Norfolk Annals
Chapter 177 : 15.*-[Advt.] "The Erpingham Coach-and-Four is now running every Tuesday and Sat.u

15.*-[Advt.] "The Erpingham Coach-and-Four is now running every Tuesday and Sat.u.r.day, calling at the several parishes on the way. Times and fares can be had at the Maid's Head Hotel, Norwich, the starting-place."

17.-The Annual Moveable Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows commenced its proceedings at King's Lynn, and was attended by 400 delegates.

19.-The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Yarmouth, in the discharge his duties as Admiral-Superintendent of Naval Reserves and Coastguards. In the evening his Royal Highness attended a ball given by the officers of the Prince of Wales' Own Norfolk Artillery Militia, and left Yarmouth on the 21st.

21.-A meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. H. Bullard), in furtherance of the proposed new line of railway between Lynn, Fakenham, and Norwich. Mr. Walrond Smith, C.E., stated the details of the scheme, and a committee was appointed to promote the progress of a Bill before Parliament. The Corporation of Norwich had previously presented a pet.i.tion against the railway, but, on the promoters giving an undertaking to construct a new road from Barn Road to a point in St. Martin-at-Oak Street, to be carried over the Wensum by a bridge, the Town Council, on May 26th, consented to the withdrawal of the pet.i.tion. Before the end of the year a more elaborate scheme was submitted by the promoters, who suggested an extension of the line beyond the intended terminus at North Heigham. It was to cross the Wensum and pa.s.s beneath the Fakenham and Aylsham turnpikes to the hamlet of Pockthorpe, to be again carried over the river near Bishop Bridge, and to pa.s.s through the Lower Close and St. Faith's Lane to the Prince of Wales Road, where it was proposed to erect a central station for the accommodation of pa.s.sengers, goods, and cattle. Application was made to the Corporation to contribute 50,000 towards the cost of the land required for this undertaking. The matter was considered at a meeting of the Town Council on December 21st, when the proposals generally, and the suggested contribution in particular, were ridiculed. The Dean of Norwich, on behalf of the Cathedral body and the inhabitants of the Close, wrote an indignant protest against the contemplated intrusion upon their privacy and injury to their property. The subject was referred to the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee, who, in due course, condemned the scheme. (_See_ March 31st, 1882.)

24.-The Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. Philip Back) revived the observance of the Queen's birthday, a custom which had been in abeyance for some years, by giving a grand ball at St. Andrew's Hall.

27.-The headquarters of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons arrived at Norwich Cavalry Barracks.

JUNE.

3.-At a meeting of the Norwich Board of Guardians, a series of resolutions and amendments on the subject of the Boys' Home and the education and industrial training of pauper children was considered. Mr.

Daynes moved that from and after June 24th the Boys' Home in St. Faith's Lane be discontinued, and the boys transferred to the Workhouse, and that the Home be offered for sale. Canon Copeman moved that it was desirable to provide education and industrial training for the children of the poor apart from the Workhouse. The amendment was adopted by 24 votes against 12.

3.-The centenary anniversary of the Yarmouth Monthly Book Club was celebrated by a dinner held at the Crown and Anchor Hotel. "In former days the custom was for each member present at the dinner to propose the health of a lady. The society was promoted by the Rev. Richard Turner, afterwards vicar of the parish, who, at the first meeting, was elected honorary secretary, and held that office fifty years. He was succeeded by Dr. G. Penrice, who was followed by the Rev. Mark Waters, B.A., in 1841. After the decease of that gentleman, in 1864, the business was conducted by the Rev. Bowyer Vaux, who, five years ago, resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. J. F. Waters. The club is remarkable for its age, for having had during its century of existence only five secretaries, and for being still as flouris.h.i.+ng as it was in its early years."

12.-A special meeting of the Norwich Diocesan Conference, summoned by requisition, was held at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, to consider the Burials Bill introduced by the Government. The Conference adopted resolutions protesting against the principle of the Bill, and suggesting certain amendments thereto, the chief of which were that its provisions should not extend to the consecrated parts of cemeteries nor to churchyards to which land had been added by living donors, and that the permissive clause as to the modification of services be omitted.

14.-Died at North Runcton, Mr. Daniel Gurney, in his 90th year. He was for many years senior partner in the Lynn and district banks of Messrs.

Gurney and Co. Mr. Gurney was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and wrote some useful essays on banking and "A Record of the House of Gurney," printed for private circulation. He was a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant for the county, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1858.

15.-Died at St. Leonard's Precincts, Mousehold, Norwich, Mr. John Henry Druery, of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-law. He was a member of the Antiquarian Society of London, of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, membre de la Societe Francaise d'Archaeologie, &c.

-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the corporate seal was affixed to an agreement between the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England and the Corporation, for carrying into effect the arrangement made in 1866 with the Dean and Chapter of Norwich for conveying Mousehold Heath to the Corporation for the purpose of public pleasure grounds. The proposal met with strenuous opposition from the inhabitants of Pockthorpe, who claimed the Heath as the property of themselves and their successors, and a.s.serted that while they were ent.i.tled to the rents, rights, and profits, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had no t.i.tle whatever. (_See_ June 21st, 1881.)

16.-The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation was held at Downham Market, and was continued on the 17th. Mr. H. Villebois was president.

27.-The celebration of the centenary of the Sunday School movement originated practically by Robert Raikes, the newspaper editor, of Gloucester, commenced at Norwich with a special service at the Cathedral and children's services at the parish churches. The proceedings of the week closed on July 1st. The centenary was celebrated throughout the county.

JULY.

1.-Colonel Black, Chief Constable of Norfolk, resigned his appointment, and received from the magistrates the highest superannuation allowance permitted by law. On September 23rd Mr. Paynton Pigott, who, for six years, had been Deputy Chief Constable, was elected to the vacant post.

Colonel Black, on his retirement, was presented with valuable testimonials by the magistrates and the constabulary.

10.-A fifty miles walking match, for 20 a side, took place at the Hop-pole Gardens, Norwich, between George Parry, winner of O'Leary's champion belt of the world, at Chicago, and William Clarke, the Norfolk champion. Heavy rainstorms occurred during the day, and at times the track was flooded. Clarke left the path after completing 40 miles, and Parry, who was three miles ahead, also retired.

14.-The Duke of Norfolk visited Norwich, and presided at an influential meeting held at St. Andrew's Hall, on behalf of the Eastern Counties'

Asylum for Idiots. The princ.i.p.al streets of the city were decorated in honour of the visit, peals were rung upon the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, and his Grace was received at the hall by the Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard), the Sheriff (Mr. Philip Back), the Deputy Mayor. (Mr. J. D.

Smith), and other civic dignitaries. The Mayor presented to the Duke an address of welcome, adopted on the previous day by the Town Council, and afterwards entertained his Grace and 200 guests at a _dejeuner_.

17.-The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted a resolution, moved by Mr.

C. S. Read, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by the Government for the repeal of the Malt Tax by the subst.i.tution of a beer duty, "as repeatedly recommended by the chamber."

22.-Died at Munich, three weeks after her arrival there from London, Madame Anna Caroline de Belleville Oury, one of the most distinguished pianists of her time.

24.-The 3rd and 4th Battalions of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Great Yarmouth, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bulwer and Lieut.-Colonel Gurdon, M.P. The total number of men under canvas was 1,301.

27.-The Norwich Town Council, on the motion of Mr. George White, adopted the following resolution: "Several months having elapsed since this Council requested the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee to consider the legal position in which the Corporation stands with the British Gaslight Company, and, considering the enormous interests at stake, the Council urges upon the Committee the necessity of at once reporting as to what steps, if any, they advise to be taken, in order to relieve the citizens from the unjust and unnecessary burdens imposed upon them through the extravagant charge made for gas." The Committee were also instructed "to take into consideration the question of electric lighting, as lately adopted by several corporations." (_See_ August 30th, 1881.)

27.-A grand bazaar was held in Holkham Park, in aid of the restoration fund of Wells church. The proceedings realised a profit of 845.

28.-Died at Castle Rising, the Hon. Theophilus Howard, second son of Charles John, Earl of Suffolk and Berks.h.i.+re. Mr. Howard entered into possession of the estate of Castle Rising at the close of 1876, having received it by deed of gift from Mrs. Howard, of Ashstead. By his succession this property, which came into the possession of the Howard family in 1545, again reverted to the Suffolk and Berks.h.i.+re line, from which it was separated by the death of Henry, twelfth Earl of Suffolk and Berks.h.i.+re, in the year 1779. Mr. Howard married Lady Audrey Townshend, youngest daughter of the Marquis Townshend, in 1873, and left two sons and two daughters. He was called to the Bar in 1863, and in 1873 was appointed a Commissioner in Lunacy, a post which he resigned in 1878.

"He was the first of the great Howard family who made Castle Rising his permanent residence and home, for though the estate had been possessed by the Howards since 1545 it was always as a political occupation when Castle Rising was a Parliamentary borough, or as a temporary residence for the shooting. Consequently, through the long period of 335 years not one of the family is known to have died there, and certainly none, with the exception of Mr. Howard, have been buried in the parish church or churchyard."

AUGUST.

9.-At the Norwich Police Court, William Davies, of the Army Hospital Corps, Henry Pritchard, and William Solly, privates in the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons, and Staff-Sergt. Alexander W. Browne, Army Hospital Corps, were charged with attempting to kill and murder John Smith, a private of the 17th Regiment of Foot, at the Cavalry Barracks, on August 3rd. Smith had been left in the military hospital by a detachment of the 17th, who had handed the barracks over to the Inniskillings. Smith was suffering from a loathsome disease, and it was alleged that the orderlies of the dragoons and Davies, who had charge of him, with the cognisance of Browne, stuffed up the fireplace of the ward with straw, closed the windows and door, and placed plates of burning sulphur upon the floor, for the purpose of suffocating him. The man died a few days subsequently from the effects of the disease from which he was suffering. The prosecution alleged two motives against the prisoners-first, that some of them were interested in a will made by Smith in their favour, and, secondly, that they were desirous of getting rid of an unpleasant patient. After several remands, the prisoners were committed for trial at the a.s.sizes. The case was heard before the Lord Chief Justice on November 12th, when the jury acquitted the prisoners.

Sergt. Browne was shortly afterwards promoted to the post of Acting Sergt.-Major in the Army Hospital Corps at the North Camp, Aldershot, and headmaster of the 3rd District Station Hospital.

16.-Mr. Traverner's English Opera Company commenced a six nights'

engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the opera of "Martha." The company included Miss Annette Albu, Mdlle. Joyce-Maas, Mr. Michael Dwyer, Mr.

William Parkinson, and Madame Arabella Smythe.

-The annual meeting of the National a.s.sociation of Architects commenced at Norwich. Visits were made to different parts of the county, for the inspection of the church architecture of the district.

30.-The extension of the East Norfolk Railway from Aylsham to Cawston was inspected by General Hutchinson, and was opened for public traffic on September 1st.

31.-The Norwich Town Council received a report from a special committee recommending a scheme for repairing the main streets of the city with wood, at the cost of 19,284. The scheme was adopted on September 15th.

On October 13th Mr. Arnold Taylor, an Inspector of the Local Government Board, held an inquiry at the Guildhall as to an application by the Corporation for powers to borrow 30,300 for street improvements and wood paving. It was stated that of the amount named, 25,000 would be required for the latter work. The Town Clerk reported, on November 16th, that the Local Government Board had sanctioned a loan of 25,000, repayable with interest within a period not exceeding twelve years.

(_See_ January 22nd, 1883.)

SEPTEMBER.

3.-The Grantully Castle steams.h.i.+p, with Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone on board, arrived in Yarmouth Roads. Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., and several members of the local Liberal party put off in the steam-tug Meteor, and boarded the steamer. Mr. A. Peaton read to the right hon. gentleman an address, conveying to him the congratulations of the Liberal party in Yarmouth upon his recovery from his recent severe illness. Mr. Gladstone, who had most cordially received the deputation, returned thanks in a characteristic speech.

-The staff of the Anchor Brewery, Norwich, to the number of 650, were conveyed by special train to the Alexandra Palace, by invitation of the head of the firm, Mr. Harry Bullard, Mayor of the city.

17.-Died at the Bedford Hotel, Brighton, aged 84, the Right Hon. Sir Fitzroy Edward Kelly, Lord Chief Baron of the Exchequer Division of the High Court of Justice. He was elected High Steward of Norwich, an office which was abolished by the Munic.i.p.al Reform Act. Sir Fitzroy received three years' annuity to January 1st, 1839, and a life pension of 48 a year.

18.-The appointment was announced of Dr. Horace Hill as chorus-master of the Norwich Festivals.

21.-The Norwich Town Council appointed Dr. Bunnett City Organist, at the salary of 50 per annum.

26.-Died at Aylsham, in his 86th year, Mr. Robert William Parmeter, who held the office of Clerk of the Peace for the county of Norfolk from 1842 to 1868, when he was succeeded by Mr. Charles Foster.

27.-Died at Fawley Court, Buckinghams.h.i.+re, Mr. Edward Mackenzie, aged 69.

He was a member of a family who were largely identified with railway enterprises, especially in France, where he resided sixteen years. Mr.

Mackenzie's connection with Norfolk and Suffolk began in 1869, when he purchased the estates of Thetford and Santon-Downham. "He is best remembered by the public for his foundation of the British Orphan Asylum at Slough."