Part 56

21.--At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Mathew and a special jury, was tried the action, Bullard and others _v._ Saul. The case was brought by the plaintiffs as trustees of the charities of St. Swithin, Norwich, for an alleged slander uttered by the defendant at an inquiry held before an assistant Charity Commissioner at Norwich on January 15th. By the words that the defendant used on that occasion the plaintiffs said they understood him to mean that they had been guilty of maladministration of the charity funds, and had administered them for base and political purposes, and as vehicles of all sorts of corruption. The defendant denied that the words set out in the statement of claim were a correct report of the words used by him at the inquiry, and he further denied that they had any slanderous meaning. A verdict was given for the plaintiffs--damages 5.

25.--In the Court of Arches Lord Penzance decided in favour of the Bishop of Norwich, who had convicted the appellant, the Rev. Mr. O'Malley, of drunkenness, and sentenced him to two years' suspension. Lord Penzance declined to hear Mr. O'Malley's appeal until he had given security for the Bishop's costs, and limited the time during which the appellant should find such security to four months. (_See_ June 1st, 1899.)

26.--Died, at Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, aged 87. Mrs. Fletcher had given active support to many philanthropic movements, and was one of the founders of the Orphan Home for Girls, originally started in Pottergate Street, and afterwards transferred to Chapel Field.

27.--Died, at Unthank's Road, Norwich, the Rev. Charles Heath Hosken, Baptist minister, in his 81st year. In his early days he was sent to Ireland for missionary work by the Baptist Irish Missionary Society, and subsequently laboured at Belize in the Bay of Honduras; at West Troy in the State of New York, and at Crayford in Kent. "The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon sent his first two students to Mr. Hosken to be trained; thus the deceased was really associated with the foundation of the Pastors' College."

28.--Sir Harry and Lady Bullard celebrated their silver wedding at Hellesdon House, Norwich, and were the recipients of many presents from friends in county and city, and from the staff of the Anchor Brewery.

30.--Died, at Sheringham Hall, Mr. Henry Ramey Upcher, aged 82. He was a son of the Rev. Abbot Upcher, and coming to the estate when only nine years old, he had probably been in possession of his property longer than any landowner in England. When at Harrow he played in the cricket eleven, and on leaving Cambridge University took a leading part in athletic games, and was well-known throughout the country as a clever cricketer, a good horseman, and an excellent shot. Mr. Upcher married, on July 3rd, 1838, Miss Caroline Morris. In politics he was a Liberal of the old school, and a valued supporter of his party.

APRIL.

21.--The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop, and continued on the 22nd.

25.--The Norina Grand Opera Company appeared at Norwich Theatre in "La Fille de Madame Angot" and "The Daughter of the Regiment."

26.--Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P., was presented with a piece of plate by the Gladstonian party in Norwich in recognition of his twenty-one years' Parliamentary services.

MAY.

12.--The Gildencroft Recreation Ground, the site of which, with the buildings thereon, was purchased by the Corporation of Norwich for the sum of 2,700, was formally opened to the public by the Mayor. (_See_ June 6th, 1894.)

14.--A new lifeboat, the gift of Mrs. Burch, in memory of her late husband, Mr. John Burch, was launched at Yarmouth. The craft was named by Miss Jane Burden the Abraham Thomas.

24.--The name of Dr. Frederic Bateman, senior physician of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, was included in the list of gentlemen who were to receive the honour of knighthood. Dr. Bateman, on July 5th, was presented to the Queen at Windsor Castle.

25.--Died, at Cromer Hall, Mr. Benjamin Bond Bond-Cabbell. He had devoted himself largely to the public life of the county, and was a major in the 3rd Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment. Mr. Bond-Cabbell, who had been nominated for the office of High Sheriff in the ensuing year, was one of the most popular men in Norfolk, and his death was widely lamented.

JUNE.

15.--Died, at Norwich, Dr. William Guy, aged 57. In 1871, when the city was visited by a serious outbreak of smallpox, Dr. Guy was brought prominently into public notice. With characteristic courage and zeal he undertook the medical charge of the isolation hospital; and was afterwards appointed to the post of public vaccinator. It was said that for years Norwich was the best vaccinated town in the kingdom.

16.--The Didlington herd of red polled cattle, the property of Mr. Tyssen Amherst, M.P., was sold by auction by Mr. John Thornton. Forty-one cows and nine bulls were disposed of, and the total amount realised was 892 guineas--an average for the cows of 47 10s. 7d., and for the bulls of 24 4s. 2d.

21.--The Mayor and Mayoress of Norwich (Mr. and Mrs. G. M. Chamberlin) were presented with a "silver cradle" to commemorate the birth on March 11th of their soil, Geoffrey Lefroy.

28.--A thunderstorm of extraordinary severity burst over the county, and was said to have been the most alarming that had been experienced for many years. It was remarkable more for its long duration than for any serious results.

29.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened at King's Lynn under the presidency of Mr. Thomas Leigh Hare. The exhibition was continued on the 30th.

JULY.

1.--The nomination took place at East Dereham of candidates for the representation of Mid Norfolk. The Unionist candidate was Mr. Robert Thornhagh Gurdon, and the Gladstonian candidate Mr. Clement Higgins, Q.C., Trebovir Road, South Kensington, S.W. The polling was on the 13th, and the declaration on the 14th: Higgins, 4,069; Gordon 3,599.

2.--The following candidates were nominated for the representation of Norwich:--Mr. James Bedford, 388, Bethnal Green Road, E., tailor (Gladstonian); Mr. Jeremiah James Colman (Gladstonian), and Mr. Samuel Hoare (Conservative). The polling on the 6th resulted as follows:--Hoare, 7,718; Colman, 7,407; Bedford, 6,811.

--The nomination of candidates for South Norfolk was held at the Town Hall, Aylsham. Mr. John Cator, of Woodbastwick Hall, was the Unionist, and Mr. Herbert Hardy Cozens-Hardy, the Gladstonian candidate. The polling was on the 16th, and the declaration on the 18th:--Cozens-Hardy, 4,561; Cator, 3,278.

--For the representation of Lynn were nominated Mr. Thomas Gibson Bowles, of Newton Tony, Salisbury, hon. lieutenant in the Royal Naval Reserve (Unionist), and Mr. Thomas Richardson Kemp, Q.C., 5, Queen's Gate Terrace, London (Gladstonian). The polling on the 4th resulted as follows:--Bowles, 1,319; Kemp, 1,308.

5.--The nominations for East Norfolk were made at the Shirehall, Norwich. Sir Edward Birkbeck, Bart., was nominated by the Unionists, and Mr. Robert John Price, barrister-at-law, 104, Sloane Street, S.W., by the Gladstonians. The polling took place on the 12th, and the poll was declared on the 13th as follows:--Price, 4,743; Birkbeck, 4,303.

--The nomination of candidates for South Norfolk was held at the Shirehall, Norwich. Mr. Francis Taylor, of Diss, was the Liberal-Unionist, and Mr. Albert George Kitching, Chase Court, Enfield, the Gladstonian nominee. The polling took place on the 11th, and the declaration on the 12th: Taylor 4,288; Kitching, 3,535.

--Polling took place at Yarmouth. The candidates were Mr. J. M. Moorsom, Q.C., London (Gladstonian), and Sir Henry Tyler (Conservative). The contest resulted as follows:--Moorsom, 2,972; Tyler, 2,704.

7.--Mr. Justice Romer delivered judgment in the action, Micklethwaite _v._ Vincent, which raised an important question as to the rights of the public over the Norfolk broads. The plaintiff asked for an injunction to restrain the defendant from shooting or fishing on that part of the Hickling Broad which was in the parish of Hickling, and from boating over it except in a certain channel. The defendant contended that the Broad was open to the public for all purposes, and that he as one of the public was entitled to shoot and fish over it. The judge held that the plaintiff had established his right to the part of the Broad in question. Admittedly there was a public way over the Broad, but this was restricted to the channel. The plaintiff asked for an injunction to restrain the defendant from going on the Broad at all except in this channel. He was satisfied on the evidence that this right of way was not so restricted, and that part of plaintiff's claim failed and must be dismissed. It was not necessary for his lordship to decide how far the plaintiff's right extended beyond the channel. The plaintiff must get from the defendant the bare costs of the action, except so far as those costs had been increased by the claim to restrict the right of way to the channel, which had failed. So far as the defendant's costs had been increased by the last mentioned claim he would get them from the plaintiff with the set-off.

8.--Mr. P. P. Marshall, City Engineer, of Norwich, resigned his office, in which he was succeeded by Mr. Buchan.

14.--Polling took place in North-West Norfolk. The candidates were Mr. Joseph Arch, President of the National Agricultural Labourers' Union, of Barford, Warwickshire (Gladstonian), and Lord Henry Bentinck, of Congham Hall, and 58, Sloane Street, S.W. (Unionist). Result: Arch, 4,911; Bentinck, 3,822.

15.--The South-West Norfolk election took place. The candidates were Mr. Thos. Leigh Hare, Stow Bardolph (Unionist), and Mr. Henry Lee Warner, the Paddocks, Swaffham, (Gladstonian). The poll was declared at Swaffham on the 16th as follows:--Hare, 4,077; Lee Warner, 3,739.

16.*--"The 'London Gazette' announces that the Victoria Cross is conferred upon Lieutenant J. Manners Smith for his conspicuous bravery when leading the storming party at the attack and capture of a strong position occupied by the enemy near Nilt in the Hunza-Nagur country on December 20th, 1891. Lieutenant Smith, who was serving in the Indian Staff Corps, is a Norfolk man, and was educated at the Norwich Grammar School."

19.--The Norwich Town Council decided to create and issue 3 per cent. redeemable stock, and on October 11th a series of formal resolutions in completion of the scheme was adopted.

21.--The St. George's Vase was won at the Bisley meeting by Private Gray, 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, with the highest possible score of 35 points.

22.--In the High Court of Justice, Chancery Division, before Mr. Justice North, the action, Boswell _v._ Coaks, came on for hearing. It was brought for the purpose of re-opening the question which, after protracted litigation, had been settled in the House of Lords. The present action was founded on allegations of fraud on the part of one of the successful litigants in the conduct of the litigation. The judge did not call for a reply. He said he had come to the conclusion that each allegation of fraud afforded no probable cause for thinking that the plaintiff could possibly succeed at the trial. After this matter had been thrashed out at such an enormous expenditure of time and money he thought there would be a grievous miscarriage of justice if he did not, so far as he could, put a closure to steps to open up a matter upon suggestions so unfounded and baseless as he considered the plaintiff's pleadings to make. He did not mean to suggest that plaintiff's advisers had instituted the action for the purpose of vexation, but in his opinion nothing could be more vexatious than that an action should be proceeded with in which any chance of success was absolutely hopeless. Notice of appeal was given by the plaintiff on August 17th. In the Court of Appeal on November 2nd the case was re-opened, and after a hearing which lasted several hours their lordships reserved judgment. Mr. Justice A. L. Smith read the judgment of the Court on November 5th, which was in favour of the respondent, with costs. Judgment was confirmed in the Court of Appeal on February 9th, 1893, by Lords Justices Lopes and Kay. (_See_ December 14th, 1893.)

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

31.--The greater portion of the tower of Hindolveston church collapsed, carrying with it a large part of the nave, and forcing one of the chancel windows some distance into the churchyard. The tower had already been reported to be unsafe, and a fund had been opened for its restoration.

AUGUST.

2.--The Cricket Week theatricals at Norwich Theatre included performances of "Old Cronies," "In Honour Bound," and "Done on Both Sides." This was the last occasion upon which performances were given by Sir Kenneth Kemp's company. The Cricket Week was continued in subsequent years in the first week of August.

3.--Mr. Arthur Wilson Fox, one of the assistant Commissioners appointed by the Royal Commission on Labour, held an inquiry at the Assembly Rooms, Swaffham, with the view of ascertaining the position and earnings of agricultural labourers. Similar inquiries were held in other parts of the county.

7.--Died, at Eastbourne, the Rev. George Charles Hoste, in his 79th year. He was born in Norwich, and was the eldest son of Colonel Sir George Hoste, of the Royal Engineers. He graduated at Caius College, Cambridge, in 1835, and in 1856 was presented by Bishop Hinds to the important parish of Heigham. In 1847 he married Anne, daughter of Mr. John Brenchley, of Wombwell Hall, near Gravesend. Mr. Hoste made great efforts to provide increased church accommodation in Heigham, and in 1861 secured sufficient money to build the church dedicated to the Holy Trinity. On retiring from Heigham he was given the living of Boyton, Suffolk.

20.--The Queen, it was announced, had conferred the dignity of a peerage upon Mr. William Amhurst Tyssen-Amherst, of Didlington Hall. The "London Gazette" of September 23rd announced that the new peer had adopted the title of Baron Amherst of Hackney.

30.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council it was decided to rescind a former resolution of the Council passed with the view of preventing the erection of the Roman Catholic church presbytery beyond the building line at Unthank's Road, and permission was granted for carrying out the original plans. (_See_ August 29th, 1894.)

SEPTEMBER.

1.--The students entered into occupation of the Norwich and Ely Training College for female teachers in elementary schools. The cost of the college was about 10,000, and of the practising schools 2,122. The buildings were designed by Messrs. Oliver and Leeson, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, and erected by Messrs. J. Youngs and Son. The college was formally opened on October 12th by the Bishops of Norwich and Ely.

--Died the Rev. John Marjoribanks Nisbet, Canon of Norwich Cathedral, and rector of St. Giles-in-the-Fields, London. He was 67 years of age, and was appointed to his canonry in 1867. In 1885 Canon Nisbet was elected proctor in Convocation for the Norwich Chapter.

5.--Thorpe Market church was re-opened after extensive restoration. The building was erected in 1796 by the second Lord Suffield on the site formerly occupied by the original church, which had fallen into decay, and was in consequence demolished.

--A fire of a most disastrous character occurred at Norwich in the north-east angle of the large block of buildings lying between Bank Street and Queen Street. The outbreak was confined to a three-storey building occupied by Mr. R. A. Cooper, wholesale confectioner, of Queen Street. Police-constable Hook was struck by falling masonry, and sustained a fractured spine, from which he died in Hospital on the 10th.

12.--Mr. C. E. Cooke, of Litcham, sold his famous eight-years-old hackney stallion. Cadet 1,251, for 3,000 to Mr. Alexander J. Cassatt, president of the American Hackney Horse Society.

14.--Mr. Ben Greet's company of pastoral players performed the garden scenes in "Twelfth Night" in the grounds of Mr. A. R. Chamberlin, the Grove, Ipswich Road, Norwich, in aid of the funds of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital.

17.--Died, at Weston House, Colonel Sir Hambleton Custance, K.C.B., aged 82. He was a son of Mr. Hambleton Thomas Custance, of Weston, by Mary, only child of Miles Bower, and was born at Norwich. He married, in 1840, Frances, daughter of Sir Edmund Bacon, premier baronet of England, and widow of the Rev. Henry Walpole Nevill. For more than fifty years he held a commission in the old First or West Norfolk Militia, from the command of which he retired in 1881 with the rank of honorary colonel, when he received the dignity of K.C.B. From 1863 to 1878 he was vice-chairman of the General Committee of the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival, a justice of the peace, and Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, and in 1859 served the office of High Sheriff. Lady Custance died on October 4th.

22.--Died, Mr. Thomas R. Tallack, formerly secretary of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He had done useful archaeological work, and among the most important of his undertakings was the putting of the city archives into good order and making them easy of access for reference. Mr. Tallack had also made a valuable transcript for the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society of the Tanner MS.

OCTOBER.

3.--The annual provincial meeting of the Incorporated Law Society commenced at Norwich. The Mayor and Mrs. G. M. Chamberlin held a reception at St. Andrew's Hall; a banquet was given on the 4th; and the Sheriff and Mrs. Reeve invited the members to a ball on the 5th. Mr. Richard Pennington presided at the meetings of the society.

4.--Died, at Lynn, aged 61, Mr. William Thompson, who was elected Mayor of the borough in 1877, and again served the office from April to November, 1880, on the sudden death of Mr. Seppings.

12.--Madame Adelina Patti, supported by Mdlle. Donilly, Mdlle. Alice Gomez, Mr. Charles Chilley, Signor Novara, Miss Fanny Davies, Mdlle. Levallois, and M. Sieveking, appeared at a grand concert given at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

--Died, at Bramerton Lodge, Major John Penrice, aged 73. He was a justice of the peace for Norfolk, and took an active part in the administration of county business. Major Penrice was chairman of the Yarmouth Port and Haven Commission.

16.--Died, at Saxlingham Rectory, the Rev. George King, M.A., honorary canon of Norwich Cathedral, in his 90th year. Canon King was one of the oldest clergymen in the Church of England.

17.--A complimentary dinner, attended by 300 guests, was given at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. G. M. Chamberlin), to Mr. Henry Flowers in commemoration of his election to the Grand Mastership of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows.

20.--Mr. D. L. Moody, the "American Evangelist," opened a three days' mission at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

21.--A heavy fall of snow occurred in Norfolk, and was followed by severe frost. The weather for some time previously had been unprecedently wet, and the heavy rainfall had swollen the rivers and flooded the marshes and low-lying lands. During the first half of the month more than 4.5 inches of rain were registered at Sprowston. It was the wettest October that had been experienced for years past.

22.--Died, at 45, St. Giles' Street, Norwich, Mr. Thomas William Crosse, F.R.C.S., in his 67th year. He was a son of the distinguished John Green Crosse, and was educated at Mr. Perowne's school, Norwich, and at King's College School, London. After a course of study at St. Bartholomew's Hospital, and at the Dublin, Leeds, and Norwich Hospitals, Mr. Crosse became, in 1847, M.R.C.S. and L.S.A., and in 1860, after examination, was admitted a Fellow of the Royal College of Surgeons. In Norwich he gained the reputation of being a bold, skilful, and successful surgeon. He was appointed assistant-surgeon to the Hospital in 1857, became full surgeon on October 26th, 1872, and retired from the staff in 1888. In April, 1892, having previously filled the office of vice-chairman, he was made chairman of the Board of Management. For many years Mr. Crosse discharged with conspicuous ability the honorary duties of curator of the pathological museum at the Hospital. He was a member of the Council of the British Medical Association, and among his contributions to surgical literature were articles on "Urinary Calculus" in Heath's "System of Surgery." Mr. Crosse was a governor of the Grammar School and of the Middle School, and an _ex-officio_ member of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum. For some years he represented the Sixth Ward in the Conservative interest, and was appointed on January 21st, 1873, Medical Officer of Health for the city, and continued to discharge his duties until within a short time of his death. Mr. Crosse married, in 1857, a daughter of Mr. Adam Taylor.

--Died, at his residence, Beechamwell Hall, Mr. Joshua Fielden, aged 44. He was a son of Mr. John Fielden, of Green Bank, Caton, near Lancaster, and was educated at Eton and Cambridge. Mr. Fielden was a justice of the peace and a Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1884.

26.--A "World's Fair," promoted in aid of the funds for paying off the debt on the vicarage house and the completion of the restoration of the tower of St. Peter Mancroft church, was opened at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by the Mayor. The bazaar, which closed on the 28th, produced receipts to the amount of 575.

NOVEMBER.

2.--The inmates of Norwich Workhouse were entertained by Mr. Hoare, M.P., and Mrs. Hoare in celebration of the marriage of their daughter. Miss Elma Hoare, with the Rev. H. L. Paget, on October 27th.

9.--Mr. Alexander Robert Chamberlin was elected Mayor, and Mr. Russell J. Colman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

16.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council the Liberal members elected a committee to select the names of persons to be submitted to the Lord Chancellor for appointment as magistrates. The Conservative members declined to take part in the proceedings on the ground that the movement was purely political. On December 20th the special committee reported that their proceedings had been abortive.

26.--Mr. C. S. Read made an important speech at the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture in opening a discussion upon the question of agricultural depression. It was decided to support the proposed National Agricultural Conference to be held in London. At an adjourned meeting of the Chamber on the 10th the proceedings of the Conference were discussed, and a resolution adopted in favour of the formation of an Agricultural Union by widening and popularising the Central Chamber of Agriculture and kindred societies.

29.--The Earl of Leicester, in a letter to the "Daily Telegraph," gave a remarkable account of the annual rents on the Holkham Estate when he entered into possession in 1842, in 1878, when they were at their highest, and in 1891, when the last payment was made. Summarised the statement was as follows:--

_Year ending at Michaelmas_, _1842_.

s. d. Annual rents 40,419 1 5.25 Expenditure 7,608 4 5.5 Net income 32,810 16 11.75

_Year ending at Michaelmas_, _1878_. (Highest rental.)

s. d. Annual rents 60,218 1 6.5 Expenditure 20,653 12 3 Net income 39,564 9 3.5

_Year ending at Michaelmas_, _1891_.

s. d. Annual rents 43,790 15 7.75 Expenditure 20,323 2 11.5 Net income 23,467 12 8.25

REMARKS.--Decrease 27.25 per cent. The tithe was paid by the landlord in 1878 and 1891, and three-fourths by the tenants in 1842.

s. d. s. d. The amount expended by the late 536,992 0 0 Earl of Leicester in buildings and repairs from 1776 to Michaelmas, 1841, was The amount expended by the 367,981 0 0 present Earl of Leicester in buildings and repairs, gates and fences, and under-draining, from Michaelmas, 1841, to Michaelmas, 1891, was For purchase of estates 190,175 0 0 558,156 0 0 1,095,148 0 0

DECEMBER.