21.—The marriage of Princess Louise was celebrated at Norwich by the ringing of bells and by the partial decoration of the city. The Town Council, at a special meeting, adopted a congratulatory address for presentation to the Queen, and in the evening the Scottish residents in the city held a banquet at the Norfolk Hotel. “Although a number of their English friends were invited to join it, the gentlemen from North of the Tweed assembled in sufficiently preponderating numbers to give a distinctive character to the gathering, and the whole of the arrangements were carried out by a committee of Scotchmen.” The “Number Twenty-Four” Club also dined at the same hotel, and the event was similarly celebrated at Yarmouth, Lynn, and Thetford.
26.—Died at Morningthorpe, Mr. Edward Howes, member of Parliament for South Norfolk. Born July 7th, 1813, he was the eldest surviving son of the Rev. George Howes, rector of Spixworth, his mother being a daughter of Mr. Robert Fellowes, of Shotesham Park. From St. Paul’s School he proceeded to Cambridge, and came out high in the list of Wranglers of his year (1835); in 1836 he was elected a Fellow of his College (Trinity), and three years after was called to the Bar. In 1859 Mr. Howes was returned without opposition for the Eastern Division of the county, in conjunction with Colonel Coke, and in 1865 he was again elected, with Mr. Clare Sewell Read as his colleague. In 1868, when the county was subdivided, Mr. Howes and Mr. Read selected the Southern Division, and were again returned. Mr. Howes was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese on the death of Mr. Chancellor Evans; he was a Chairman of Norfolk Quarter Sessions, and one of her Majesty’s Ecclesiastical Commissioners. He married first, in 1842, Agnes Maria, daughter of Mr. Richard Gwyn, who died in 1843; and secondly, in 1851, his cousin, the fourth daughter of Mr. R. Fellowes, deceased, by whom he left a son and a daughter.
APRIL.
1.—Died, in his 88th year, Mr. George Samuel Kett, of Brooke House. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1820, and was a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the county.
4.—Died, suddenly, while on a visit to Norwich, Mr. G. Middleton, of Wimbledon. Mr. Middleton, who was a magistrate of the city, served the office of Mayor in 1859.
11.—The dedication-stone of a new church at Harleston was laid by Mr. Sancroft Holmes. The building was designed to accommodate 400 persons, and the contract amounted to £3,150, exclusive of fittings. Mr. Phipson was the architect, and Mr. Grimwood, of Weybread, the contractor.
—The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the Southern Division of the county, occasioned by the death of Mr. Howes, took place at the Shirehall, Norwich. Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Conservative, and Mr. Robert Thornhagh Gurdon, Liberal, were nominated. The polling took place on the 14th, and resulted in the return of the Conservative candidate. The official declaration was made at the Shirehall on the 17th, as follows: Buxton, 2,868; Gurdon, 2,547.
12.—The first School Board election took place at Norwich. “There was a total absence of excitement, and not much interest was shown.” The following candidates were elected:—Mr. J. H. Tillett, Mr. H. Morgan, Mr. H. Birkbeck, Mr. J. W. Dowson. Mr. T. R. Pinder, Mr. R. A. Cooper, the Rev. Hinds Howell, Mr. A. J. N. Chamberlin, Mr. C. J. Bunting, the Rev. E. P. Costello (Roman Catholic), the Rev. A. C. Copeman, the Rev. J. W. L. Heaviside, and Mr. J. C. Barnham. The unsuccessful candidates were Mr. John Youngs, Mr. F. Paul, the Rev. G. S. Barrett, and the Rev. A. Jessopp. On April 27th Canon Heaviside was elected Chairman, and Mr. Barnham Vice-Chairman; and on May 22nd Mr. E. P. Simpson was appointed Clerk.
15.*—“In consequence of the Purchas judgment, the clergy of Yarmouth intend to wear the surplice in future instead of the black gown when preaching. This resolution was carried into effect during Passion week, and on Easter Sunday at the various churches. At St. John’s, St. James’, and St. Andrew’s churches the black gown has long been discarded.”
18.—The sale of the stud and foxhounds of the late Lord Hastings, at Melton Constable, attracted an enormous number of persons from all parts of England. About £4,000 was realised. On the 19th the daily cows and red and fallow deer were sold for £1,600.