Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 85

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 d.u.c.h.ess of Fife and the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess 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. c.o.ker 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 a.s.sociation 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 a.s.sociated 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 185960 and again in 187576. 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 pet.i.tion. 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 pet.i.tion 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 pet.i.tion, 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. Ma.s.sey 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 h.o.a.re and Mr. C. S. Read. The result of the poll was as follows:-Colman, 6,295; h.o.a.re, 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 const.i.tution. 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 munic.i.p.al 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. Mitch.e.l.l 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 ma.n.u.scripts 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 pet.i.tioned 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 munic.i.p.al 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. s.e.xton and Grimwade. Forty-nine animals were sold for the total sum of 5,200.

21.-At the Norwich a.s.sizes, 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 a.s.sistant 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.