Part 55

15.--A Select Committee of the House of Commons inquired into the merits of the St. Faith's Allotment Bill, by which it was sought to obtain Parliamentary sanction to the compulsory purchase of 18.5 acres of land owned by the Countess de Rechberg, in the parish of Horsham St. Faith's, for the purpose of providing allotments for forty applicants under the Allotments Acts, 1887 and 1890. On the 17th the chairman (Sir Stafford Northcote) announced that the Committee were of opinion that the preamble of the Bill was proved, and that the order should be confirmed, but they thought the justice of the case would be met if 10a. 2r. 6p. were given up for allotments, and the Countess de Rechberg be ordered to pay her own costs and one-third of the costs of the promoters. The Local Government Board subsequently held an inquiry to decide the amount to be paid to the Countess for the compulsory purchase of the land. The Countess demanded 1,291 6s. (originally 1,451); the County Council offered 1,025 8s. 6d.; and the Local Government Board inspector awarded 1,131 15s. 6d.

16.--Lord Walsingham was elected High Steward of Cambridge University, and received the honorary degree of Doctor of Laws. His lordship was introduced as a distinguished member of the Eton and Cambridge elevens, as an excellent shot, and as a great authority on shooting game. Further, he was a Fellow of the Royal Society, and had given special attention to the study of microlepidoptera.

24.--The Goulburn pulpit, erected in the nave of Norwich Cathedral, was dedicated on this date. It was the gift of the Very Rev. E. M. Goulburn, formerly Dean of Norwich, and was executed in Caen stone by Mr. James Forsyth, of Hampstead, from designs by Mr. R. Herbert Carpenter, F.S.A., and Mr. Benjamin Ingelow.

27.--The Norwich Census returns were published on this date, as follow:--Tenements of less than five rooms, 7,654; inhabited houses, 23,268; uninhabited, 1,739; building, 205. Persons: Males, 46,615; females, 54,348; total, 100,964.

JULY.

8.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association commenced at Wymondham, and was continued on the 9th. The Earl of Kimberley was president for the year.

10.--A prolonged strike in the building trade, at Norwich, was settled on this date. The bricklayers' strike commenced on May 4th, and that of the carpenters and joiners on June 1st. In both cases the men demanded an extra payment of one penny per hour, and the acceptance by the masters of a code of rules framed by them. The employers declined to accede to these demands, but submitted a code of their own, and offered a halfpenny advance. The Mayor (Mr. Wild) intervened, and although at the time his

## action had no effect, the men ultimately accepted the masters' code of

rules.

14.--Dedication services were held at the parish church of Great Yarmouth on the completion of the extensive and protracted work of restoration. The undertaking was commenced in 1847 by the Rev. Henry Mackenzie, afterwards Suffragan Bishop of Nottingham, and continued from time to time by the three successive vicars, Bishop Hills, of British Columbia, Archdeacon Nevill, and Canon Venables. The latest portion of the work was begun in the spring of 1890, and cost about 1,500. About 40,000 was expended upon the entire restoration.

17.--Died, at Eastbourne, Mr. Willoughby Smith, the distinguished electrician, who was born at Yarmouth on April 16th, 1828. He superintended the manufacture and laying of the first submarine cable. In 1866 he was electrician on board the Great Eastern steamship during the laying of the first successful Atlantic cable and on the recovery and completion of the cable that had been lost the year before. For these services Mr. Smith received a gold medal and an address from the Liverpool Chamber of Commerce. In 1883 he was President of the Institution of Electrical Engineers, and in 1888 published a work, entitled "Yarmouth Past and Present."

21.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council a letter from the Privy Council was read, in which it was stated, with reference to a scheme for altering the boundaries of the wards of the city, that such alteration could not be permitted unless an alteration was also made in the number of the wards. (_See_ March 15th, 1892.)

25.--An exhibition of the works of Edward Thomas Daniell, comprising etchings, water-colours, and oil paintings, was held at the rooms of the Norwich Art Circle.

--The 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions Norfolk Regiment, encamped at Great Yarmouth under the command of Brigadier-General Bulwer.

27.--Lord Walsingham presided at a meeting of the subscribers to the Norwich Castle Museum scheme, at which it was decided to extend, at an additional cost of between 4,000 and 5,000, the original scheme for converting the Castle and the surrounding buildings to the purposes of a Museum. It was announced that the Prince of Wales had contributed to the fund a further donation of fifty guineas. (_See_ August 4th, 1894.)

30.--A thunderstorm of extraordinary severity burst over Ellingham Park, the seat of Mr. Henry Smith. "The lightning seemed literally to sweep the park with a sheet of fire, and immediately after the storm six bullocks and heifers were found lying dead under an elm tree. Other cattle were injured, and the tree itself was split in half, and some of the branches hurled a considerable distance." Further thunderstorms occurred in other parts of the county on August 2nd.

AUGUST.

3.--Norwich Cricket Week commenced. Matches were played against the Eton Ramblers, and the Lincolnshire and Hertfordshire Clubs, and in each instance the Norfolk County Cricket Club was victorious. "The achievement of three victories in the week had not previously been accomplished since the institution of the festival in 1881." On the 6th and 7th Sir Kenneth Kemp's company of amateurs gave performances of "The

## Bookmaker" at the Theatre Royal.

7.--The Norwich School Board decided to abolish the fees in all their schools, the Higher Grade School excepted, from September 1st, the date on which the Free Education Act came into operation.

8.--Lord Ashbourne, Lord Chancellor of Ireland, addressed a great Primrose League gathering at Didlington Park, held in celebration of the inauguration of the Margaret Tyssen Amherst Habitation.

SEPTEMBER.

5.--The Norfolk County Council decided to found an agricultural side for technical education in connection with the County School at Elmham.

7.--The Countess of Leicester laid the foundation-stone of a public hall to be erected at Burnham Thorpe as a memorial of Lord Nelson, who was born in the parish, where his father was rector, in 1758. The hall, which formed part of a scheme initiated by the Prince of Wales, the main feature of which was the restoration of the parish church at the cost of 10,000, was opened on June 9th, 1892.

30.--Mr. Harry Furniss gave his lecture, "The Humours of Parliament," at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

--The first annual show of the Mitford and Launditch Agricultural Association was held at East Dereham. General Bulwer presided at the dinner, at which the principal speakers were Mr. R. T. Gurdon and Mr. C. S. Read.

OCTOBER.

13.--A severe gale did great damage inland, and resulted in many shipping casualties on the Norfolk coast.

15.--Died, at King's Lynn, Mr. John Dyker Thew, in his 68th year. He was proprietor of the "Lynn Advertiser," and for many years represented the South Ward in the Town Council. In 1871, 1876, and 1885 Mr. Thew was elected to the office of Mayor of the borough, and in the last-named year was appointed alderman. He was leader of the Conservative party at Lynn.

16.--The Lord Mayor of London (Sir Joseph Savory) and the Lady Mayoress visited Norwich for the purpose of opening the new buildings of the Asylum and School for the Indigent Blind.

17.--The prospectus of the Norwich Electricity Company was published. A capital of 50,000 was raised in 5,000 ordinary shares of 10 each, and the company was formed "for the purpose of supplying electricity for lighting and motive purposes."

19.--Died, at Beeston Park, Sir Jacob Henry Preston, Bart., aged 79. He was a Deputy Lieutenant and magistrate for the county, and in 1847 served the office of High Sheriff.

25.--A severe storm commenced on this date, and continued until the 27th. Several vessels were wrecked and lives lost on the coast.

31.--A meeting in furtherance of a scheme for providing playing fields and open spaces for the city was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Wild). A committee known as the Norwich Playing-fields and Open Spaces Committee was appointed.

NOVEMBER.

1.--A serious fire at Sandringham House did damage to a considerable amount.

9.--Mr. G. M. Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. Harry Reeve appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.--A gale which swept over many parts of England did much injury in Norfolk, and was severely felt at Yarmouth and at other places on the coast.

14.--The Duke of Clarence and Avondale, accompanied by the Duke and Duchess of Fife and the Duke and Duchess of Connaught, opened a trades and industrial exhibition at St. James's Hall, Lynn.

DECEMBER.

7.--At the annual distribution of prizes to the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, at Norwich, Major Dawson was introduced to the corps as the future commanding officer, on the retirement of Lieutenant-Colonel Mansel. At about this date the Dean of Norwich was appointed chaplain to the corps in place of the Rev. Canon Patteson.

9.--The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. G. M. Chamberlin) sent, on behalf of the citizens, letters of congratulation to the Prince and Princess of Wales, the Duke of Clarence and Avondale, and the Princess Victoria Mary of Teck, upon the announcement of the intended marriage of the Duke and Princess.

11.--A storm of great severity raged throughout the county, and much damage, was reported, especially in Mid Norfolk. In several places the Yare and Bure overflowed their banks.

14.--The church of St. Mary, Great Plumstead, was severely damaged by fire. The building, in the Perpendicular style, consisted of nave, chancel, and tower, which were restored in 1876 and 1878. The fire completely destroyed the interior fittings and roof. On December 14th, 1892, the church was re-opened after thorough restoration.

18.--A severe frost set in, and on the 22nd skating became general.

--The Duke of Clarence and Avondale terminated a visit to Mr. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., at Didlington Hall.

20.--Died, at Honingham vicarage, the Rev. Canon John Robert Feilden, vicar of Honingham and East Tuddenham, in his 65th year. He was the fourth son of Mr. Joseph Feilden, M.P., of Whitton Park, Blackburn, and was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford. After ordination he served a curacy at Malpas, Cheshire, and was chaplain to George Horatio, second Marquis Cholmondeley. In 1861 he was presented to the rectory of Baconsthorpe, and in 1881 to the living which he held at the time of his death. Mr. Feilden was a Commissioner under the Pluralities Act, for the Archdeaconry of Norfolk, and for nine years was a member of the Board of Management of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He was appointed honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral in 1888. Canon Feilden married, in 1861, Frances Blanche Ann, second daughter of Frederick, fourth Baron Calthorpe.

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

--Upwards of one thousand of the aged poor of Norwich were entertained by the Mayor (Mr. G. M. Chamberlin) and the Sheriff (Mr. Harry Reeve), at St. Andrew's Hall.

27.--Died, at Saham, the Rev. Coker Adams, for fifteen years rector of the parish. Mr. Adams was the author of several pamphlets on Church doctrine and defence.

1892.

JANUARY.

2.--A meeting, convened by the Lord Lieutenant of the county (the Earl of Leicester) and the High Sheriff (Mr. S. Gurney Buxton), was held at the Shirehall, Norwich, to consider what steps should be taken to provide a present from Norfolk to the Duke of Clarence and Avondale and Princess Mary Victoria on the occasion of their marriage. It was resolved to open a public subscription. A similar movement was inaugurated by the citizens of Norwich.

--The Norfolk County Council appointed Mr. H. C. Bolingbroke "accountant officer" to fill the vacancy occasioned by the retirement of Mr. H. W. Day from the office of County Treasurer.

14.--Died, at Sandringham, his Royal Highness the Duke of Clarence and Avondale. The intelligence of the death of the young Prince was received in Norwich with many manifestations of public sorrow and sympathy. The church bells were tolled, flags were hoisted at half-mast upon all public buildings, and the windows of business establishments and private residences were shaded. The High Sheriff at once sent to the Comptroller of the Household of the Prince and Princess of Wales a telegram of sympathy on behalf of himself and the whole county of Norfolk, and on the 15th a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held, and addresses of condolence were ordered to be sent to the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales, and Princess Victoria Mary of Teck. On Sunday, the 17th, many touching references to the sad event were made in Church and Nonconformist places of worship; and on the 20th, on which day the remains of the deceased Prince were removed from Sandringham to Windsor for interment, a memorial service, attended by the Mayor and Corporation, was held at Norwich Cathedral, and the Dean preached an eloquent sermon. At Prince's Street Congregational church, at Trinity Presbyterian church, and at St. Mary's Baptist chapel similar services were held, business was suspended in the city, and the licensed victuallers and hotel proprietors closed their establishments from two o'clock until five o'clock. In every town and village the day was observed with profound solemnity.

18.--An important meeting was held at the Deanery, Norwich, to discuss what measures should be taken to complete the sum of 2,500 then being raised by the Church Schools' Aid Association for the special purpose of increasing and improving the accommodation of the Church day schools in the city. It was resolved that it was the imperative duty of Churchmen to preserve the Church schools in a state of efficiency, and with this object it was decided that the clergy and laity form local branches to augment the fund.

19.--Another series of "Science Lectures for the People" commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, when Sir Robert Stawell Ball spoke on "Invisible Stars." On February 16th the Rev. J. Miller Hamilton lectured on "The Forth Bridge"; and on March 14th Dr. Andrew Wilson on "The Curiosities of Brain Action, Dreams, Mesmerism, and Ghost Seeing." A second course began on November 16th with a lecture by Sir Robert Ball on "How came the Great Ice Age?" (_See_ January 12th, 1893.)

23.--Influenza raged with great severity in city and county, and many prominent people were attacked by the complaint. "It is producing many deaths among the aged; the mortality in Norwich last week was 40.1 per thousand." In the week ending January 30th the mortality in the city had increased to 44 per thousand.

30.--Died, at the Shrubbery, St. Stephen's Road, Norwich, Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett. He was born November 1st, 1818, at Quay Side, St. Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, and was son of Mr. Jacob Tillett, a dyer. His grandfather was a schoolmaster, whose attainments in mathematics, navigation, and gunnery brought him into some prominence in his day. Young Tillett was educated at King Edward VI. Grammar School, and on leaving school served his articles with Mr. John Rising Staff, then a leading solicitor in Norwich. In 1839 he opened an office for himself in Post Office Street, and obtained a large and lucrative connection. Literary rather than legal work best accorded with Mr. Tillett's natural tastes. In 1845 he founded the "Norfolk News," and with the conduct of that journal he was thenceforward associated throughout his life, as chairman of the company and as editor, in which position he not only controlled the policy of the paper, but weekly contributed its leading articles. For many years Mr. Tillett was a member of the Town Council, and twice served the office of Mayor, first in 1859-60 and again in 1875-76. He was twice returned to a seat on the Norwich School Board, and on the second occasion was elected Chairman. In 1874 he was appointed a justice of the peace, but he never qualified. Although he was not attached to any particular sect, he identified himself with various religious movements in the city. Mr. Tillett was the most potent political personal force that the century produced in Norwich. He contested the city in 1868 unsuccessfully, Sir Henry Stracey and Sir Wm. Russell being returned. That election was invalidated on petition. In May, 1870, when a new writ was issued for the vacant seat, Mr. Tillett was returned by 4,236 votes against 3,874 polled by Mr. J. W. Huddleston. A petition followed, and Mr. Tillett was unseated. At the dissolution in 1874 the Conservatives brought forward Sir Henry Stracey and Mr. Huddleston, and the Liberal cause was again championed by Mr. Tillett, with Mr. Colman as his colleague. Mr. Colman was returned at the head of the poll with 6,138 votes, and Mr. Huddleston was the other successful candidate, with 5,823 votes. Mr. Tillett polled 5,776 and Sir Henry Stracey 5,290 votes. Early in 1875 Mr. Huddleston was raised to the judicial bench, and at the bye-election Mr. Tillett entered the lists against Colonel Wilkinson. The contest took place on March 5th, and resulted in Mr. Tillett's return by a majority of 799. Then came the third petition, on which Mr. Tillett was again unseated, and a Royal Commission followed. The writ was suspended until the dissolution in 1880, when the Conservatives were represented by Mr. H. Harben and the Hon. Massey Mainwaring. The seats were carried by Mr. Colman and Mr. Tillett on a poll of 6,549 for the former and 6,512 for the latter, the votes for the Conservative candidates being 5,242 for Mr. Harben and 5,032 for Mr. Mainwaring. The successful candidates were allowed to retain their seats undisturbed; but Mr. Tillett reached the goal of his ambition too late to derive any satisfaction from it, and the five years he spent in Parliament were among the most irksome and worrying of any in his life. At the dissolution in 1885 he announced his intention not to again offer himself for the representation of the city; but in 1886 he was once more induced to stand, and, with Mr. Colman, opposed the return of Mr. Samuel Hoare and Mr. C. S. Read. The result of the poll was as follows:--Colman, 6,295; Hoare, 6,156; Tillett, 6,119; Read, 5,564. With this campaign Mr. Tillett practically closed his electioneering career. Whatever the Conservative party may have thought of his political faults and shortcomings, Mr. Tillett was no Socialist or Revolutionist. He was staunch in his loyalty to the Throne, and would have strongly opposed any attack upon the free monarchial constitution. Although he stood at the 1886 election as a Gladstonian, his convictions were in favour of the maintenance of the Union. For the private character of this eminent citizen it was impossible to entertain but one sentiment, that of the highest esteem and regard, for he was naturally of a kind, considerate, and affectionate disposition.

FEBRUARY.

6.--Official notice was received at Norwich of the final settlement of the scheme proposed by the Attorney-General for the administration of the Norwich Town Close Estate Charity. The scheme provided that the charity and its property and endowments should be vested in an official trustee of charity lands for the city of Norwich, and the management, preservation, and letting of the estate and the collecting of the income by a receiver would be exercised by trustees consisting of the trustees for the time being of the municipal charities of the city, known as the General Charities, as _ex-officio_ trustees of the Town Close Estate, and by six representative trustees appointed by the freemen for a term of five years.

15.--The Compton Comedy Company commenced, at the Theatre Royal, Norwich, an engagement, during which were produced several favourite comedies of the old English stage.

18.--Archdeacon Perowne unveiled, at the church of St. Laurence, Norwich, a bronze memorial in commemoration of the work done by Miss Sarah Ann Glover in the cause of sol-fa music. Miss Glover was the author of the sol-fa notation, from which sprang the tonic sol-fa system.

20.--Died, at his residence, Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mr. Henry Norton, F.G.S., in his 81st year. He was the eldest son of Mr. William Norton, of Old Buckenham, and in his early days was articled to Messrs. Mitchell and Clarke, a well-known firm of solicitors at Wymondham. Much of his time was subsequently spent in roaming over the greater part of Europe, and in about 1860 he settled in Norwich. As a scholar and a man of science Mr. Norton was possessed of a store of information such as few had acquired. Sanskrit and geology were his favourite studies. He was an omnivorous reader and lover of books, and bequeathed his valuable library and collection of manuscripts to the Norfolk and Norwich Library.

24.--The course of lectures arranged by the committee of the Norwich Free Library was continued at Blackfriars' Hall, when Mr. M. P. Squirrell spoke on "The Orkney and Shetland Islands." Mr. C. Stacy Watson, on March 23rd, lectured on "The Herring."

MARCH.

1.--Died, at Gimingham Rectory, the Ven. Ralph Blakelock, aged 88. He was born at Red Hall, Leeds, and was educated at St. Catherine's College, Cambridge, of which he became Fellow and tutor. In his Cambridge days he published some mathematical treatises, which added considerably to his reputation as a college tutor. On withdrawing from the University he became rector of Gimingham in 1833, and an active worker on behalf of many diocesan organizations. He paid special regard to the social improvement of the labourers, and was known as "the father of the allotment system." For many years Mr. Blakelock was Archdeacon of Norfolk.

9.--Died, at Rippon Hall, Hevingham, the Rev. Henry Philip Marsham, aged 75. He was a son of Mr. Robert Marsham, of Stratton Hall, and his taste for country life and love of nature had descended to him from his great grandfather, Robert Marsham, the ardent naturalist and frequent correspondent with White, of Selborne. The annual records of the earliest dates, when many common plants were observed to flower, together with similar natural history data, as commenced by the elder naturalist, were continued by the younger.

14.--The memorial stones of a permanent building, to be used as the headquarters of the Salvation Army in Norwich, were laid by Mr. George White and other prominent Nonconformists, on a site at the rear of Mortimer's Hotel, St. Giles' Street. The building, which, inclusive of the site, cost about 4,000, was opened on October 30th.

15.--A scheme for altering the number and bounderies of the wards in Norwich was unanimously adopted by the Town Council. The Privy Council on June 16th were petitioned to approve the scheme, and on July 8th the formal order was received for dividing the city into sixteen wards. Mr. Charles Neve Creswell, the Commissioner appointed to prepare the scheme for determining the boundaries of the wards and for apportioning councillors among them, held a public inquiry at the Guildhall on July 28th, at which evidence was given by representatives of the Town Council and others. The first municipal elections under the provisions of the redistribution scheme took place on November 1st, when members were returned for sixteen wards instead of for eight.

16.--The first sale of shire horses, the property of the Prince of Wales, was held at Wolferton by Messrs. Sexton and Grimwade. Forty-nine animals were sold for the total sum of 5,200.