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

4.—Mr. A. J. Balfour, First Lord of the Treasury, addressed a large meeting of the Conservative party at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, at which Lord Amherst of Hackney presided.  Mr. Balfour stayed at Catton Park, as the guest of Mr. S. Gurney Buxton.

9.—Mr. Clement Charles Rix Spelman was elected Mayor and Mr. Alfred Haldinstein appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

16.—The new Royal Hotel, erected on the site of Messrs. Foster and Burroughes’ offices and of a stonemason’s yard and other premises on Bank Plain, Norwich, was opened by a public luncheon at which Mr. Blofeld, chairman of the Directors, presided.  The building was designed by Mr. E. T. Boardman, of the firm of Messrs. Boardman and Son, and the contractor was Mr. John Youngs.

28.—A severe gale visited the eastern coast, and continued on the 29th.  At Yarmouth a high sea flooded the Beach Gardens, and the river overflowed its banks, and entered private houses, offices, and warehouses on the Quay.  At Cromer a portion of the jetty was washed away, and at Horsey serious breaches were made in the sea wall and thousands of acres of salt marshes submerged.  The fishermen and others on the coast sustained great damage, and a fund was opened by the Mayor of Norwich for their relief.  On December 30th Capt. Vereker, the professional adviser to the Harbour Department of the Board of Trade, held an inquiry at the King’s Arms Inn, Martham, for the purpose of receiving suggestions as to the best methods of preventing future encroachments.

DECEMBER.

7.—The Norwich Town Council elected Mr. Ernest Edward Wild, barrister-at-law, judge of the Guildhall Court of Record, in place of Mr. Carlos Cooper, deceased.

22.—Died at 14, Trinity Street, Norwich, Mr. William Hunter, aged 77.  He was a native of Bury St. Edmund’s, was elected Mayor of Norwich in 1881, and appointed a justice of the peace in 1893.

26.—Died at Belper, the Rev. Edwin Augustus Hillyard, vicar of Christ Church, in that town.  He was formerly rector of St. Lawrence, Norwich, and the pioneer of ritualistic observances in the churches of the city.  “Mr. Hillyard was the first to have celebrations for the departed, and they have been held in one church or another in Norwich ever since.”

27.—A disastrous fire occurred at Lynn, and caused destruction of tradesmen’s stock and property of the value of £150,000.  It originated on the premises of Messrs. Jermyn and Perry and Jermyn and Son, wholesale and retail drapers and furniture and general warehousemen.

JANUARY.

14.—At Aylsham County Court, before Judge Willis, Q.C., was tried the action Astley and Wyrley-Birch v. MacLean.  The plaintiffs sought to recover £50 damages from the defendant, who was master of the Baconsthorpe Harriers, for trespassing upon their lands and for disturbing game thereon.  The defence was that a fair but unsuccessful attempt had been made to prevent the hounds from getting into the cover, and as soon as possible they were drawn out.  The jury found a verdict for the plaintiffs, damages £1, and stated that in their opinion the trespass was unintentional.  Under the circumstances his Honour refused to grant an injunction to restrain the defendant from committing similar trespasses.

23.—Honingham church, restored by the Hon. Ailwyn Fellowes, M.P., as a memorial of the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria, was opened.

27.—Died at Catton, Mr. Donald Steward, eldest son of Mr. Timothy Steward, and a member of the firm of Messrs. Steward, Patteson, Finch, and Co.  He was appointed to the office of Sheriff of Norwich, in 1878, and was formerly a captain, in the Norwich Battalion of Rifle Volunteers.

29.—A great fire took place at Press’s mills, Great Yarmouth, and resulted in the destruction of property to the amount of £20,000.

FEBRUARY.

1.—Died at the Mount, Thorpe Hamlet, Mrs. Hannah Elizabeth Jarrold, widow of Mr. Thomas Jarrold.  She was the author of the popular “Household Tracts,” and was for many years an active worker amongst the poor.

5.—At the Guildhall Police-court, Norwich, Mr. Edmund Reeve, on behalf of the Norwich Electric Tramways Company, applied to the justices, under the Lands Clauses Consolidation Act, for a magistrates’ certificate that the capital of the company had been subscribed.  The capital was stated to be £240,000, and 50 per cent. thereof had been paid up.  The application was granted.  The work of laying the tramways was commenced on the Earlham and Thorpe routes on June 22nd.  (See April 19th, 1900.)

8.—Mr. Edward Wild was elected leader of the Conservative party in Norwich in place of Mr. H. S. Patteson, resigned.

11.—A great sale of shire horses, the property of the Prince of Wales, was conducted at Wolferton by Messrs. Sexton, Grimwade, and Beck.  Fifty-four lots averaged £224 7s. 9d., and the sale realised £12,117.  The three-year-old filly, Sea Breeze, was bought by Sir Blundell Maple for 1,150 guineas.

22.—Mr. Arthur F. Gentry, borough accountant of Colchester, was appointed City Accountant of Norwich, at the salary of £400 per annum.

—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was decided that the Norwich City Waterworks Bill, 1898, be referred to the Law and Parliamentary Committee with the object of obtaining powers in the Bill for the Corporation to purchase the Waterworks.  The Bill, which was promoted by the City of Norwich Waterworks Company for raising additional capital and for obtaining powers to make additional works, came before a Select Committee of the House of Commons on March 15th.  The committee stipulated that the proposed new capital should be reduced from £100,000 to £60,000, and the borrowing powers to £15,000, which with the unused capital and stock would give the company £90,000.  On October 18th the Law and Parliamentary Committee reported that having regard to the importance and magnitude of the acquisition of the undertaking by the Corporation, and the limited time within which steps must be taken to promote a Bill in the next session of Parliament, they recommended that further action be delayed until next year.  The recommendation was adopted.

24.—A party of members of the Norfolk and Norwich Archæological Society visited Tasburgh for the purpose of viewing a site known as the Chapel Piece, where a quantity of ancient human remains had been unearthed.  “There is little doubt that the site was used as a burial-ground by the inhabitants of the Roman station over the river upon the adjacent hill, in the enclosure of which the present church of Tasburgh stands.”

25.—Dr. Nansen, the Arctic explorer, delivered at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, his lecture entitled “Across the Polar Region.”

MARCH.

5.—Died at his residence, South Kensington, Mr. Edmund Tattersall, head of the well-known firm of horse auctioneers.  Mr. Tattersall was born at Sculthorpe, neap Fakenham, in 1816, and at an early age went to London to assist his uncle, whom he succeeded as sole partner in 1858.

12.—The freehold of the old Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, it was announced, had been purchased for £9,500, by a syndicate who proposed to erect upon the site a modern theatre to be called “The Norwich Opera House and Theatre of Varieties,” at an estimated cost of between £25,000 and £30,000.  On the 19th particulars were published of another new theatre to be erected upon a site south of Prince of Wales Road.  Plans of both the proposed theatres were prepared and were approved by the Corporation.  In due course the foundations of the first-named theatre were laid, after which the work came to an abrupt termination.

18.—Died at Upper Norwood, aged 78, Mr. Frederic Grimmer, formerly of Haddiscoe, who was appointed Sheriff of Norwich in 1871.

—Died at St. Moritz, the Engadine, the Rev. Thomas Parry Garnier, rector of Banham, and honorary canon of Norwich.  Born February 22nd, 1841, he was the second son of the Very Rev. Thomas Garnier, Dean of Lincoln, and one of the most distinguished clergymen in the diocese of Norwich.  He was the author of “The Parish Church,” “The Title Deeds of the Church of England,” “Church and Dissent,” “A Story in Outline of the Church of England,” “The First Book of Worship,” “The First and Second Book of Church Principles,” “The First Book on the Church,” &c.  Both at Winchester College and Oxford University he greatly distinguished himself in scholastic work and in sport.  In 1858 and 1859 he played with the Winchester team against Eton, and for four years, from 1860 to 1863, did admirable service for his University in the matches with Cambridge.  He also played in 1861 with the Gentlemen of England in their match with the Players.  Canon Garnier married in 1873 the Hon. Louisa Warren Vernon, daughter of the fifth Lord Vernon.

25.—St. Paul’s church, Great Yarmouth, was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich.

29.—Died at the Great Hospital, Norwich, Susan Rope, aged 101 years five months.  She was a native of Earl Soham, and had been upon the foundation of the Hospital since October 31st, 1865.

APRIL.

7.—Died at Cringleford, Mr. Henry Staniforth Patteson.  He was a son of Mr. John S. Patteson, and was born in November, 1816.  For more than thirty years he was an alderman of Norwich, was appointed Sheriff in 1858, and in 1862 was elected Mayor.  He was actively identified with the Norwich Rifle Volunteers for more than a quarter of a century, and retired with the rank of major, and he succeeded Col. Bignold as leader of the Conservative party in the city.

—Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., and Mrs. Hoare, in a letter to the Dean of Norwich on this date, the thirty-second anniversary of their wedding day, offered to defray the whole cost of removing from the walls, columns, and other portions of the nave of the Cathedral the thick coating of whitewash which for centuries had defaced and obscured the masonry.  Shortly afterwards was initiated the fund for the provision of a new organ for the Cathedral.  (See May 25th, 1899.)

13.—Sir Charles R. Gilman was presented by the district managers and inspectors of the Norwich and London Accident Insurance Association with a piece of silver plate weighing 150 ozs., “as a mark of their esteem and to commemorate the honour conferred upon him by the Queen during the second term of his mayoralty of the city.”

14.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference opened at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, and was concluded on the 15th.

23.—Notice was published of an intended application to the Light Railway Commissioners for powers to construct a light railway from Trowse, viâ Arminghall, Brooke, and Loddon, to Beccles.  On July 12th Lord Jersey, chairman of the Light Railway Commission, and Col. Boughey, R.E., C.S.I., sat at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the purpose of receiving information on the subject.  It was stated that the length of the proposed line would be 17½ miles; the capital to be authorised by the Bill was £100,000, with borrowing powers for £33,000, and Sir Douglas Fox, consulting engineer, stated that the contractor would be able to construct the line for £93,000.

27.—Mr. John Cross tendered his resignation of the office of Clerk to the Norwich Board of Guardians, and on May 25th Mr. E. R. Woodward was elected to fill the vacancy.

MAY.

7.—Died at Kirkley, Lowestoft, Mr. Robert Hitchman, formerly Chief Constable of Norwich, aged 72.  He was appointed Chief Constable on March 24th, 1859, and retired on April 30th, 1897.

12.—Polling took place in the Southern Division of the county in consequence of the resignation of Mr. Francis Taylor (Liberal Unionist).  The candidates were Mr. J. Sancroft Holmes, of Gawdy Hall, Harleston (Conservative), and Mr. A. W. Soames, architect, of London (Liberal).  The poll was declared at the Shirehall, Norwich, on the 13th: Soames, 4,626; Holmes, 3,296.

19.—Intelligence was received in Norwich of the death of Mr. Gladstone.  Both political parties paid becoming respect to the memory of the deceased statesman.  Resolutions of sympathy were passed by the members of the Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club and of the Gladstone Club, and on the day of interment, the 28th, a memorial service, attended by the Mayor and Corporation, was held at the Cathedral.

24.—The Norwich Town Council considered a report of the Executive Committee containing recommendations for the alteration of the names of various streets and roads in the city.  The report, with certain modifications and amendments, was adopted at a subsequent meeting.

26.—A new Voluntary school for the accommodation of 400 boys, erected on Hall Road, Lakenham, by the supporters of Church education in Norwich at the cost of £2,600, was opened by the Lord Bishop.

27.—Died at Mulbarton, Mr. George Frederick Cooke, formerly District Registrar of the High Court of Justice, and Registrar of the County Court, Norwich, in his 80th year.  He was the youngest son of the Rev. William Cooke, vicar of Bromyard, Herefordshire, and brother of Mr. Cooke, a former judge of the Norfolk County Court.

28.—The members of the Automobile Club of Great Britain arrived at Norwich in the course of a Whitsuntide tour through East Anglia.

9.—A verdict of accidental death was returned by a coroner’s jury at Norwich in the case of Henry Skepworth, a sergeant in the 7th Dragoon Guards, who died from injuries received when returning from Wymondham, where a party of non-commissioned officers and men of the regiment had given a military display at the athletic sports.  It was subsequently announced that “certain irregularities having lately occurred at sports and other displays in which soldiers have taken part, and notably in the Colchester district, where a sergeant met with his death, the Commander-in-Chief has refused applications for their services on such occasions.”

16.—Mr. Ben Greet’s company gave pastoral representations of “As You Like It” and “The Comedy of Errors” at Bracondale Woods in aid of the endowment fund of the Jenny Lind Infirmary at Norwich.

20.—The railway from North Walsham to Mundesley was opened for goods traffic.  The first passenger trains were run on July 1st.

21.—The Norwich Corporation Baths at the old Museum premises, St. Andrew’s Broad Street, were opened by the Mayor (Mr. C. C. R. Spelman).

—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, Samuel Frederick Steele (27), railway carman, was indicted for the wilful murder of Thurza Ann Bensley, at Yarmouth, on February 23rd.  The jury found him guilty, but considered him insane when he committed the act, and expressed the hope that he would be kept in strict custody for the rest of his life.  His lordship said he would add that as a rider to the verdict.

—It was reported at a meeting of the Norwich Town Council that Messrs. Hughes and Lancaster had completed their contract, amounting to £21,522 for supplying Shone’s ejectors, &c., in connection with the sewerage works.

22.—George Watt (44), labourer, was indicted at the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, for the wilful murder of his wife, Sophia Watt, at Sprowston, on April 14th, and was found guilty, and sentenced to death.  The execution (by Billington) took place at Norwich Prison on July 12th.

25.—The championship meeting of the National Cyclists’ Union was held on the Earlham Road Recreation Ground, Norwich.  The five miles’ professional championship was won by H. E. Meyers, Dutch Cyclists’ Club, in 15 minutes 36 1-5th seconds; the five miles’ amateur championship by A. S. Ingram, Polytechnic Club, in 14 minutes 11 2-5ths seconds; and the 25 miles’ amateur championship by H. W. Payne, West Roads Cyclists’ Club, in 1 hour 4 minutes 52 4-5ths seconds.

JULY.

9.—Died at Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. Henry George Barwell.  Born on February 4th, 1829, he was the fourth son of Mr. John Barwell, and was educated at Hofwyl, near Berne, and at Norwich Grammar School.  He was engaged as private secretary to Mr. Birkett, brother-in-law of Sir Morton Peto, and was afterwards employed in the construction of a portion of the Great Northern Railway between Lincoln and Newark, and on its completion was sent out to Flensburg as one of the staff in the making of the Royal Danish Railway.  In 1856 he joined the firm of Barwell and Sons.  Taking up the practical study of art in 1870, he became a frequent exhibitor at the Royal Institution of Painters in Water Colours; he was one of the founders of the Norwich Art Circle, and for twenty-five years was hon. secretary of the Norwich School of Art.

15.—The Norfolk Infantry Volunteer Brigade went into camp at Colchester under the command of Col. G. S. Burton, commanding the 9th Regimental District.  The four battalions numbered about 2,000 men.

—The 7th Dragoon Guards left Norwich by train for Bulford Camp, Salisbury Plain, to take part in the cavalry manœuvres.

25.—In the Court of Appeal, before Lords Justices A. L. Smith, Rigby, and Vaughan Williams, judgment was given in the long pending appeal the Corporation of Thetford v. the County Council of Norfolk.  This was an appeal from a judgment of Mr. Justice Wills.  The question was whether in the case of a borough of not less than 10,000 inhabitants and having separate courts of Quarter Sessions and Petty Sessions, the salaries of the recorder and the clerk of the peace, and of the clerk to the borough justices in Petty Sessions in such borough, and certain other expenses connected with the Quarter Sessions and Petty Sessions were transferred from the borough fund to the county fund.  Thetford was a borough containing a population of less than 10,000, and was situated for administrative purposes within the county of Norfolk.  It had a separate court of Quarter Sessions presided over by a recorder, who was paid a salary of £40 per annum, and there was a clerk of the peace who was paid by fees.  Before and since the Local Government Act of 1888 the salary of the recorder and the fees (with certain exceptions) of the clerk of the peace were paid out of the borough fund, and the clerk to the borough justices was paid a salary out of the same fund.  The plaintiffs contended that by the Act of 1888 the liability for the expenses was transferred to the defendants, and they claimed a declaration to that effect, and they further claimed to be reimbursed the expenses paid by them.  There was also a question raised by cross-appeal as to the payment of the salary of the clerk of the Petty Sessions.  The court dismissed the appeal, and allowed the cross-appeal.

26.—Dr. J. E. Talmage lectured at Victoria Hall, Norwich, on “Utah and its People.”

AUGUST.

1.—On this date occurred the most serious and destructive fire that had taken place in Norwich during the century.  At an early hour in the morning the premises of Mr. Daniel Hurn, rope maker, Dove Street, were discovered to be on fire.  The flames spread southwards to Messrs. Chamberlin and Sons’ wholesale warehouse, northwards towards Pottergate Street, and westward to the Public Library.  The premises in which the fire originated, the warehouse, and a portion of the property on the north were speedily destroyed, and ultimately the Library building was consumed with its 60,000 volumes and the valuable Norton library.  On August 5th the Edinburgh public-house, at the corner of Dove Street and Pottergate Street fell with a crash, and two or three persons were severely injured.

2.—Died at Scone Palace, near Perth, William David Murray, fourth Earl of Mansfield, K.T., aged 93.  The deceased nobleman was better known to Norwich politicians of a by-gone generation as Lord Stormont, who with Sir James Scarlett, afterwards Lord Abinger, was returned as Conservative member for the city at the first Parliamentary election after the passing of the Reform Act.  It was not until 1895 that the Conservative party once more obtained the undivided Parliamentary representation of Norwich by the return of Mr. Samuel Hoare and Sir Harry Bullard.

12.—Died at Swaffham, Mr. Herbert William Day, aged 76, who for upwards of twenty-five years held the office of County Treasurer, and retired shortly after the passing of the Local Government Act, 1889.

23.—At the Norwich Police-court, Samuel Matthews, of Raglan Street, Dereham Road, was charged on eight summonses with unlawfully using the name and title of doctor and of surgeon, thereby implying that he was a registered medical practitioner.  The Bench decided that Mr. Matthews, in using the word “doctor,” did not wilfully and falsely pretend to be registered as such, and, therefore, dismissed the case; but they considered there had been an infringement of the law in the use of the word “surgeon,” for which the defendant was fined £1, and 12s. costs.  At the Norwich County Court on the 24th Mr. Matthews was sued by the Master, Wardens, and Society of the Art and Mystery of Apothecaries of the City of London to recover the sum of £20 for unlawfully acting as an apothecary by attending, advising, and supplying medicines to certain persons.  A special jury was empanelled to try the case, which was admitted.  Judgment was entered for the plaintiff society for £20 and costs.  Mr. Matthews was afterwards presented with a gift of plate weighing 300 ounces, subscribed for by the citizens as a mark of their esteem and sympathy.

26.—The promises of Messrs. Pinchen and Co., brewers and mineral water manufacturers at South Creake, were destroyed by fire.  The damage was estimated at £3,000.

30.—At the Episcopal Consistorial Court, held at Norwich Cathedral, before Mr. Chancellor Blofeld, was heard an application for a faculty in which citation had been granted against the Rev. Robert Middleton, rector of St. Michael-at-Coslany, Norwich, for illegally, without any faculty and in spite of remonstrance of William Joseph Simmons, one of the churchwardens, removing a re-table from its position above the communion table, and moving from the church certain ornaments which stood there, namely, a cross of brass, two candlesticks, and two flower vases, and for refusing to replace them.  Mr. Middleton was cited to appear and show cause why a faculty should not be granted to the churchwardens directing them to replace the articles.  The faculty was granted as prayed, with costs against Mr. Middleton.

SEPTEMBER.

1.—A ball was given at Drayton House in celebration of the silver wedding of Mr. and Mrs. J. H. Walter, who were the recipients of many presents and congratulations.  On the 3rd the workmen employed at the Taverham and Bawburgh mills and the labourers on the estate were entertained to dinner.

6.—Barnum and Bailey’s great show visited Norwich, and was located upon a piece of land on Unthank Road.  The performances were repeated on the 7th.  Upwards of 42,000 persons visited the show.  (See July 29th, 1899.)

13.—Died at Earlham Road, Norwich, Mr. John William Sparrow, solicitor, for many years Registrar of the Guildhall Court of Record.

—The coming of age of Mr. Robert Hamilton Kemp, eldest son of Sir Kenneth Kemp, Bart., was celebrated at Gissing Old Hall.

OCTOBER.

16.—Died at Fairstead House, Newmarket, aged 82, Mr. John F. Clark, the famous racing judge.  Mr. Clark was a native of Norwich, and on leaving school joined his father as a builder.  He afterwards became an architect, and during his professional career designed many ecclesiastical buildings, and restored others.  He also planned most of the modern grand stands upon the principal race courses in England.  Mr. Clark was appointed judge by the Jockey Club in 1852, and was the third member of his family who had held the office, from which he retired at the close of 1888.

24.—The National Union of Women Workers of Great Britain and Ireland opened its annual conference at Prince’s Street Rooms, Norwich; and on the 27th the Mayor and Mayoress held a reception at St. Andrew’s Hall.

30.—Died at Lowestoft, Mr. Frederick Elwin Watson, aged 88.  He twice served the office of Mayor of Norwich, in 1866–67 and in 1870–71.  He was for many years a warm supporter of the Norwich Church of England Young Men’s Society.

NOVEMBER.

8.—Died at Wymondham Vicarage, in his 96th year, the Rev. Robert Eden, M.A., Fellow of Corpus Christi College, Oxford, and honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral.  He was the author of several works, including “The Churchman’s Theological Dictionary,” “Some Thoughts on the Inspiration of the Holy Scriptures,” “A History of Preaching,” “The Title Page of the Revised Version of the Holy Bible,” &c.  In his young days Canon Eden was acquainted with Whately, the famous divine, and was for a time assistant librarian at the Bodleian Library.

9.—Mr. George Henry Morse was elected Mayor and Mr. Henry Skelton appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

18.—The Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club was opened in its new premises, the Royal Arcade, Norwich.  Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart., presided on the occasion.

26.—The remarkable recovery of a lost register belonging to the parish of Gressenhall was reported.  “The books, which dated from 1538 to 1710, were discovered lying on a shelf in an upper room with a number of other old documents, at Docking Hall.  A certain Hon. Hugh Charles Hare, who was rector of Docking from 1708 to 1711, was also rector of Gressenhall, and probably to him may be traced the removal of the books to Docking, where they had remained for nearly two hundred years.”

28.—The 7th (Queen’s Own) Hussars, arrived by train at Norwich, from Southampton, where they had disembarked the same day from the Simla.

DECEMBER.

13.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. Edward Wild moved the adoption of a report of the City Committee affirming “that the inadequate and unsuitable existing accommodation for the transaction of the public work of the city is a hindrance to the proper dispatch of the business, detrimental to the health of the officials and members of the Corporation, and disproportionate to and unworthy of the position and dignity of this important city.”  The subject was referred to a committee to report thereon to the Council.  (See September 5th, 1899.)

14.—Died, Mr. Robert Wortley, of Suffield.  He was one of the best known agriculturists in Norfolk, an excellent judge of stock, and a noted hackney breeder.

24.—Shernbourne church, restored from designs by Mr. Herbert J. Green, and Sir Arthur Blomfield (consulting architect), was re-opened.  The Prince and Princess of Wales, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of York, Princess Victoria of Wales, and Prince Alexander of Teck, attended the service.  The Prince of Wales had taken great interest in the work, and had subscribed to the restoration fund, which was raised mainly through the efforts of the rector, the Rev. F. J. W. Girling.

—A young man named Horace Alfred Cox entered a café in St. Benedict’s Street, Norwich, and fired three shots with a revolver at Ellen Parker, one of the assistants.  The bullets missed Parker, and Cox then turned the weapon upon himself.  He sustained injuries to the head, from which he died shortly after removal to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

1899.

JANUARY.

1.—In the list of New Year’s Honours appeared the name of Mr. Robert Thornhagh Gurdon, of Letton, upon whom her Majesty had conferred the dignity of peerage.  Mr. Gurdon assumed the title of Baron Cranworth.

5.—Cringleford church, after restoration at the cost of about £1,400, was re-opened by the Bishop of Norwich.

7.—Died, aged 78, Mr. Samuel Culley, of Grove Avenue, Norwich, who held the office of City Accountant from 1887 to 1898.  He was a son of Mr. Richard Culley, and at an early age learned farming in order to fit him for Colonial life.  In 1841 he went to New Zealand, but left on the outbreak of the Maori War, and shipping on board an American whaler obtained the post of second mate.  On the voyage the crew mutinied, and the captain lost his reason.  Mr. Culley put the ringleaders in irons, took command of the vessel, and brought her to Rhode Island.  On returning to Norwich he set up business as a corn merchant, and afterwards as a public accountant.  He was identified with the formation of the Norwich Steam Laundry and Baths Company and the Norwich Omnibus Company.

14.—At a meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital it was announced that Mr. Cadge had subscribed the munificent gift of £10,000 to the Leicester Perpetual Endowment Fund.  Mr. Cadge had previously presented to the institution an anonymous gift of £10,000.

FEBRUARY.

3.—Mrs. Garrett Anderson, M.D., delivered a lecture at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, on “The History and Effect of Vaccination.”  The Dean of Norwich presided, and a committee was formed in order to circulate information on the subject.

7.—Died at Diss rectory, the Rev. Charles Robertson Manning, M.A., F.S.A., honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral, rural dean of Redenhall, and for 42 years rector of Diss, aged 73.  Canon Manning was a magistrate for the county, and a member of the Diss School Board, but he was best known for his labours in archæology.  He published “A List of Monumental Brasses remaining in England,” and shortly before his death compiled “A List of Monumental Brasses omitted by Blomefield.”  Canon Manning was a well-known authority on church plate, and among other subjects upon which he wrote were church architecture, lecterns, fonts, heraldry, seals, coins, mediæval patens, and antiquarians objects of almost every kind.

13.—Mr. Leo Trevor’s play, “Brother Officers,” which was produced at the Garrick Theatre in October, 1898, and became one of the successes of the London season, was performed at Norwich Theatre by Miss Muriel Wylford’s company.

17.—A “silver cradle”—a massive silver bowl—was presented to the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. G. H. Morse) in commemoration of the birth during his Mayoralty of his son Christopher Charles on November 19th, 1898.

21.—Died at Denver rectory, in his 67th year, the Rev. James Mourant Du Port, rector of Denver, honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral, and rural dean.  Canon Du Port formerly held the living of Mattishall, took great interest in educational work in the diocese, and was one of the secretaries of the Norwich Diocesan Conference.

23.—It was announced that her Majesty the Queen had been pleased to approve the appointment of Mr. H. H. Cozens-Hardy, Q.C., M.P., as one of the justices of the High Court of Justice.

25.—Died at Marham Hall, aged 73, Mr. Thomas Brown, a well-known breeder of pedigree sheep and cattle.  He was the originator of the successful gatherings held for so many years at Marham in celebration of the annual ram letting.

3.—Died at Christiania, Mr. Joseph Stanley, who formerly practised as a solicitor at Norwich.  He for several years represented the First Ward in the Town Council, and on the death of Mr. Robert Culley was elected County Coroner after an exciting contest.  He it was who served a writ upon the Mayor of Norwich in the matter of the Town Close Estate, with the result that the estate, which had long been regarded as the exclusive property of the freemen, was declared to be a charity.  Mr. Stanley had resided in Norway ten years preceding his death.

4.—Died, Mr. James R. Bulwer, Q.C., one of the Masters in Lunacy.  Mr. Bulwer was the eldest son of the Rev. J. Bulwer, rector of Hunworth-with-Stody, and was born in 1820.  He was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple in 1847, and became treasurer in 1880.  He took silk in 1865.  From 1861 to 1866 he was Recorder of Ipswich, and from 1866 to 1898 he held the like office at Cambridge.  He was also a justice of the peace for Norfolk, and was one of the chairmen of Norfolk Quarter Sessions, a post which he resigned on December 31st, 1898.  Mr. Bulwer was Conservative member for Ipswich from 1874 to 1880, and represented Cambridgeshire from 1881 to 1885.  From 1873 to 1884 he was lieutenant-colonel of the Inns of Court Volunteers.

12.—Mrs. Keeley, for many years one of the leading actresses on the English stage, died at her residence in London, in her 93rd year.  She was a native of Ipswich, and in her young days, as Miss Annie Goward, was a popular member of the Norwich Company.

16.—Paderewski, the famous pianist, appeared at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.

—The election of a member to fill the vacancy in the representation of North Norfolk by the elevation of Mr. H. H. Cozens-Hardy to the judicial bench, took place on this date.  The candidates were Sir Kenneth Kemp, Bart. (U.), and Sir William Brampton Gurdon, Bart. (L).  The poll was declared at Aylsham Town Hall on the 17th as follows: Gurdon, 4,775; Kemp, 3,610.

19.—After a winter of exceptional mildness very severe weather set in.  In some localities the readings of the thermometer were the lowest since 1895.  On the 20th a remarkable whirlwind, which did considerable damage to three cottages, occurred at Worstead.  February 10th was recorded as “the hottest day for half a century for the time of year.”

25.—An effort was made at Norwich to inaugurate a public subscription for the erection of a memorial to Sir Thomas Browne, the famous author of “The Religio Medici” and other works.

—Died at Thorpe Road, Norwich, Mr. Joshua Womersley, an alderman of the city, aged 77.  A native of Yorkshire, he came to Norfolk in 1811 and took employment with the firm of Messrs. Colman at Stoke.  He devised a method of making starch from rice, and received the congratulations of the Patent Office on having overcome difficulties in starch making which had hitherto been considered insurmountable.  In politics Mr. Womersley was strongly Liberal, and admitted at the Royal Commission in 1868 “having kept certain voters in tow with the object of preventing them being tampered with by the other side.”

APRIL.

1.—Strangers’ Hall, Norwich, it was announced, had been purchased by Mr. L. G. Bolingbroke.

6.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference met at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, and continued its deliberations on the 7th.

17.—The memorial stone of the Norwich Technical Institute was laid by the Mayor (Mr. G. H. Morse).  The building was designed by the City Engineer (Mr. A. E. Collins), and erected by Mr. T. H. Blyth, of Foulsham.

—The centenary celebration of the Church of England Missionary Society commenced at Norwich with services at the Cathedral and the city churches and a meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall.

MAY.

1.—The Great Eastern Railway Company introduced a restaurant car service on their system between London, Cromer, and Lowestoft.

—The 7th Hussars marched from Norwich en route to Colchester, where they were temporarily stationed during the renovation of Norwich Cavalry Barracks.  Among the officers was Prince Alexander of Teck.  The regiment encamped on Stuston Common on the first night, at Broom Hill on the second night, and completed the march on the 3rd.

6.—Died at Northrepps Hall, Mr. Richard Hanbury Gurney, aged 44 years.  He was a son of Mr. John Henry Gurney, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1896.

—Lord Wolseley, Commander-in-Chief of the Army, arrived at Norwich, accompanied by Major-General Kelly-Kenny, Inspector-General of the Auxiliary Forces, Col. Gough, military secretary, and Col. Allen, aide-de-camp.  On the 7th his lordship, with Major-General Sir W. F. Gatacre, commanding the Eastern District, attended service at the Cathedral, and afterwards inspected a number of old soldiers in the cloisters, and visited the Soldiers’ and Sailors’ Home.  Lord Wolseley on the 8th inspected the depôt and the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment at the Britannia Barracks, and in the afternoon proceeded to Yarmouth, where he inspected the troops.

17.—The Duke of York’s Own Loyal Suffolk Hussars assembled at Norwich for the annual training, which concluded on the 25th.  Lieut.-Col. Lucas was in command of the regiment.

24.—The list of Birthday Honours, commemorative of the 80th birthday of the Queen, included the name of Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., upon whom her Majesty conferred a baronetcy.

25.—The nave of Norwich Cathedral was re-opened after restoration, the cost of which was generously undertaken by Sir Samuel Hoare, Bart., M.P., and Lady Hoare.  The Mayor and Corporation attended the service, at which the sermon was preached by the Dean of Norwich.

—The Prince of Wales, accompanied by Prince Alexander of Teck, Admiral Sir Henry Keppel and others, arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 26th inspected the Prince of Wales’ Own Norfolk Artillery Militia, the 3rd Norfolk Militia, and other troops.  In the evening his Royal Highness attended a ball given by Viscount Coke and the Artillery officers, and on the 27th terminated his visit.

—The Royal Arcade, Norwich, erected on the site of the old Royal Hotel, was opened.  The Arcade was built by Messrs. J. Youngs and Son from plans by Messrs. G. J. and F. W. Skipper.

27.—The Duke and Duchess of York visited King’s Lynn, and in the grounds of the West Norfolk and Lynn Hospital received purses on behalf of a fund to defray the cost of a children’s wing added to the Hospital as a memorial of the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

JUNE.

1.—At the Norwich Consistory Court, before Mr. Chancellor Blofeld, the Bishop of the Diocese pronounced sentence of deprivation on the Rev. Bryan O’Malley, vicar of Flitch am, and made an order upon the defendant for the payment of the costs of the proceedings.

2.—At a meeting of the Scots Society of St. Andrew, Norwich, held at the Maid’s Head Hotel, the president, Dr. Thomson, unveiled portraits of Dr. John Murray and of his wife, Mary Boyles Murray, presented to the society by Mr. Bronson Murray, of New York, in recognition of the work done by the society in restoring the tomb of Dr. Murray in the churchyard of Wells-next-the-Sea.  The portraits were copied by Mrs. Leslie Bush-Brown, great great grandniece of Dr. Murray, from the original works belonging to the Guion family, of Senica Falls, New York.

27.—Died at St. Stephen’s House, Norwich, Mr. John Copeman, aged 87.  Senior partner in the firm of Messrs. Copeman and Sons, wholesale grocers, Castle Street, he was for several years a member of the Town Council and some time alderman.  It was he who suggested the purchase of the sewerage farm by the Corporation.  He was a member of the Norwich Board of Guardians, and took part with Mr. J. H. Tillett and the Rev. George Gould and others in securing the passing of the Norwich Poor Act of 1863.  Mr. Copeman was one of the founders of the “Norfolk News,” and for some time edited it.

28.—The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Diss.  Mr. Edward Mann presided at the luncheon.  The exhibition closed on the 29th.

10.—At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council a report was received from a joint committee of the Corporation and the Board of Guardians upon the subject of the rating of city property, and a resolution was adopted recommending important alterations in the assessments.  The Guardians on December 20th accepted a recommendation for the appointment of valuers to undertake the work of reassessment.

17.—Died at Ivy Lodge, Eaton, Mr. C. C. Rix Spelman, Deputy-Mayor of Norwich, aged 55.  He was a son of Mr. Benjamin Rix, of Ipswich, and was born at Yarmouth.  In 1858 he became associated with the firm of Messrs. Spelman, and on joining as a partner in 1874 took the name of Spelman—his mother’s surname—in addition to his own.  In 1897 he was elected Mayor of Norwich, and was in politics a Liberal.  He was twice married—first to Miss Franklin, of Norwich, who died in 1877, and secondly, in 1880, to Mrs. R. E. Gibson, sister of Mr. F. Oddin Taylor.

22.*—“The Earl of Leicester has forwarded to the governors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital a cheque for £5,000 for building new quarters for nurses at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.”

23.—The Norfolk Volunteer Brigade went into camp at Colchester.

29.—Barnum and Bailey’s great show visited Norwich.  It came by special trains from Yarmouth, and on leaving Norwich proceeded to Bury St. Edmund’s.

31.—Died, the Rev. Canon Hinds Howell, aged 91.  He was seventh son of Mr. C. A. Howell, Treasurer of the Island of Barbados, where he was born.  Canon Howell was many years rector of Drayton, and one of the most energetic clergymen in the diocese.

AUGUST.

1.—Died at Stanley Avenue, Thorpe, Norwich, Mr. Edwin Plumer Price, Q.C., formerly Recorder of York, and judge of the Norfolk County Court, aged 81.  In his younger days he unsuccessfully contested Sheffield in the Conservative interest.

2.—The Norfolk and Norwich Library was opened after reconstruction at the cost of £1,719.

7.—A fire occurred at Messrs. Leake and Sons’ oil mill at Lynn.  The damage was estimated at from £10,000 to £12,000.

—Mr. Robert Borrett sold by auction at Wacton the wheat and barley on about 170 acres of land in the parishes of Moulton St. Michael, Pulham Market, Tivetshall St. Margaret, and Wacton, in the occupation of Mr. Fisher.  The auctioneer’s advertisement stated that the growing crops were offered in consequence of there being a scarcity of labour—a circumstance unprecedented in Norfolk.

11.—Died while on a yachting cruise off the coast of Iceland, Sir Edmund Broughton Knowles Lacon, Bart., head of the banking firm of Lacons, Youell, and Kemp.  He was born May 9th, 1842, and in 1892 served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk.

19.—Died at Hilgay rectory, Downham, the Rev. St. Vincent Beechey, rector of the parish, and honorary canon of Manchester, in his 94th year.  Canon Beechey was born August 7th, 1806, at Harley Street, Cavendish Square, and was the son of Sir William Beechey, the eminent painter and friend of Lord Nelson, whose portrait, limned by him, is one of the most valuable of the pictures in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.  Young Beechey was educated at Boulogne, where he not only acquired a thorough knowledge of the French language, but became an expert swordsman.  Thence he proceeded to a school at Sidcup, kept by the father of Sheridan Knowles, and at the age of 16 he matriculated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and obtained two scholarships.  While preparing for Holy Orders he studied medicine at the Western Hospital.  In 1829 he was ordained by the Bishop of Rochester, and received the curacy of Aylesford, near Maidstone.  He next became curate of Hilgay, and in 1841 was appointed to the living of Thornton le Fylde, with Fleetwood, Lancashire.  Acting on the suggestion of a Corsican named Vantine, he established Rossall School, one of the most successful educational institutions in the north, and of which he was secretary for 28 years.  In 1852 he was appointed to the vicarage of Worsley, near Manchester, and in 1872, at the age of sixty, he accepted the living of Hilgay, where for 27 years he faithfully ministered to the parishioners.  Canon Beechey took great interest in astronomical studies, and was a popular lecturer.  His favourite topics were the expansion of the empire, the origin of writing, and, in the last years of his life, the Röntgen rays.

20.—A serious fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Thomas Wright, boot manufacturer and clothier, High Street, East Dereham.  The damage was estimated at upwards of £1,000.

26.—Kimberley Hall, the seat of the Earl of Kimberley, narrowly escaped total destruction by fire.  The outbreak was confined to one portion of the house, and the damage was estimated at £2,000.

27.—North Walsham Town Hall was destroyed by fire.

SEPTEMBER.

9.*—“Messrs. J. H. Walter and Co., proprietors of Taverham Mills, the last remaining of the old paper mills in Norfolk, have issued a circular stating: ‘Early in the year we had to submit to a very heavy reduction in the price of our paper.  We felt that we could only carry on the mills at a serious loss, and the balance-sheet, which we have just got out, fully confirms our impression.  We have, therefore, decided to shut down as soon as possible.’  Messrs. Delane, Magnay, and Co. took over the mills in 1846, and the present proprietors in 1884.”

29.—A violent gale occurred on the east coast.  “At Yarmouth the velocity of the wind reached 55 miles per hour, and the rainfall was 1¼ inches.”

OCTOBER.

3.—The twenty-sixth Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich.  The principal vocalists were Madame Albani, Miss Clara Butt, Miss Marie Brema, Miss Ethel Wood, Miss Kelyn Williams, Miss Edith Nutter, and Mrs. Julia Franks; Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Ben Davies, Mr. Andrew Black, Mr. David Bispham, Mr. Whitworth Mitton, Mr. Robert Radford, and Mr. F. Ranalow.  Mr. Alberto Randegger conducted.  At the opening performance “Faust” (Berlioz) was produced; 4th: morning, symphony in B minor (Schubert), “Biblical Songs” (Dvorák), “Hymn of Praise” (Mendelssohn), evening, opera, “Sampson and Delilah” (C. Saint-Saëns), first time in Norwich; 5th: morning, Meditation (Edward Elgar), first time in Norwich, conducted by the composer, sacred trilogy, “Passion of Christ” (Don Lorenzo Perosi), first performance in England, ode, “A Song of Darkness and Light” (C. Hubert H. Parry), first time in Norwich, conducted by the composer, evening, overture, “Mignon” (Ambroise Thomas), cycle of songs, “Sea Pictures” (Edward Elgar), composed expressly for the Festival and conducted by the composer, trio des flutes, “Dall’ Aurora” (Weyerbeer), new suite, “The Seasons” (Edward German), composed expressly for the Festival and conducted by the composer, “Ode to the Passions” (written by William Collins, 1721–1759, set to music for chorus and orchestra by Frederic H. Cowen), first time in Norwich, and conducted by the composer, “Tristan and Isolde” (Wagner), scena, “The Dream of Endymion” (F.  F. Cowen), conducted by the composer, overture, “Di Ballo” (Sullivan); 6th: morning, “The Messiah,” evening, cantata, “Hiawatha’s Wedding Feast” (S. Coleridge Taylor), first time in Norwich, conducted by the composer.  The receipts amounted to £5,398, and the payments to £4,998.

16.—Mr. Peter E. Hansell was presented by the magistrates and officials of the North Erpingham division with a massive silver Irish bowl on the occasion of this retirement after twenty years’ honourable and efficient service as clerk to the justices.

17.—At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the Sewerage Committee reported that the main drainage of the city, referred to in the report of the City Engineer on February 2nd, 1895, had been completed in accordance with the recommendations laid down therein.  It was believed that the City Engineer’s estimate of £152,000 would nearly cover the whole cost of the works, the excess of expenditure not being more than two per cent. of the total.

25.—Died at Hingham, Mr. Charles Crawshay.  He was a son of Mr. Richard Crawshay, of Rowfant, Surrey, and was born February 26th, 1815.  His father settled at Hingham as a brewer, and afterwards opened a brewery in St. Stephen’s Street, Norwich.  Young Crawshay was sent to Messrs. Charington, Head, and Co.’s brewery in London, where he received an excellent training, and returning to Norwich took charge of the St. Stephen’s brewery.  Ultimately he became partner with Mr. John Youngs in the King Street brewery, and retained his connection with the firm of Youngs, Crawshay, and Youngs until his death.  Mr. Crawshay was one of the foremost sportsmen in the county, a skilled whip, an excellent judge of a horse, a clever shot, and as a yachtsman he held his own in Norfolk waters with his well-known yacht, the Kestrel.  In 1856 Mr. Crawshay married the daughter of Sir William Cubitt, the constructor of Lowestoft harbour.  In 1857 he was appointed Sheriff of Norwich.  Mr. Crawshay was a famous breeder of Southdown and cross-bred sheep, a great benefactor of Hingham, and in dress, manners, and tastes he retained all the best characteristics of a country gentleman of the old school, and paid little heed to modern innovations.

NOVEMBER.

7.—The High Sheriff of Norfolk (Mr. H. M. Upcher) gave, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, a county ball, which was attended by 500 guests.

9.—Mr. James Clabburn was elected Mayor, and Mr. Samuel Wainwright appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.—The Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club was formally opened by Mr. Walter Long on the occasion of the conference of the Eastern Division of the National Union of Conservative and Constitutional Associations.  Sir Harry Bullard, M.P., president, and Lady Bullard gave a conversazione at St. Andrew’s Hall in the evening.

15.—The Norwich Omnibus Company wound up its affairs in consequence of the approaching completion of the tramways scheme.  The company was formed in 1878 with a capital of £5,920.

25.—The German Emperor and Empress arrived at Sandringham on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales.  Their Majesties, who were accompanied by the Prince of Wales, were met at Wolferton station by the Princess of Wales, the Duke and Duchess of York, Princess Victoria of Wales, and Sir William and Lady ffolkes.  The Emperor and Empress accompanied the Prince and Princess of Wales to church on the 26th, the Sandringham preserves were shot over on the 27th, and their Majesties departed on the 28th.

28.—Killed in action at the battle of Modder River, Lieut.-Col. Horace Robert Stopford, commanding 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards.  Col. Stopford was a resident of Sheringham, captain of the Sheringham Golf Club in 1895, and a member of the Improvement Committee.  He was in his 44th year.

DECEMBER.

12.—The new organ erected at Norwich Cathedral at the cost of £6,000, with the celestial organ given by Mr. Hugh G. Barclay, was opened at a special service attended by the Mayor and members of the Corporation.  The sermon was preached by the Dean, and a recital was given by Dr. A. L. Peace, organist of St. George’s Hall, Liverpool.

30.—The extensive premises known as “Free Trade House,” Swaffham Road, East Dereham, occupied by Mr. F. Vincent, grocer, factor, and general warehouseman, were destroyed by fire.  The loss was estimated at £2,500.

—Died at 5, Park Square, Regent’s Park, London, Sir James Paget, Bart.  The son of Mr. Samuel Paget, merchant, of Yarmouth, he was born in that town on January 11th, 1814.  After a most distinguished medical career he was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon to the Queen, and surgeon to the Prince of Wales.  He was created a baronet in 1871.  His third son, the Rev. H. Luke Paget, vicar of St. Pancras, married a daughter of Sir Samuel Hoare, Bart., M.P.

JANUARY.

1.—Died at Booton rectory, the Rev. Whitwell Elwin.  He was born in Norfolk on February 25th, 1816, and entering Caius College, Cambridge, graduated B.A. in 1839.  After his marriage with his cousin, Miss Frances Elvin, in that year, he was ordained, and became curate of Hemington with Hardington, in Somersetshire.  In 1849 he was presented to the family living of Booton, where he resided until his death.  During his incumbency he undertook the great work of re-building his parish church in the Early Decorated style upon the old ground plan.  Elwin was best known as editor of the “Quarterly Review,” the personal friend of Thackeray and Bulwer Lytton, of Dickens and Forster, and of many other famous people in the literary world.  It was in 1843 that he wrote for the “Quarterly Review” his first article—on the “Histoire du Chien” of Elzéar Blaze.  When Lockhart’s illness made it necessary for him to go abroad in 1853 he asked Elwin to do the work of editing the “Quarterly Review.”  Lockhart died in 1854, and Elwin then succeeded him in the post of editor.  He lived at home in Norfolk and went up to London for the publication of each number.  Thackeray gave to him the gold pen with which he had written most of “Vanity Fair,” and has left a pleasant sketch of him in his “Roundabout Paper” on “Screens in Dining Rooms.”  Elwin wrote the review of “The Newcomes” in the “Quarterly” for September, 1855.