29.—Died, at Brighton, Mr. George Henry Christie, of Framingham, aged 76. Mr. Christie was formerly head of the eminent firm of art auctioneers established by James Christie in Old Pall Mall about the year 1762. His grandfather was the friend of Sheridan and Garrick, and Gainsborough painted a fine portrait of him. Like his father and grandfather, Mr. Christie was educated at Eton. He continued head of the firm until 1860, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. James Henry Brooke Christie.
DECEMBER.
5.—At a large meeting held at Blackfriars’ Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold, Mr. Edward Wild was presented by the Conservative party of the city with an illuminated address expressing to him their sympathy “in the unjustifiable attack made on him in the Town Council,” and congratulating him “on his complete and triumphant refutation of the charges.” The address further stated: “They desire also to express not only as a party but as citizens their appreciation of Alderman Wild’s honourable character, and of the debt the city owes him for his long, faithful, and able services.”
13.—A military tournament, given by the 19th (Princess of Wales’ Own) Hussars, in aid of the city charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 17th.
—Died, at Morton Hall, Mr. George Duckett Berney, in his 75th year. He was a son of Mr. Thomas Trench Berney, by his wife, Mary, daughter of Mr. Thomas Penrice, of Great Yarmouth and of Witton House, and married Catherine Mary, daughter of the Rev. Henry Lombe, of Bylaugh Hall. Mr. Berney was a justice of the peace and a Deputy-Lieutenant for the county of Norfolk, and in 1881 served the office of High Sheriff. He took a practical interest in pisciculture.
1888.
JANUARY.
2.—Mr. Edward Compton’s company appeared at Norwich Theatre in Mr. W. G. Wills’ play, “Jane Shore,” with Miss Isabel Bateman in the title rôle.
17.—Mr. Andrew Johnston, Assistant Commissioner under the Boundary Commission appointed to make inquiries as to the delimitation of counties and Poor Law Unions, in view of impending legislation in the form of a new Local Government Bill, attended a meeting of the County Rate Basis Committee, held at Lynn under the presidency of Mr. R. T. Gurdon, and heard various statements made by the county magistrates. A Committee appointed to confer with the Commissioners reported at the County Sessions on April 5th that they considered it undesirable to alter the boundaries of the county. On April 10th a deputation appointed by the Norwich Town Council waited upon Mr. Ritchie to ask for the inclusion of Norwich in Schedule 4 of the Local Government Bill, in order that the city might be constituted a county in itself, and not be included in the county of Norfolk as was proposed. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on May 5th, passed resolutions in favour “of an alteration in the proposed electoral divisions so as to give a fair representation to the agricultural interest; of an extension of the term of office of the elective councillors; of one electoral register for all purposes; and of the postponement of the question of District Councils until next year.” The Chamber further agreed to petition Parliament in favour of the wheel tax.
—A report was submitted to the Norwich Town Council on the completion of the new Foundry Bridge. The original estimate for the work was £13,000; the actual cost, including all charges, was £12,032 11s. 4d. The width of the bridge is 50 feet—five feet more than was originally intended. The Great Eastern Railway Company contributed £1,200 towards the cost of the undertaking.