Part 46

18.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee reported that counsel was of opinion "that the Corporation should for the present hold its hand and not make any further distribution among the freemen of the funds arising from the Town Close Estate." The recommendation of the Committee "that the question of payment remain in abeyance until the next meeting," was adopted by 45 votes against 11. At an adjourned meeting held on December 16th "to consider the case submitted to the Solicitor-General and Mr. Asquith," Mr. Hackblock moved the adoption of the recommendation of the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee "that the City Treasurer be directed to carry the amounts of the rents of the Town Close Estate in his hands to a separate account, with the view of affording an opportunity for obtaining a judicial decision as to the rights of the freemen to the estate." Mr. Joseph Stanley moved "That the freemen be paid as usual." The amendment was defeated by 26 votes against 21. On the adjournment of the Council a writ issued by Mr. Stanley on behalf of four freemen, and directed against the Mayor, Aldermen, and Councillors and her Majesty's Attorney General, was served upon the Town Clerk. It claimed for the freemen a declaration that the Corporation was seized and entitled to the receipt of the rents and profits of the Town Close Estate upon trust only for the benefit of the plaintiffs and others the freemen of the city, and an account of the rents and profits of the estate which had been received by the Corporation. The appointment of a receiver was asked for, and in addition the plaintiffs sought an injunction to restrain the Corporation from admitting to the freedom of the city by servitude any persons who had served only under articles of clerkship to a solicitor for not exceeding five years, and had not served seven years' apprenticeship to a freeman trader. The Corporation was also desired to furnish an account of all persons so admitted from September 9th, 1835, it being contended by the freemen that the profession of law was not a trade or business as required by the Act, and that no man could be admitted under less than a seven years' apprenticeship. (_See_ March 21st, 1887.)

30.--Died, at Costessey Park, the Right Hon. Henry Valentine Baron Stafford. He was a son of George William, eighth lord (in whose favour an attainder was reversed in 1824), by his first wife, Frances Henrietta, youngest daughter and co-heiress of Mr. Edward Sulyarde, of Wetherdon, Suffolk, and was born January 2nd, 1802. His lordship was twice married, first on February 13th, 1829, to Julia, second daughter of Mr. Edward C. Howard, F.R.S., and niece of the 12th Duke of Norfolk, who died in November, 1856; and, secondly, in September, 1859, to Emma Eliza, daughter of Mr. Frederick S. Gerard, of Aspull House, Lincolnshire, and niece of Robert Lord Gerard, by whom he was survived. He was one of the first Roman Catholics who sat in the House of Commons after the passing of the Roman Catholic Relief Bill, when he was chosen member for Pontefract. On the occasion of the visit of the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Queen of Denmark, and the Duke of Edinburgh to Norwich, in 1866, Lord Stafford entertained them at Costessey Park. In recognition of his munificent liberality on that occasion a subscription was inaugurated by the Corporation of Norwich for a full-length portrait of his lordship, which was placed in St. Andrew's Hall. Lord Stafford was the courtliest of gentlemen and the most liberal of landlords.

DECEMBER.

2.--Died, at Bacton Grange, North Walsham, in his 67th year, Mr. William Partridge Cubitt. He was born at Bacton, where the Cubitt family had been for many generations tenants under the Wodehouses. As a coal merchant he owned ships which traded between Bacton and the North. For many years he was captain of the Bacton lifeboat crew, and had received medals and certificates for courageously saving life on the Norfolk coast. On one occasion he swam his horse out to a wreck and brought the sailors to shore hanging to the stirrup-leathers of his saddle. "He was not only a good sailor, a good farmer, and a sharp and wise merchant, but he was also a splendid horseman across country." In politics Mr. Cubitt was strongly Liberal.

2.--A meeting was held at King's Lynn, at which was formed for West Norfolk a branch of the National Fair Trade League. The principles of the League were, for a time, advocated in this and other parts of Norfolk, but the movement was short-lived.

3.--Died, at the Close, Norwich, Mr. John Orfeur, in his 80th year. He was a son of Lieutenant Abdiel Orfeur, R.N., of Great Yarmouth, a descendant of the family of Orfeur in Cumberland. By business a timber merchant, he devoted his leisure time to scientific pursuits, was one of the promoters of the Norwich Geological Society, and of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists' Society, and a warm supporter of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum.

6.--The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted a resolution affirming its belief that the long-continued depression in agriculture injuriously affected all other industries, and its desire that a Committee of the two Houses of Parliament should enquire into the causes of the distress and recommend such practical remedies as might be found advisable. Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., moved a similar resolution at a meeting of the Central Chamber of Agriculture, on December 10th.

16.--Died, at Houghton Hall, his seat in Norfolk, the Marquis of Cholmondeley. His lordship, who was born August 31st, 1800, was the younger of the two sons of George James, fourth earl and first Marquis of Cholmondeley, by his marriage with the Lady Georgina Charlotte Bertie, second daughter and co-heiress of Peregrine, third Duke of Ancaster. He was educated at Eton and Christ Church, and at the age of 22, as Lord Henry Cholmondeley, he entered the House of Commons as one of the members for the pocket borough of Castle Rising, in the place of his brother, Lord Rocksavage, who was called to the Upper House in his father's Barony of Newburgh. In 1832 Castle Rising was disfranchised under Lord John Russell's Reform Act, and Lord Henry remained out of Parliament until 1852, when he was returned as one of the members for South Hampshire. In May, 1870, on his elder brother's death, he succeeded to the Marquisate and the rest of the family honours, and to the estates of Cholmondeley Castle in Cheshire, and of Houghton Hall, Norfolk. He was an excellent and considerate landlord, and did his best to encourage agricultural improvements on his estates.

17.--An extensive fire occurred in the drapery establishment of Mr. Alfred Jermyn, High Street, Lynn. A range of buildings was entirely destroyed. The premises were valued at 6,500, and the stock in trade at 20,000.

26.--Messrs. T. W. Robertson and H. Brace's Comedy Company appeared at Norwich Theatre in the farcical pieces, "Nita's First" and "My Milliner's Bill." At Messrs. John Sanger and Son's Circus, at the Agricultural Hall, was produced the Christmas spectacle, "Aladdin, or an Old Lamp with a New Face."

29.--Died, at Bridewell Alley, Norwich, aged 53, Mr. Arthur Dale Ventnor, a well-known portrait painter.

30.--Died, at his residence, Surrey Street, Norwich, Mr. Richard Makilwaine Phipson, F.S.A., aged 57. He commenced practice as an architect in London, and in 1849 took an office at Ipswich. In 1859 he was appointed to the post of County Surveyor of Norfolk, and afterwards became one of the diocesan surveyors under the Ecclesiastical Dilapidations Act, 1871. Much of the work of church restoration carried out during the quarter of a century preceding his death had been entrusted to him, and he was the architect of the Norwich City Asylum. Mr. Phipson was a Fellow of the Royal Society of Antiquaries, and took great interest in the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society.

1885.

JANUARY.

2.--The Hon. T. W. H. Pelham, one of the Commissioners appointed to inquire as to the boundaries to be assigned to the divisions of the several counties under the Redistribution of Seats Bill, attended at the Shirehall, Norwich, for the purpose of receiving suggestions and of hearing objections as to the constitution of the divisions of the county of Norfolk. On February 28th it was announced that the Commissioners had issued their report and had determined the areas of the six divisions into which the county would be divided, with one member to each. These were known as South, South-West, East, North, Mid, and North-West. Yarmouth and King's Lynn were allotted one member each.

6.--Died, at Cathedral Street, Norwich, Mrs. Emily Stannard, widow of Joseph Stannard, artist, and daughter of Daniel Coppin, aged 82. Mrs. Stannard was a clever painter of fruit, flowers, and still life. In 1821 she was presented with the large gold medal of the Society of Arts for an original painting of fruit, and in 1828 received a gold medal for a painting of game.

8.--The coming of age of Prince Albert Victor Christian Edward of Wales, eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales, was marked by great rejoicings not only at Sandringham, but throughout the county. Addresses and gifts were presented by the tenantry, and by the Corporations of Norwich and Lynn; Sanger's circus company from Norwich gave performances for the amusement of the villagers; and in the evening a grand ball took place at Sandringham House. The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. John Hotblack) invited 600 children to a fancy dress ball given at St. Andrew's Hall in honour of the event.

15.--The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended at St. Andrew's Hall to inaugurate an art loan exhibition in aid of St. Peter Mancroft church restoration fund, and of the churchyard improvement. The exhibition remained open for three weeks, and realised a balance of 517.

21.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before the Lord Chief Justice, Mr. Hamon le Strange brought an action against the Corporation of Lynn for the purpose of determining the boundary between his fishery and the fishery of the Corporation, which were coterminous. It was alleged that the defendants wrongfully cut away and removed two buoys belonging to the plaintiff. The defendants denied the act, but subsequently justified it on the ground that the buoys were an interference with the fishery of the Corporation. The hearing concluded on the 24th, when the jury found for the plaintiff and allowed 40s. damages in order to carry costs. The defendants gave notice of motion for a new trial on the ground of misdirection of the jury. On June 24th the application was made in the Queen's Beach Division, and was refused.

21.--Died, at All Saints' Green, Norwich, Thomas Frederick Armes, bugle-major of the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Formerly in the 4th Light Dragoons, he took part in the famous light cavalry charge at Balaclava, in which he was wounded and left for dead on the field.

26.--The Prince of Wales attended the annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Norfolk Freemasons at Lynn, and was present at the banquet presided over by Lord Suffield.

29.--A widow, named Elizabeth Everitt, 50 years of age, of Wormegay, near Downham Market, was murdered by her son, William Everitt. The murderer was certified to be insane, and was removed to the Broadmoor Criminal Lunatic Asylum.

--Died, at Hill House, Surlingham, Mr. Frederick Anthony Mills, in his 85th year. Born at Pulham St. Mary, where for many years his father practised as a surgeon, he received his early education under Valpy at Norwich Grammar School, and was one of the last survivors of the Valpeian Club. A taste for natural history and anatomical investigation rendered his studies when a pupil at Guy's both congenial and promising. For some time he practised surgery in Norwich in partnership with Mr. Cadge, and after the death of his wife, settled at Surlingham with his old friend and fellow-sportsman, Mr. Robert Pratt, and indulged in his favourite pursuits of fishing and shooting. Mr. Mills was a Liberal of the old school, "but his contempt for mere party triumphs led him to speak with more pride than regret of his never having been a member of the Norwich Town Council."

FEBRUARY.

2.--Died, at Surrey Street, Norwich, Mrs. Louisa Mary Barwell, widow of Mr. John Barwell. She was the eldest daughter of Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon, and was born March 4th, 1800. In early life she showed great taste and talent in music, became one of the finest amateur singers of her day, and assisted her father in editing the "Musical Review." In 1824 she married Mr. John Barwell, and soon afterwards contributed articles to the "Journal of Education" and other similar periodicals. Mrs. Barwell in 1833 published her first book, "Little Lessons for Little Learners." Her works on educational subjects numbered fourteen.

11.--The "Tichborne Claimant" (who was released from Pentonville Prison on October 20th, 1884) appeared at Sanger's Circus, Norwich, and addressed the audience on his life and adventures. He made a second appearance on the 12th.

16.--Sir J. W. Lubbock, M.P., and Mr. H. L. Courtney, M.P., at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, propounded the principles advocated by the Proportional Representation Society.

MARCH.

5.--A "service of humiliation" was held in the nave of Norwich Cathedral, "with prayers for our nation in general and specially for our soldiers and sailors in Egypt."

--A salmon trout, weighing 4.75 lbs., was captured at Pull's Ferry, Norwich.

7.--At the Norfolk Adjourned Quarter Sessions, held at the Shirehall, Norwich, Mr. T. H. B. Heslop of Thames Ditton, Surrey, was appointed County Surveyor, in place of Mr. R. M. Phipson, deceased.

APRIL.

6.--An English Opera Company, including Mr. Faulkner Leigh, Madame Cave-Ashton, Madame Campobello, and Mr. William Parkinson, commenced a season at Norwich Theatre in the operas of "La Sonnambula," "The Waterman," "Il Trovatore," "Pygmalion and Galatea," "Maritana," &c. Sir Julius Benedict was announced as conductor, but in consequence of his serious illness his name was withdrawn.

--The annual conference of the National Union of Elementary Teachers opened at the Lecture Hall, Prince's Street, Norwich, and concluded on the 9th.

19.--Died, at his residence, Heigham, Norwich, aged 84, the Rev. Frederick Field, LL.D. He graduated at Trinity College, Cambridge, where he obtained the Tyrwhitt Hebrew Scholarship, and took his Bachelor's degree as tenth wrangler and Chancellor's medallist. He was afterwards elected to a Fellowship, and in 1843 was instituted to the rectory of Reepham, which he held till 1863. In 1875 he was created an honorary LL.D. of Cambridge University. Dr. Field was a member of the Old Testament Revision Committee, and the editor of "Barrow's Treatise on the Pope's Supremacy," and of several learned works published by the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, the Clarendon Press, Oxford, and the Cambridge University Press.

21.--Died, at Hill House, Dersingham, Captain William D'Urban Blyth, late 14th Hussars, aged 59. He was a member of an old Norfolk family, and joined his regiment, then the 14th Light Dragoons, in India in 1847. He served through the Punjaub Campaign of 1848 and 1849; and with the Central India Field Force, under Sir Hugh Rose, during the Mutiny. Captain Blyth for some time held the post of riding master in his regiment, and in addition superintended the training of 1,200 remounts for cavalry during the Crimean War. He took part in thirty-six separate engagements, and was never once wounded. On retiring from the Army he settled at Weasenham Hall, his birthplace, and subsequently at Dersingham, where he became a warm supporter of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, and a justice of the peace.

MAY.

1.--A "habitation" of the Primrose League was inaugurated at Holt at a meeting held under the presidency of Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart. This is the first record of the formation of a branch of the organization in Norfolk. The preliminary meeting was followed by a great gathering held in the same town on May 12th. Other "habitations" were quickly formed in various parts of the county.

9.--The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture discussed the question of inaugurating a series of agricultural experiments. The committee to whom the matter had been referred reported in favour of the proposal, which had the warm support of the Prince of Wales and the Earl of Leicester. The report was adopted, and it was decided to commence experiments in the autumn. An address on the subject was delivered by Sir Thomas Acland, M.P.

20.--The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 21st inspected the Norfolk Artillery, in which Prince Albert Victor was serving at the time. On the 22nd the Prince of Wales was to have visited Norwich for the purpose of inspecting the 3rd Battalion Norfolk Regiment, but the parade was abandoned in consequence of the heavy rain. A ball given at Yarmouth Town Hall in the evening by the officers of the Eastern District Brigade, was attended by their Royal Highnesses. The Prince of Wales left for Sandringham on the 23rd.

21.--Died, aged 78, Mr. Jeremiah Colman, of Carshalton Park, senior partner in the firm of Messrs. J. and J. Colman. He was one of the twelve sons of Mr. Robert Colman, and a member of the cricket team of eleven brothers.

JUNE.

3.--The Derby Stakes were won at Epsom by Lord Hastings' Norfolk-bred horse, Melton, which beat Mr. Brodrick-Cloete's Paradox and Mr. Childwick's Royal Hampton. On September 16th Melton won the St. Leger Stakes at Doncaster by six lengths.

4.--A festival of the Choir Benevolent Fund took place at Norwich Cathedral.

13.--The Queen, it was announced, had conferred the honour of knighthood upon Dr. Eade, of Norwich. The Norwich Town Council on the 16th passed a vote of congratulation to Sir Peter Eade, who on August 1st was presented to her Majesty at Osborne.

17.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Watton, and was continued on the 18th. Lord Walsingham was president.

JULY.

4.--Captain Smith, East Surrey Regiment, son of Mr. Henry Smith, of Ellingham Hall, was enthusiastically welcomed on his return after active service in Afghanistan and the Soudan. Captain Smith entered the Army in 1878, and went immediately to the front. He served in the Afghan War under Sir Donald Stewart, and in the Soudan under General Graham, and took part in the operations at Hasheen and Tamai. While at Suakim he contracted fever and was invalided home.

9.--The Merton flock of pure-bred Southdown sheep, the property of Lord Walsingham, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. The 541 lots revised 3,254 12s. 6d.

--Died, at Catton, aged 82, Mr. William Jary Cubitt, who served the office of Sheriff of Norwich in 1865-66.

10.--Died, at Thorpland Hall, Fakenham, aged 83, the Rev. Henry James Lee Warner. He was born at Stanton St. Quintin, Wiltshire, where his father was then curate. Soon afterwards his grandfather succeeded to the Walsingham Abbey estates, and in 1807 his father accepted the charge of the adjoining parishes of Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. Having attended Aylsham Grammar School he proceeded to Rugby, and thence to St. John's College, Cambridge, where, in 1825, he took double honours in classics and mathematics, being fourth Senior Optime and in the second class of the Classical Tripos. After residing at the Temple and reading for the Bar, he travelled for some time on the Continent, and on returning to England read for Holy Orders, and was ordained at Norwich by Bishop Bathurst. Mr. Lee Warner first held a curacy at Canterbury, and in 1834 succeeded his father in the parishes of Great and Little Walsingham and Houghton-in-the-Dale. From conscientious motives he resigned his plurality of livings and thenceforth devoted himself to the more populous parish of Little Walsingham on a stipend of 100 per annum. Mr. Lee Warner largely identified himself with Church work in the diocese, and in 1863 was appointed an Honorary Canon of Norwich Cathedral. He was a well-known archaeologist. "A man of singular modesty, of simple faith and self-denying habits, he was not only a strong teetotaller by conviction, but also in many ways opposed to what he considered excessive luxury."

10.--The North Elmham herd of red polled cattle, purchased and bred since 1875 by Mr. Thomas Fulcher, was sold by Mr. John Thornton. Forty-six cows and heifers realised a total of 1,077 guineas, and nine bulls 165 guineas.

21.--A terrible disaster occurred at Caister. At about midnight a vessel was observed in distress near the Barber Sand, and the yawl Zephyr, manned by a crew of fifteen hands, was launched. The yawl had not proceeded far when she struck a sunken wreck, and her side being ripped away, she sank rapidly, and eight of her crew were drowned.

22.--Died, at Yarmouth, Alfred George Stannard, artist, aged 57. He was the eldest son of Alfred Stannard, of Norwich, a nephew of "Joe" Stannard and brother of Miss Stannard, the painter of fruit and flowers.

25.--The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment went into camp at Yarmouth.

AUGUST.

1.--The Norfolk Agricultural Association decided to merge with the Royal Agricultural Society in 1886 and to hold no county show that year.

6.--In the House of Commons, Mr. J. A. Picton asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether it was a fact that, as reported in the London papers, the Rev. Coker Adams, rector of Saham Toney, had on Sunday, July 26th, pronounced in his parish church sentence of excommunication against Joseph Payne, a parishioner, aged 82, because of his persistent neglect of the Church's ordinances and refusal of her ministrations, and enquired whether notice would be taken of his illegal

## action? Sir Richard Cross replied that he saw this account with extreme

surprise and regret, and he thought it right the sentence should be sent to the Bishop, who, he had no doubt, would make enquiry into the matter.

7.--Died, at Rackheath Park, Sir Henry Josias Stracey, Bart. A prominent member of a well-known county family, Sir Henry for many years occupied a distinguished position. Born in 1802, he was educated at Eton, and afterwards served for several years in the 1st Dragoons, and on succeeding to the baronetcy, on the death of his father in 1855, he entered with considerable ardour into politics. Just previously he had been returned without opposition as one of the representatives of East Norfolk on the retirement of Mr. Edmond Wodehouse. On the dissolution of Parliament in 1857 Major-General Windham, in the flush of the fame he had gained in the Crimea, was brought forward for East Norfolk with Sir E. N. Buxton, and there being divided opinions in the Conservative camp, Mr. Burroughes and Sir Henry Stracey declined to contest the seat. On the death of Sir E. N. Buxton in June, 1858, Sir Henry was again nominated, and was defeated by the Hon. Wenman Coke. In the following year he was returned with Sir Edmund Lacon for Yarmouth, defeating Mr. (afterwards Sir E. W.) Watkin and Mr. Young, and sat for that borough until 1865. In 1868 he stood for Norwich in opposition to Sir W. Russell and Mr. Tillett, and was returned at the head of the poll, but was unseated on petition. In 1874 he again came forward, in conjunction with Mr. Huddleston, was unsuccessful, and thereafter took no share in polities. Sir Henry married, in 1835, Charlotte, only daughter and heiress of Mr. George Denne, of the Paddock, Canterbury. He served the office of High Sheriff in 1871, and was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county of Norfolk.