NOVEMBER.
6.—Died at Ormesby, near Yarmouth, in his 82nd year, Rear-Admiral Black, one of the oldest officers in the Navy. He had seen much active service, and had been employed on the North-West coast of America.
9.—For the office of Mayor of Norwich two candidates were nominated—Mr. Samuel Bignold and Mr. Richard Coaks. The voting was equal, and the Mayor giving his casting-vote in favour of the latter, Mr. Coaks was declared duly elected. Mr. George Womack was appointed Sheriff. (See November 23rd.)
22.—Election petitions were laid upon the table of the House of Commons, against the return of Messrs. Peto and Warner, as members for Norwich. (See February 24th, 1853.)
23.—In the Court of Queen’s Bench a rule in the nature of a quo warranto was applied for, calling upon Mr. Coaks, Mayor of Norwich, to show by what authority he exercised that office. The affidavits stated that on November 9th there were two candidates for the Mayoralty, Mr. Bignold and Mr. Coaks, and that the retiring Mayor refused to record the vote of Mr. Cundall in favour of Mr. Bignold. Consequently the voting was even, and the retiring Mayor gave his casting-vote in favour of Mr. Coaks. The affidavits further stated, in support of Mr. Cundall’s right to vote, that at the election of councillors on November 1st, 1851, Mr. Cundall was a candidate in opposition to Mr. Robert Wiffin Blake, then one of the aldermen of Norwich, and therefore ineligible to be elected a councillor; and that Mr. Cundall had, prior to the election, given notice of Mr. Blake’s disqualification, but that Mr. Blake was elected by a majority of five votes. Subsequently, on a quo warranto being filed against him, judgment of ouster was obtained. Mr. Cundall therefore made the required declaration before two councillors, and took his seat as a councillor at the late election of Mayor, and claimed to have his vote recorded for Mr. Bignold, which, if received, would have placed him in a majority of one over Mr. Coaks; but such vote was rejected by the retiring Mayor. The Court granted the rule. The Attorney-General showed cause against the rule on January 28th, 1853. The Court was of opinion that Mr. Cundall had made out a clear prima facie case, and the rule for the quo warranto was made absolute. Lord Campbell gave judgment in the case on January 21st, 1854. He said it entirely depended on the right of Cundall to vote. He held that on November 9th, 1852, Cundall was a member of the Council, and had a right to vote for Mr. Bignold, and if he had so voted Mr. Bignold would have been duly elected Mayor. Mr. Coaks had usurped that office, and the quo warranto had been properly issued. Mr. Justice Crompton was of the same opinion. Judgment for the Crown.
DECEMBER.
11.*—“The long-continued rains have increased the floods in the valleys of the Eastern division of the county. Throughout the valley of the Yare, a large extent of land has been for some time under water, on either side of the river, for a distance of thirty miles.” At Southery and Feltwell about 8,000 acres were flooded, and upwards of one hundred poor families were compelled to leave their habitations. The estimated loss to the district was between £25,000 and £30,000, and a public subscription was opened for the relief of the sufferers.
21.—The Public Library and Museums Act Committee reported to the Norwich Town Council that it was desirable to hire the Museum for the use of the public for two days in the week, and to erect a building for the purposes of a free library, and that, in compliance with the Act, a rate of one halfpenny in the pound be levied, one-third to be devoted to the former object, and two-thirds to the latter. The principle of the rate was affirmed, and its application postponed for further consideration. (See September 13th, 1854.)
24.*—“Died at Reedham, a few days since, at the advanced age of 103, Mr. John Softly. He retained his faculties and was an active man up to the time of his death.”
26.—One of the most terrific storms of wind and rain ever remembered at Norwich occurred on this date. In the rural districts many stacks were blown down and scattered in all directions.