Part 42

29.--Died at Hoveton House, the Rev. Thomas John Blofeld, vicar of the parish, aged 74. He was educated at Eton and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated in 1829. Ordained in 1830, he was for a short time vicar of Old Sodbury, Gloucestershire, and exchanged the living for the rectory of Drayton and Hellesdon. Mr. Blofeld was rural dean of the deanery of Taverham, which he resigned, with the rectory of Drayton, in 1851, on his appointment to the living of Hoveton. He married, in 1834, Catherine Charlotte, daughter of the Rev. Anthony Collett, of Heveningham, Suffolk, by whom he had three sons and a daughter. Mr. Blofeld was an active county magistrate, chairman of the visiting justices of the County Gaol, an auditor of the county accounts, and a Deputy Lieutenant. For many years he was one of the most able and energetic of the leaders of the Conservative party in North Norfolk. In his youth he was a great oarsman, was stroke of the Trinity boat, and one of the founders of boating on the Cam. With a taste for outdoor pursuits, he was a keen and skilled naturalist, and a sportsman of the best type.

30.--Died at Les Avants, the Rev. Herbert Pelham, aged 26, curate of St. Philip, Heigham, and youngest son of the Bishop of Norwich. "He had been staying at Gleion, in Montreaux, on the banks of Lake Geneva, with his brother, the Rev. Sidney Pelham. In the morning, at four o'clock, both brothers left their hotel for a walk amongst the mountains, aiming at a point which they reached at seven o'clock. After resting half an hour, they began to descend. Not more than ten minutes had elapsed after their starting, when, on a grassy slope, Mr. Sidney Pelham, who was in front, heard a rushing sound, and perceived that his brother was falling head foremost down a cliff some 240 feet in extent." On hurrying to the spot he found the body motionless, and a surgeon who was summoned pronounced that death had been instantaneous. Great public sympathy was expressed in Norwich and the diocese, and many resolutions of condolence were sent to the Bishop.

31.--Died at his residence, at Thorpe, Norwich, Mr. William Howlett, aged 78. He had been an alderman and town councillor. Identified with the musical profession, Mr. Howlett had rendered very valuable assistance to the funds of many of the Norwich charities.

JUNE.

8.--The new section of the Yarmouth and North Norfolk Railway, between Stalham and North Walsham, was inspected by Major-General Hutchinson, R.E., and was opened for passenger traffic on the 13th. A public dinner to commemorate the event was held, under the presidency of Mr. C. S. Read, at the King's Arms Hotel, North Walsham, on the 15th.

9.--The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and inspected the Norfolk Artillery Militia on the South Denes. The Duke of Cambridge, Commander-in-Chief, arrived in the evening, and on the 10th inspected the Militia, and the 2nd Norfolk Artillery Volunteers.

21.--The Norwich Town Council granted to the promoters of the proposed Agricultural Hall the lease of a piece of land 174 feet long by 103 feet wide, for a term of seventy-five years, commencing September 29th, 1881, at an annual ground rent of 100, subject to the promoters expending at least 7,000 for the erection of the building thereon. (_See_ March 25th, 1882.)

--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, a scheme for the regulation and management of Mousehold Heath was adopted. On June 24th, at Norwich Quarter Sessions, eleven persons were indicted for committing damage to certain roadways on the Heath, the property of the Corporation. The case was adjourned to the October Sessions. In the High Court of Justice, on July 29th, before the Master of the Rolls, application was made for an injunction to restrain the "Pockthorpe Committee" and others from dealing in any way with Mousehold Heath. The injunction was granted. At the October Sessions, the prosecution was withdrawn, on the ground that the injunction had been obeyed by the defendants. (_See_ June 5th, 1883.)

22.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Wymondham, and closed on the 23rd. The Earl of Kimberley presided at the public luncheon.

24.--Died, in his 64th year, the Rev. Thomas Lyon Fellowes, vicar of Honingham and East Tuddenham, and Hon. Canon of Norwich Cathedral. He was a son of the Rev. J. Fellowes, rector of Shotesham, took a great interest in agriculture, and was for many years chairman of the Executive Committee of the Norfolk Agricultural Association. Mr. Fellowes gave valuable assistance to the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show Association, and was a renowned breeder and successful exhibitor of poultry. He married Miss Reeve, of Lowestoft.

24.--Died, suddenly, at Hawick, N.B., where he was fulfilling an engagement, Mr. Charles Dillon, the well-known actor. Mr. Dillon, who was in his 62nd year, was a native of Diss, and first appeared upon the provincial stage, where he acquired considerable reputation as an elocutionist and exponent of legitimate drama. He made his first appearance on the London stage at Sadler's Wells Theatre, and subsequently became lessee and manager of the Lyceum Theatre. Mr. Dillon's last appearance in London was in September, 1878, and in Norwich on April 10th, 1880.

29.--An extensive fire occurred at Carrow Works, and resulted in the destruction of a pile of lofty buildings.

30.--The wards of that portion of the new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital known as the pavilion and central administrative block having been completed for the reception of patients, were opened. Mr. Edward Boardman was the architect of the building. Mr. T. H. Wyatt, of London, was originally associated with him, but, by the failure of his health and subsequent death the whole of the work devolved upon Mr. Boardman. (_See_ August 20th, 1883.)

JULY.

9.--The Norwich Rifle Volunteers, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Boileau, proceeded by special train to Windsor, and took part in the Volunteer review before her Majesty the Queen in the Great Park. On the return journey the train by which they travelled dashed into a train of empty carriages at Egham. The accident delayed the return of the Volunteers, who reached Norwich at four o'clock on the morning of the 10th.

19.--The Strumpshaw Hall estate was sold, at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, by Messrs. Spelman, for 33,145, exclusive of timber.

--Died at Ipswich, Mr. John Worlledge, Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, and for twenty-four years Judge of the Suffolk County Court circuit. Mr. Worlledge, who was in his 72nd year, was a son of Mr. John Worlledge, of Chevington, and was educated at Felstead Grammar School and Trinity College, Cambridge, where he graduated fourth wrangler in 1831. Called to the Bar at the Middle Temple in 1838, he became well known as a pleader on the Norfolk Circuit, and was appointed Chancellor of the Diocese in April, 1871.

26.--Died at Oulton, Mr. George Thomas Borrow, author of "The Bible in Spain," "Lavengro," and other works. "The deceased was in his usual health up to the afternoon of the 25th, when he complained of feeling unwell, and was assisted to bed. On the following morning he was found dead in bed." The writer of the obituary notice, after stating that Borrow was a son of Captain Borrow, Adjutant of the West Norfolk Militia, and was born at East Dereham in 1803, records several more or less familiar incidents in his career, and concludes a summary of his literary work with the remark: "His most important book was 'Romano Lavo-Lil,' a vocabulary of the English gipsy language, which represents the labour of many years, and was published in 1874."

30.--The 3rd and 4th Battalions of Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into camp at Yarmouth, under the command of Lieut.-Colonel Bulwer and Lieut.-Colonel Gordon, M.P.

AUGUST.

1.--The first Norwich Cricket Week commenced on the Lakenham Ground.

3.--North Walsham pariah church was re-opened, on the completion of the new roof to the nave. The work was carried out at the cost of 2,208, by Messrs. Cornish and Gaymer, under the direction of Mr. J. B. Pearce, architect, of Norwich.

13.--Died at Bilney rectory, the Rev. Henry Collison, aged 89. Mr. Collison, who was one of the oldest clergymen of the Church of England, was the eldest surviving son of Mr. Nicholas Cobb Collison, a merchant of London, by his marriage with Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Mr. Peter Stoughton, of Wymondham. He was formerly chaplain of the King's Bench Prison, of the old Marshalsea in the Borough, and of the Court of the Palace of Westminster. For some time he served as military chaplain at the Cape of Good Hope, and afterwards held the rectory of Bilney for nearly half a century. Mr. Collison married, in 1851, Harriett Mary, younger daughter of Mr. Thomas Abel Ward, of Watford, Herts.

30.--The Norwich Town Council, who had erected two electric lights in the Market Place, decided to extend the system experimentally to several of the principal streets, at a cost not exceeding 400, for twelve months. (_See_ April 24th, 1883.)

SEPTEMBER.

5.--Mr. Thomas Calthorpe Blofeld, who had been appointed to the office of Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, rendered vacant by the death of Mr. Worlledge, presided for the first time at the Norwich Consistory Court, and received the congratulations of the officials.

8.--The Church of England portion of Wymondham Cemetery was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich, and a dedicatory service was held by the Nonconformists in that part of the burial-ground appropriated to their use. The entire cost of the Cemetery, including the chapels, designed by Mr. Edward Boardman, of Norwich, was 2,000.

20.--The Norwich Town Council adopted a resolution of condolence with the American nation on the death of President Garfield.

29.--Sidestrand church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich. "In 1846, owing to a landslip, caused by the action of the sea, considerable anxiety was felt for the safety of the old church, and a fund was started with the object of removing it to another site. About 300 was contributed, but as there seemed no immediate necessity to remove the church, the money was invested, and it was not until November, 1880, that the vestry definitely decided to build the new church. With accumulated interest, the original fund amounted to 850, and the balance of the cost of removal and restoration, which is now over 2,000, has been generously provided by the lord of the manor, Mr. Samuel Hoare, who also gave the site."

OCTOBER.

4.--The church of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, was re-opened after restoration, at the cost of 7,500. The contractor was Mr. G. E. Hawes, and the architect Mr. G. E. Street. The Restoration Committee decided to proceed with the work upon the tower, and a special appeal was made to the citizens to assist the completion of this great undertaking. (_See_ January 11th, 1882.)

11.--The Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The _artistes_ included Madame Albani, Miss Mary Davies, Mrs. Osgood, Madame Patey, Madame Mudie-Bolingbroke, Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Barton McGuckin, Mr. Santley, Mr. Frederic King, and Mr. Brockbank. Mr. Alberto Randegger conducted for the first time. The following productions were included in the programme: 11th, evening, "St. Paul"; 12th, morning, "The Martyr of Antioch"; evening, "Faust"; 13th, morning, "St. Ursula" (Cowen), composed expressly for the Festival, and Racine's "Athalie"; evening, grand operatic and ballad concert, including "The Sun Worshippers," composed for the Festival by A. G. Thomas; 14th, morning, "The Messiah"; evening, operatic and ballad concert, including "The Harvest Home," composed expressly for the Festival by J. F. Barnett.

14.--A hurricane, which prevailed throughout Great Britain, did great damage in the towns and villages of Norfolk. Many fine trees were uprooted, and houses unroofed; railway signal-boxes were blown down, and several shipping disasters occurred along the coast.

18.--The jubilee anniversary of the Eldon Club, formed in 1831, was celebrated at the Bell Hotel, Norwich, when the members dined under the presidency of Lieut.-Colonel Bignold.

21.--A girl, named Hannah Brett, was brutally murdered at Saham Toney, by an ex-convict, named Henry Stebbings. At the Norfolk Assizes, on February 9th, 1882, before Mr. Justice Grove, he was found guilty and sentenced to death, but was respited, on the ground of homicidal mania.

23.--Died at Woking, Sir William Henry Ernest Bagge, Bart., of Stradsett Hall, aged 41. In default of issue, he was succeeded in the baronetcy by his only brother, Commander Alfred Thomas Bagge, R.N.

NOVEMBER.

1.--Salhouse church was re-opened, after restoration at the cost of 2,100.

3.--The Norwich Diocesan Conference met at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, and the proceedings were continued on the 4th. A special meeting was held on December 19th, to consider proposals for the revision of the Education code.

--The Ven. Archdeacon Nevill was elected vicar of St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich, on the resignation of the Rev. Sidney Pelham.

9.--Mr. William Hunter was elected Mayor, and Mr. J. J. Winter appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.--Died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, aged 53, Edmund Stephen Weller, formerly of the 16th Landers. As colonel's trumpeter, he sounded the famous charge of the regiment at Aliwal, on January 28th, 1846.

15.--The squadron of the 3rd Hussars marched from Norwich, for Aldershot. The headquarters of the 7th Dragoon Guards, commanded by Colonel Colin Campbell, arrived on the 17th. "Since the regiment was last quartered here, Captain Mollyneaux, a former officer, obtained from the Tower of London and presented to the regiment a pair of kettledrums captured by the 7th at the battle of Dettingen, in 1743."

DECEMBER.

17.*--"A line of wire has been suspended between Messrs. Morgan's Brewery, King Street, and Mousehold House, the residence of Mr. W. H. Hackblock, who is a member of the firm." This is the first record of a telephone wire erected in Norwich. The line was constructed by the United Telephone Company.

19.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester.

26.--For the first time for many years there was no pantomime at Norwich Theatre. The Christmas attraction was the appearance of Mr. George Loveday's London Folly Company, in Paul Merritt's "Rough and Ready" and Pinero's "Hester's Mystery." The company included Messrs. John Billington, E. D. Ward, E. W. Garden, Misses Ada Mellon, Emily Thorn, Eliza Johnstone, &c. At John Sanger and Son's Circus, on Castle Meadow, was produced the equestrian spectacle, "Dick Whittington and his Wonderful Cat."

1882.

JANUARY.

7.--Great discontent was caused among the agriculturists of the county by the issue of a Privy Council Order directing the closing of the markets for the sale of store stock, owing to the recurrence of foot-and-mouth disease. At a meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, a resolution was adopted and forwarded to Earl Spencer, declaring "that the severe restrictions imposed on the sale of cattle in the county were uncalled-for, and that a heavy penalty inflicted upon all persons moving diseased cattle would be a sufficient protection from disease." On the 14th Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., presided at a large meeting held at Norwich Corn Hall, at which resolutions were adopted protesting against "harassing and unnecessary restrictions, entailing serious loss upon the farming community"; and on the 18th a deputation appointed by the meeting waited upon Earl Spencer, with the object of obtaining relaxation of the restrictions. An important conference of the local authorities and Privy Council inspectors was held on the 21st, to discuss the state of the cattle lairs at Trowse and Lakenham, when it was resolved that as the local authorities had done all in their power to check the spread of the disease through the lairs, the Privy Council be requested to take such further steps as might seem desirable. On the 28th a telegram was received from the Privy Council, stating that the Order relating to the sale of fat beasts had been so far relaxed as to permit animals that had been offered at a public sale in a place not infected being sent within six days to the Metropolitan markets; and on February 17th the "London Gazette" announced that the restrictions in Norfolk, Essex, and Suffolk had been removed. Another outbreak occurred in December, and on the 9th of that month Norwich market was closed in respect to the sale of fat cattle. On the same day a large meeting of farmers, graziers, and dealers was held, under the auspices of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, for the purpose of supporting an application made by Mr. Birkbeck, M.P., to the Vice-President of the Privy Council (Mr. Mundella), "that other than the Metropolitan market be opened to fat cattle sold on Norwich Hill and at the cattle sales held in the county." On December 23rd it was announced that the authorities of the county and city were taking energetic measures to stop the sale of store stock unless the animals had been on a farm or premises fourteen days, and persons were appointed to watch the movements of animals, with the view of detecting any evasion of the Privy Council Order. (_See_ March 17th, 1883.)

10.--Mr. J. L. Toole appeared with Mr. G. Loveday's London Folly Company at Norwich Theatre, and continued his performances on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. His characters were Barnaby Doublechick ("Upper Crust"), Spriggins ("Ici On Parle Francais"), Paul Pry, Tom Cranky ("Birthplace of Podgers"), Caleb Plummer ("Dot"), and Tittums ("The Steeplechase").

11.--An "Old English Fair," in aid of the restoration fund of the church of St. Peter Mancroft, was opened at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, and continued on the 12th and 13th. A total profit of 1,880 10s. 6d. resulted, and by the first week in March the required sum--4,000--for the completion of the work had been raised. (_See_ April 29th, 1883.)

FEBRUARY.

13.--Died at his residence, Unthank's Road, Norwich, the Rev. George Gould, minister of St. Mary's chapel, aged 63. Mr. Gould was a native of Bristol, and, on entering the Baptist ministry, took charge of the Abbey church, Abbey street, Dublin. Thence he removed to Exeter, and in the spring of 1849 succeeded the Rev. W. Brock in the Norwich pastorate. He was president of the Baptist Union in 1879-80, chairman of the Norwich School Board, and for several years a governor of the Grammar School and Commercial School. Mr. Gould was very decided in his religious and political opinions, and firm in upholding them; in private life he was greatly esteemed.

MARCH.

1.--A fine steamer, named the Levadia, of Newcastle, bound from Shields to Alexandria, with coals, was wrecked on the Middle Cross Sand, five miles off Yarmouth. Several men were drowned by the upsetting of one of the ship's boats, others who had lashed themselves to the masts of the vessel perished from cold and exposure, and of the crew of twenty-five a solitary survivor, Thomas Sewell, a Yarmouth man, was rescued by the Gorleston lifeboat.

2.--Mr. Arthur H. Mann, B.Mus., of New College, Oxford, organist at King's College, Cambridge, whose exercise, "Ecce Homo," had been performed on the previous day in the Sheldonian Theatre, was admitted to the degree of Doctor of Music.

7.--The first Good Friday performance of "The Messiah," took place at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. Mr. F. W. B. Noverre was leader of the band, Dr. Bunnett organist, and Dr. Hill conductor.

21.--The Norwich Town Council adopted a memorial to the Secretary of State for War, in which the War Office was petitioned to retain Norwich as a cavalry station. The Mayor, Sheriff, and the members of Parliament for the city, on May 5th, waited upon the Secretary of State for War, and urged the retention of cavalry headquarters in the city, in addition to its being made the brigade depot of the Norfolk Regiment. (_See_ March 24th, 1883.)

25.--The Spring Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held on the Lakenham Cricket Ground, Norwich.

--The Earl of Leicester performed the ceremony of laying the foundation-stone of the Norfolk and Norwich Agricultural Hall, at Norwich. On April 27th, in the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, before the Vice-Chancellor, Sir C. Hall, application was made on behalf of Mr. Philip Back for an injunction against the Corporation of Norwich and the Agricultural Hall Company, Limited, to restrain them from erecting the hall, on the ground that the Corporation had no power to let the land, which had been dedicated from time immemorial to fairs and markets. The hearing was adjourned until May 20th, when the Court refused the application; and on November 11th it was announced that Mr. Back had consented to abandon the action. (_See_ November 16th.)

31.--In the House of Commons, the opposition of the Dean and Chapter and other residents in the Cathedral Close, Norwich, to the invasion of the precincts of the Cathedral by the Lynn and Fakenham Railway Company was successful, the company being compelled, by the strong feeling expressed against the proposed route, to withdraw that portion of their Bill affecting the Close.

APRIL.

14.--The last sections of the line of railway from Wroxham to the Wells branch of the Great Eastern Railway Company, by which the union of East and West Norfolk was effected, was inspected, on its completion, by Major-General Hutchinson. The line was opened for traffic on May 1st.

15.--A party of about twenty members of the North Walsham and Aylsham Agricultural Association started from Norwich on a trip to Holland, the expenses of which were defrayed by Mr. Samuel Hoare and Sir T. Fowell Buxton, Bart. They arrived at Rotterdam on the 16th. In the course of the tour much valuable information was obtained regarding the Dutch systems of agriculture and dairying.

18.--The portrait of Mr. Harry Bullard, to which fifteen hundred persons subscribed, in recognition of his eminent services to the city, was hung in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. It was painted by Mr. Frank Holl, A.R.A.

22.--A county meeting, in furtherance of the movement originated by the Prince of Wales for establishing a Royal College of Music, was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Leicester.

25.--Mary Ann Plunkett, aged nineteen, was murdered at Mill Hill, Catton, by a youth of twenty-two, named William George Abigail, who shot her in the head with a revolver. He was tried at Ipswich Assizes, before Mr. Baron Pollock, and sentenced to death. The execution was carried out at Norwich Castle, by Marwood, on May 22nd.

MAY.

13.--The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture discussed the financial proposals made by Government with regard to the maintenance of highways. The following motion, by Mr. C. S. Read, was adopted: "That this Chamber approves of the principle of relieving local rates by applying some special taxes towards the repair of main roads, but considers the proposals of the Government are no sufficient remedy for the extra cost of maintenance of main roads, and expresses its disappointment that a contribution of only 250,000 from the Imperial finances can be given in aid of local rates without the imposition of additional taxation."

17.--Cardinal Manning addressed a great meeting at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, in furtherance of the principle of Local Option. His Eminence, on August 30th, again visited Norwich, and at the Victoria Hall addressed the members of the Roman Catholic temperance society--the League of the Cross.

21.--Died at his house in Grosvenor Square, London, William Henry FitzRoy, Duke of Grafton. His Grace was the eldest son of Henry, fifth Duke, by Mary Caroline, third daughter of Admiral the Hon. George Cranefeld Berkeley. He was born on August 4th, 1819; served as an _attache_ of the British Legation at Naples in 1841, and represented Thetford in the House of Commons from 1847 to 1863. In politics his Grace was a Whig of the old school.