8.—Mr. Archibald Forbes delivered a lecture, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on “Ten Years of War Correspondence.”
12.—A shocking murder was committed at Kenninghall Workhouse. Jonas Rivett, an inmate, aged 71, stabbed Henry Baker, a ward attendant, in the neck, severing his windpipe and jugular vein. At the combined Norfolk and Norwich Assizes, held at Ipswich, on April 20th, before Mr. Justice Field, the prisoner was found guilty and sentenced to death. He was subsequently respited, and removed to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.
17.—Died, at Syleham, in her 100th year, Lucy Steggall, widow of Robert Steggall.
24.—Died, at Cannes, Mr. John Gurney, of Sprowston Hall, Deputy-Mayor of Norwich. On retiring in November, 1886, from the office of Mayor of the city he sought relaxation on the shores of the Mediterranean. A severe shock of earthquake, which occurred at Cannes at the time of his visit, is supposed to have told upon his highly sensitive and nervous organization, and to have indirectly caused his death. Mr. Gurney was the eldest son of Mr. John Gurney, of Earlham Hall, and grandson of Mr. Samuel Gurney, of West Ham. He was born on December 11th, 1845, and educated at Harrow, whence he proceeded to Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his B.A. degree in 1866. The following year he became a member of the firm of Gurneys, Birkbecks, Barclay, and Buxton. In 1871 he married Isabel Charlotte, daughter of Mr. R. Blake-Humfrey, of Wroxham. Mr. Gurney, who was afflicted with blindness, was one of the most liberal benefactors of Norwich, and was greatly esteemed by the citizens.
MARCH.
11.—Norfolk, in common with other parts of the country, was visited by a severe spell of wintry weather.
15.—A dispute between smackowners and smacksmen at Yarmouth ended on this date. Differences had arisen over the substitution by the former of the share system for the old plan of payment by wages and poundage. The strike was beginning to have a disastrous effect upon trade, and was ended by an amicable arrangement.
18.—Died, at Stirling, Mr. J. F. Young, for many years a favourite actor upon the Norwich stage. Mr. Young was widely known as a member of the original “Caste” Company. He had been lessee of both Norwich and Yarmouth Theatres, and was greatly respected in private and professional circles.
21.—The action, Stanley v. the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich and the Attorney-General, was tried in the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, before Mr. Justice Kekewich. This case raised the question of the right of the freemen to receive in perpetuity the rents of the Town Close Estate, a valuable plot of land of about 100 acres in extent, which was conveyed to the city in 1524 by the Prior of Norwich. It was contended on the part of the plaintiffs that this land became vested in the Corporation for the exclusive benefit of the freemen, the terms in the original grant “citizens” and “commonalty” being synonymous with “freemen.” Mr. Justice Kekewich concurred in this contention, gave judgment for the plaintiffs, and ordered the costs of the action to be borne by the estate. (See January 23rd, 1888.)
23.—A remarkable sale by auction was held at Leziate under a warrant of distress for the non-payment of tithe. “Mr. W. H. Boyce, of Holt House Farm, having made up his mind to object on principle to the payment of the tithe rent charged by the Rev. A. J. Groom, rector of Ashwicken-cum-Leziate, and having also failed to induce the rector or his legal agent to make any abatement of the amount due, namely, £42 8s., a warrant of distress was issued, under which seizure was made of ten homebred steers, two cows in calf, and part of a stack of hay. The sale was conducted by Mr. W. B. Lane. It was carried out in quite an amicable manner, and the humour of the thing was enhanced by Mr. Boyce providing luncheon for those in attendance. The auctioneer had sold up to a certain point, when he announced that his duty was done, but Mr. Boyce gave him a commission to go on selling as long as he liked. This he accordingly did with excellent results. At the conclusion of the action Mr. Boyce thanked his friends for the way in which they had acted, expressed his objections to tithes in general, and the present claim in particular, and afterwards entertained several of his friends at dinner.”