29.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference opened its two days’ proceedings at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich. The principal subjects discussed were the Local Government Act, 1894, and religious education in Board schools. Bishop Sheepshanks presided for the first time.
30.—The Rev. G. S. Barrett, B.A., minister of Prince’s Street Congregational Church, Norwich, was invested with the honorary degree of Doctor of Divinity at the University of St. Andrew’s. Mr. Barrett was introduced as “the minister of one of the most influential Congregational churches in England; he had made several important contributions to theological literature, and had this year been chosen chairman of the Congregational Union of England and Wales.”
APRIL.
9.—Died, the Rev. George Willoughby Barrett, Minor Canon and Precentor of Norwich Cathedral, aged 45. He was a native of Bristol, where his father was well known as a musician. At an early age he was a chorister at Bristol Cathedral, and after completing his school life, entered at Worcester College, Oxford, where in 1872 he graduated B.A. and in 1877 proceeded M.A. He was ordained deacon in 1873 and appointed to the curacy of Easton Royal, Wiltshire. On his admission to priest’s orders he was engaged from 1875 to 1887 in ministerial work at Hampton Lucy, near Stratford-on-Avon. After his appointment as Minor Canon and Precentor at Norwich Cathedral in the latter year, Mr. Barrett did much useful work in promoting the interests of the Norfolk and Norwich Church Choral Association, and in cultivating a taste for the higher class of Church music. He was for several years in succession nominated by the Bishop and Dean chaplain of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.
10.—Died in London, Mr. William Waring, formerly a tenant of Taverham Hall. A partner in the firm of Waring Brothers, contractors for public works, he had constructed railways in Belgium and India. In association with the firm of Brassy and Peto, his firm had the contract for the construction of the greater portion of what is now known as the Inner Circle of the Underground Railway in London. Mr. Waring was a magistrate for Norfolk, and a munificent supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital and other local charities.
14.—Died, the Rev. John Nassau Simpkinson, rural dean of Burnham and rector of North Creake, aged 77. He was a son of Sir Francis Simpkinson, was educated at Rugby under Dr. Arnold, and afterwards won a scholarship at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he took his degree in 1838 with a first class in the Classical Tripos and a Junior Optime in the Mathematical Tripos. After some years’ service as curate at Hurstmonceux, he was appointed assistant master at Harrow, under Dr. Vaughan, his brother-in-law, and there remained from 1845 to 1855. Mr. Simpkinson was then presented to the rectory of Brington, Northants, and in 1868 to that of North Creake. He was the author of a “Life of Wagner” (1858), of “The Washingtons: a Tale of the Seventeenth century” (1860), and of many articles in the “Edinburgh Review.”
30.—In the House of Lords, before Lords Selborne, Watson, McNaughton, Shand, and Morris, was heard the action, Boswell v. Coaks. This was an appeal from the judgment of the Lords Justices in the matter of the Harvey life interest. The case for the appellant set forth that this was an appeal from an order of the Court of Appeal, made on November 5th, 1892, in an action in the Chancery Division in which the appellant, on behalf of himself and of other unsatisfied creditors of the late Sir Robert Harvey, was plaintiff and the respondent and others defendants. The order of the Court of Appeal affirmed an order of Mr. Justice North, dated July 27th, 1892, made upon the several motions of the respondent, dismissing the action as against all the defendants, except one, on the ground that it was vexatious and oppressive. The appellant only appealed against the order of the Court of Appeal so far as it affirmed the dismissal of the action as against the respondent. The action commenced on March 11th, 1892, and the object of it was to establish that the judgment of Mr. Justice Fry in a former action, Boswell v. Coaks, 1881, which judgment was reversed by the Court of Appeal, but was subsequently restored by the House of Lords, was not binding on the appellant or the other unsatisfied creditors of Sir Robert Harvey, or of the firm of Harvey’s and Hudson’s, on the ground that it was obtained by the fraud of the respondents, and to secure for the appellant and the creditors certain consequential relief. Mr. Crackanthorpe, Q.C., and Mr. Brabant were for the appellant; and the Attorney-General (Sir John Rigby, Q.C.), Mr. H. H. Cozens-Hardy, Q.C., M.P., and Mr. Lawrence for the respondent. Lord Selborne delivered judgment, and said it was not necessary to hear counsel for the respondent. The question was whether anything material to disturb the judgment of the House had been newly discovered by the appellant. That involved a double proposition—that something new had been discovered, and that that something new was material. There was a total defect both of allegation and of evidence as to that which alone could make it material. He had no hesitation in saying that in his opinion it had been dealt with most properly by the Court of Appeal, and that their lordships ought now to dismiss this action with costs, which he accordingly now moved. Their lordships concurred, and the appeal was dismissed with costs. (See November 13th, 1895.)
MAY.
1.—Died at Sunny Hill, Thorpe, the Hon. and Right Rev. Bishop Pelham, aged 82. He was the second son of the second Earl of Chichester, Secretary of State for the Home Department in Addington’s short Ministry of 1801, by Lady Mary Henrietta Juliana, daughter of the fifth Duke of Leeds. Born on June 21st, 1811, he was educated at Westminster and Christ Church, Oxford, and took his degree in 1832. His ordination was followed by his appointment, on the presentation of the Earl of Abergavenny, to the rectory of Bergh Apton, where he remained for fifteen years, during which time he was Hon. Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and in 1847 chaplain to the Queen. Two years prior to the latter appointment Mr. Pelham married Henrietta, daughter of Mr. Thomas Tatton, of Withenshaw, Cheshire. In 1852 the living of Christ Church, Hampstead, was offered to Mr. Pelham by Mr. Gurney Hoare. On the death of Dr. Spry, in 1854, he was nominated by Lord Palmerston to the important Crown living of St. Marylebone. In 1857, on the resignation of Bishop Hinds, he accepted the bishopric of Norwich. “His administration of the diocese covered a period of 36 years, and in the matter of time, was surpassed only by three of the sixty-three bishops who had presided over the see during 800 years; and it was as wise in its broad and tolerant spirit as it was faithful in its discharge of duty.” The remains of the deceased prelate were interred at Bergh Apton on May 5th.
2.—The choir of Norwich Cathedral was re-opened on the completion of the great work of reparation which had been in progress for two years. The “reporting architects” were Sir Gilbert Scott and Mr. John L. Pearson, R.A., and the work was superintended by Mr. C. J. Browne, surveyor to the Dean and Chapter. The total sum raised in aid of the undertaking amounted in the month of December, 1893, to £3,357, and the Dean and Chapter contributed upwards of £2,000 out of their personal income. At the opening service the sermon was preached by the Archbishop of Canterbury, who was afterwards presented with an address by the Mayor and Corporation. The Dean and Mrs. Lefroy entertained a distinguished company to luncheon, and the Bishop and Mrs. Sheepshanks gave a garden party at the Palace. (See April 7th, 1898.)