for the Borough, when Mr. Costerton appeared for the Liberals, and Mr. Cufaude for the Tories. The Liberals claimed gains on both these registers.

Oct. 20th.—It was understood that R. Steward, Esq., would be Mayor for the ensuing year.

The Mayor (with Messrs. Pilgrim and Cooper as assessors) had held the Municipal Revision, Mr. Costerton appearing for the Liberals and Mr. Cufaude for the Conservatives; the former claimed a gain of 73 on the proceedings.

Oct. 27th.—Lieutenant Mends, R.N., had been presented with a handsome gold pencil-case by the crew of H.M.S. “Dolphin,” (Revenue cruiser on this station), on his resigning his command.

Oct. 30th.—The Bishop of Norwich had confirmed 115 persons at St. Nicholas’ Church.

Nov. 3rd.—The following Councillors had been elected without opposition:—North Ward: Messrs. W. Worship and J. B. Hylton. Market Ward: Messrs. E. R. Aldred and D. A. Gourlay. Regent Ward: Messrs. R. D. Barber and R. R. B. Norman. St. George’s Ward: Messrs. R. Ferrier and B. Jay. Nelson Ward: Messrs. Charles J. Palmer and Charles Woolverton. St. Andrew’s Ward: Messrs. Robert Steward and William T. Clarke.

Captain Ryder, R.N., Government Inspector, had examined 42 pupils at the School of Navigation.

Nov. 6th.—It was “confidently reported” that the Vicar (the Rev. G. Hills) had been appointed Bishop of British Columbia.

Nov. 10th—A claim had been made by a person whose father had served in the army from 1802 to 1816, to sell excisable articles without a license, under the 56 George III. cap. 67.

Nov. 13th.—At the Council meeting held on the 9th, Mr. William H. Palmer proposed, and Mr. Hylton seconded, Robert Steward, Esq., as Mayor for the ensuing year, and he was declared unanimously elected, but as “the late Mayor was about to invest him with the chain of office, His Worship rather prematurely took hold of the chain and placed it on the seat.”

A complimentary dinner had been given by the Council to the ex-Mayor, at which C. J. Palmer, Esq., presided.

Nov. 17th.—The Mayor had dispensed with the formality of being preceded by the maces and other insignia of the Corporation in attending divine service and taking his seat on the Bench. He had also declined wearing the gold chain on the same occasions.

Nov. 20th.—Attention was directed to the “Wonders of the Microscope, published by Mr. Harmer, the photographist of Great Yarmouth.”

Dec. 4th.—The Royal National Lifeboat Institution had sent one of its 30 foot single-banked boats to this station.

The Mayor had issued invitations for a dinner at the Town Hall to 170 gentlemen connected with the town and district.

The Rev. R. H. Nevill had been appointed to the Vicarage, which was supposed to be worth some £350 per annum.

Dec. 11th.—Mr. J. H. Harrison had lent the St. George’s Hall to the tradesmen, who were getting up a concert for the benefit of the Hospital.

Dec. 15th.—The Mayor, Sir John Robinson, Bart., S. C. Marsh and C. J. Palmer, Esqs., had acted as Stewards of the first Subscription Ball, and there were also present—the Mayoress, Captain Winyard, R.N., Captain O’Reiley, Dr. Dixon, Captain Smith, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Harcourt, Mrs. and Miss Gwynne, Mrs. C. J. Palmer, Mr. Cubitt and family, Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier, Mr. W. Travers, Mr. E. and Miss Preston, Mrs. S. C. Marsh and family, Mr. H. Lacon, Mr. and Mrs. Barber and family, Mr. Jolly, Mr. F. Danby-Palmer, Mr. Bullock, Mrs. A. Thompson, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Venning, Mrs. and Miss Pearson, Dr. Button, Mr. and Mrs. Biddulph, Mrs. R. Steward, Rev. Mr. Gott and family, Mr. Harmer, &c.

Mr. J. Petts had been promoted to be Chief Coastguard Officer at Yarmouth.

Dec. 11th.—It was proposed to present Bishop Hills with a silver Communion Service.