Norfolk Annals, Vol. 2 / A Chronological Record of Remarkable Events in the Nineteeth Century

29.—The Norwich Town Council confirmed a contract entered into with Mr. R. A. Cooper for the purchase of certain land at Thorpe Hamlet required for the construction of the proposed Riverside Road.  The amount to be paid to the owner was £3,022, and the estimated cost of the road between £2,000 and £3,000.

NOVEMBER.

10.—The Norwich Town Council elected Mr. Walter Overbury to the office of Mayor, and appointed Mr. Geoffrey Fowell Buxton as Sheriff.  Mr. Oyerbury having declined to qualify, Mr. Edward Wild was on the 24th elected to fill the vacancy.

—Died, aged 79, the Rev. Charles Turner, formerly rector of Bixley and Framingham Earl.  He was the son of Mr. Charles Turner, the last Mayor of Norwich previous to the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, and held the living of St. Peter Mancroft from 1848 to 1878.

24.—The Prince of Wales opened, at the Athenæum, King’s Lynn, a sporting and art exhibition in aid of the covert funds of the West Norfolk Hunt.  His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Princess of Wales.

—The Princess of Wales, accompanied by Princesses Victoria and Maud, arrived at Melton Constable on a visit to Lord and Lady Hastings.  Their Royal Highnesses were afterwards joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence and Avondale.  The visit terminated on the 29th.

25.—The weather became exceedingly severe, and frost and snow prevailed to the end of the year.

DECEMBER.

2.—The first lecture of a series inaugurated by the Norwich Free Library Committee was given at Blackfriars’ Hall, Norwich, by the Rev. H. H. Snell on “Books and Readers.”  (See January 12th, 1891.)

5.—Died, at his residence, 43, Ennismore Gardens, South Kensington, Mr. Baron Huddleston, formerly member of Parliament for Norwich.  The son of a merchant captain, Thomas Huddleston, he was born in 1817, and matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin.  He came to England to seek his fortune as usher in a school, but afterwards made a more promising start in life as a barrister at the Central Criminal Court.  Admitted a student at Gray’s Inn on April 18th, 1836, and called to the Bar by that society in the summer of 1839, he accepted silk in 1857 from Lord Cranworth, then Lord Chancellor.  He had unsuccessfully contested, as a Conservative, Worcester, Shrewsbury, and Kidderminster, but was returned for Canterbury in 1865.  In 1870 he made an unsuccessful assault on Norwich, but four years later defeated Mr. Tillett by forty-seven votes.  In 1875 he was appointed judge in the Court of Common Pleas, was duly knighted, and ultimately transferred to the Court of Exchequer on the death of Mr. Baron Pigott.  He married Lady Diana Beauclerk, sister of the Duke of St. Albans.

14.—Died, at Clermont Terrace, Queen’s Road, Norwich, Sarah, widow of John Barnard, formerly of Beccles, in her 101st year.

18.—Mr. S. Hoare, M.P., delivered a farewell address to his constituents, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, previous to his departure for India.

19.—A heavy fall of snow, accompanied by sharp frost, occurred on this date.  Skating became general throughout the county.

26.—Ginnett’s Circus opened for the winter season at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

27.—Died, at Lynn, Mr. John Osborne Smetham, aged 78.  He was six times Mayor of the borough, and had been an alderman thirty-four years, and held various public offices in the town.

30.—An influential meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to inaugurate a fund for the relief of the unemployed and necessitous poor of the city.  About £900 was subscribed in the room, and active measures were taken for the relief of public distress.

1891.

JANUARY.

2.—Died, at Weasenham, Mr. Henry Overman, aged 65.  He established a wide reputation as a breeder of shorthorns, Southdown, and Oxford Down sheep, hackneys and cart horses.  Mr. Overman was an extreme Radical, “but his political extravagancies were amply condoned by his warmth and kindliness of heart.”

6.—The last of the “Science Lectures for the People” was delivered at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, by Dr. Andrew Wilson on “Sea Serpents and other curious Animals, real and fictitious.”  (See January 19th, 1892.)

9.—The Cambridge crew, owing to the river Cam being icebound, had rowing practice upon the Estuary Cut, at Lynn.

10.—An “ice carnival” took place on Diss Mere.  The performers and spectators numbered five thousand.

12.—The second lecture of the course arranged by the Norwich Free Library Committee was given at Blackfriars’ Hall by Mr. G. C. Davies on “Life and Scenery Abroad.”  The Rev. W. F. Creeny, F.S.A., lectured on February 3rd on “Sweden and Gothland”; Mr. Bosworth Harcourt on March 3rd on “An Hour with Douglas Jerrold”; and Mr. H. F. Euren on April 14th on “Our Fens and Marshes.”  (See February 24th, 1892.)

17.—Mr. R. E. Crosse was appointed house surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on the resignation of Mr. H. C. Nance.

19.—Died, at Unthank’s Road, Norwich, Mr. Benjamin Viny Winch, aged 60.  Mr. Winch had been upwards of twenty years postmaster of Norwich.  He entered the service at the General Post Office, St. Martin’s le Grand, in February, 1852, and continued there until August 31st, 1870, when he was appointed to Norwich on the retirement of Mr. Samuel Base, the former postmaster.  The postal arrangements in the city were greatly developed during Mr. Winch’s tenure of office.  The business was removed from Post Office Street (now Exchange Street) to the Crown Bank premises, where the work in the various departments commenced on August 16th, 1875.  Mr. Winch was an enthusiastic yachtsman, had filled the office of Commodore of the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, and was one of the principal founders of the Yare Sailing Club.

20.—Immense quantities of sprats were captured at Lynn.  Such enormous shoals had never before, it was stated, been found in the Wash.

—The Norwich Town Council considered a report upon the proposed purchase of the Waterworks, and appointed a special committee to determine the value of the undertaking, with the view of making an offer to the company.  On May 26th the Council proposed to offer a sum not exceeding £10 per cent., the actual market value of the shares and capital of the company.  The offer was declined, and on December 15th it was decided that no further steps be taken in the matter.  (See February 22nd, 1898.)

FEBRUARY.

7.—Mr. B. N. Thoms, assistant surveyor at the General Post Office, was appointed to fill the postmastership of Norwich, vacant by the death of Mr. Winch.  Mr. Thoms was a son of Mr. William J. Thoms, the originator and editor of “Notes and Queries,” and a librarian of the House of Lords.  In the month of April Mr. Thoms removed to Nottingham, and was succeeded by Mr. Sturgeon, of Birkenhead, who, in the Egyptian campaign of 1882–85, commanded the Army Post Office Corps.  For his valuable services he was decorated by the Queen in person, and granted the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, with permission to wear the uniform of his corps, the 24th Middlesex (Post Office) Rifle Volunteers.

21.—Died, at his town residence, 8, Portman Square, the Right Hon. George Thomas Keppel, sixth Earl of Albemarle.  He was born June 13th, 1799, and was second son of William Charles, fourth earl, by his marriage with Elizabeth Southwell, fourth daughter of Edward Lord De Clifford.  In 1815 he received an ensign’s commission in the 14th Regiment of Foot, and within a month joined the Army in Flanders.  He was present at the battle of Waterloo, and at the engagement which immediately preceded it.  “The very youngest officer on the field of Waterloo, he was, with one exception, the very last of the survivors of all the Waterloo officers.”

22.—Died, at 7, Hertford Street, Mayfair, Mr. Charles Wild, eldest son of Mr. Edward Wild, Mayor of Norwich, aged 29.  Educated at King Edward VI. Grammar School, he pursued his medical studies at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital; afterwards proceeded to Cambridge University, and finally entered the London School of Medicine.  Mr. Wild gained the Brodie scholarship at St. George’s Hospital, and was awarded the Thompson gold medal.

MARCH.

7.—Died, aged 60, Mr. Edmund Beck, agent for the Sandringham estate.  Mr. Beck was a member of an old family of Norfolk farmers, and was born at Mileham.  For a considerable time he was in partnership with his father as an auctioneer and estate agent, and was one of the best known agricultural authorities in the kingdom.

31.—Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., arrived at Cromer on his return from his tour in India.  He sailed for the East on January 4th, accompanied by his daughters, the Misses Annie and Muriel Hoare, and formally opened the Bengal and Nagpur Railway, of which he was chairman.

APRIL.

2.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Bishop of the Diocese, and was concluded on the 3rd.

5.—Died, at Gaywood Hall, King’s Lynn, Mr. Richard Bagge, aged 80.  He was twin brother of Sir William Bagge, M.P., and was educated at Charterhouse, and by private tutor.  In 1831 Mr. Bagge was elected a member of the old Corporation of Lynn, and served the office of Mayor of that borough in 1836 and 1857.  He was a justice of the peace, and a Deputy Lieutenant for the county, and was High Sheriff in 1880.  As a sportsman Mr. Bagge was well known in the coursing and cricket fields, and in politics was a staunch Conservative.

7.—Died, at Melbourne, during a tour in Australia for the benefit of his health, the Rev. R. Hobson, pastor of the Old Meeting Congregational chapel, Norwich.  Mr. Hobson, who was in his 52nd year, was appointed to the chapel in 1878; he took part in many social and philanthropic movements in the city, and was most highly esteemed by Churchmen and Nonconformists.  He was the founder of the St. George’s Home for Working Girls.

—Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., and Mrs. Hoare celebrated their silver wedding at Cliff House, Cromer, and received many congratulations and presents from their friends in the town and district.  On April 20th Mr. and Mrs. Hoare were presented, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with a valuable silver tea and coffee service and an illuminated address by the members of the Conservative associations and clubs in the city.

11.—At the annual meeting of the Governors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital the Board of Management reported that Miss Adams, the Lady Superintendent, had been received into the Roman Catholic Church.  In view of the matter forming the subject for discussion there was a large attendance, but the Lord Bishop, who presided, ruled the question to be “special,” and that it was necessary for formal notice to be given before a resolution could be moved.

—The fastest run made by a special train on the Great Eastern Railway was accomplished on this date, when the Prince of Wales travelled from St. Pancras to Lynn, a distance of 98 miles, in one hour fifty-five minutes.

18.—The memorial stone of a new church for East and West Beckham was laid by Mrs. Hoare, wife of Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P.  The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on October 13th.

20.—Viscount Cross, Secretary of State for India, visited Norwich and formally opened the Patteson Conservative Club.  In the evening his lordship addressed a large meeting held at St. Andrew’s Hall under the auspices of the National Union of Conservative Associations.

25.—Dr. F. C. Burton, of Adenbrook’s Hospital, Cambridge, was appointed to the vacancy in the medical staff of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital occasioned by the retirement of Dr. Shepherd Taylor.

27.—The South-West Norfolk Conservative Association met at Swaffham under the presidency of Lord Walsingham, and adopted Mr. Thomas Leigh Hare Conservative candidate for the constituency in place of Mr. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., who had expressed his intention to retire at the next General Election.

14.—The Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn, formerly Dean of Norwich, preached from a new pulpit erected by public subscription in the choir of the Cathedral as a memorial of his twenty-three years’ devoted ministry.  The pulpit was designed by Mr. John Pollard Seddon, F.R.I.B.A., and executed by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter.

18.—On this day (Whit-Monday) occurred the memorable fall of snow which covered the ground to the depth of five inches, and occasioned the abandonment of all out-door sports and holiday amusements.  On the previous Wednesday (the 13th) the shade temperature registered in the neighbourhood of Norwich was 72.7; at 9 a.m. on the 16th it stood at 37.2; and on the same day the thermometer in the screen fell to 29.8, and on the grass to 21.5.  On Sunday, the 17th, there were frequent storms of hail and snow, and at 2 p.m. the temperature registered 37.4.

—A military tournament given by the 8th Hussars in aid of the local charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 23rd.

21.—The Duke of Clarence and Avondale (in the absence of the Prince of Wales, who was unable to attend in consequence of indisposition) opened a bazaar at Yarmouth in aid of a fund for the restoration of the parish church; and in the evening was present at a ball given by the officers of the Norfolk Artillery.

23.—The Norfolk County Council resolved to offer scholarships of the value of £10 each per annum, and not exceeding fifty in number, to boys and girls who, having passed the 6th and 7th Standards in elementary schools, were prepared, after examination, to attend for three years some secondary school possessing to the satisfaction of the committee the necessary qualifications for technical instruction.  On the 26th the Norwich Town Council decided to provide a school for technical education and manual instruction.

30.—The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted, by 66 votes against 32, a resolution in favour of making legal in England the practice of the dishorning of cattle.

JUNE.

8.—Mr. Wilson Barrett commenced a week’s engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Belphegor.  His other impersonations included Claud Melnotte, Chatterton, The Stranger, and Hamlet.

12.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. Edward Wild) unveiled at Norwich Cathedral a window inserted in the south aisle to the memory of officers of the Norfolk Regiment.  The window was the gift of the officers and men of the regiment.

—The British Training Squadron, consisting of the Active, the Calypso, the Volage, and the Ruby, entered Yarmouth Roads, and sailed on the 14th for the north.  Each ship’s company numbered about 500 men and boys.

16.—Lord Walsingham was elected High Steward of Cambridge University, and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws.  His lordship was introduced as a distinguished member of the Eton and Cambridge elevens, as an excellent shot, and as a great authority on shooting game.  Further, he was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and had given special attention to the study of microlepidoptera.

24.—The Goulburn pulpit, erected in the nave of Norwich Cathedral, was dedicated on this date.  It was the gift of the Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn, formerly Dean of Norwich, and was executed in Caen stone by Mr. James Forsyth, of Hampstead, from designs by Mr. R. Herbert Carpenter, F.S.A., and Mr. Benjamin Ingelow.

27.—The Norwich Census returns were published on this date, as follow:—Tenements of less than five rooms, 7,654; inhabited houses, 23,268; uninhabited, 1,739; building, 205.  Persons: Males, 46,615; females, 54,348; total, 100,964.

JULY.

8.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at Wymondham, and was continued on the 9th.  The Earl of Kimberley was president for the year.

10.—A prolonged strike in the building trade, at Norwich, was settled on this date.  The bricklayers’ strike commenced on May 4th, and that of the carpenters and joiners on June 1st.  In both cases the men demanded an extra payment of one penny per hour, and the acceptance by the masters of a code of rules framed by them.  The employers declined to accede to these demands, but submitted a code of their own, and offered a halfpenny advance.  The Mayor (Mr. Wild) intervened, and although at the time his action had no effect, the men ultimately accepted the masters’ code of rules.

14.—Dedication services were held at the parish church of Great Yarmouth on the completion of the extensive and protracted work of restoration.  The undertaking was commenced in 1847 by the Rev. Henry Mackenzie, afterwards Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham, and continued from time to time by the three successive vicars, Bishop Hills, of British Columbia, Archdeacon Nevill, and Canon Venables.  The latest portion of the work was begun in the spring of 1890, and cost about £1,500.  About £40,000 was expended upon the entire restoration.

21.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council a letter from the Privy Council was read, in which it was stated, with reference to a scheme for altering the boundaries of the wards of the city, that such alteration could not be permitted unless an alteration was also made in the number of the wards.  (See March 15th, 1892.)

25.—An exhibition of the works of Edward Thomas Daniell, comprising etchings, water-colours, and oil paintings, was held at the rooms of the Norwich Art Circle.

—The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment, encamped at Great Yarmouth under the command of Brigadier-General Bulwer.

27.—Lord Walsingham presided at a meeting of the subscribers to the Norwich Castle Museum scheme, at which it was decided to extend, at an additional cost of between £4,000 and £5,000, the original scheme for converting the Castle and the surrounding buildings to the purposes of a Museum.  It was announced that the Prince of Wales had contributed to the fund a further donation of fifty guineas.  (See August 4th, 1894.)

30.—A thunderstorm of extraordinary severity burst over Ellingham Park, the seat of Mr. Henry Smith.  “The lightning seemed literally to sweep the park with a sheet of fire, and immediately after the storm six bullocks and heifers were found lying dead under an elm tree.  Other cattle were injured, and the tree itself was split in half, and some of the branches hurled a considerable distance.”  Further thunderstorms occurred in other parts of the county on August 2nd.

AUGUST.

3.—Norwich Cricket Week commenced.  Matches were played against the Eton Ramblers, and the Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire Clubs, and in each instance the Norfolk County Cricket Club was victorious.  “The achievement of three victories in the week had not previously been accomplished since the institution of the festival in 1881.”  On the 6th and 7th Sir Kenneth Kemp’s company of amateurs gave performances of “The Bookmaker” at the Theatre Royal.

7.—The Norwich School Board decided to abolish the fees in all their schools, the Higher Grade School excepted, from September 1st, the date on which the Free Education Act came into operation.

8.—Lord Ashbourne, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, addressed a great Primrose League gathering at Didlington Park, held in celebration of the inauguration of the Margaret Tyssen Amherst Habitation.

5.—The Norfolk County Council decided to found an agricultural side for technical education in connection with the County School at Elmham.

7.—The Countess of Leicester laid the foundation-stone of a public hall to be erected at Burnham Thorpe as a memorial of Lord Nelson, who was born in the parish, where his father was rector, in 1758.  The hall, which formed part of a scheme initiated by the Prince of Wales, the main feature of which was the restoration of the parish church at the cost of £10,000, was opened on June 9th, 1892.

30.—Mr. Harry Furniss gave his lecture, “The Humours of Parliament,” at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

—The first annual show of the Mitford and Launditch Agricultural Association was held at East Dereham.  General Bulwer presided at the dinner, at which the principal speakers were Mr. R. T. Gurdon and Mr. C. S. Read.

OCTOBER.

13.—A severe gale did great damage inland, and resulted in many shipping casualties on the Norfolk coast.

15.—Died, at King’s Lynn, Mr. John Dyker Thew, in his 68th year.  He was proprietor of the “Lynn Advertiser,” and for many years represented the South Ward in the Town Council.  In 1871, 1876, and 1885 Mr. Thew was elected to the office of Mayor of the borough, and in the last-named year was appointed alderman.  He was leader of the Conservative party at Lynn.

16.—The Lord Mayor of London (Sir Joseph Savory) and the Lady Mayoress visited Norwich for the purpose of opening the new buildings of the Asylum and School for the Indigent Blind.

17.—The prospectus of the Norwich Electricity Company was published.  A capital of £50,000 was raised in 5,000 ordinary shares of £10 each, and the company was formed “for the purpose of supplying electricity for lighting and motive purposes.”

19.—Died, at Beeston Park, Sir Jacob Henry Preston, Bart., aged 79.  He was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county, and in 1847 served the office of High Sheriff.

25.—A severe storm commenced on this date, and continued until the 27th.  Several vessels were wrecked and lives lost on the coast.

31.—A meeting in furtherance of a scheme for providing playing fields and open spaces for the city was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Wild).  A committee known as the Norwich Playing-fields and Open Spaces Committee was appointed.

NOVEMBER.

1.—A serious fire at Sandringham House did damage to a considerable amount.

11.—A gale which swept over many parts of England did much injury in Norfolk, and was severely felt at Yarmouth and at other places on the coast.

14.—The Duke of Clarence and Avondale, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Fife and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, opened a trades and industrial exhibition at St. James’s Hall, Lynn.

DECEMBER.

7.—At the annual distribution of prizes to the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, at Norwich, Major Dawson was introduced to the corps as the future commanding officer, on the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Mansel.  At about this date the Dean of Norwich was appointed chaplain to the corps in place of the Rev. Canon Patteson.

9.—The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. G. M. Chamberlin) sent, on behalf of the citizens, letters of congratulation to the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and the Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, upon the announcement of the intended marriage of the Duke and Princess.

11.—A storm of great severity raged throughout the county, and much damage, was reported, especially in Mid Norfolk.  In several places the Yare and Bure overflowed their banks.

14.—The church of St. Mary, Great Plumstead, was severely damaged by fire.  The building, in the Perpendicular style, consisted of nave, chancel, and tower, which were restored in 1876 and 1878.  The fire completely destroyed the interior fittings and roof.  On December 14th, 1892, the church was re-opened after thorough restoration.

18.—A severe frost set in, and on the 22nd skating became general.

—The Duke of Clarence and Avondale terminated a visit to Mr. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., at Didlington Hall.

20.—Died, at Honingham vicarage, the Rev. Canon John Robert Feilden, vicar of Honingham and East Tuddenham, in his 65th year.  He was the fourth son of Mr. Joseph Feilden, M.P., of Whitton Park, Blackburn, and was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford.  After ordination he served a curacy at Malpas, Cheshire, and was chaplain to George Horatio, second Marquis Cholmondeley.  In 1861 he was presented to the rectory of Baconsthorpe, and in 1881 to the living which he held at the time of his death.  Mr. Feilden was a Commissioner under the Pluralities Act, for the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and for nine years was a member of the Board of Management of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.  He was appointed honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral in 1888.  Canon Feilden married, in 1861, Frances Blanche Ann, second daughter of Frederick, fourth Baron Calthorpe.

26.—Ginnett’s Circus opened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, for the winter season.

—Upwards of one thousand of the aged poor of Norwich were entertained by the Mayor (Mr. G. M. Chamberlin) and the Sheriff (Mr. Harry Reeve), at St. Andrew’s Hall.

1892.

JANUARY.

2.—A meeting, convened by the Lord Lieutenant of the county (the Earl of Leicester) and the High Sheriff (Mr. S. Gurney Buxton), was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, to consider what steps should be taken to provide a present from Norfolk to the Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Princess Mary Victoria on the occasion of their marriage.  It was resolved to open a public subscription.  A similar movement was inaugurated by the citizens of Norwich.

—The Norfolk County Council appointed Mr. H. C. Bolingbroke “accountant officer” to fill the vacancy occasioned by the retirement of Mr. H. W. Day from the office of County Treasurer.

14.—Died, at Sandringham, his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale.  The intelligence of the death of the young Prince was received in Norwich with many manifestations of public sorrow and sympathy.  The church bells were tolled, flags were hoisted at half-mast upon all public buildings, and the windows of business establishments and private residences were shaded.  The High Sheriff at once sent to the Comptroller of the Household of the Prince and Princess of Wales a telegram of sympathy on behalf of himself and the whole county of Norfolk, and on the 15th a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held, and addresses of condolence were ordered to be sent to the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck.  On Sunday, the 17th, many touching references to the sad event were made in Church and Nonconformist places of worship; and on the 20th, on which day the remains of the deceased Prince were removed from Sandringham to Windsor for interment, a memorial service, attended by the Mayor and Corporation, was held at Norwich Cathedral, and the Dean preached an eloquent sermon.  At Prince’s Street Congregational church, at Trinity Presbyterian church, and at St. Mary’s Baptist chapel similar services were held, business was suspended in the city, and the licensed victuallers and hotel proprietors closed their establishments from two o’clock until five o’clock.  In every town and village the day was observed with profound solemnity.

18.—An important meeting was held at the Deanery, Norwich, to discuss what measures should be taken to complete the sum of £2,500 then being raised by the Church Schools’ Aid Association for the special purpose of increasing and improving the accommodation of the Church day schools in the city.  It was resolved that it was the imperative duty of Churchmen to preserve the Church schools in a state of efficiency, and with this object it was decided that the clergy and laity form local branches to augment the fund.

23.—Influenza raged with great severity in city and county, and many prominent people were attacked by the complaint.  “It is producing many deaths among the aged; the mortality in Norwich last week was 40.1 per thousand.”  In the week ending January 30th the mortality in the city had increased to 44 per thousand.

FEBRUARY.

6.—Official notice was received at Norwich of the final settlement of the scheme proposed by the Attorney-General for the administration of the Norwich Town Close Estate Charity.  The scheme provided that the charity and its property and endowments should be vested in an official trustee of charity lands for the city of Norwich, and the management, preservation, and letting of the estate and the collecting of the income by a receiver would be exercised by trustees consisting of the trustees for the time being of the municipal charities of the city, known as the General Charities, as ex-officio trustees of the Town Close Estate, and by six representative trustees appointed by the freemen for a term of five years.

15.—The Compton Comedy Company commenced, at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, an engagement, during which were produced several favourite comedies of the old English stage.

18.—Archdeacon Perowne unveiled, at the church of St. Laurence, Norwich, a bronze memorial in commemoration of the work done by Miss Sarah Ann Glover in the cause of sol-fa music.  Miss Glover was the author of the sol-fa notation, from which sprang the tonic sol-fa system.

20.—Died, at his residence, Unthank’s Road, Norwich, Mr. Henry Norton, F.G.S., in his 81st year.  He was the eldest son of Mr. William Norton, of Old Buckenham, and in his early days was articled to Messrs. Mitchell and Clarke, a well-known firm of solicitors at Wymondham.  Much of his time was subsequently spent in roaming over the greater part of Europe, and in about 1860 he settled in Norwich.  As a scholar and a man of science Mr. Norton was possessed of a store of information such as few had acquired.  Sanskrit and geology were his favourite studies.  He was an omnivorous reader and lover of books, and bequeathed his valuable library and collection of manuscripts to the Norfolk and Norwich Library.

MARCH.

1.—Died, at Gimingham Rectory, the Ven. Ralph Blakelock, aged 88.  He was born at Red Hall, Leeds, and was educated at St. Catherine’s College, Cambridge, of which he became Fellow and tutor.  In his Cambridge days he published some mathematical treatises, which added considerably to his reputation as a college tutor.  On withdrawing from the University he became rector of Gimingham in 1833, and an active worker on behalf of many diocesan organizations.  He paid special regard to the social improvement of the labourers, and was known as “the father of the allotment system.”  For many years Mr. Blakelock was Archdeacon of Norfolk.

9.—Died, at Rippon Hall, Hevingham, the Rev. Henry Philip Marsham, aged 75.  He was a son of Mr. Robert Marsham, of Stratton Hall, and his taste for country life and love of nature had descended to him from his great grandfather, Robert Marsham, the ardent naturalist and frequent correspondent with White, of Selborne.  The annual records of the earliest dates, when many common plants were observed to flower, together with similar natural history data, as commenced by the elder naturalist, were continued by the younger.

14.—The memorial stones of a permanent building, to be used as the headquarters of the Salvation Army in Norwich, were laid by Mr. George White and other prominent Nonconformists, on a site at the rear of Mortimer’s Hotel, St. Giles’ Street.  The building, which, inclusive of the site, cost about £4,000, was opened on October 30th.

15.—A scheme for altering the number and bounderies of the wards in Norwich was unanimously adopted by the Town Council.  The Privy Council on June 16th were petitioned to approve the scheme, and on July 8th the formal order was received for dividing the city into sixteen wards.  Mr. Charles Neve Creswell, the Commissioner appointed to prepare the scheme for determining the boundaries of the wards and for apportioning councillors among them, held a public inquiry at the Guildhall on July 28th, at which evidence was given by representatives of the Town Council and others.  The first municipal elections under the provisions of the redistribution scheme took place on November 1st, when members were returned for sixteen wards instead of for eight.

16.—The first sale of shire horses, the property of the Prince of Wales, was held at Wolferton by Messrs. Sexton and Grimwade.  Forty-nine animals were sold for the total sum of £5,200.

25.—In the Court of Arches Lord Penzance decided in favour of the Bishop of Norwich, who had convicted the appellant, the Rev. Mr. O’Malley, of drunkenness, and sentenced him to two years’ suspension.  Lord Penzance declined to hear Mr. O’Malley’s appeal until he had given security for the Bishop’s costs, and limited the time during which the appellant should find such security to four months.  (See June 1st, 1899.)

26.—Died, at Unthank’s Road, Norwich, Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, aged 87.  Mrs. Fletcher had given active support to many philanthropic movements, and was one of the founders of the Orphan Home for Girls, originally started in Pottergate Street, and afterwards transferred to Chapel Field.

27.—Died, at Unthank’s Road, Norwich, the Rev. Charles Heath Hosken, Baptist minister, in his 81st year.  In his early days he was sent to Ireland for missionary work by the Baptist Irish Missionary Society, and subsequently laboured at Belize in the Bay of Honduras; at West Troy in the State of New York, and at Crayford in Kent.  “The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon sent his first two students to Mr. Hosken to be trained; thus the deceased was really associated with the foundation of the Pastors’ College.”

28.—Sir Harry and Lady Bullard celebrated their silver wedding at Hellesdon House, Norwich, and were the recipients of many presents from friends in county and city, and from the staff of the Anchor Brewery.

30.—Died, at Sheringham Hall, Mr. Henry Ramey Upcher, aged 82.  He was a son of the Rev. Abbot Upcher, and coming to the estate when only nine years old, he had probably been in possession of his property longer than any landowner in England.  When at Harrow he played in the cricket eleven, and on leaving Cambridge University took a leading part in athletic games, and was well-known throughout the country as a clever cricketer, a good horseman, and an excellent shot.  Mr. Upcher married, on July 3rd, 1838, Miss Caroline Morris.  In politics he was a Liberal of the old school, and a valued supporter of his party.

APRIL.

21.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop, and continued on the 22nd.

25.—The Norina Grand Opera Company appeared at Norwich Theatre in “La Fille de Madame Angot” and “The Daughter of the Regiment.”

26.—Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., was presented with a piece of plate by the Gladstonian party in Norwich in recognition of his twenty-one years’ Parliamentary services.

12.—The Gildencroft Recreation Ground, the site of which, with the buildings thereon, was purchased by the Corporation of Norwich for the sum of £2,700, was formally opened to the public by the Mayor.  (See June 6th, 1894.)

14.—A new lifeboat, the gift of Mrs. Burch, in memory of her late husband, Mr. John Burch, was launched at Yarmouth.  The craft was named by Miss Jane Burden the Abraham Thomas.

24.—The name of Dr. Frederic Bateman, senior physician of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, was included in the list of gentlemen who were to receive the honour of knighthood.  Dr. Bateman, on July 5th, was presented to the Queen at Windsor Castle.

25.—Died, at Cromer Hall, Mr. Benjamin Bond Bond-Cabbell.  He had devoted himself largely to the public life of the county, and was a major in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment.  Mr. Bond-Cabbell, who had been nominated for the office of High Sheriff in the ensuing year, was one of the most popular men in Norfolk, and his death was widely lamented.

JUNE.

15.—Died, at Norwich, Dr. William Guy, aged 57.  In 1871, when the city was visited by a serious outbreak of smallpox, Dr. Guy was brought prominently into public notice.  With characteristic courage and zeal he undertook the medical charge of the isolation hospital; and was afterwards appointed to the post of public vaccinator.  It was said that for years Norwich was the best vaccinated town in the kingdom.

16.—The Didlington herd of red polled cattle, the property of Mr. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., was sold by auction by Mr. John Thornton.  Forty-one cows and nine bulls were disposed of, and the total amount realised was 892 guineas—an average for the cows of £47 10s. 7d., and for the bulls of £24 4s. 2d.

21.—The Mayor and Mayoress of Norwich (Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Chamberlin) were presented with a “silver cradle” to commemorate the birth on March 11th of their soil, Geoffrey Lefroy.

28.—A thunderstorm of extraordinary severity burst over the county, and was said to have been the most alarming that had been experienced for many years.  It was remarkable more for its long duration than for any serious results.

29.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at King’s Lynn under the presidency of Mr. Thomas Leigh Hare.  The exhibition was continued on the 30th.

JULY.

1.—The nomination took place at East Dereham of candidates for the representation of Mid Norfolk.  The Unionist candidate was Mr. Robert Thornhagh Gurdon, and the Gladstonian candidate Mr. Clement Higgins, Q.C., Trebovir Road, South Kensington, S.W.  The polling was on the 13th, and the declaration on the 14th: Higgins, 4,069; Gordon 3,599.

—The nomination of candidates for South Norfolk was held at the Town Hall, Aylsham.  Mr. John Cator, of Woodbastwick Hall, was the Unionist, and Mr. Herbert Hardy Cozens-Hardy, the Gladstonian candidate.  The polling was on the 16th, and the declaration on the 18th:—Cozens-Hardy, 4,561; Cator, 3,278.

—For the representation of Lynn were nominated Mr. Thomas Gibson Bowles, of Newton Tony, Salisbury, hon. lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve (Unionist), and Mr. Thomas Richardson Kemp, Q.C., 5, Queen’s Gate Terrace, London (Gladstonian).  The polling on the 4th resulted as follows:—Bowles, 1,319; Kemp, 1,308.

5.—The nominations for East Norfolk were made at the Shirehall, Norwich.  Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bart., was nominated by the Unionists, and Mr. Robert John Price, barrister-at-law, 104, Sloane Street, S.W., by the Gladstonians.  The polling took place on the 12th, and the poll was declared on the 13th as follows:—Price, 4,743; Birkbeck, 4,303.

—The nomination of candidates for South Norfolk was held at the Shirehall, Norwich.  Mr. Francis Taylor, of Diss, was the Liberal-Unionist, and Mr. Albert George Kitching, Chase Court, Enfield, the Gladstonian nominee.  The polling took place on the 11th, and the declaration on the 12th: Taylor 4,288; Kitching, 3,535.

—Polling took place at Yarmouth.  The candidates were Mr. J. M. Moorsom, Q.C., London (Gladstonian), and Sir Henry Tyler (Conservative).  The contest resulted as follows:—Moorsom, 2,972; Tyler, 2,704.

7.—Mr. Justice Romer delivered judgment in the action, Micklethwaite v. Vincent, which raised an important question as to the rights of the public over the Norfolk broads.  The plaintiff asked for an injunction to restrain the defendant from shooting or fishing on that part of the Hickling Broad which was in the parish of Hickling, and from boating over it except in a certain channel.  The defendant contended that the Broad was open to the public for all purposes, and that he as one of the public was entitled to shoot and fish over it.  The judge held that the plaintiff had established his right to the part of the Broad in question.  Admittedly there was a public way over the Broad, but this was restricted to the channel.  The plaintiff asked for an injunction to restrain the defendant from going on the Broad at all except in this channel.  He was satisfied on the evidence that this right of way was not so restricted, and that part of plaintiff’s claim failed and must be dismissed.  It was not necessary for his lordship to decide how far the plaintiff’s right extended beyond the channel.  The plaintiff must get from the defendant the bare costs of the action, except so far as those costs had been increased by the claim to restrict the right of way to the channel, which had failed.  So far as the defendant’s costs had been increased by the last mentioned claim he would get them from the plaintiff with the set-off.

8.—Mr. P. P. Marshall, City Engineer, of Norwich, resigned his office, in which he was succeeded by Mr. Buchan.

15.—The South-West Norfolk election took place.  The candidates were Mr. Thos. Leigh Hare, Stow Bardolph (Unionist), and Mr. Henry Lee Warner, the Paddocks, Swaffham, (Gladstonian).  The poll was declared at Swaffham on the 16th as follows:—Hare, 4,077; Lee Warner, 3,739.

16.*—“The ‘London Gazette’ announces that the Victoria Cross is conferred upon Lieutenant J. Manners Smith for his conspicuous bravery when leading the storming party at the attack and capture of a strong position occupied by the enemy near Nilt in the Hunza-Nagur country on December 20th, 1891.  Lieutenant Smith, who was serving in the Indian Staff Corps, is a Norfolk man, and was educated at the Norwich Grammar School.”

19.—The Norwich Town Council decided to create and issue £3 per cent. redeemable stock, and on October 11th a series of formal resolutions in completion of the scheme was adopted.

21.—The St. George’s Vase was won at the Bisley meeting by Private Gray, 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, with the highest possible score of 35 points.

22.—In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, before Mr. Justice North, the action, Boswell v. Coaks, came on for hearing.  It was brought for the purpose of re-opening the question which, after protracted litigation, had been settled in the House of Lords.  The present action was founded on allegations of fraud on the part of one of the successful litigants in the conduct of the litigation.  The judge did not call for a reply.  He said he had come to the conclusion that each allegation of fraud afforded no probable cause for thinking that the plaintiff could possibly succeed at the trial.  After this matter had been thrashed out at such an enormous expenditure of time and money he thought there would be a grievous miscarriage of justice if he did not, so far as he could, put a closure to steps to open up a matter upon suggestions so unfounded and baseless as he considered the plaintiff’s pleadings to make.  He did not mean to suggest that plaintiff’s advisers had instituted the action for the purpose of vexation, but in his opinion nothing could be more vexatious than that an action should be proceeded with in which any chance of success was absolutely hopeless.  Notice of appeal was given by the plaintiff on August 17th.  In the Court of Appeal on November 2nd the case was re-opened, and after a hearing which lasted several hours their lordships reserved judgment.  Mr. Justice A. L. Smith read the judgment of the Court on November 5th, which was in favour of the respondent, with costs.  Judgment was confirmed in the Court of Appeal on February 9th, 1893, by Lords Justices Lopes and Kay.  (See December 14th, 1893.)

23.—The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment went into camp at Yarmouth.

AUGUST.

2.—The Cricket Week theatricals at Norwich Theatre included performances of “Old Cronies,” “In Honour Bound,” and “Done on Both Sides.”  This was the last occasion upon which performances were given by Sir Kenneth Kemp’s company.  The Cricket Week was continued in subsequent years in the first week of August.

3.—Mr. Arthur Wilson Fox, one of the assistant Commissioners appointed by the Royal Commission on Labour, held an inquiry at the Assembly Rooms, Swaffham, with the view of ascertaining the position and earnings of agricultural labourers.  Similar inquiries were held in other parts of the county.

7.—Died, at Eastbourne, the Rev. George Charles Hoste, in his 79th year.  He was born in Norwich, and was the eldest son of Colonel Sir George Hoste, of the Royal Engineers.  He graduated at Caius College, Cambridge, in 1835, and in 1856 was presented by Bishop Hinds to the important parish of Heigham.  In 1847 he married Anne, daughter of Mr. John Brenchley, of Wombwell Hall, near Gravesend.  Mr. Hoste made great efforts to provide increased church accommodation in Heigham, and in 1861 secured sufficient money to build the church dedicated to the Holy Trinity.  On retiring from Heigham he was given the living of Boyton, Suffolk.

20.—The Queen, it was announced, had conferred the dignity of a peerage upon Mr. William Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst, of Didlington Hall.  The “London Gazette” of September 23rd announced that the new peer had adopted the title of Baron Amherst of Hackney.

30.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council it was decided to rescind a former resolution of the Council passed with the view of preventing the erection of the Roman Catholic church presbytery beyond the building line at Unthank’s Road, and permission was granted for carrying out the original plans.  (See August 29th, 1894.)

SEPTEMBER.

1.—The students entered into occupation of the Norwich and Ely Training College for female teachers in elementary schools.  The cost of the college was about £10,000, and of the practising schools £2,122.  The buildings were designed by Messrs. Oliver and Leeson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and erected by Messrs. J. Youngs and Son.  The college was formally opened on October 12th by the Bishops of Norwich and Ely.

—Died the Rev. John Marjoribanks Nisbet, Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and rector of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London.  He was 67 years of age, and was appointed to his canonry in 1867.  In 1885 Canon Nisbet was elected proctor in Convocation for the Norwich Chapter.

5.—Thorpe Market church was re-opened after extensive restoration.  The building was erected in 1796 by the second Lord Suffield on the site formerly occupied by the original church, which had fallen into decay, and was in consequence demolished.

12.—Mr. C. E. Cooke, of Litcham, sold his famous eight-years-old hackney stallion.  Cadet 1,251, for £3,000 to Mr. Alexander J. Cassatt, president of the American Hackney Horse Society.

14.—Mr. Ben Greet’s company of pastoral players performed the garden scenes in “Twelfth Night” in the grounds of Mr. A. R. Chamberlin, the Grove, Ipswich Road, Norwich, in aid of the funds of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

17.—Died, at Weston House, Colonel Sir Hambleton Custance, K.C.B., aged 82.  He was a son of Mr. Hambleton Thomas Custance, of Weston, by Mary, only child of Miles Bower, and was born at Norwich.  He married, in 1840, Frances, daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, premier baronet of England, and widow of the Rev. Henry Walpole Nevill.  For more than fifty years he held a commission in the old First or West Norfolk Militia, from the command of which he retired in 1881 with the rank of honorary colonel, when he received the dignity of K.C.B.  From 1863 to 1878 he was vice-chairman of the General Committee of the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival, a justice of the peace, and Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, and in 1859 served the office of High Sheriff.  Lady Custance died on October 4th.

22.—Died, Mr. Thomas R. Tallack, formerly secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.  He had done useful archæological work, and among the most important of his undertakings was the putting of the city archives into good order and making them easy of access for reference.  Mr. Tallack had also made a valuable transcript for the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society of the Tanner MS.

OCTOBER.

3.—The annual provincial meeting of the Incorporated Law Society commenced at Norwich.  The Mayor and Mrs. G. M. Chamberlin held a reception at St. Andrew’s Hall; a banquet was given on the 4th; and the Sheriff and Mrs. Reeve invited the members to a ball on the 5th.  Mr. Richard Pennington presided at the meetings of the society.

4.—Died, at Lynn, aged 61, Mr. William Thompson, who was elected Mayor of the borough in 1877, and again served the office from April to November, 1880, on the sudden death of Mr. Seppings.

12.—Madame Adelina Patti, supported by Mdlle. Donilly, Mdlle. Alice Gomez, Mr. Charles Chilley, Signor Novara, Miss Fanny Davies, Mdlle. Levallois, and M. Sieveking, appeared at a grand concert given at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

—Died, at Bramerton Lodge, Major John Penrice, aged 73.  He was a justice of the peace for Norfolk, and took an active part in the administration of county business.  Major Penrice was chairman of the Yarmouth Port and Haven Commission.

16.—Died, at Saxlingham Rectory, the Rev. George King, M.A., honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral, in his 90th year.  Canon King was one of the oldest clergymen in the Church of England.

20.—Mr. D. L. Moody, the “American Evangelist,” opened a three days’ mission at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

21.—A heavy fall of snow occurred in Norfolk, and was followed by severe frost.  The weather for some time previously had been unprecedently wet, and the heavy rainfall had swollen the rivers and flooded the marshes and low-lying lands.  During the first half of the month more than 4.5 inches of rain were registered at Sprowston.  It was the wettest October that had been experienced for years past.

22.—Died, at 45, St. Giles’ Street, Norwich, Mr. Thomas William Crosse, F.R.C.S., in his 67th year.  He was a son of the distinguished John Green Crosse, and was educated at Mr. Perowne’s school, Norwich, and at King’s College School, London.  After a course of study at St. Bartholomew’s Hospital, and at the Dublin, Leeds, and Norwich Hospitals, Mr. Crosse became, in 1847, M.R.C.S. and L.S.A., and in 1860, after examination, was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons.  In Norwich he gained the reputation of being a bold, skilful, and successful surgeon.  He was appointed assistant-surgeon to the Hospital in 1857, became full surgeon on October 26th, 1872, and retired from the staff in 1888.  In April, 1892, having previously filled the office of vice-chairman, he was made chairman of the Board of Management.  For many years Mr. Crosse discharged with conspicuous ability the honorary duties of curator of the pathological museum at the Hospital.  He was a member of the Council of the British Medical Association, and among his contributions to surgical literature were articles on “Urinary Calculus” in Heath’s “System of Surgery.”  Mr. Crosse was a governor of the Grammar School and of the Middle School, and an ex-officio member of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.  For some years he represented the Sixth Ward in the Conservative interest, and was appointed on January 21st, 1873, Medical Officer of Health for the city, and continued to discharge his duties until within a short time of his death.  Mr. Crosse married, in 1857, a daughter of Mr. Adam Taylor.

—Died, at his residence, Beechamwell Hall, Mr. Joshua Fielden, aged 44.  He was a son of Mr. John Fielden, of Green Bank, Caton, near Lancaster, and was educated at Eton and Cambridge.  Mr. Fielden was a justice of the peace and a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1884.

26.—A “World’s Fair,” promoted in aid of the funds for paying off the debt on the vicarage house and the completion of the restoration of the tower of St. Peter Mancroft church, was opened at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, by the Mayor.  The bazaar, which closed on the 28th, produced receipts to the amount of £575.

NOVEMBER.

2.—The inmates of Norwich Workhouse were entertained by Mr. Hoare, M.P., and Mrs. Hoare in celebration of the marriage of their daughter.  Miss Elma Hoare, with the Rev. H. L. Paget, on October 27th.

16.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council the Liberal members elected a committee to select the names of persons to be submitted to the Lord Chancellor for appointment as magistrates.  The Conservative members declined to take part in the proceedings on the ground that the movement was purely political.  On December 20th the special committee reported that their proceedings had been abortive.

26.—Mr. C. S. Read made an important speech at the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture in opening a discussion upon the question of agricultural depression.  It was decided to support the proposed National Agricultural Conference to be held in London.  At an adjourned meeting of the Chamber on the 10th the proceedings of the Conference were discussed, and a resolution adopted in favour of the formation of an Agricultural Union by widening and popularising the Central Chamber of Agriculture and kindred societies.

29.—The Earl of Leicester, in a letter to the “Daily Telegraph,” gave a remarkable account of the annual rents on the Holkham Estate when he entered into possession in 1842, in 1878, when they were at their highest, and in 1891, when the last payment was made.  Summarised the statement was as follows:—

Year ending at Michaelmas, 1842.

Year ending at Michaelmas, 1878.
(Highest rental.)

Year ending at Michaelmas, 1891.

Remarks.—Decrease 27¼ per cent.  The tithe was paid by the landlord in 1878 and 1891, and three-fourths by the tenants in 1842.

DECEMBER.