18.—A severe gale wrought much havoc on the Norfolk coast. The Short Blue fishing fleet suffered severely, the Yarmouth smack Royal Standard was lost, many other casualties occurred, and remarkable escapes were recorded.
19.—Died at his residence, Harford Lodge, Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Edward Bignold, Mayor of Norwich. Col. Bignold, whose age was 64, was fourth son of Sir Samuel Bignold, some time Member of Parliament for the city. In his boyhood he became associated with his father in the official direction of the Norwich Union Fire Insurance Society; from 1858 until the death of Sir Samuel in 1875, he was his assistant; and after that date he filled the office of secretary of the society. In 1852 he joined the West Norfolk Militia as lieutenant, and ultimately attained the rank of lieutenant-colonel. He married in 1856, Cecilia, third daughter of Mr. J. F. Graver Browne, of Morley Hall, Wymondham. On five occasions Col. Bignold was elected to the Norwich Town Council as representative of the old Fifth Ward; in 1889 he sustained his only electoral defeat, and was thereupon elected to an aldermanic seat. A staunch and earnest Churchman and Conservative he was for many years president of the old Eldon Club, and shortly before the death of his father was elected leader of the Conservative party in Norwich, and enjoyed until the close of his life the loyal and enthusiastic adherence of the rank and file of the party. Col. Bignold was a Deputy-Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk, and a justice of the peace for the city, and one of the original members of the Norfolk County Club. [“It is nearly a century and a quarter since any Mayor of Norwich died in his official year. The last event of the kind occurred in 1774—Mr. John Langley Watts.”] Upon the death of Col. Bignold votes of sympathy and condolence were passed by various public bodies, and on the 26th the Bishop of Exeter preached the funeral sermon at the church of St. Mark, Lakenham.
21.—The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 22nd attended a ball given at the Royal Assembly Rooms by the officers of the Norfolk Artillery Militia. On the 23rd his Royal Highness, as hon. colonel, inspected the regiment, and on the 24th left by special train for Norwich.
24.—The Prince of Wales visited Norwich for the purpose of unveiling the Pelham memorial throne at the Cathedral. His Royal Highness was received at Thorpe railway-station by the Dean, the Deputy-Mayor (Sir Peter Eade), and the Sheriff (Mr. S. G. Hill), and escorted by a detachment of the 1st King’s Dragoon Guards was driven to the Cathedral. The Bishop and the Cathedral body met his Royal Highness at the great west door, whence a procession was formed to the choir, where a vast congregation had assembled to witness the ceremony. The Prince having unveiled the throne, was thanked for his gracious presence by Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., on behalf of the diocese. His Royal Highness afterwards inspected various points of interest in the Cathedral, and was entertained to luncheon at the Deanery by the Dean and Mrs. Lefroy. At 3.10 p.m. he proceeded to town by ordinary train. The memorial throne was designed by Mr. John L. Pearson, R.A., and with the exception of the sculptured figures, which were carved by Mr. N. Hitch, of London, the work was executed by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, of North Walsham.
28.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Sir Peter Eade was elected to fill the casual vacancy of Mayor, occasioned by the death of Col. Bignold. The Mayor-elect nominated Mr. C. R. Gilman as his deputy.
JUNE.
1.—The 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment formed a marching column of 200 of all ranks, and under the command of Col. Dawson proceeded to Stratton Strawless, where a camp was formed in the park. On the 2nd the march was resumed to Blickling Park, where the column encamped, and in the afternoon attended service at the parish church. On the morning of the 3rd outpost duty was practised, and in the afternoon the column marched to Norwich, and was dismissed at the Drill Hall.
2.—A serious fire occurred on board the Jenny Lind steamboat at Foundry Bridge, Norwich.
11.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Lord Chief Justice Russell of Killowen, Frederic Butcher, 15, carpenter’s apprentice, was indicted for feloniously shooting at the Rev. Arthur Hamilton Upcher, with intent to do him grievous bodily harm, at Baconsthorpe, on January 3rd. The prisoner was found guilty, and recommended to mercy on account of his youth. He was sentenced to nine calendar months’ imprisonment.
—At the Norwich Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice, Frederick Miles, 27, labourer, was indicted for the wilful murder of Mildred Miles, his wife, at St. John Timberhill, Norwich, on June 1st. The jury returned a verdict of guilty, but strongly recommended him to mercy on the ground that he had received great provocation. His lordship passed sentence of death, which was afterwards commuted to penal servitude for life.