Part 41

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 Assizes. 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 Association 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 steamship, 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 Municipal 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, Buckinghamshire, 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."

OCTOBER.

5.--A meeting of the Wells and Fakenham Turnpike Trustees was held at Wells, for the purpose of letting the toll-gates for a term of eleven months expiring on November 1st, 1881. The trust would have ceased in 1876, but Mr. E. B. Loynes, clerk to the trustees, was instructed to attend a Select Committee of the House of Commons, to give information on the subject. This resulted in a further period of five years being granted, and certain restrictions and conditions were imposed to be observed by the trustees. It was only in 1824 an Act was obtained for making this road. "Under no conditions, however, can the trust be maintained beyond November 1st, 1881, and therefore after that date the Wells and Fakenham Turnpike Trust will be a thing of the past."

11.--Died at Unthank's Road, Norwich, the Rev. John Hallett, aged 57, for twenty-four years minister of the Old Meeting House.

18.--The "Caste" Company, under the management of Messrs. Robertson and Bruce, commenced a farewell engagement at Norwich Theatre. Miss Cora Stuart (Mrs. T. W. Robertson) made her first appearance on the Norwich stage.

22.--A new organ, erected at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by Messrs. Bryceson Bros. and Ellis, Charlton Works, Islington, was formally handed over by Mr. Hugh Barclay, on behalf of the subscribers, to the Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard). The organ and its accessories cost 1,874. The receipts amounted to 1,841, and Mr. R. A. Gorell made up the deficiency by handing in a cheque for 35. Dr. Bridge, organist of Westminster Abbey, Dr. Bennett, and Dr. Gladstone played selections upon the new instrument, and the Mayor entertained the large company present on the occasion. The public opening of the organ took place on the 23rd, when Dr. Bunnett gave the first recital of his annual series.

26.--Died at Lowestoft, Mr. John Bathurst Graver-Browne, of Morley Hall, aged 43. He was a son of Mr. John Graver-Browne, by his wife Frances Bathurst, granddaughter of the Bishop of Norwich, and married, in 1871, Frances Julia, daughter of Sir Henry Stracey, Bart. Mr. Graver-Browne was a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the county, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1873.

29.--A dreadful disaster occurred at Wells-next-the-Sea. The Eliza Adams lifeboat, manned by thirteen men, capsized while going to a ship in distress, and eleven of the crew were drowned. Great public sympathy was expressed, and to the fund inaugurated for the relief of the bereaved families the Royal National Lifeboat Institution contributed 1,000.

NOVEMBER.

4.--Chapel Field, Norwich, renamed Chapel Field Gardens, was re-opened for the use of the public. This hitherto neglected area had been tastefully laid out as a garden, and in the centre was erected the wrought-iron pavilion manufactured by Messrs. Barnards and Bishop, and exhibited by them four years previously at the Philadelphia Exhibition. It was designed by Mr. T. Jeckyll, and purchased for the city by public subscription. The Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard) performed the opening ceremony, and after the band of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons had played the National Anthem, his worship entertained a large company to luncheon at the Drill Hall.

--The Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced its sittings at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop. The proceedings concluded on the 5th.

--Died at Tasburgh, Mr. Ernest H. Willett, only son of Mr. Henry Willett, of Norwich. He was a well-known cricketer, and although he fell away from the early promise of his Radley days, did good service as captain of the county eleven. With Mr. H. Birkbeck, jun., and the Rev. H. W. Turner, Mr. Willett resuscitated the County Club, which played its first match with Essex, at Brentwood, on July 28th and 29th, 1876.

9.--Mr. Samuel Grimmer was elected Mayor, and Dr. Eade appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

14.--Died at Stow Hall, Downham Market, Sir Thomas Leigh Hare, Bart. Born July 18th, 1807, he was formerly captain in the 2nd Life Guards, and afterwards captain in the West Norfolk Militia. A magistrate and a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, he had served the office of High Sheriff.

18.--The annual exhibition of the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show Association opened at the Drill Hall and Chapel Field, Norwich, and was attended by the Patron, the Prince of Wales, who arrived from Horstead Hall, where he had been staying as the guest of Mr. Edward Birkbeck. His Royal Highness, after leaving the show, was entertained to luncheon by Mr. and Mrs. Colman, at Carrow House. The Prince, before returning to Horstead, inspected the various departments at Carrow Works.

20.*--"A final dividend of 9.5d. in the pound is announced in connection with the bankruptcy of Messrs. Harvey and Hudsons, bankers, Norwich, who failed for upwards of 1,700,000, in July, 1870. The total return to the creditors has been 14s. 3.5d. in the pound." (_See_ December 3rd.)

22.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Melton Constable, on a visit to Lord and Lady Hastings. Their Royal Highnesses left on November 26th.

--The dead body of Henry Jonathan Minns, lay clerk at Norwich Cathedral, and a well-known local tenor, was discovered suspended by the neck upon a ladder in the presbytery triforium over St. Luke's chapel at the Cathedral. At the adjourned inquest, held on the 26th, the jury returned a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide while of unsound mind. On the same day "a special service of humiliation" was held at the Cathedral, when an address was delivered by the Dean.

23.--The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Didlington Hall, on a visit to Mr. W. A. Tyssen-Amherst, M.P., and left on the 26th. His Royal Highness was engaged in the inspection of the Coastguard and Naval Reserves on the East Coast.

24.--A special choral service, in aid of the Choir Benevolent Fund, was held at Norwich Cathedral. Members of the choirs of her Majesty's Chapels Royal, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Ely, Norwich, and Peterborough Cathedrals, Eton College, and St. George's Chapel, Windsor, took part, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Swainson, Canon of Chichester.

29.--The bells of Blofield church were re-opened, after re-hanging by the Redenhall firm of bell-founders--Captain Moore, Mr. Gervas Holmes, M.A., of Emanuel College, Cambridge, and Mr. Mackenzie, C.E.

--The Conservative party at Lynn presented to Lady Hamilton, wife of Lord Claud J. Hamilton, a valuable diamond bracelet, and congratulated his lordship, who formerly represented the borough, upon his election for Liverpool.

DECEMBER.

3.--Application was made in the Rolls Court for leave to bring an action in connection with the Harvey and Hudsons bankruptcy. It was alleged that a certain asset of the firm (a life interest on property which had been sold by Mr. E. K. Harvey to his brother, Sir Robert) was disposed of for a sum far below its value; Messrs. Boswell and Baxter, wine merchants, who were creditors of Messrs. Harvey and Hudsons, claimed that the matter should be re-opened and re-adjusted. Divested of technicalities, the claim of the plaintiffs, who sued for themselves and other creditors of Sir R. J. Harvey's joint and separate estates, was to have the purchase of the life interest by the defendants set aside, and to have the benefit of the policies effected, and payment of the income arising from the life interest which had been already received by the defendants, after allowance had been made for the purchase-money and interest of the premiums paid on the policies; and also the costs of the suit. The Master of the Rolls granted the application to December 9th. (_See_ December 7th, 1882.)

8.--Trinity Wesleyan chapel, Dereham, the foundation-stone of which was laid in the month of April, was opened for public worship. The work, executed from designs by Mr. Edward Boardman, architect, Norwich, cost, inclusive of minister's house, &c., 3,400.

15.--A new warehouse, erected at the cost of many thousands of pounds, at Lynn docks, and stored with large quantities of cotton seed, belonging to different merchants, was destroyed by fire. The damage was estimated at 15,000.

18.--At a meeting of the Executive Committee of the county of Norfolk, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, the Chairman (Mr. C. S. Read) reported an alarming outbreak of foot-and-mouth diseases affecting 1,754 cattle, 1,640 sheep, and 66 pigs. (_See_ February 28th, 1881.)

24.--The Christmas pantomime produced at Norwich Theatre by Messrs. Herbert and Collingwood was entitled, "Robinson Crusoe and Harlequin Billee Taylor, or Man Friday among the Afghans." This was the last Christmas pantomime performed at the Theatre. At Messrs. John Sanger and Son's Circus, on December 27th, was produced, "Little Red Riding Hood, the Wicked Wolf, and the Princess's Fairy Garden Party."

1881

JANUARY.

8.--Dr. F. E. Gladstone, it was announced, had resigned the post of organist of Norwich Cathedral, upon receiving a similar appointment at Christ church, Lancaster Gate, London. He was succeeded by Mr. Frederic C. Atkinson, organist of Manningham church, Bradford, a native of Norwich and pupil of Dr. Buck.

12.--Winter set in with great severity, and during the night upwards of six inches of snow fell. The frost was intense. On the 17th the Yare was frozen over and navigation stopped, and on the 18th an extraordinary snowstorm and gale occurred. The thermometer registered 32 degrees of frost, and the wind, which during the preceding night had veered to the east, suddenly assumed the strength of a hurricane, which raged for nearly twenty-four hours. "A velocity of 548 miles was recorded, a force very rarely experienced in this part of the country." Little snow fell until about five o'clock in the afternoon, when the clouds discharged themselves with a virulence almost unprecedented. From six to eight inches of snow fell in a few hours, and in places there were drifts ten feet in depth. The traffic on most of the branch lines of the Great Eastern Railway was suspended nearly twenty-four hours. The mail train from Norwich to Yarmouth--four hours late--ran into a drift near Buckenham, and remained embedded six hours. The use of five engines and the efforts of sixty men proved unavailing, and there was no alternative but to take the train back to Norwich. Many of the roads being impassable, the mail-cart drivers abandoned their journeys. Terrible shipping disasters occurred off Yarmouth; thirteen vessels were wrecked, and nearly fifty lives lost. The surf lifeboat was capsized a few yards from the shore, and of the crew of ten who were entangled in the tackle beneath the craft six were drowned. From the 14th to the 21st never once did the thermometer rise above freezing-point. On the 26th the temperature rose to 38 degrees, and rain fell on the 27th.

17.--Prince's Street Sunday schools and Lecture Hall, Norwich, were opened, as an adjunct to the Congregational church. The fine block of buildings was designed by Mr. Edward Boardman, architect, and erected by Messrs. Downing and Sons, at the cost of about 12,600.

24.--The National Skating Association held a race-meeting on Wroxham Broad. Fixed originally for the 18th, but postponed in consequence of the gale, it was attended, amongst other competitors, by George ("Fish") Smart, Champion of England, W. ("Turkey") Smart, and many prominent Fen skaters.

28.--Killed at the battle of Lang's Nek, South Africa, aged 21, Lieut. Robert Hamond Elwes, Grenadier Guards, _aide-de-camp_ to Sir G. Pomeroy Colley. He was the eldest son of Mr. Robert Elwes, of Congham House, near King's Lynn.

FEBRUARY.

9.--A squadron of the 3rd Hussars arrived at Norwich Cavalry Barracks, from Colchester.

14.--The comic opera, "Les Cloches de Corneville," was performed at Norwich Theatre for the first time by a company under the management of Mr. Charles Bernard. A company of children presented the same opera at the Theatre on March 28th.

28.--In accordance with a resolution adopted at a meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture on the 26th, a deputation waited upon Earl Spencer, President of the Privy Council, when Mr. C. S. Read, as president of the Chamber and Chairman of the Executive Committee of the County, expressed, on behalf of Norfolk agriculturists, the desire that, in view of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, greater restrictions should be observed in regard to store cattle, and that a certain relaxation should be made in the case of fat cattle, which, it was proposed, should be sent direct from licensed sales and markets to slaughter-houses, to be killed within four days. It was also suggested that the Privy Council should prohibit the importation of live animals from countries where they knew disease existed. A further deputation, headed by the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. S. Grimmer), interviewed Earl Spencer on March 25th, with the view of obtaining such relaxation of the Orders in Council as to permit the sale of store stock at Tombland Fair. A fresh outbreak of the disease occurred in the autumn, and on October 28th the county authority passed a resolution affirming that, notwithstanding its recurrence, the time had not arrived for the closing of the markets; that should the Privy Council consider it necessary to stop the spread of the disease by closing the store stock markets, such order should not take effect before the first week in December; that the existing regulations for preventing the importation of diseased cattle from foreign countries were entirely insufficient, and that until more stringent regulations were in force the system of closing markets was vexatious. (_See_ January 7th, 1882.)

MARCH.

8.--The Spring Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held at Lynn, but the change of venue resulted in a very small entry.

19.*--"Died, a few days ago, in a modest dwelling in Yarmouth, Charles Crawshay Wilkinson, the inventor of perforated sheet stamps. The Government offered a very handsome reward for a contrivance by which postage and other stamps might be most easily separated. Mr. Wilkinson, then only a working-man, in the service of a distinguished firm, exercised the considerable technical knowledge and natural cleverness he possessed, and constructed a perforating machine similar to those now in use. This success was made known to his employers, who presented him with a sum for the invention, but obtained the credit for it, and also the large reward offered. The inventor gained a competency by his industry, went to Yarmouth, and lived happily in retirement. With the exception of intimate friends, very few knew him as the real originator of a device which had benefited countless millions of people."

APRIL.

2.*--"Mr. Edward Ebenezer Kay, Q.C., of Thorpe Abbots, near Scole, has accepted the Judgeship vacant by the retirement of Vice-Chancellor Sir Richard Malins. He does not become Vice-chancellor, but simply one of the Judges of the High Court of Justice."

18.--The National Fisheries Exhibition was opened at the Drill Hall, Norwich, by the Prince of Wales. His Royal Highness, who was accompanied by the Princess of Wales, Prince Leopold, the Lord President of the Privy Council and the Countess Spencer, Sir W. Vernon Harcourt and Lady Harcourt, his Excellency Count Dannesekjold-Samsoe, Count Frijs-Frijsonborg, Lord and Lady Charles Beresford, Mr. Mundella, M.P., and Sir Philip Cunliffe Owen, arrived from Wolferton at Thorpe station at 12.20, and was received by the Mayor (Mr. S. Grimmer), the Sheriff (Dr. Eade), and the Deputy-Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard). The Artillery Volunteers supplied a guard of honour in the station yard, and the Royal visitors were escorted by a detachment of the 3rd Hussars. At the Drill Hall, where the Rifle Volunteers mounted a guard of honour, their Royal Highnesses were received by the President of the exhibition (Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P.) and other officials. The President presented an address to the Prince of Wales, who replied, and declared the exhibition open. The Mayor afterwards entertained their Royal Highnesses and a distinguished company to a _dejeuner_ at St. Andrew's Hall. At four o'clock the Royal party returned to Thorpe station, whence they proceeded to Wolferton. The exhibition, which was promoted by the Norfolk and Suffolk Fish Acclimatization Society, remained open until May 7th, was visited by 70,000 persons, exclusive of exhibitors and their assistants, and nearly 2,800 was received for admission. Several distinguished scientists delivered lectures at the Prince's Street Lecture Hall--Professor Huxley on "The Herring," on April 21st; Mr. Edward Jex, on "Deep Sea Fisheries," on April 22nd; Mr. R. Bowdler Sharpe, on "Fish-eating Birds," on April 25th; and Mr. H. N. Moseley, naturalist to the Challenger Expedition, on "Deep-sea Dredging," on April 28th. On the last day of the exhibition, Earl Ducie distributed the prizes and diplomas to the exhibitors.

19.--A meeting of the members of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture and of farmers and agriculturists residing in West Norfolk was held at the Town Hall, Lynn, under the presidency of Mr. C. S. Read, when a resolution affirming "that the present state of the agricultural interest demands the serious attention of the Government of the country" was unanimously adopted. In compliance with a letter addressed to the parochial clergy by the Lord Bishop, services of humiliation and of intercession for a plentiful harvest were held throughout the diocese during the last week of May.

26.--On the occasion of the funeral of Lord Beaconsfield, flags were displayed at half-mast on the churches and public buildings of Norwich, muffled bells were tolled, and many business establishments were

## partially closed. A funeral sermon was preached at the Cathedral by

Canon Heaviside.

28.--Died, in his 84th year, Mr. Brampton Gurdon, of Letton Hall and Grundisburgh Hall, Suffolk. He was the eldest son of Mr. Theophilus Thornhagh Gurdon, of Letton, and in 1855 served the office of High Sheriff. In 1857 Mr. Gurdon was elected unopposed one of the members for the Western division of the county, and was again returned, with Mr. Bentinck, in 1859. He retained the seat until July, 1865, when he and Sir Willoughby Jones were defeated by Mr. Bagge and the Hon. T. de Grey. Mr. Gurdon married the Hon. Henrietta Susannah, daughter and co-heiress of the first Baron Colborne, of West Harling Hall.

29.--Charles Monsey, a superannuated Excise officer, murdered his wife at Worstead, by inflicting wounds upon her head with a hatchet. At Ipswich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Hawkins, on May 9th, affidavits were produced as to the insanity of the accused, and the trial was postponed. Monsey was afterwards detained as a criminal lunatic.

MAY.

7.--The Census returns for Norwich were published on this date, as follow:--Houses: Inhabited, 19,777; uninhabited, 1,011; building, 246. Persons: Males, 40,281; females, 47,560; total, 87,841.