Norfolk Annals
Chapter 195 : 19.-A great Conservative demonstration took place at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich,

19.-A great Conservative demonstration took place at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, in connection with a conference of the Eastern Division of the National Union of Conservative a.s.sociations. Lord Walsingham presided, and Sir John Gorst, Q.C., M.P., Under Secretary for India, was the princ.i.p.al speaker.

NOVEMBER.

2.-Died, Sir Lewis Whincop Jarvis, in his 72nd year. He was a son of Mr.

Lewis Weston Jarvis, and a grandson of Mr. Robert T. Whincop, a former Town Clerk of Lynn. For more than fifty years he carried on business as a banker and solicitor in his native town of Lynn, and on January 15th, 1878, received the honour of knighthood in recognition of the many eminent services he had rendered to the borough. He married, in 1850, Emma, daughter of Mr. Alexander Bowker, by whom he left issue five sons and a daughter. Sir Lewis was an alderman of Lynn, and was Mayor for three successive years, 186063.

9.-At the meeting of the Norwich Town Council Mr. Alexander Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor of the city, but upon his declining to qualify Mr. Joshua Farrar Ranson was chosen. Mr. George White was appointed Sheriff.

-The Marquis of Salisbury was appointed High Steward of the borough of Great Yarmouth.

10.-The Gorleston lifeboat, the Refuge, was capsized whilst upon salvage service, and of her crew four were drowned.

13.-Mr. Harry Furniss delivered at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, a lecture on "Art and Artists."

15.-Upton church, which had been restored at the cost of 1,122, was re-opened by the Bishop of Norwich.

26.-At Blofield Petty Sessions, Jeremiah Cozens Wiley, farmer, of Little Plumstead; Samuel Rose, farm steward; William Feek and Thomas Powley, labourers, of the same place, were summoned on the information of John Ford, an inspector of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, for "unlawfully ill-treating and torturing 16 bullocks by dishorning them on October 8th and 15th." Mr. Colam, barrister-at-law, prosecuted on behalf of the society, and Mr. H. J. Gidney, of Aylsham, defended. The case excited great interest, and the court was crowded by a large number of scientific witnesses and leading agriculturists. The act of dishorning the animals was admitted by the defendants, and in support of the contention of the prosecution that the operation was unnecessary and cruel were called Professor Walley, princ.i.p.al of the Edinburgh Veterinary College; Professor McCall, princ.i.p.al of the Glasgow Veterinary College; Professor F. Collins, F.R.C.V.S., Mr. G. A. Lepper, F.R.C.V.S, Professor Pritchard, President of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, London; Mr. c.o.x, F.R.C.V.S., Professor J. McQueen, and several local veterinary surgeons. It was urged in defence that the operation, although painful, was necessary and humane, because it prevented cattle injuring each other with their horns. Several prominent agriculturists and graziers, including Mr. Clare Sewell Read, Mr. B. B.

Sapwell, and Mr. William Case, gave evidence in support of this view.

The magistrates dismissed the informations, and the chairman (Mr. Edward Gilbert) said "they considered the operation a most painful one, but they did not suppose that Mr. Wiley did it with any cruel intention towards the animals on which the operation was performed. If it went forth to the public that it was advisable to have polled cattle it would be seen also that it was advisable that the animals should be operated upon at an earlier stage." (_See_ April 16th, 1889.)

29.-Mr. J. L. Toole commenced a three nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre as Mr. Milliken, M.A., in the comedy of "The Don." The pieces produced on the 30th and on December 1st were "The Butler," "The Spitalfields Weaver," "Paul Pry," and "Ici On Parle Francais."

DECEMBER.

1.-The weather was very mild at this date. "That 1888 will be noted as an extraordinary year in the meteorological annals of this country is a fact requiring no demonstration-snow in harvest and blossoming primroses in the open air on the eve of December, February rains throughout the summer months, and March gales in November." A correspondent, writing to "The Times," on December 3rd, stated: "I am still supplied with green peas grown in my garden at Brundall, the roses are all in flower; the fields abound in primroses and wild flowers." The cuckoo was said to have been heard at North Elmham on December 6th. In Norwich primroses and other vernal flowers were in full bloom on Christmas eve, and strawberries were gathered at Swainsthorpe on Christmas morning.

5.-The Prince of Wales and Prince George of Wales arrived at Didlington Hall on a visit to Mr. W. A. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., and left on the 8th.

10.-Lieut.-Colonel Foster was presented with a gold watch, subscribed for by past and present members of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, on his retirement from the corps, after twenty-five years'

service.

22.-A public inquiry was held at the Guildhall Norwich, by Mr. Charles Chapman, a.s.sistant Commissioner under the Royal Commission on market rates and tolls, into the circ.u.mstances of markets and fairs in the city.

Statements were made by many of the leading citizens. A similar inquiry was held at Yarmouth.

29.-The Norfolk County Club, whose quarters were originally at the Royal Hotel, and subsequently in St. Giles' Street, having purchased the old Bank House, Upper King Street, Norwich, the reconstruction of the premises for the purposes of the club was completed on this date under the superintendence of Mr. Edward Boardman. The house was formerly the residence of Mr. Anthony Hudson, and was afterwards known as Greyfriars'

College.

31.-Mr. Henry Birkbeck, on the completion of the fiftieth year of his connection with the banking-house of Gurneys, Birkbecks, Barclay, and Buxtons, "the Norwich and Norfolk Bank," was presented by the managers and clerks with a silver salver in commemoration of the event.

1889.

JANUARY.

3.-The Norfolk magistrates met at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, for the last time for the discharge of the general business of the county. Mr. J. R.

Bulwer, Q.C., presided. On the motion of Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., seconded by Mr. C. S. Read, a vote of thanks was accorded to the senior Chairman, Mr. R. T. Gurdon, "for the impartial, courteous, and punctual manner in which he has discharged the various duties appertaining to the office of Chairman during the eighteen years in which he has with marked ability presided over this Court." One of the last acts of the Court was to grant to the Under-Sheriff (Mr. Hales) the sum of 700 towards the expenses of the County Council elections, which took place on January 24th. The first meeting of the Norfolk Provisional County Council was held at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, on February 7th. Mr. Gurdon was elected provisional chairman by 37 votes against 18 recorded for Lord Kimberley.

After the election of aldermen the meeting was adjourned until February 16th, when Mr. Gurdon was elected permanent Chairman by 53 votes against 20 polled by Lord Kimberley. Lord Walsingham was elected Vice-Chairman.

It was reported that the cost of the elections was 3,308 4s. 6d. The first meeting of the fully-const.i.tuted Council took place at the s.h.i.+rehall on April 13th; and on December 14th it adopted a comprehensive scheme for the management of the main roads of the county.

-A regimental ball, given by the officers of the 20th Hussars, took place at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

9.-A meeting of the citizens was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, for the consideration of the Norwich Corporation Bill, which, during the preceding year the Town Council had decided to present to Parliament.

The Mayor (Mr. J. Farrar Ranson) presided, and the proceedings were of a most disorderly character. At the adjourned meeting on the 23rd similar scenes were witnessed. The Bill, which was very comprehensive, and contained provisions relating to infectious diseases, police regulations, private street works, hackney carriages, the employment of children, consolidation of parishes, &c., pa.s.sed through Select Committee of the House of Commons on June 18th.

14.-The first of another series of "Science Lectures for the People" was given, under the Gilchrist Educational Trust, at St. Andrew's Hall by Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Astronomer Royal for Ireland, on "The Sun, the Fountain of life and Light." Dr. Lant Carpenter, on January 28th, lectured upon "Electric Lighting"; Dr. Andrew Wilson, February 9th, on "Some Animal Architects: Chalk Builders and Coral Makers"; Professor Miall, February 25th, on "The Life-history of the Earth"; Professor Seeley, March 11th, on "Water and its Action in Land-shaping"; and the Rev. Dr. Dallinger, F.R.S., F.L.S., president of the Royal Microscopical Society, March 25th, on "Contrasts of Nature-the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Small." The Corporation in December arranged a series of lectures independently of the Gilchrist Trust. On the 4th of that month Sir Robert Ball lectured on "Shooting Stars," and on the 18th Dr. Andrew Wilson discoursed on "The Heart and its Action." (_See_ March 5th, 1890.)

21.-The freemen of Norwich unanimously agreed that it was undesirable to take any steps in opposition to the Attorney-General's motion for declaring the Town Close Estate a charity. In the Court of Appeal, on June 22nd, before Lords Justices Cotton, Bowen, and Fry, Mr. Ingle Joyce informed their lords.h.i.+ps that a scheme was to be devised for the management of the estate; the Corporation were to retain a sufficient sum to cover their costs, and the plaintiffs in the action were to have their costs as between party and party. Their lords.h.i.+ps sanctioned the agreement. "All that now remains to be done in the original action is to settle the roll by striking off the names of freemen wrongfully admitted." At a meeting of the Town Council on August 27th it was reported that the estimated costs in the litigation amounted to 5,000.

(_See_ February 6th, 1892.)

23.-Died, at Yarmouth, Mrs. Rose Ellen Thackeray, widow of the Rev.

Joseph Thackeray, many years rector of Horstead and Coltishall. Mrs.

Thackeray, who was in her 79th year, was the auth.o.r.ess of "Social Skeletons," and "Pictures of the Past," and a contributor of poetical sketches to various magazines. She was the youngest daughter of Captain John Robinson, of the Scots Guards.

24.-Mr. and Mrs. Kendall commenced a three nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre in "The Queen's s.h.i.+lling." "A Sc.r.a.p of Paper" was performed on the 25th, and "Two Friends" on the 26th.

26.-Died, at St. Andrew's Hall Plain, Norwich, Mr. Alfred Stannard, artist, in his 83rd year. He was the last survivor of the Norwich School of Artists, which commenced with Old Crome. He was the younger brother of the famous Joseph Stannard, and father of Miss Stannard, the well-known painter of fruit and flowers. During the last few years of his life Mr. Stannard was in receipt of an annual pension of 50 from the Turner Fund of the Royal Academy.

26.-Died, at the Cathedral Close, Norwich, Mrs. Elizabeth Taylor, widow of Mr. John Oddin Taylor, aged 81. She was the eldest of the twelve children of Mr. John Brewer, of Mile End House, Eaton. Among her brothers were Professor Brewer, Preacher at the Rolls-Chapel, and editor of the State Papers of the time of Henry VIII.; Dr. William Brewer, Chairman of the Metropolitan Asylums Board, and sometime Member of Parliament for Colchester; and Dr. Cobham Brewer, the well-known author of the "Guide to Science" and other educational works. Born on November 9th, 1807, she was educated with her brothers at Mile End School, and there acquired that proficiency in the cla.s.sics and love of literature generally which she maintained and cherished throughout her life. Among the pupils attending her father's school was John Oddin Taylor, who was destined to become her husband. Early in life she manifested an ardent enthusiasm for music, and studied under Dr. Crotch, and for her great proficiency in the art was on two occasions awarded a medal. With her high intellectual gifts were combined broad and liberal sympathies, and she won the confidence and affection of all.

29.-Mr. T. P. O'Connor, M.P., addressed a Gladstonian Liberal meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. J. J.

Colman.

FEBRUARY.

5.-A series of military tournaments, given by the 20th Hussars in aid of the city charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 9th.

9.-A severe gale did great damage to the fis.h.i.+ng fleet in the North Sea.

Several Yarmouth fishermen were drowned. Heavy snowstorms occurred on the 10th.

20.-At the Norwich a.s.sizes, before Mr. Justice Field, George Edward Brock (46), solicitor, was sentenced to ten months' imprisonment for obtaining money by false pretences.

21.-A murderous attack was made upon Police-constable Southgate, of the Norwich police, by a man named Joseph Betts, who in 1883 was charged with sending threatening letters to the Bishop of Norwich and Mr. J. J.

Colman, M.P., signed "Another Invincible." Southgate was returning from night duty at 6.35 a.m., when he was accosted by Betts, who fired a revolver at him, the bullet pa.s.sing between his left arm and the side of his body. Betts then withdrew to his house in Northumberland Street, where he barricaded himself. Several police-officers went to the house to effect his apprehension; a ladder was procured, and while Inspector Guiett was preparing to ascend to the bedroom window Betts appeared above and deliberately fired at the officer. The bullet struck the leather peak of the inspector's cap, and, glancing off, inflicted a superficial wound upon his head. Ultimately the prisoner was captured by a ruse, and removed to the police-station. On March 1st he was committed for trial.

Betts was tried at the Norwich a.s.sizes on July 20th on the charge of firing a pistol at Police-constable Southgate with intent to murder him.

He was found guilty of intent to do grievous bodily harm, and was sentenced by Lord Chief Justice Coleridge to fifteen years' penal servitude. The prisoner was afterwards removed to Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

-Died, at As.h.i.+ll Rectory, the Rev. Bartholomew Edwards, "within ten days of his 100th year." Born on March 2nd, 1789, he graduated at St. John's College, Cambridge, taking his B.A. degree (7th Sen. Opt.) in 1811. He was ordained deacon by Bishop Bathurst at Norwich in 1812, and priest in 1813. In the last-named year he received his only preferment, which he held for 76 years. Mr. Edwards, who was the oldest clergyman in the Church of England, was a rural dean, a justice of the peace, and a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk. He recorded his vote at the County Council election on January 24th, and caught a chill; congestion of the lungs supervened, and this attack was the immediate cause of his death.