Part 54

27.--Died, at his residence, Grove House, Chapel Field, Norwich, Mr. Robert Leeds, aged 79. Mr. Leeds devoted much time to several important undertakings connected with the agricultural interest. He became a member of the Royal Agricultural Society in 1852, and in 1869 was elected to the Council; in 1862 he assisted in the formation of the company which built the Agricultural Hall, Islington; and it was greatly owing to his influence that the Smithfield Club removed their annual show from Baker Street to the new hall. Mr. Leeds gave his practical aid to the establishment of the Salisbury Hotel Company, and to founding the Farmers' Club; he was a member of the Norfolk Agricultural Association, and an energetic supporter of the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution.

28.--The portrait of Mr. Cadge, painted by Professor Herkomer, was unveiled at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Mr. Cadge announced that Mr. B. E. Fletcher, of Marlingford, had munificently offered to build at Cromer a Convalescent Home for the reception of Hospital patients, and the Earl of Leicester, with like generosity, had promised to endow it with 15,000, or, if necessary, with 20,000. Mr. Cadge retired from the office of senior surgeon on October 4th. (_See_ April 25th, 1893.)

30.--H.M.S. Howe entered Yarmouth Roads, and on July 1st was joined by the Anson, the flagship of Rear-Admiral Richard E. Tracey, and the Rodney. The officers and men of the squadron were invited to various entertainments provided ashore by the townspeople, and the vessels sailed on July 4th.

JULY.

9.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at Yarmouth, and concluded on the 10th. Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bart., was president.

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

AUGUST.

2.--The coming of age of Mr. Herbert H. Bullard, eldest son of Sir Harry Bullard, was celebrated at Norwich.

5.--The attainment of his majority on March 5th by Mr. Roland le Strange was celebrated on this date at Hunstanton Park. On the 6th a ball was given, at which many distinguished guests were present.

6.--The Cricket Week theatricals at Norwich Theatre commenced with the production of "Caste," which was repeated on the 7th. "County Courted, or the Beadle's Bride," an operetta adapted from "Oliver Twist," by Mr. Arthur Waugh, with music by Mr. Claud Nugent, was performed on the 8th, followed by "My Uncle's Will," and the farce, "B.B."

7.--Died, at Heigham Road, Norwich, Mr. Ambrose Winter, aged 100 years and 41 weeks. Mr. Winter was a native of Norwich, where he had resided throughout his life.

15.--Died, at Yarmouth, Mr. Charles Gibbon, aged 47. A Scotsman by birth, he commenced his career upon the staff of a Glasgow journal, and removed to London in 1859, where he became a novelist. Among his best known works were "Beyond Compare," "Queen of the Meadow," "A Family Secret," "By Mead and Stream," "The Dead Heart," "Auld Robin Grey," &c. "He wrote interactively, always purely, and at times even vividly." Mr. Gibbon took up his residence in Yarmouth in 1886.

20.--Died, at Coltishall, Sarah Weeds, in her 100th year.

23.--Messrs. Grout and Co., of Norwich, gave notice to several hundreds of their workpeople that their engagements with the firm would terminate on the 30th. "Their factory, a modern building of large dimensions, is fitted with machinery of the most improved construction, and contains every appliance for carrying on the manufacture of fabrics which have gained for Norwich world-wide reputation. The firm has a branch factory at Yarmouth, where about 1,000 persons are engaged, and other establishments at Ditchingham and Ponder's End."

SEPTEMBER.

10.--Died, at Costessey, Frederick Viner, formerly in the 13th Light Dragoons. He took part in the light cavalry charge at Balaclava, and his name was officially recorded in the list of survivors.

24.--A new reservoir constructed near Mousehold by the Norwich Waterworks Company was opened. "It contains over 600,000 gallons of water, and by a curious coincidence 600,000 bricks were used in its construction."

29.--Died, at Heggatt Hall, Captain Arthur Rodney Blane, R.N., second son of Sir Hugh Seymour Blane, Bart. Captain Blane, who had seen much active service in Chinese waters, was placed upon the retired list in 1881.

OCTOBER.

1.--The headquarters of the 8th Hussars arrived at Norwich, under the command of Colonel St. Quintin.

14.--The Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, with an evening performance of "Judas Maccabaeus." On the morning of the 15th "L'Allegro ed il Pensieroso," composed expressly for the Festival, and conducted by the composer, Dr. C. H. Parry, and the "Stabat Mater," were produced. The evening programme included the prelude and entr'actes to "Ravenswood" (Mackenzie) and "The Dream of Jubal" (Joseph Bennett), conducted by the composer. "The Martyr of Antioch," conducted by its composer, Sir Arthur Sullivan, and "Hear My Prayer" (Mendelssohn), were performed on the morning of the 16th; in the evening a miscellaneous concert took place. "Elijah" was produced on the morning of the 17th; and in the evening a miscellaneous concert was preceded by the second act of the opera of "The Flying Dutchman." The Festival produced a profit of 501 10s. 7d., of which sum 250 was distributed among the local charities. The principal vocalists were Madame Nordica, Miss Liza Lehmann, Miss Mackintyre, Miss Grace Damian, and Miss Marian McKenzie; reciter, Miss Julia Neilson; Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Maldwyn Humphreys, Mr. Ben Davies, Mr. Henschel, Mr. Franco Novara, Mr. Brockbank, and Mr. Alex Marsh.

23.--A peal of nine bells, cast by Messrs. Taylor and Sons, of Loughborough, at the cost of 500, for the parish church of Wells-next-the-sea, was dedicated.

27.--Died, the Rev. John Edmund Cox, D.D., F.S.A., formerly vicar of St. Helen's, Bishopsgate, London, aged 78. A native of the city, and educated at the Cathedral school, he became Bible Clerk at All Souls College, Oxford, and in 1837 was ordained by Bishop Stanley, and presented to the incumbency of Aldeby. He afterwards became minister of St. Mary, Southtown, Yarmouth, and whilst there edited the well-known, "Memoir of Sarah Martin." Subsequently he went to Stepney, and in 1849 was presented by the Dean and Chapter of St. Paul's to his city living. Dr. Cox was the author of "A Life of Cranmer," "Principles of the Reformation," "A life of Luther," and of "Protestantism compared with Romanism." He also edited several historical treatises for the Parker Society.

29.--The Norwich Town Council confirmed a contract entered into with Mr. R. A. Cooper for the purchase of certain land at Thorpe Hamlet required for the construction of the proposed Riverside Road. The amount to be paid to the owner was 3,022, and the estimated cost of the road between 2,000 and 3,000.

NOVEMBER.

10.--The Norwich Town Council elected Mr. Walter Overbury to the office of Mayor, and appointed Mr. Geoffrey Fowell Buxton as Sheriff. Mr. Oyerbury having declined to qualify, Mr. Edward Wild was on the 24th elected to fill the vacancy.

--Died, aged 79, the Rev. Charles Turner, formerly rector of Bixley and Framingham Earl. He was the son of Mr. Charles Turner, the last Mayor of Norwich previous to the passing of the Municipal Reform Act, and held the living of St. Peter Mancroft from 1848 to 1878.

24.--The Prince of Wales opened, at the Athenaeum, King's Lynn, a sporting and art exhibition in aid of the covert funds of the West Norfolk Hunt. His Royal Highness was accompanied by the Princess of Wales.

--The Princess of Wales, accompanied by Princesses Victoria and Maud, arrived at Melton Constable on a visit to Lord and Lady Hastings. Their Royal Highnesses were afterwards joined by the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. The visit terminated on the 29th.

25.--The weather became exceedingly severe, and frost and snow prevailed to the end of the year.

DECEMBER.

1.--Died, at his residence, Thickthorn, near Norwich, Mr. Francis Hay Gurney, in his 65th year. Mr. Gurney was a son of Mr. Daniel Gurney, of North Runcton, by Lady Harriet Hay, daughter of William, sixteenth Earl of Errol. In 1847 he married Margaret Charlotte, daughter of Sir W. H. Browne ffolkes, Bart. A partner in the banking firm of Messrs. Gurneys and Co., he discharged with conspicuous courtesy and ability all the duties that devolve upon a country gentleman. For many years he presided as chairman of the Committee of Management of the Norfolk and Norwich Musical festival, and in politics was a staunch Conservative. In 1859 he took an active part in the Volunteer movement; subsequently he raised and commanded a troop of Light Horse, and ultimately joined the Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry, from which he retired with the brevet rank of Lieutenant-Colonel.

2.--The first lecture of a series inaugurated by the Norwich Free Library Committee was given at Blackfriars' Hall, Norwich, by the Rev. H. H. Snell on "Books and Readers." (_See_ January 12th, 1891.)

5.--Died, at his residence, 43, Ennismore Gardens, South Kensington, Mr. Baron Huddleston, formerly member of Parliament for Norwich. The son of a merchant captain, Thomas Huddleston, he was born in 1817, and matriculated at Trinity College, Dublin. He came to England to seek his fortune as usher in a school, but afterwards made a more promising start in life as a barrister at the Central Criminal Court. Admitted a student at Gray's Inn on April 18th, 1836, and called to the Bar by that society in the summer of 1839, he accepted silk in 1857 from Lord Cranworth, then Lord Chancellor. He had unsuccessfully contested, as a Conservative, Worcester, Shrewsbury, and Kidderminster, but was returned for Canterbury in 1865. In 1870 he made an unsuccessful assault on Norwich, but four years later defeated Mr. Tillett by forty-seven votes. In 1875 he was appointed judge in the Court of Common Pleas, was duly knighted, and ultimately transferred to the Court of Exchequer on the death of Mr. Baron Pigott. He married Lady Diana Beauclerk, sister of the Duke of St. Albans.

14.--Died, at Clermont Terrace, Queen's Road, Norwich, Sarah, widow of John Barnard, formerly of Beccles, in her 101st year.

18.--Mr. S. Hoare, M.P., delivered a farewell address to his constituents, at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, previous to his departure for India.

19.--A heavy fall of snow, accompanied by sharp frost, occurred on this date. Skating became general throughout the county.

26.--Ginnett's Circus opened for the winter season at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

27.--Died, at Lynn, Mr. John Osborne Smetham, aged 78. He was six times Mayor of the borough, and had been an alderman thirty-four years, and held various public offices in the town.

30.--An influential meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to inaugurate a fund for the relief of the unemployed and necessitous poor of the city. About 900 was subscribed in the room, and active measures were taken for the relief of public distress.

1891.

JANUARY.

1.--A sudden break-up occurred of the severe frost, which had lasted twenty-one consecutive days, but at sunset it froze again with increased severity. This was stated to have been the longest frost recorded in Norfolk since 1813. On the 20th another thaw took place, followed by heavy rain; but during the night the frost reasserted itself, and became very severe on the 21st and 22nd. Then the temperature gradually increased, bright sunshine followed, and the wind having veered to the south rain fell. On the 24th the river steamer Alpha cut her way through the ice on the Yare, and opened up between Norwich and Yarmouth the traffic which for five weeks had been suspended.

2.--Died, at Weasenham, Mr. Henry Overman, aged 65. He established a wide reputation as a breeder of shorthorns, Southdown, and Oxford Down sheep, hackneys and cart horses. Mr. Overman was an extreme Radical, "but his political extravagancies were amply condoned by his warmth and kindliness of heart."

6.--The last of the "Science Lectures for the People" was delivered at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by Dr. Andrew Wilson on "Sea Serpents and other curious Animals, real and fictitious." (_See_ January 19th, 1892.)

9.--The Cambridge crew, owing to the river Cam being icebound, had rowing practice upon the Estuary Cut, at Lynn.

10.--An "ice carnival" took place on Diss Mere. The performers and spectators numbered five thousand.

12.--The second lecture of the course arranged by the Norwich Free Library Committee was given at Blackfriars' Hall by Mr. G. C. Davies on "Life and Scenery Abroad." The Rev. W. F. Creeny, F.S.A., lectured on February 3rd on "Sweden and Gothland"; Mr. Bosworth Harcourt on March 3rd on "An Hour with Douglas Jerrold"; and Mr. H. F. Euren on April 14th on "Our Fens and Marshes." (_See_ February 24th, 1892.)

17.--Mr. R. E. Crosse was appointed house surgeon at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital on the resignation of Mr. H. C. Nance.

19.--Died, at Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mr. Benjamin Viny Winch, aged 60. Mr. Winch had been upwards of twenty years postmaster of Norwich. He entered the service at the General Post Office, St. Martin's le Grand, in February, 1852, and continued there until August 31st, 1870, when he was appointed to Norwich on the retirement of Mr. Samuel Base, the former postmaster. The postal arrangements in the city were greatly developed during Mr. Winch's tenure of office. The business was removed from Post Office Street (now Exchange Street) to the Crown Bank premises, where the work in the various departments commenced on August 16th, 1875. Mr. Winch was an enthusiastic yachtsman, had filled the office of Commodore of the Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club, and was one of the principal founders of the Yare Sailing Club.

20.--Immense quantities of sprats were captured at Lynn. Such enormous shoals had never before, it was stated, been found in the Wash.

--The Norwich Town Council considered a report upon the proposed purchase of the Waterworks, and appointed a special committee to determine the value of the undertaking, with the view of making an offer to the company. On May 26th the Council proposed to offer a sum not exceeding 10 per cent., the actual market value of the shares and capital of the company. The offer was declined, and on December 15th it was decided that no further steps be taken in the matter. (_See_ February 22nd, 1898.)

21.--"General" Booth visited Norwich in furtherance of a new "social scheme" advocated in his recently-published book, "In Darkest England." He attended a conference at Noverre's Rooms in the afternoon, and addressed a large meeting which took place at St. Andrew's Hall in the evening.

FEBRUARY.

7.--Mr. B. N. Thoms, assistant surveyor at the General Post Office, was appointed to fill the postmastership of Norwich, vacant by the death of Mr. Winch. Mr. Thoms was a son of Mr. William J. Thoms, the originator and editor of "Notes and Queries," and a librarian of the House of Lords. In the month of April Mr. Thoms removed to Nottingham, and was succeeded by Mr. Sturgeon, of Birkenhead, who, in the Egyptian campaign of 1882-85, commanded the Army Post Office Corps. For his valuable services he was decorated by the Queen in person, and granted the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, with permission to wear the uniform of his corps, the 24th Middlesex (Post Office) Rifle Volunteers.

21.--Died, at his town residence, 8, Portman Square, the Right Hon. George Thomas Keppel, sixth Earl of Albemarle. He was born June 13th, 1799, and was second son of William Charles, fourth earl, by his marriage with Elizabeth Southwell, fourth daughter of Edward Lord De Clifford. In 1815 he received an ensign's commission in the 14th Regiment of Foot, and within a month joined the Army in Flanders. He was present at the battle of Waterloo, and at the engagement which immediately preceded it. "The very youngest officer on the field of Waterloo, he was, with one exception, the very last of the survivors of all the Waterloo officers."

22.--Died, at 7, Hertford Street, Mayfair, Mr. Charles Wild, eldest son of Mr. Edward Wild, Mayor of Norwich, aged 29. Educated at King Edward VI. Grammar School, he pursued his medical studies at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital; afterwards proceeded to Cambridge University, and finally entered the London School of Medicine. Mr. Wild gained the Brodie scholarship at St. George's Hospital, and was awarded the Thompson gold medal.

MARCH.

7.--Died, aged 60, Mr. Edmund Beck, agent for the Sandringham estate. Mr. Beck was a member of an old family of Norfolk farmers, and was born at Mileham. For a considerable time he was in partnership with his father as an auctioneer and estate agent, and was one of the best known agricultural authorities in the kingdom.

31.--Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., arrived at Cromer on his return from his tour in India. He sailed for the East on January 4th, accompanied by his daughters, the Misses Annie and Muriel Hoare, and formally opened the Bengal and Nagpur Railway, of which he was chairman.

APRIL.

2.--The Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Bishop of the Diocese, and was concluded on the 3rd.

2.--The Countess of Leicester performed the opening ceremony at a grand Venetian _Fete_ and Bazaar held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, in aid of the Norfolk County Cricket Club. The proceedings were continued on the 3rd.

5.--Died, at Gaywood Hall, King's Lynn, Mr. Richard Bagge, aged 80. He was twin brother of Sir William Bagge, M.P., and was educated at Charterhouse, and by private tutor. In 1831 Mr. Bagge was elected a member of the old Corporation of Lynn, and served the office of Mayor of that borough in 1836 and 1857. He was a justice of the peace, and a Deputy Lieutenant for the county, and was High Sheriff in 1880. As a sportsman Mr. Bagge was well known in the coursing and cricket fields, and in politics was a staunch Conservative.

7.--Died, at Melbourne, during a tour in Australia for the benefit of his health, the Rev. R. Hobson, pastor of the Old Meeting Congregational chapel, Norwich. Mr. Hobson, who was in his 52nd year, was appointed to the chapel in 1878; he took part in many social and philanthropic movements in the city, and was most highly esteemed by Churchmen and Nonconformists. He was the founder of the St. George's Home for Working Girls.

--Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P., and Mrs. Hoare celebrated their silver wedding at Cliff House, Cromer, and received many congratulations and presents from their friends in the town and district. On April 20th Mr. and Mrs. Hoare were presented, at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, with a valuable silver tea and coffee service and an illuminated address by the members of the Conservative associations and clubs in the city.

11.--At the annual meeting of the Governors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital the Board of Management reported that Miss Adams, the Lady Superintendent, had been received into the Roman Catholic Church. In view of the matter forming the subject for discussion there was a large attendance, but the Lord Bishop, who presided, ruled the question to be "special," and that it was necessary for formal notice to be given before a resolution could be moved.

--The fastest run made by a special train on the Great Eastern Railway was accomplished on this date, when the Prince of Wales travelled from St. Pancras to Lynn, a distance of 98 miles, in one hour fifty-five minutes.

18.--The memorial stone of a new church for East and West Beckham was laid by Mrs. Hoare, wife of Mr. Samuel Hoare, M.P. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on October 13th.

20.--Viscount Cross, Secretary of State for India, visited Norwich and formally opened the Patteson Conservative Club. In the evening his lordship addressed a large meeting held at St. Andrew's Hall under the auspices of the National Union of Conservative Associations.

25.--Dr. F. C. Burton, of Adenbrook's Hospital, Cambridge, was appointed to the vacancy in the medical staff of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital occasioned by the retirement of Dr. Shepherd Taylor.

27.--The South-West Norfolk Conservative Association met at Swaffham under the presidency of Lord Walsingham, and adopted Mr. Thomas Leigh Hare Conservative candidate for the constituency in place of Mr. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., who had expressed his intention to retire at the next General Election.

MAY.

14.--The Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn, formerly Dean of Norwich, preached from a new pulpit erected by public subscription in the choir of the Cathedral as a memorial of his twenty-three years' devoted ministry. The pulpit was designed by Mr. John Pollard Seddon, F.R.I.B.A., and executed by Mr. Harry Hems, of Exeter.

18.--On this day (Whit-Monday) occurred the memorable fall of snow which covered the ground to the depth of five inches, and occasioned the abandonment of all out-door sports and holiday amusements. On the previous Wednesday (the 13th) the shade temperature registered in the neighbourhood of Norwich was 72.7; at 9 a.m. on the 16th it stood at 37.2; and on the same day the thermometer in the screen fell to 29.8, and on the grass to 21.5. On Sunday, the 17th, there were frequent storms of hail and snow, and at 2 p.m. the temperature registered 37.4.

--A military tournament given by the 8th Hussars in aid of the local charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 23rd.

21.--The Duke of Clarence and Avondale (in the absence of the Prince of Wales, who was unable to attend in consequence of indisposition) opened a bazaar at Yarmouth in aid of a fund for the restoration of the parish church; and in the evening was present at a ball given by the officers of the Norfolk Artillery.

23.--The Norfolk County Council resolved to offer scholarships of the value of 10 each per annum, and not exceeding fifty in number, to boys and girls who, having passed the 6th and 7th Standards in elementary schools, were prepared, after examination, to attend for three years some secondary school possessing to the satisfaction of the committee the necessary qualifications for technical instruction. On the 26th the Norwich Town Council decided to provide a school for technical education and manual instruction.

30.--The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted, by 66 votes against 32, a resolution in favour of making legal in England the practice of the dishorning of cattle.

JUNE.

8.--Mr. Wilson Barrett commenced a week's engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the character of Belphegor. His other impersonations included Claud Melnotte, Chatterton, The Stranger, and Hamlet.

12.--The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. Edward Wild) unveiled at Norwich Cathedral a window inserted in the south aisle to the memory of officers of the Norfolk Regiment. The window was the gift of the officers and men of the regiment.

--The British Training Squadron, consisting of the Active, the Calypso, the Volage, and the Ruby, entered Yarmouth Roads, and sailed on the 14th for the north. Each ship's company numbered about 500 men and boys.