Norfolk Annals
Chapter 159 : -The Norfolk County School a.s.sociation held its first meeting at the temporary schoo

-The Norfolk County School a.s.sociation held its first meeting at the temporary school at Great Ma.s.singham, under the presidency of Sir Willoughby Jones. The Rev. J. L. Brereton reported that the Prince of Wales had become a patron of the school, and the sum of 5,920 had been subscribed by about seventy shareholders. At a meeting held at the Earl of Leicester's, house in Grosvenor Square, London, on April 24th, it was decided to erect the school on Bintry Hill, near North Elmham. (_See_ April 14th, 1873.)

24.-The Norwich Waterworks Company opened a second covered reservoir at Lakenham, and, in celebration of the event, luncheon was served within the works, under the presidency of the chairman of the company, Mr. H. S.

Patteson. The reservoir was 128 feet in length and 120 feet in width.

FEBRUARY.

7.-Died at his residence, Notting Hill, London, the Right Rev. Samuel Hinds, D.D., formerly Bishop of Norwich. Born at Barbadoes in 1793, he came at an early age to England, and was educated at a private school at Ridland, near Bristol. He entered Balliol College, Oxford, but migrated to Queen's, where he took Second Cla.s.s Honours in Cla.s.sics and the University Latin Essay. After ordination by the Bishop of London, he returned to Barbadoes as the first missionary to the negro population.

Soon afterwards the headmasters.h.i.+p of Codrington College fell vacant, and Dr. Hinds was appointed thereto by Bishop' Howley. On returning to England, he held a small living in Hertfords.h.i.+re, and the rectory of Castle Knock, near Dublin; in 1848 was appointed Dean of Carlisle, and in 1849, on the death of Bishop Stanley, he became Bishop of Norwich. On account of ill-health he resigned the See in 1857. Bishop Hinds was the author of "A Treatise on Logic," "A History of the Rise and Early Progress of Christianity," "An Inquiry into the Nature and Extent of Inspiration," and "Sonnets and Sacred Poems." "His beautiful hymn, to which Dr. Buck set such appropriate music, is familiar to every attendant at our Cathedral services."

MARCH.

1.-Died at Gateley, Mr. Money Griggs, in his one hundredth year.

9.*-"Under the provisions of Mr. Cardwell's Army Organization Bill, Yarmouth has been selected as the headquarters of the _depot_ of the 9th East Norfolk Regiment of Foot."

11.-Died, at 21, Taviton Street, Gordon Square, London, Emily Taylor, daughter of Mr. Samuel Taylor, of New Buckenham. She was born April 8th, 1795, and for nearly fifty years resided in Norfolk. At the age of five her singing was said to be wonderful; before seven years of age she had read the Iliad of Homer and made herself acquainted with many books of history. Among her writings were "Tales of the Saxons," "Tales of the English," "The Ball I live on," "Poetical Ill.u.s.trations," &c. Her last work was "Contemporary Poets," issued in 1868. Miss Taylor, who was a native of Banham, removed to London in 1858, and established the West Central Collegiate School, Southampton Road, Russell Square. Her remains were interred in Highgate Cemetery, on March 14th, near the resting-place of Miss Martineau.

14.-Died at his residence in Duke Street, Norwich, very suddenly, aged 51, Mr. Henry Rudd, chorus master of the Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival. Mr. Rudd was originally a sawyer, but his taste for music was observed by Mr. Taylor, organist of St. John's Roman Catholic chapel, from whom he received his musical education. For many years he was a member of the Choral Society and of other musical a.s.sociations, held the situation of music master at the Diocesan Training Inst.i.tution, and was instrumental in forming the Norwich Gatehouse Choir. On the resignation of Mr. J. F. Hill, he obtained the post of director of the Festival Choral Society. Mr. Rudd was succeeded as chorus master by Mr.

James Harcourt.

20.-Died at Northrepps Hall, aged 88, Hannah, widow of the first Sir Thomas Fowell Buxton, whom she survived twenty-seven years. Lady Buxton was sister of the well-known philanthropist, Elizabeth Fry, and of Mr.

John Joseph Gurney.

22.-Died at Burlingham Hall, Mr. Henry Negus Burroughes, aged 81. He succeeded to the family estates at an early age, and in 1815 served the office of High Sheriff. In 1837, in conjunction with Mr. Edmond Wodehouse, he successfully contested the representation of East Norfolk against Mr. W. H. Windham and Mr. R. H. Gurney, and he continued to represent the division until 1857, having meanwhile stood a second contest, in 1841, with Sir William ffolkes, and been twice re-elected, in 1847 and 1852, without opposition. In 1857, however, he and his colleague, Sir Henry Stracey, who had been elected in 1855, in the room of Mr. Wodehouse, declined to come forward again, the then popularity of their chief opponent, Major-General Windham, who had just returned triumphant from the Crimea, rendering success doubtful. Mr. Burroughes had taken an active part in the public business of the county.

23.-In the week ending this date there was a marked decline in the mortality from small-pox in Norwich. The largest number of deaths in any week was 37, and for several weeks the number was reported as 30.

30.-Died at Coltishall, in his 80th year, Mr. Nathaniel Palmer, of the Inner Temple, barrister-at-law. By his death the Recorders.h.i.+p of Yarmouth and the Judges.h.i.+p of the Norwich Court of Record became vacant.

The first-named office was filled by the appointment of Mr. Simms Reeve, and the latter by the election of Mr. Carlos Cooper. Mr. Palmer was one of the oldest of the Norwich magistrates, and for many years occupied a leading position in the Liberal party. Born in 1792, he was the son of Mr. Nathaniel Palmer, Government contractor for the Navy and distributor of stamps, and was articled to Mr. Wors.h.i.+p, solicitor, of Yarmouth, in which borough he practised as an attorney, with considerable success. In 1827 he was called to the Bar by the Inner Temple. He married Rachael, only daughter of Mr. Thomas. .h.i.tchin, of Norwich, by whom he had five children. One of his sons was Mr. T. H. Palmer, registrar of the Norwich County Court.

APRIL.

1.-Mr. Henry Leslie's Opera Bouffe Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre, in "Princess of Trebizonde."

13.-The agricultural labourers' agitation began in Norfolk with a meeting held at Old Buckenham. The movement was shortly afterwards taken up in earnest in many parts of the county. The princ.i.p.al object of its supporters was to obtain an increase in the rate of wages. (_See_ February 20th, 1873.)

22.-Died at Norwich, aged 50, Mr. Frederick Simpson, for many years City Treasurer. Mr. T. Hanc.o.c.k, a member of the Town Council, resigned his seat, and on May 3rd was elected to the vacant office.

MAY.

1.-The arbitration case, Coaks _v._ Tillett, was opened at the s.h.i.+rehall, Norwich, before Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart. The inquiry had reference to a claim made by Mr. I. B. Coaks against Mr. J. H. Tillett, arising out of the winding-up of the affairs of the East of England Bank. An action was originally brought in the Court of Queen's Bench, and was intended to have been heard at the previous Norwich a.s.sizes, but by consent of both parties the matter in dispute was referred to the arbitration of Sir Willoughby Jones. Mr. Merewether appeared for Mr. Coaks, and Mr. Tillett conducted his own case. The amount claimed was 2,160, and the arbitrator, after an exhaustive inquiry was due consideration, awarded 1,881 4s. 5d.

8.-In the Court of Queen's Bench, the Attorney-General moved for a rule _nisi_ calling upon the Town Council of Norwich to show cause why a _mandamus_ should not issue directing them to build a new asylum for pauper lunatics. The question had been in abeyance since 1863, and various reasons were urged why the asylum should not be erected. The Court granted the rule _nisi_. On the 17th it was resolved, at a meeting of the Town Council, to write to the Secretary of State, pointing out that on April 17th a resolution was pa.s.sed in the House of Commons affirming that occupiers in counties and boroughs should be relieved either in whole or in part of charges imposed for lunatics, the expenditure for such purpose being almost entirely independent of local control. The Home Secretary was asked whether he felt it imc.u.mbent by compulsory measures to force upon the local rates of Norwich an expenditure estimated at between 40,000 and 50,000. On the 21st the Town Council sent a memorial to the House of Commons, asking them "to intervene for the protection of this munic.i.p.ality, or at least obtain a postponement of the threatened proceedings until Parliament shall have definitely settled by whom the cost of maintaining lunatics shall be permanently borne." The Court of Queen's Bench, on June 10th, made the rule absolute against the Corporation, and on June 18th the Corporation decided, by 33 votes to 7, to offer continued resistance to the _mandamus_. (_See_ January 15th, 1873.)

14.-A meeting, presided over by Colonel Hugh FitzRoy, was held at the Town Hall, Aylsham, to discuss the feasibility of constructing a narrow gauge railway between Norwich and Aylsham, and thence to Aldborough and Beeston. Mr. Minshull, engineer, estimated the cost of construction at 5,000 per mile. The meeting was in favour of the scheme, and appointed a committee to consider details.

16.-The first stone of Christ church, Eaton, was laid by the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. R. Chamberlin). The church was opened on November 4th, 1873, by the Bishop of Norwich. Mr. H. Bolingbroke gave the site; the architects were Mr. J. H. Brown and Mr. J. B. Pearce, and the contractors Mr. W. Wright and Mr. J. W. Lacey. "It is said that the bell fixed in the turret was formerly the sanctus bell at the Cathedral."

20.-The Queen's birthday was celebrated at Norwich on this day (Whit-Monday). "It was a demonstration of regard towards the person of her Majesty and of joy that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had recovered from his illness." The streets of the city were decorated, a military review took place on Mousehold, civic entertainments were given, and the festivities terminated with a display of fireworks on the Castle Meadow.

21.-Captain Bates, the Kentucky Giant, and Chrissie-Millie, better known as the "Two-headed Nightingale," appeared at the Lecture Hall, St.

Andrew's, Norwich. Of this mulatto girl it was said, "Chrissie and Millie are fairly educated, and sing either solos or duets with ease and effect."

23.-Died at Naples, the Right Hon. Henry Lytton Earle Bulwer, Baron Dalling and Bulwer. Born in 1804, his lords.h.i.+p was the second son of General William Bulwer, of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, by Elizabeth Barbara Lytton, sole heiress and last descendant of the Lyttons of Knebworth in Hertfords.h.i.+re. His career as a diplomatist is familiar to every student of history. His lords.h.i.+p was the author of "Historical Characters," which appeared in two volumes in the winter of 1867, and rapidly ran into a sixth edition; and of a "Life of Lord Palmerston,"

published in 1871. The remains of the deceased n.o.bleman were interred at Heydon on June 25th.

27.-A one hundred yards' race took place on the West Winch Road, Lynn, between Thomas Akers and a horse belonging to Mr. W. L. Proctor. "Akers led off, the horse not starting directly the signal was given, but he had not proceeded far when he was overtaken by the animal and beaten by about ten yards."

29.-The tower of the church of Beeston-next-Mileham was struck by lightning. "The Litcham fire-engine was taken into the church, but the molten lead and burning timber fell so rapidly that nothing could be done, and the tower was entirely destroyed."

-A remarkable mirage was witnessed at Yarmouth. "The weather was exceedingly sultry, with heavy banks of clouds towards the east and south-east, just opposite Yarmouth, and extending from the Scroby to the Corton Sands there appeared a sharply-defined and magnificent outline of Gorleston and Corton cliff, with the entrance to the harbour and even the white sands. A stranger visiting the locality for the first time would have supposed that Yarmouth was embayed by a narrow peninsula."

JUNE.

3.-Mr. G. B. Loveday's Gaiety Operetta Company, under the direction of Mr. John Hollingshead, appeared at Norwich Theatre.

6.-The Prince of Wales visited Yarmouth for the first time. His Royal Highness, accompanied by the Earl of Leicester, arrived at Southtown station, and was received by the Mayor (Mr. E. H. L. Preston), the members of the Corporation, and the Recorder (Mr. Simms Reeve), who read an address of welcome. The Militia Artillery and the Rifle Volunteers formed guards of honour, and the Royal carriage was escorted from the station to the Town Hall, by the 7th Dragoon Guards from Norwich, under the command of Colonel Peyton. After luncheon at the Town Hall, his Royal Highness proceeded to the newly-erected Grammar School, at the junction of Trafalgar Road and Apsley Road, and declared the buildings open; in the evening he dined at the Artillery mess and attended a performance in which Mr. Toole appeared, at the Regent Hall. On the 7th the Prince was present at a review of the Artillery Militia, of which he was honorary colonel, and on the 8th returned by special train to London.

10.-Mr. J. L. Toole and Miss E. Farren appeared at Norwich Theatre on this and the succeeding evening in "Dearer than Life," "The Steeplechase," "The Weavers," scenes from "Paul Pry," and "Ici on parle Francais."

19.-The show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation, of which the Prince of Wales was this year President, commenced at King's Lynn, and was attended by his Royal Highness, who was accompanied by the Princess of Wales. The Prince presided at the luncheon, which, for the first time, took place in a marquee erected in the showground, and was attended by upwards of 900 guests. In addition to the Prince of Wales, the speakers at the gathering included the Earl of Leicester, the Bishop of Norwich, Lord Sondes, Lord Suffield, Admiral Sir Henry Keppel, the Hon. R. Bourke, M.P., Sir W. Bagge, M.P., Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., Mr. G. W. P. Bentinck, M.P., &c.

JULY.

2.-Died at the Roman Catholic Presbytery, Willow Lane, Norwich, the Rev.

Edmund Costello, S.J., aged 44. Father Costello had been in ill-health, and his death was accelerated by his devoted ministrations among the poor when the small-pox epidemic was at its height. He was a son of Mr. James Costello, of Eyre Square, Galway, was educated at the Irish College, Paris, at Maynooth, and at Stonyhurst, and entered upon the Norwich Roman Catholic Mission in 1868.

27.-The 3rd Norfolk Rifle Volunteers (formerly the 1st Administrative Battalion), commanded by Lieut.-Colonel Duff, went into camp at Ketteringham Park. The North Walsham corps marched from that town to the camp, a distance of twenty-two miles. The 2nd Battalion, commanded by Lieut.-Colonel R. T. Gurdon, was brigaded with the 3rd Battalion. The camp was struck on August 2nd.

29.-The sale of Crown Point and Whitlingham estate took place at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, by order of the Court of Chancery. Messrs. J. and J. Colman were the purchasers, at 55,700.

30.-Sir Henry Stracey was presented, at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by the Conservatives of the city, with a valuable piece of plate, as "a mark of their appreciation of his political conduct during the recent contests, and their admiration of his example as a straightforward English gentleman." Lady Stracey received from the ladies of Norwich a diamond bracelet, and silver bouquet-holders were presented by working-men to the Misses Stracey.

AUGUST.