Oct. 17th.—Three hundred pounds had been collected for the Indian Relief Fund.
Oct. 21st.—Contains the following report:—“A Vestry meeting was held in the Town-hall, on Friday, for the purpose of considering the propriety of making a Church rate. There was a large attendance; the minister of the parish (the Rev. G. Hills, B.D.), of course presided.—The Chairman, in opening the proceedings, stated that the rate which would be proposed would be, in all respects, a legal one; it would include a charge for St. Peter’s Church, as the Churchwardens had been advised that that edifice was chargeable upon the rate in the same way that the Parish Church was. With regard to the new church of St. John’s, a fund had been raised which would be invested for keeping it in repair, so that it might never become chargeable to the parishioners. The Churchwardens, in order to preserve as much harmony as possible, would only ask for a rate for the repair of the fabrics, and for the payment of such legal charges as they were compelled to include in the rate; the items which would be left out would, therefore, amount to between £60 and £70, and would have to be defrayed by voluntary contribution.—Messrs. C. S. D. Steward and E. R. Aldred, the Churchwardens, moved and seconded that a rate of 1½d. in the pound be levied for the ensuing year; the amounts which it was estimated would be required were—for the Parish Church, £142 5s. 4d.; for St. George’s Chapel, £32 6s. 6d.; for St. Peter’s Church £32; and for general purposes £35.—Mr. W. T. Fisher moved, and Mr. J. Lawn seconded, “That at a time when it is expected that the Government will pass a bill for the abolition of Church rates, it appears to this vestry that it is inexpedient to increase the rates by including St. Peter’s Church, as it may ultimately add to increased taxation.” Mr. Fisher also moved, and Mr. Joseph Neave seconded, “That time be given for the ratepayers to examine the estimates, and that the meeting do therefore adjourn for three weeks for that purpose.”—The Chairman refused to put either of the above amendments—the first because Mr. Fisher would not alter it by leaving out the words “By including St. Peter’s Church,” and the second because he did not consider it to be a bona fide objection.—Mr. Fisher entered written protests, signed by himself, against the decision of the chairman, which protests he requested might be entered in the Vestry Clerk’s minutes of the meeting.—Mr. J. H. Harrison moved, “That until after the committee, which was appointed in April last to confer with the Churchwardens relative to the property belonging to the Parish Church, had made its report to a further vestry, it is inexpedient to make a rate.” Mr. F. Starling seconded the amendment.—The Chairman, in endeavouring to prevail upon Mr. Harrison to withdraw his amendment, stated that in March next, property which now let at from £29 to £30 a year, and that in September, 1859, property which now realised £50 per annum, would fall in; he agreed with them that the greatest care ought to be taken in properly administering this property, and said he believed its value would be increased threefold.—The amendment was carried by an immense majority, and the meeting, therefore, was adjourned sine die.
Oct. 28th.—Many vessels had been lost, and amongst them the “Betsy” (G. D. Palmer, Esq., owner), on Palling Beach. (N.B.—She was at that time the oldest vessel afloat hailing from the port, and had belonged to the Palmer family for more than 100 years.)
Oct. 31st.—The Liberal electors had held a grand soireè at the Town Hall, Messrs. A. W. Young, M.P., and J. Mellor, Q.C., M.P., being present; 220 persons attended, amongst whom were R. Hammond, Esq., (Chairman), and Messrs. G. D. Palmer, J. W. Shelley, W. N. Burroughs, P. Pullyn, C. E. Bartram, D. A. Gourlay, J. Clowes, G. Blake, W. T. Clarke, F. Palmer, H. D. Palmer, D. B. Palmer, W. T. Fisher, J. Cobb, J. Mainprice, W. Briggs, J. H. Harrison, J. Owles, J. Neave, &c. Mr. McCullagh was unable to attend, but the meeting was addressed by Messrs. Young, Mellor, and Watkin, and the utmost unanimity prevailed.
Nov. 4th.—Some 2,000 persons had attended an open-air Liberal Demonstration on the Hall-quay, at which G. Danby-Palmer, Esq., presided, and which was addressed by Mr. Watkin.
At the Municipal Election the Tories had been successful, the Liberals “not going in to win.” At the close of the poll the Conservative procession, consisting of a band of music, some flags, bearing such inscriptions as “Cheap Bread and Economy,” and about four or five cabs formed and paraded through the principal thoroughfares. The returns were—
RegentWard. | |
Sir E. H. K. Lacon, (C) | 118 |
J. Cherry, (C) | 114 |
J. Owles, (L) | 82 |
F. Palmer, (L) | 78 |
MarketWard. | |
J. E. Barnby, (C) | 128 |
J. Fenn, (C) | 126 |
J. Scott, (L) | 110 |
G. W. Clowes, (L) | 107 |
St.George’s Ward. | |
W. J. Foreman, (C) | 121 |
H. Jay, (C) | 117 |
A. D. Stone, (L) | 85 |
J. Fill, (L) | 80 |
NelsonWard. | |
S. V. Moore, (L) | 211 |
J. Clark, (C) | 151 |
J. Clowes, (L) | 127 |
NorthWard. | |
S. Nightingale, (C) | 144 |
W. H. Bessey, (C) | 132 |
J. Mainprice, (L) | 126 |
J. Cobb, (L) | 109 |
J. Hammond, (C) | 185 |
William H. Palmer, (C) | 174 |
Henry Danby-Palmer, (L) | 164 |
J. Barker, (L) | 150 |
Mr. J. Clowes had entered a protest against the return in the Nelson Ward “on the ground of the presiding alderman having left his post during the election.”
Nov. 7th.—The first general meeting of the Shareholders of the Britannia Pier Company had been held, the accounts showing £1,365 received, and £781 12s. 6d expended.
Nov. 11th.—At the Council Meeting, Mr. E. H. L. Preston proposed, and Mr. Palmer (Deputy-Mayor) seconded, Mr. Francis Worship for the office of Mayor. Mr. R. Steward then proposed Mr. W. H. Bessey, who declining the honour, Mr. Steward suggested the name of Mr. Plummer, who also refusing to serve, the Mayor declared Mr. Worship unanimously elected to the office.