Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 65

NOVEMBER.

2.-The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich. The sittings concluded on the 3rd.

9.-Mr. Charles Rackham Gilman was elected Mayor, and Mr. Samuel Newman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

16.-The new Agricultural Hall at Norwich was opened by the Prince of Wales, on the occasion of the first exhibition held within the building by the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show a.s.sociation. Among the distinguished company who received his Royal Highness were the Earl of Leicester, the Marquis of Hamilton, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Walsingham, Lord Hastings, Lord Claud Hamilton, the High Sheriff, the Mayor of Norwich and Mrs. Gilman, &c. The Prince of Wales, having declared the hall open, made a tour of the show, and subsequently attended a meeting in the Farmers' Room, at which the recently-formed Prisoners' Aid Society was inaugurated. [The Christmas Show has since been held annually at the hall in the month of November.]

17.-The Rev. W. L. Blackley, rector of North Waltham, Hamps.h.i.+re, author of "Essays on the Prevention of Pauperism," delivered an address at St.

Andrew's Hall, Norwich, on his scheme of "national insurance or compulsory providence." On the 18th Mr. Blackley addressed a second meeting, held at Noverre's Rooms, under the presidency of Lord Walsingham.

21.-The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Merton Hall, on a visit to Lord and Lady Walsingham.

DECEMBER.

2.-The opening of the Norwich extension of the Lynn and Fakenham Railway, completed on November 21st, was celebrated by a _dejeuner_ given at St.

Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by the contractors, Messrs. Wilkinson and Jarvis.

Sir William ffolkes, Bart., presided over the large and representative gathering.

7.-The action, Boswell _v._ Coaks, came before Mr. Justice Pearson. His lords.h.i.+p stated that he was intimately acquainted with one of the defendants, and suggested that the action be taken elsewhere. All parties agreed, and the trial was consequently deferred. (_See_ February 26th, 1883.)

18.-A large portion of Gunton Hall, the seat of Lord Suffield, was destroyed by fire.

-An important public meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. C. R.

Gilman) was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, at which resolutions were adopted in favour of the entire prohibition of the use of drag-nets in the Yare and Wensum.

26.-Messrs. T. W. Robertson and H. Bruce's Company appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the farcical comedy, "The Guv'nor."

28.-A meeting of the clergy and laity of the diocese was held at the Clerical Rooms, Norwich, at which Dean Goulburn moved, "That the proposed memorial to Dr. Pusey, embodying as it does a scheme for the purchase of his library and the appointment of clergy of the Church of England as librarians, who shall devote themselves to theological research and instruction, and to the help and counsel of junior members of the University, deserves the cordial and earnest support of all Churchmen."

The motion was adopted, and a committee appointed to obtain funds towards the establishment and maintenance of the proposed memorial.

29.-Woodbastwick Hall, the seat of Mr. Albemarle Cator, was destroyed by fire, involving the loss of about 40,000.

1883.

JANUARY.

6.-Died at Norwich, Mr. William Henry Daly, solicitor, aged 30. Mr. Daly was nephew of Mr. Frederick Lawrence Phillips, editor of the "Norwich Argus." Upon the death of Mr. Phillips, he a.s.sumed for a short time the editorial control of the "Argus." Mr. Daly, who was a man of brilliant attainments, and had before him a very promising career, had been a member of the Norwich Town Council, and was solicitor to the Norfolk and Norwich Licensed Victuallers' a.s.sociation.

12.-Professor Huxley, F.R.S., Inspector of Fisheries, held a public inquiry at Cromer, as to the desirability or otherwise of granting an order under the provisions of the Fisheries (Oyster, Crab, and Lobster) Act, to continue or vary the existing Order, dated February 2nd, 1880. A similar inquiry was held at Sheringham. As the result of the evidence, the Order was renewed and made more stringent.

16.-The Norwich Tramways Bill, promoted by the Hallidie Patent Cable Tramways Corporation, Limited, was reported upon by the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee of the Norwich Town Council, who recommended "that, in consequence of the nuisance and discomfort caused by their construction and working," a pet.i.tion be presented against the Bill in its entirety.

The discussion was adjourned until the 22nd, when an amendment, "That the Bill be opposed only so far as to protect the interests of the citizens,"

was negatived by 25 votes to 18. The recommendation of the Committee was thereupon adopted, and the company ultimately abandoned the scheme.

(_See_ November 16th, 1886.)

22.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, it was reported that the wood-paving scheme had been completed. An area of 75,638 yards had been laid, at the total cost of 24,036 17s. 10d. The scheme was subsequently extended to districts in which special application was made by the ratepayers.

29.-The first of the touring pantomime companies appeared at Norwich Theatre-Messrs. Sheridan and Watkin's Company, in "Little Red Riding Hood," originally produced at Yarmouth Theatre.

30.-The centenary anniversary of the Norwich Public Library was celebrated by a _conversazione_, given by the President (Mr. C. E.

Noverre), the Vice-President (Mr. T. Muir Grant), and the ex-President (Mr. Bosworth Harcourt).

31.-The Great Yarmouth Golf Club was formed, at a public meeting held in that town. The game had for some months previously been played on the Denes.

FEBRUARY.

6.-M. Guilmant, the celebrated French organist, gave organ recitals at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. He revisited the city on December 18th.

9.-A meeting under the auspices of the Marriage Law Defence Union was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Mr. H. S.

Patteson. Earl Percy, Earl Beauchamp, the Right Hon. A. J. R. Beresford Hope, M.P., and the Rev. Dr. Badenoch were announced to speak. The proceedings were very disorderly, and ultimately the promoters of the meeting were compelled to vacate the platform. The opposing party thereupon proposed and adopted resolutions in favour of legalising marriage with a deceased wife's sister.

14.-At the Guildhall Police Court, Norwich, Mr. Joseph Stanley, solicitor, was charged, on the information of Edward Burgess, described as a printer and publisher, with a.s.saulting him. The defendant, it was alleged, met the complainant in London Street, and, producing a riding-whip from beneath his coat, struck him several blows across the face. The a.s.sault was admitted, and defendant pleaded, in mitigation, that he horsewhipped the complainant in consequence of certain statements published by him in a paper called "Daylight." The Bench inflicted a fine of one s.h.i.+lling, and declined to make an order as to costs. This was the first of a remarkable series of cases arising directly or indirectly from the publication of the print above referred to. At Norwich County Court, on February 21st, before the Judge (Mr. E. P.

Price, Q.C.) and a jury, William Hammond, "otherwise E. Field and Co.,"

brought an action against Edward Burgees and J. A. Burgis, the proprietors of "Daylight," for an alleged libel. The action was originally entered for trial in the High Court of Justice, the plaintiff laying his damages at 1,000, but it was remitted to the County Court, on the application of the defendants, on the plaintiff failing to give security for costs. Mr. Horace Brown was for the plaintiff (who did not appear), and Mr. Montague Williams for the defendants. The case was partly heard when Mr. Brown said that, having regard to what had transpired, he did not think it right to ask the jury for damages. A verdict was therefore entered for the defendants. On February 24th, Arthur Ventnor, artist, of Bridewell Alley, was charged at the Police Court with wilfully breaking the plate-gla.s.s windows at the office of "Daylight," and doing damage to the amount of 20. The defendant was committed for trial at the Quarter Sessions, held on April 3rd, before the Recorder (Mr. W. J. Metcalfe, Q.C.). It was urged on behalf of the defendant that he had broken the windows owing to a caricature of himself being exhibited therein. The Grand Jury made the following presentment: "We consider that considerable provocation was given to Mr. Ventnor by the exhibition of the caricature before he broke the windows." The Recorder, who deplored the publication of such a paper, addressing the defendant, said, "The sentence of the Court is that you be imprisoned for three hours, which means that you have been in the dock a great deal too long already, and that you now be discharged. Who is to pay the costs of this prosecution? Not the public, certainly, but the people who provoke other people to smash their windows." The verdict was received with great applause by a crowded court. At the Police Court on April 23rd, Messrs. Burgess and Burgis appeared in answer to an information laid by Lewin Samuel, clothier, of St. Giles' Street, for publis.h.i.+ng in "Daylight" a defamatory libel of and concerning him. This was a criminal prosecution, on the fiat of the Public Prosecutor. The defendants alleged in their paper that the complainant and his brother were "Jew money-lenders, who sold up the homes of hard-working men and the beds from under women and children, and extorted 150 per cent. and more, interests for small loans." The case was sent for trial at the a.s.sizes.

The defendants appeared before Mr. Justice Day, on August 9th. After the case had been part heard, Mr. Horace Brown, counsel for the prosecution, asked leave to withdraw. His lords.h.i.+p granted the request, and remarked that Mr. Brown's client "had attained his object in having the character of his business thoroughly exposed to the public." The defendants were then discharged.

26.-The trial of the action. Boswell _v._ Coaks, commenced before Mr.

Justice Fry. On the fifth day of the trial, March 12th, his lords.h.i.+p gave judgment. In his opinion, he said, the plaintiff's case had failed, and he dismissed the action, with costs. Later in the day the judge remarked that there was a certain point in the case which he had not appreciated, and ordered the action to be restored to the paper as part heard. At the further hearing, on March 19th, his lords.h.i.+p said he adhered to the view which he previously expressed, and p.r.o.nounced judgment unreservedly in favour of the defendants, who were entirely acquitted of the charge against them. On June 19th an appeal was entered against the decision of Mr. Justice Fry. (_See_ May 19th, 1884.)

27.-Hengler's Grand Circus, the first exhibition of the kind given in a permanent building in the city, was opened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

-At a meeting held at the Globe Hotel, Lynn, under the presidency of Sir William ffolkes. M.P., Mr. A. C. Fountaine, of Narford Hall, was selected master of the West Norfolk Foxhounds, in place of Mr. Anthony Hamond, who had hunted the hounds for eighteen years. At the suggestion of the Prince of Wales, a fund was inaugurated for the purpose of presenting Mr. Hamond with a testimonial upon his retirement. The presentation took place at Sandringham, on December 1st, when a large number of the subscribers were entertained to breakfast by his Royal Highness, who handed to Mr. Hamond "his portrait in oil, mounted upon his favourite hunter, with the huntsman, Bob Claydon, and the whips, H.

Browne and F. Clayden, in attendance." The picture was painted by Mr.

Samuel Carter, who was born upon the Westacre estate.

-The new railway from Acle to Yarmouth was inspected by Major-General Hutchinson, and shortly afterwards opened for traffic.

MARCH.

6.-A strong gale and high tide occurred at Yarmouth. Many of the houses on the Marine Parade were in danger of being flooded. Many thousands of fish were killed in the Yare by the ingress of salt water.

-The Mayor and Mayoress of Norwich (Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Gilman) attended the launch, at Hull, of a new steamer, the Norwich, built by Messrs.

Earle's s.h.i.+pbuilding Company, for the Great Eastern Railway Company's service between Harwich and Antwerp. The Mayoress performed the ceremony of naming the vessel.

10.*-"Lieutenant M. W. M. Edwards, 2nd Battalion Highland Light Infantry, son of Mr. H. W. B. Edwards, of Hardingham, has been presented by the Queen with the Victoria Cross, for conspicuous bravery, displayed by him at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir."

11.-A remarkably high tide took place at Lynn. The waters overflowed not only the quays, but the high banks of the river, a circ.u.mstance unprecedented for at least half a century. The lands reclaimed by the Norfolk Estuary Company from the bed of the old river were flooded to the extent of 400 acres. The low-lying streets of the town were inundated by the overflow from the river and "flats," and by sewage driven up through the gullies. At Wells the waters overflowed the quay and entered the adjacent houses.