Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 76

7.-The honorary freedom of the city of Norwich was conferred upon the Mayor (Sir Harry Bullard), and to Lady Bullard was presented a diamond crescent brooch and a hair spray of coralline pearls. In the evening a complimentary dinner was given, at the Bell Hotel, to the Mayor and to the Sheriff (Mr. F. Oddin Taylor) by the members of the Board of Guardians.

9.-Mr. Frederick William Harmer was elected Mayor and Mr. Robert George Bagshaw appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

11.-Died, at Belsfield, Windermere, Mr. Henry William Schneider, aged 70, formerly Member of Parliament for Norwich.

12.-The old colours of the 1st Battalion Norfolk Regiment, presented to the Prince of Wales by Colonel Ma.s.sy and the officers, were "laid up" in Sandringham church in the presence of his Royal Highness.

14.-Wintry weather was experienced in Norfolk. "As many as 13 degrees of frost were registered in some places."

21.-The foolhardy feat of entering a cage containing five Barbary lions and two wolves, at Wombwell's Menagerie, was performed at Norwich by a druggist named Woodc.o.c.k. He went into the van under the protection of a coloured girl, who acted as "trainer" to the establishment.

24.-The High Sheriff of Norfolk (Sir Alfred Jodrell, Bart.) gave a grand county ball at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich.

29.-Died, at Brighton, Mr. George Henry Christie, of Framingham, aged 76.

Mr. Christie was formerly head of the eminent firm of art auctioneers established by James Christie in Old Pall Mall about the year 1762. His grandfather was the friend of Sheridan and Garrick, and Gainsborough painted a fine portrait of him. Like his father and grandfather, Mr.

Christie was educated at Eton. He continued head of the firm until 1860, when he was succeeded by his son, Mr. James Henry Brooke Christie.

DECEMBER.

5.-At a large meeting held at Blackfriars' Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of Lieutenant-Colonel Bignold, Mr. Edward Wild was presented by the Conservative party of the city with an illuminated address expressing to him their sympathy "in the unjustifiable attack made on him in the Town Council," and congratulating him "on his complete and triumphant refutation of the charges." The address further stated: "They desire also to express not only as a party but as citizens their appreciation of Alderman Wild's honourable character, and of the debt the city owes him for his long, faithful, and able services."

13.-A military tournament, given by the 19th (Princess of Wales' Own) Hussars, in aid of the city charities, commenced at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, and concluded on the 17th.

-Died, at Morton Hall, Mr. George Duckett Berney, in his 75th year. He was a son of Mr. Thomas Trench Berney, by his wife, Mary, daughter of Mr.

Thomas Penrice, of Great Yarmouth and of Witton House, and married Catherine Mary, daughter of the Rev. Henry Lombe, of Bylaugh Hall. Mr.

Berney was a justice of the peace and a Deputy-Lieutenant for the county of Norfolk, and in 1881 served the office of High Sheriff. He took a practical interest in pisciculture.

1888.

JANUARY.

2.-Mr. Edward Compton's company appeared at Norwich Theatre in Mr. W. G.

Wills' play, "Jane Sh.o.r.e," with Miss Isabel Bateman in the t.i.tle _role_.

17.-Mr. Andrew Johnston, a.s.sistant Commissioner under the Boundary Commission appointed to make inquiries as to the delimitation of counties and Poor Law Unions, in view of impending legislation in the form of a new Local Government Bill, attended a meeting of the County Rate Basis Committee, held at Lynn under the presidency of Mr. R. T. Gurdon, and heard various statements made by the county magistrates. A Committee appointed to confer with the Commissioners reported at the County Sessions on April 5th that they considered it undesirable to alter the boundaries of the county. On April 10th a deputation appointed by the Norwich Town Council waited upon Mr. Ritchie to ask for the inclusion of Norwich in Schedule 4 of the Local Government Bill, in order that the city might be const.i.tuted a county in itself, and not be included in the county of Norfolk as was proposed. The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on May 5th, pa.s.sed resolutions in favour "of an alteration in the proposed electoral divisions so as to give a fair representation to the agricultural interest; of an extension of the term of office of the elective councillors; of one electoral register for all purposes; and of the postponement of the question of District Councils until next year."

The Chamber further agreed to pet.i.tion Parliament in favour of the wheel tax.

-A report was submitted to the Norwich Town Council on the completion of the new Foundry Bridge. The original estimate for the work was 13,000; the actual cost, including all charges, was 12,032 11s. 4d. The width of the bridge is 50 feet-five feet more than was originally intended.

The Great Eastern Railway Company contributed 1,200 towards the cost of the undertaking.

20.-Died, at Shadwell Court, Sir Robert Jacob Buxton, Bart. The son of Sir John Jacob Buxton, Bart., by the eldest daughter of Sir Montagu Cholmeley, he succeeded to the t.i.tle in 1842 as the third, and, in default of male issue, the last baronet. Sir Robert was educated at Eton and Christ Church, Oxford, and married, in 1865, Mary Augusta Harriet, daughter of Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone, by whom he left two daughters, Maud Isabel and Sybil Mary. He was a Deputy-Lieutenant for Norfolk, and sat in Parliament for the Southern Division of the county from 1871 to 1885. In 1870 he served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk, and was a justice of the peace for both Norfolk and Suffolk. Sir Robert was at one time an officer in the Suffolk Yeomanry Cavalry, and afterwards identified himself with the Volunteer movement by accepting, in 1860, a captaincy in the 20th Norfolk Rifle Volunteers.

21.-At the annual meeting of the Norfolk and Norwich Horticultural Society the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. F. W. Harmer) presented to Mr. Arthur Waters Preston a handsome black marble clock of cla.s.sical design, subscribed for by members and friends of the society in recognition of his services as hon. secretary from 1881 to 1888. Accompanying the testimonial was a cheque for 50 and an illuminated address.

23.-The action, Stanley _v._ the Mayor and Corporation of Norwich, arising out of the claim of the freemen to the Town Close Estate, came before Mr. Justice Kekewich in the Royal Court of Judicature. Mr. Walter Rye, Mr. Stanley's agent, asked that it might be referred to Mr. Blofeld, Recorder of Ipswich and Chancellor of the Diocese of Norwich, to enquire and report who were the persons ent.i.tled as freemen to partic.i.p.ate in the rents and profits of the estate, and what persons were ent.i.tled to be admitted as freemen under the inquiry directed by the judgment given in March, 1887. His lordship made the order asked for, and directed that the inquiry be held at the Guildhall, Norwich, or at such other place as the referee might from time to time direct. Mr. Blofeld opened the inquiry on March 19th, and continued the proceedings on the 20th, when a large number of freemen attended for the purpose of proving their right to have their names placed upon the roll. On the same day (the 20th) it was reported to the Town Council that the cost of the Town Close Estate litigation amounted to 4,500, and a resolution was adopted for leave to borrow the amount on mortgage of the estate. In the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice, on July 7th, a point was raised as to the jurisdiction of the court to affirm a declaration of the Attorney-General creating the Town Close Estate a charity. Mr. Justice Kekewich, on July 14th, sustained the objection taken by the respondents to the Attorney-General's application, and held that before issuing a summons the Attorney-General must establish by independent proceedings an information that there was a charity in existence to be regulated. The summons had been so drawn as to a.s.sume the existence of a charity, and this was just what his lordship thought could not be a.s.sumed. On December 14th, in the Supreme Court, before Lords Justices Cotton, Lindley, and Bowen, the Attorney-General appealed from Mr. Justice Kekewich's decision. Their lordships, after hearing arguments, held that Mr. Justice Kekewich had determined by his judgment that the Town Close Estate was a charitable trust. On December 20th, however, their lordships reconsidered their decision, directed the order of Mr. Justice Kekewich to be discharged, and ordered the summons to be set down for further argument, and to decide whether there was or was not a charity.

(_See_ January 21st, 1889.)

31.-Died, at Southwell Lodge, Norwich, Mr. John Willis, aged 54. Mr.

Willis was a member of the firm of Willis and Southall, an alderman, and a justice of the peace for the city. A native of Gloucestershire, he had resided in Norwich for a quarter of a century. It was through his advocacy that the Artisans' Dwellings Act was put into force in Norwich, and the rookeries in St. Paul's were demolished. He also interested himself in the matter of the gas supply, and vigorously protested against what he conceived to be the unjust treatment of the citizens by the Gas Company. He married, in 1870, the only daughter of Mr. Colmam, of Stoke Holy Cross, and sister of Mr. J. J. Colman, M.P.

FEBRUARY.

3.-In pursuance of requisition a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council was held for the purpose of considering a notice for rescinding a resolution pa.s.sed on January 17th in relation to Anguish's Charity, namely, "That this Council gives its cordial support to a proposal of the Charity Commissioners to utilise the funds of the Norwich Charities for the purposes of technical education." Colonel Bignold moved, "That no application of the funds of Anguish's and the allied charities can be satisfactory to this Council which is not strictly in accordance with the will of Thomas Anguish confirmed and settled by Royal Charter in 1629, namely, for the sustentation, relief, and maintenance, as well as the teaching, of all very poor children born and brought up in the city of Norwich." This resolution was adopted at an adjourned meeting on the 7th, and a committee appointed "to consider the present position of the trust, and, if necessary, to confer with the Charity Trustees, and still further, if necessary, to communicate with the Commissioners." On the 28th the Special Committee submitted the following suggestions to the Council for approval:-"(1) That in any scheme which may be submitted by the Charity Trustees to the Commissioners a sum not exceeding 200 per annum be set aside for the purposes of technical education out of the Boys' Hospital. (2) That the residue of the fund be devoted to the sustentation, relief, maintenance, and elementary education of as many boys as the money will provide for. (3.) That if considered within the meaning of the trust this committee would be willing to accept a scheme of maintenance other than that provided for by the Home." Meanwhile the Trustees submitted amended proposals, but on March 20th the Council adopted those drawn up by the Special Committee. (_See_ January 21st, 1896).

7.-The members of the Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club having vacated their former premises on the Walk for larger and more convenient quarters in St. Giles' Street, held a meeting, at which an inaugural address was delivered by Mr. S. h.o.a.re, M.P. The newly-acquired premises formed originally a portion of the Norfolk' Hotel, and adjoining was a large and handsome banqueting room, which for several years afterwards was used for Conservative gatherings and other purposes.

9.-The first of a series of "Science Lectures for the People," delivered under the auspices of the Norwich Corporation through the instrumentality of the Gilchrist Educational Trust, was given at St. Andrew's Hall by Sir Robert Stawell Ball, Astronomer Royal of Ireland, on "The Wonders of the Midnight Sky." The second lecture, ent.i.tled "A Bank Holiday in the Country," was delivered on February 21st by the Rev. W. Tuckwell, M.A., rector of Stockton, and late Fellow of New College, Oxford. (_See_ January 14th, 1889.)

11.-A notorious poacher, named Robert Large, undergoing three months'

hard labour for an a.s.sault on a police-constable, effected his escape from the New Prison at Norwich, in company with another prisoner named Annison. The latter was arrested at Martham on the 16th, and on the following day Large was re-taken.

24.-A heavy fall of snow occurred, and on the 25th the ground was covered to the depth of several inches.

MARCH.

1.-Jim Mace, "retired champion of the world," appeared at Norwich Theatre in a series of exhibition sparring contests with Wolf Bendoff, Pooley Mace, and Mike Jennett. The entertainment was repeated on the 2nd and 3rd.

3.-Lord Harris, Under-Secretary for War and chairman of the Grand Council, addressed a Primrose League meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

6.-Hengler's Grand Cirque opened at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.

8.-Died, at his residence, St. Giles' Street, Norwich, Mr. Charles Suckling Gilman, in his 81st year. Mr. Gilman for many years spent an active and busy life in the city. He initiated the Norwich Law Students'

Amicable Society, founded the Norfolk and Norwich Aquatic Club, whose members at one time engaged in rowing contests with the crews of the Universities of Oxford and Cambridge; and aided the inauguration of the Norwich Athenaeum. In 1834 Mr. Gilman founded the Militia Subst.i.tute Insurance a.s.sociation, and after the memorable hailstorm in August, 1843, he established the General Hailstorm Insurance Society. In 1846 he became the leading promoter and secretary of the Norwich Mutual Marine Insurance Society, in 1849 he founded the Norfolk Farmers' Cattle Insurance Society, and in 1856 a.s.sisted his son, Mr. C. R. Gilman, in the formation of the Norwich and London Accident Insurance a.s.sociation. Mr.

Gilman was the last surviving member of the Norwich Corporation of pre-Reform days, having been elected for the Wymer Ward in March, 1830.

For some time he was a member of the new Corporation, a revising a.s.sessor and member of the old Court of Guardians, and a member of the old Paving Commission. Mr. Gilman was engaged with Mr. Joseph John Gurney and others in founding and organizing the Norwich District Visiting Society, and was one of the oldest life governors of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, and a member of the Festival Committee and of the Committees of the Blind Inst.i.tution, the Norfolk and Norwich Eye Infirmary, the Norfolk and Norwich Dispensary, and the Jenny Lind Infirmary. With Mr. John Henry Gurney and Sir Samuel Bignold, he took an active part in the formation of the original Norwich Chamber of Commerce. Mr. Gilman was descended from an old Norfolk family which goes back into the sixteenth century, and one of his maternal ancestors was the great Norfolk hero, Nelson.

-The first of a series of "Health Lectures for the People," arranged by the Corporation of Norwich, was delivered at Prince's Street Lecture Hall by Mr. S. H. Burton. The subject was "Healthy Homes and how to keep them so." On the 15th Mr. Donald Day lectured on "Foods and Drinks," and on the 22nd Dr. S. J. Barton on "Personal Health."

10.-The silver wedding of the Prince and Princess of Wales was celebrated in Norwich and the county. Congratulatory addresses were adopted by the Corporations of Norwich, Yarmouth, and Lynn; and on April 2nd the citizens of Norwich presented their Royal Highnesses with replicas of portions of the Corporation plate. Presents were also given by the tenants on the Sandringham estate and by the West Norfolk Hunt. In commemoration of the event the Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. Harmer and Mr. Bagshaw) entertained 950 of the aged poor of the city to dinner at St. Andrew's Hall; and on August 24th Mr. Samuel h.o.a.re, M.P., gave a treat to the inmates of the Workhouse.

22.-Died, at his residence, Willow Lane, Norwich, Mr. Charles Goodwin, formerly house surgeon of the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Mr. Goodwin held important posts in connection with other city charities, and was on the commission of the peace for Norwich.

23.-At the Norwich Police Court, Mr. Edward Burgess, accompanied by several members of the committee of the Unemployed Relief Fund, applied for the issue of a summons for libel against the Norwich District Visiting Society and the editor of the NORFOLK CHRONICLE. The newspaper had published an article in which the committee were referred to "as certain persons who are not ent.i.tled to const.i.tute themselves almoners of the general public as an excuse for pursuing their favourite policy of sending round the hat and beating a drum in the manner of other mountebanks." This article had been reprinted and circulated by the officers of the Visiting Society. The magistrates were of opinion that the article was not libellous, and dismissed the application.

APRIL.

1.-Died suddenly, at his residence, Bank Plain, Norwich, Mr. Arthur Preston, solicitor. He was the youngest son of Mr. John Preston, of Great Yarmouth (who was twice Mayor of that borough), and was born on July 3rd, 1819. After serving his articles with Mr. Roger Kerrison he was admitted a solicitor in 1842, and from 1844 to 1864, when Mr.