1870.
Jan. 1st.—Charles Dashwood, Esq., had given a ball at the Assembly Rooms.
Jan. 12th.—Thomas Brightwen, Esq., had died at the age of 59.
Damage had been occasioned to several houses in the town by a heavy gale.
Jan. 26th.—Another wrecked vessel had been in contact with the Britannia Bier.
Jan. 29th.—Mr. J. H. Orde had been elected Borough Treasurer in the place of Mr. T. Brightwen deceased.
Two vessels had been in collision with the Newarp lightship.
Feb. 12th.—J. Tomlinson, Esq., had been elected Commodore of the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club.
There had been a boiler explosion at Messrs. Bracey and Son’s Ropery.
Feb. 16th.—There had been very heavy gales and much loss to the shipping.
During one of these gales the Assembly Rooms had been discovered to be on fire, and this building thus sustained damage to the extent of £700 or £800.
Feb. 19th.—A meeting had been held at the Town Hall for the relief of the poor. The Mayor presided, and the Rev. Canon Nevill, Mr. Hammond, Major Orde, Mr. W. N. Burroughs, Mr. Gorell, Mr. John Clowes, Mr. Neave, and Mr. Laws took part in the proceedings. Between £200 and £300 was raised in the room.
Feb. 26th.—The organ in the Parish Church had been re-opened. This instrument appears from the report then issued to have been built by Jordan in 1732, and previously repaired in 1812 and 1840; the repairs this time costing £820.
March 12th.—Mr. Longley had been holding an Inquiry at the Tolhouse with regard to the alleged neglect of a pauper patient by Mr. Stafford (Surgeon for the North District).
March 19th.—Messrs. Blott had been prosecuted by the Haven Commissioners for obstructing the North River, when they were defended by Mr. F. Danby-Palmer, and the case adjourned in order to effect a settlement.
March 26th.—The Rifle Corps had attended Gorleston Church, and afterwards marched round that village. This was the first time such a parade had taken place.
April 9th.—Captain Smyth, R.N., and Captain Dent, R.N., had been promoted to the rank of Admiral.
April 13th.—The following had been the polling of the elected Guardians (there being in all 32 candidates).—North: S. Nightingale (C), 356; J. F. Neave (L), 308; J. D. Hilton (C), 292; S. Barge (C), 248. In this ward Mr. Cufaude had decided that Mr. Neave was disqualified, and had consequently declined to declare that gentleman elected, Mr. Neave’s solicitor (Mr. F. Danby-Palmer) had, however, taken a different view of the affair, and this question was to form the subject of further proceedings. Market: J. A. Norman (L), 429; C. C. Aldred (C), 365; W. Laws (C), 345. Regent: R. D. Barber, W. Worship, and C. Diver (no figures given.) St. George’s: J. W. de Caux (L), 356; J. Scott (L), 312; W. J. Foreman (C), 284. Nelson: G. Woolverton (C), 615.; J. Bracey (C), 548; F. Palmer (L), 392; J. Clowes (L), 345.
April 16th.—Mr. Cufaude had submitted an elaborate statement upon Mr. Neave’s case to the Local Government Board.
The constitution of the Guardians was then 10 Tories and 6 Liberals.
April 23rd.—“Yachting Items”: Mr. Palmer was building a schooner yacht. Mr. Preston had purchased the “Otter.” The “Red Rover” (Nightingale) was being altered, as was also the “Syren.”
Messrs. Mills and Blake had launched a new barge.
Mrs. Bowyer Vaux, her son, and a friend, had been upset in a sailing boat on Breydon.
April 30th.—At a sale of Gas Shares, those of £30 realised £45 per share, and those of £7 10s., £11 10s. per share. It was stated that the maximum dividend of 8½ per cent. was regularly paid on this stock.
May 4th.—Sir Alexander Shafto Adair, Bart., (Lib.), and Lord Mahon (Con.) were candidates for East Suffolk.
May 14th.—Mr. J. Fenn had caught a perch weighing 3½ lbs. and 18 inches in length.
May 18th.—There was a report current of a fracas having taken place between two leading members of the Tory party during a meeting at the Star Hotel.
May 21st.—The Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club Dinner had taken place at the Town Hall.
May 25th.—“It is stated that the gallant gentleman, (Major Foreman) who figured in the melée that arose at the late conference of the Conservative party is about to seek legal redress for the attack made upon him (by Mr. E. H. L. Preston.)”
The 1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers (under the command of Captain Commandant William Danby-Palmer) had attended St. Peter’s Church.
May 28th.—On Her Majesty’s Birthday, the Rifle Volunteers under the command of Major Orde had fired a feu de joie in the Market Place, and the Artillery, under the command of Captain William Danby-Palmer, had fired a salute of 21 guns from the South Battery. In the evening the officers messed at the Crown and Anchor, when the following were among the guests present—The Mayor (C. Woolverton, Esq.), the Deputy-Mayor (S. Nightingale, Esq.), Rev. B. Vaux, J. C. Smith, Esq., E.N.M., C. Diver, Esq., (Town Clerk), Captain Cubitt, Captain Alderson, N.M.A., Major Foreman, C. J. Palmer, Esq., and I. Preston, Esq.
June 4th.—The following had been the result of the East Suffolk Election:—
| Lord Mahon (Con.) | 3,456 |
| Sir A. S. Adair, Bart. (Lib.) | 3,285 |
Captain Alderson and Lieutenant Partridge, of the Norfolk Artillery Militia, had given a Ball at the Town Hall.
June 11th.—The Nottingham Order of Odd Fellows had held its annual festival at the Corn Hall, Bro. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., P.I.F., taking the chair, supported by Bros. Moxon, E. P. Youell, W. Laws, W. J. Foreman, W. T. Fisher, J. H. Fellows, J. Bracey, and Mr. Wiltshire.
Mr. Cattermole (Librarian) had been presented with a testimonial in the shape of a watch of the value of £25 and a cheque for £31 10s.
June 15th.—Admiral Smyth, R.N., had resigned the office of Pier-Master after 35 years service.
June 18th.—The decision of the Local Government Board being in favour of Mr. F. Danby-Palmer’s contention, and against that of Mr. Cufaude, consequent thereon Mr. Neave was entitled to his seat at the Board of Guardians.
June 22nd.—The brigantine “Ethel” had been launched from Mr. Rust’s yard.
June 25th.—The officers of the Norfolk Artillery Militia had given a grand Military Ball at the Assembly Rooms.
Mr. C. S. D. Steward and party had caught 10 perch on Ormesby Broad, four of which weighed 12lbs.
The Yarmouth Co-operative Society was in liquidation, and Mr. Lovewell Blake, the liquidator, had summoned several of the contributors for arrears of call.
July 2nd.—Quarter-Master Doughty, Colour-Sergeant Chipperfield, Sergeants Lay and Wilshak and Privates Harpour and Wales had been selected to go to Wimbledon.
Mr. I. Preston, accompanied by his friend, Mr. T. M. Baker, had sailed for Holland in the river yacht “Otter.”
July 16th.—The opening services in connection with the New Middlegate Congregational Church had taken place. The Rev. J. C. Harrison preached from Psalm cxvi., 12 and 13; the cost of this building, &c., (less sale of old material) had amounted to £3,515 8s. 8d.; the architect was Mr. J. T. Bottle, the contractor Mr. William Hood, and the sub-contractors Messrs. Burgess, Dumbleton, Sargeson, and Barge.
The luncheon, in connection with the event, was held at the “Crown and Anchor,” when the Rev. W. Tritton presided; about 250 persons were present, addresses were delivered by the Chairman, the Rev. J. C. Harrison, the Rev. Dr. Mellor, and Messrs. S. W. Spelman, J. Crossley, J. T. Bottle and others.
July 23rd.—The D Troop B Brigade of the Royal Horse Artillery had arrived at the Southtown Barracks under the command of Colonel Mitchell, comprising 150 officers and men with 120 horses and 6 guns.
July 27th.—Upon Mr. Neave attending to take his seat at the Board of Guardians a “scene” took place, several members accusing Mr. Cufaude of partiality, which that gentleman indignantly denied.
August 13th.—Mr. Attwood had been returned as a Councillor for the St. Andrew’s Ward without opposition, in the place of Mr. Richmond deceased.
August 20th.—The following officers and men of the 1st Norfolk Artillery Volunteers had gone to Shoeburyness:—Captain Commandant William Danby-Palmer, Lieutenants T. Burton Steward and T. M. Baker, Sergeant Smith, Corporals Harrison and Sadd, Bombardiers Steward and Sayer, Gunners Allcock, Millican, and Woodhouse.
Captain Youell had (after eleven years’ service) retired from the Rifles.
Sept. 3rd.—A meeting had been held to raise a fund for the sufferers by the Franco-German war. The Mayor, the Vicar, Dr. Vores, Mr. J. H. Orde, Mr. C. C. Aldred, the Rev. W. Griffiths, and Mr. S. W. Spelman took part in the proceedings, and upwards of £100 was raised in the room.
Sept. 17th.—Mrs. Gray had bequeathed by will £100 to the Hospital, £19 19s. to the Sailors’ Home, and £10 to the Lying-in Charity.
Upwards of 60 boats had delivered fish at the Wharf, the price being £16 to £22 per last for fresh fish.
Sept. 24th.—The Queen’s bounty had been forwarded to Mrs. Spurge.
Oct. 5th.—At a meeting held at the Turk’s Head, J. Scott, Esq., in the chair, Mr. F. Danby-Palmer and Mr. Hinchman Hammond had been selected as candidates to contest the St. George’s Ward in the Liberal interest.
Mr. J. Petts, R.N., had resigned his command in the Coastguard after 40 years’ service, twelve of which had been spent in Yarmouth.
Oct. 15th.—No minister had attended at St. Peter’s Church to perform service in the afternoon of Sunday.
The old Jetty had been lengthened 60 feet.
Mr. E. Stagg (one of the Councillors for the Regent Ward) had died.
£149 13s. 6d. had been raised for the purpose of presenting a testimonial to Sergeant Berry (of the Police).
Mr. S. K. Smith had landed from one of his boats 24 lasts of herrings, which sold for £264.
It was calculated that some 2,000 French fishermen were then in Gorleston.
Oct. 26th.—Mr. Robert Rising (of Horsey) had been elected a Haven and Pier Commissioner in the place of Mr. Burroughes resigned.
Nov. 5th.—Owing to the extension of the franchise and the “split” in the Conservative camp, the Municipal Election had excited a good deal of attention, as the following report shows:—
“MUNICIPAL ELECTION.”
As was expected, these elections were fought out with considerable spirit, the town throughout the day presenting all the aspects of a contested general election, cabs duly placarded with the names and claims of the candidates rushing about the streets in all directions en route to the various polling-places or committee-rooms.
In the North Ward the Conservatives were early at work, and were enabled to put their candidates considerably ahead, Messrs. Worship and Hilton counting a formidable majority at an early stage of the contest. The friends of Messrs. Neave and Blyth were, however, far from dismayed, and worked with a degree of zeal that certainly deserved if it did not ensure success. In the course of the afternoon the Conservative majority had been greatly reduced, and it looked at one time as if Mr. Neave’s return would have been secured. The aspect of things nerved the Conservatives to renewed efforts and enabled them to keep ahead of their opponents, the result being the return of their candidates, Messrs. Worship and Hilton.
In the Market Ward the greatest excitement prevailed, popular feeling being in favour of Mr. J. Norman (L) and Mr. I. Preston. The latter, although a Conservative, came forward on independent grounds, and as opposed to the compromise that has been entered into for the return of Messrs. Norman and Combe. The last-named gentleman was brought out under the auspices of that section of the Conservative party, better known as the “clique,” which evoked the determined opposition of the “independent” portion of the party. There was another candidate in the person of Mr J. Garratt (L), but that gentleman retired at an early stage of the contest in favour of Mr. Combe. Soon after the commencement of the polling, it became evident that Mr. Norman’s election would be safe, and that the real fight would be between Messrs. Combe and Preston. The last-named had a large staff of energetic supporters, and he was soon placed in a majority which no efforts on the part of his opponents could break down. The result, therefore, in this ward was the return of Messrs. Norman and Preston, which must be regarded as a great blow to the dominant section of the Conservative party, who strained every nerve to carry their man.
The contest in the Regent Ward was of diminished interest as compared with the other parts of the town, and resulted in the return of the Conservative candidates, Messrs. Barber and Tomlinson. Against these gentlemen were arrayed Messrs. Woodger and Page; but the candidature of the two last-named was carried on in a sort of guerilla fashion that evinced little confidence in a successful result, and their respective chances will be found very fully illustrated in the returns given at the close of the poll.
In the St. George’s Ward the battle was between Messrs. Doughty and Baker, (C), and Messrs. Palmer and Hammond (L). Here a most determined fight was made, the Liberals commencing the business of the day in a style that evidently meant winning. Soon after the first hour’s polling, Messrs. Palmer and Hammond took a commanding lead, and although the utmost zeal was evinced on the part of their opponents, they kept increasing their majority until by noon it had assumed such proportions as to place the issue of the contest beyond all question. The result was unexpected, and created quite a sensation among the Conservatives, who chagrined at the turn of affairs in the Market Ward, were little prepared for this fresh source of annoyance and discomfiture.
In the Nelson Ward there was no contest, Messrs. Woolverton, (C), and Stone (L) being unopposed.
The election in the Southtown or St. Andrew’s Ward was provocative of the usual excitement, the Gorlestonians coming out in considerable force, and testifying their Conservative or Liberal proclivities in the liveliest manner. The candidates were Messrs. Steward and Hammond, (C), as opposed to Messrs. Beevor and Nelson. The contest was well fought throughout, and resulted in the election of the Conservative candidates.
In celebration of the victory in the St. George’s Ward, the Liberals paraded a band, which did honour to the occasion by playing a selection of popular music through the principal streets.
OFFICIAL DECLARATION.
The official swearing-in of the newly-elected members took place on Thursday afternoon, the proceedings creating more than their wonted interest from the expectation of a “scene.” These anticipations were fully realised. Previous to the commencement of the usual routine, Mr. J. F. Neave, one of the defeated Liberal candidates in the North Ward, addressed Mr. S. Nightingale, and, in a tone of considerable vehemence, charged that gentleman and his supporters with having secured the election by unfair practices by bringing forward individuals to personate voters who were dead or at sea, or by other means equally discreditable. The scene which ensued was of the most lively character, some half-dozen Councillors speaking at once. Those in the body of the Court showed their enjoyment by encouraging shouts of “Go it Neave,” “Give it them,” an appeal, however, which was scarcely necessary, as the North Ward champion appeared in fine mettle, and continued his address, although the greater part of it was lost in the general turmoil. Referring to the result, Mr. Nightingale was understood to say that Mr. Neave would never be so near winning again, which elicited a rejoinder from the latter that he had been told he should never be elected a Guardian, but he had shown them what he could do, and if he were spared he would yet be in the Council. This declaration of future hostilities was received with great uproar, which was with difficulty quelled sufficiently to enable the business of the meeting to be proceeded with. This having been brought to a termination, after sundry interruptions, the newly-elected hastily quitted the Court, the proceedings having afforded a singular exhibition of political amenities, from a Yarmouth point of view.
The following is the official return:—
NorthWard. | |
Mr. Hilton (C) | 395 |
,, Worship (C) | 384 |
„ Neave (L) | 371 |
„ Blyth (L) | 287 |
MarketWard. | |
Mr. J. A. Norman (L) | 402 |
,, I. Preston, Junr. (C) | 376 |
,, Combe, (C) | 336 |
,, Garratt (L) | 4 |
RegentWard. | |
Mr. J. Tomlinson (C) | 281 |
„ R. D. Barber (C) | 261 |
,, Woodger (L) | 86 |
„ R. Page (L) | 7 |
St.George’s Ward. | |
Mr. F. Danby-Palmer (L) | 292 |
,, H. Hammond (L) | 291 |
,, Baker (C) | 164 |
,, Doughty (C) | 142 |
NelsonWard. | |
Messrs. Woolverton (C) and Stone (L)unopposed. | |
Southtown or St.Andrew’s Ward. | |
Mr. R. Steward (C) | 365 |
,, Hammond (C) | 358 |
,, Beevor (L) | 309 |
,, Nelson (L) | 300 |
As the result of this election, it was believed that Mr. E. H. L. Preston would be Mayor for the ensuing year.
Mr. F. Ferrier had been returned in the place of Mr. Stagg, deceased, for the Regent Ward.
An effort was being made to restore St. George’s Chapel.
Nov. 12th.—At the Council meeting, Mr. J. C. Smith proposed, and Mr. Bracey seconded, Mr. E. H. L. Preston, as Mayor, and this was carried nem. dis.
There had been an enormous catch of herring; Messrs. Smith’s “Ocean Wave” had taken 29 lasts, and on the Thursday it was computed that 1,409 lasts of fish had been landed at the Wharf.
Nov. 16th.—C. E. Bartram, Esq., J.P. and Councillor for the South Ward had died.
Nov. 19th.—The Volunteers had received “Snider Rifles.”
Mr. J. H. Fellows had presided at a meeting at the “New Royal Standard” to select a candidate for the South Ward, when Mr. Fredk. Palmer was brought forward, the other candidates named being Mr. I. Hill, Mr. G. Harvey, and Mr. J. H. Harrison.
Nov. 23rd.—Commissions signed by the Lord Lieutenant:—2nd N.R.V., Lieut. A. J. Palmer to be Captain, vice Youell resigned; Ensign E. H. H. Combe to be Lieut., vice Palmer promoted.
Nov. 26th.—The following had been the result of the election in the Nelson Ward:—
| Mr. Fredk. Palmer (L.) | 447 |
| „ Isaac Hill (C.) | 269 |
After the declaration of the poll a procession, headed by a band, had paraded the principal streets.
Twelve vessels had already cleared with 28,390 barrels of herring for Italian ports.
Dec. 3rd.—A petition alleging bribery at St. George’s Ward Election, had been presented to the Town Council, and supported there by Mr. J. W. Bunn (one of the Aldermen). Mr. F. Danby-Palmer repudiated the charge on behalf of Mr. Hammond and himself, and, ultimately, on the motion of Mr. Harmer, the document was ordered to be laid “under the table.”
The death of Mr. H. H. Barber (one of the Councillors for the South Ward, and a Captain in the 2nd N.R.V.) is recorded.
In the Nelson Ward Mr. H. Fenner (C.) had been returned in his place, having beaten Mr. Woodger (L.) by 85 votes.
The fishing-boats were “making up” after a very successful voyage.
It was proposed to lay down a tramway from Yarmouth to Lowestoft.
Dec. 17th.—The Mayor had presented the testimonial to Inspector Berry; it consisted of a 20 guinea watch and a purse of £145.
One fishing boat had caught 142 lasts of herring during the season.
It was estimated that £40,000 would be paid to the fishermen in wages.
Messrs. Woolverton and George had opened a Stock Sale at Acle, the former gentleman acting as auctioneer. There were a large number of entries, and fat stock had realised 10s. 6d. per stone.
Dec. 21st.—Miss Emma Pearson (daughter of the late Captain Pearson, R.N.) had written a letter from the seat of war at Orleans, where she was nursing the sick and wounded.
Dec. 24th.—Records the death of Mr. Henry Fellows, shipbuilder, aged 70.
Herring had averaged £10 per last during the season, and it was computed that the money value of the fish caught during the season was £180,000.
Dec. 28th.—Mr. Wyllys’ sledge had upset at the corner of Regent Street, and knocked over a woman, but no serious damage had been sustained.
Dec. 31st.—Mr. J. H. Want had obtained the contract for the erection of a new Post Office in Regent Street.