2.—The Norwich Volunteer Medical Staff Corps was disbanded.
—A public meeting representative of the agricultural and trading interests, convened by the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, was held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, to consider what action should be taken in consequence of the publication of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture by the Assistant-Commissioner (Mr. R. Henry Rew) to bring the disastrous condition of agriculture in Norfolk under the attention of the Government. Resolutions were adopted requesting the Prime Minister to receive a deputation of Norfolk agriculturists. On the 6th Lord Salisbury replied that he was so well aware of the existing state of things that he would be reluctant to put a deputation to the trouble of attending to lay their views before him especially as the whole question was occupying the attention of the Government. He promised to give special attention to certain points afterwards submitted to him by the secretary to the Chamber. (See February 7th, 1896.)
9.—Mr. John Moore was elected Mayor and Mr. George Arthur Coller appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
13.—In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, before Mr. Justice Romer, was heard the action Gould v. Coaks. This was a new phase of the prolonged litigation arising from the Crown Bank failure. This action was brought by the plaintiff, the trustee in the bankruptcy of Harvey and Hudson’s Bank, against Mr. Coaks, and the representatives of Mr. E. C. Bailey, deceased, and of Mr. Hill, deceased. The plaintiff asked for an account of all monies received, for an enquiry of all purchases, leases, and profits which had been made or received by Mr. Coaks in connection with the estate, and also that interest upon the sums found due should be calculated as from the date of the receipt until time of payment. The argument in support of the plaintiff’s case lasted until the 15th, when Mr. Warmington, Q.C., by whom he was represented, said that an arrangement had been arrived at by counsel on both sides. The plaintiff proposed to take an order of a general character as between himself and Mr. Coaks of all sums he had received in respect of the estate of Sir Robert Harvey. Mr. Coaks also gave up all the purchases that he had made either of the bankrupt’s estate or the separate estate, and there would be the usual enquiry with regard to them in order to bring out those which were profitable and those which were not, giving to the plaintiff the opportunity of taking those which were profitable and to leave the others according to the usual plan, and there would be an account of profits. There would also be an enquiry as to balances in Mr. Coaks’ hands in respect to which he would be charged with interest. The costs were to be moderated, and so moderated as that no costs were to be allowed which had been charged elsewhere. (See August 5th, 1896.)
DECEMBER.
8.—Died at Parham, Suffolk, in his 80th year, the Right Rev. George Hills, D.D. He became in 1848 vicar of Yarmouth, and was appointed in 1853 Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. In 1859 he was consecrated first Bishop of British Columbia. In 1892 Bishop Hills exchanged colonial work for the country benefice where he died.
14.—Died at 32, Albert Hall Mansions, London, Mrs. Jones, widow of the Rev. Canon Herbert Jones, and daughter of Mr. Daniel Gurney, of North Runcton. She was the authoress of several works, including “Memoirs of Princess Charlotte,” and “Sandringham, Past and Present.” Mrs. Jones had also contributed many interesting articles to the “Edinburgh Review.”
15.—Died at Diss, Mr. Thomas Edward Amyot, F.R.C.S., eldest son of Mr. Thomas Amyot, F.R.S., F.S.A., aged 78. Of geology Mr. Amyot had much practical knowledge, was one of the first to write about the famed Hoxne pits, and he also assisted Canon Greenwell in his examination of the Grimes’ graves. With his pencil he was very clever, rather after the style of Caldicott, and quite as original. His facility in writing verse was well known. His “Legend of Cologne” was criticised as being not inferior to “Ingoldsby”; and his “Oleum Jecoris Aselli,” after the rhythm of “Hiawatha,” was pronounced by Bishop Goodwin as being one of the cleverest things of the kind he had ever read. Astronomy was also one of Mr. Amyot’s favourite studies.
19.—Lord Wolseley, Commander-in-Chief of the British Army, visited Norwich for the purpose of inaugurating the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home in Queen Street. His lordship was escorted from Thorpe railway-station to the Home by a detachment of the 7th Dragoon Guards. After inspecting the premises he proceeded to the Guildhall, where he was entertained to luncheon by the Mayor (Mr. John Moore). His lordship afterwards attended the inaugural meeting held at St. Andrew’s Hall, and delivered an address.