Norfolk Annals Volume Ii Part 102

AUGUST.

1.-Died at Stanley Avenue, Thorpe, Norwich, Mr. Edwin Plumer Price, Q.C., formerly Recorder of York, and judge of the Norfolk County Court, aged 81. In his younger days he unsuccessfully contested Sheffield in the Conservative interest.

2.-The Norfolk and Norwich Library was opened after reconstruction at the cost of 1,719.

7.-A fire occurred at Messrs. Leake and Sons' oil mill at Lynn. The damage was estimated at from 10,000 to 12,000.

-Mr. Robert Borrett sold by auction at Wacton the wheat and barley on about 170 acres of land in the parishes of Moulton St. Michael, Pulham Market, Tivetshall St. Margaret, and Wacton, in the occupation of Mr.

Fisher. The auctioneer's advertis.e.m.e.nt stated that the growing crops were offered in consequence of there being a scarcity of labour-a circ.u.mstance unprecedented in Norfolk.

11.-Died while on a yachting cruise off the coast of Iceland, Sir Edmund Broughton Knowles Lacon, Bart., head of the banking firm of Lacons, Youell, and Kemp. He was born May 9th, 1842, and in 1892 served the office of High Sheriff of Norfolk.

17.-The 50 miles' championship of the National Cyclists' Union, Eastern Counties Centre, was won on the Earlham Road Recreation Ground, Norwich, by C. F. Morley (champion 189798) in 2 hours 20 minutes 49 4-5ths seconds.

19.-Died at Hilgay rectory, Downham, the Rev. St. Vincent Beechey, rector of the parish, and honorary canon of Manchester, in his 94th year. Canon Beechey was born August 7th, 1806, at Harley Street, Cavendish Square, and was the son of Sir William Beechey, the eminent painter and friend of Lord Nelson, whose portrait, limned by him, is one of the most valuable of the pictures in St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. Young Beechey was educated at Boulogne, where he not only acquired a thorough knowledge of the French language, but became an expert swordsman. Thence he proceeded to a school at Sidcup, kept by the father of Sheridan Knowles, and at the age of 16 he matriculated at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, and obtained two scholarships. While preparing for Holy Orders he studied medicine at the Western Hospital. In 1829 he was ordained by the Bishop of Rochester, and received the curacy of Aylesford, near Maidstone. He next became curate of Hilgay, and in 1841 was appointed to the living of Thornton le Fylde, with Fleetwood, Lancashire. Acting on the suggestion of a Corsican named Vantine, he established Rossall School, one of the most successful educational inst.i.tutions in the north, and of which he was secretary for 28 years. In 1852 he was appointed to the vicarage of Worsley, near Manchester, and in 1872, at the age of sixty, he accepted the living of Hilgay, where for 27 years he faithfully ministered to the parishioners. Canon Beechey took great interest in astronomical studies, and was a popular lecturer. His favourite topics were the expansion of the empire, the origin of writing, and, in the last years of his life, the Rontgen rays.

20.-A serious fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Thomas Wright, boot manufacturer and clothier, High Street, East Dereham. The damage was estimated at upwards of 1,000.

26.-Kimberley Hall, the seat of the Earl of Kimberley, narrowly escaped total destruction by fire. The outbreak was confined to one portion of the house, and the damage was estimated at 2,000.

27.-North Walsham Town Hall was destroyed by fire.

SEPTEMBER.

5.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council a report was received from the City Committee recommending that they be empowered to submit a scheme for the erection of munic.i.p.al buildings. The debate was adjourned, and Mr. L. J. Tillett gave notice of his intention to move "That the financial position of the city at the present time is such that it is undesirable to now embark upon any scheme of whatsoever nature for the erection of a new town-hall, which would involve the expenditure of a large amount, and thereby greatly increase the rates and the debt of the city, and that the preparation of such scheme do stand over until the re-valuation of the city has been completed." At an adjourned meeting on the 26th a resolution was adopted empowering the City Committee to submit a scheme to the Town Council. Meanwhile the proposal was adversely criticised by the citizens, and at a meeting of ratepayers held at Noverre's Rooms on October 11th, a strong protest was made in opposition to the scheme. At a special meeting of the Town Council on December 8th a pet.i.tion was presented against the scheme, and ultimately a resolution was adopted for rescinding the former motion.

9.*-"Messrs. J. H. Walter and Co., proprietors of Taverham Mills, the last remaining of the old paper mills in Norfolk, have issued a circular stating: 'Early in the year we had to submit to a very heavy reduction in the price of our paper. We felt that we could only carry on the mills at a serious loss, and the balance-sheet, which we have just got out, fully confirms our impression. We have, therefore, decided to shut down as soon as possible.' Messrs. Delane, Magnay, and Co. took over the mills in 1846, and the present proprietors in 1884."

29.-A violent gale occurred on the east coast. "At Yarmouth the velocity of the wind reached 55 miles per hour, and the rainfall was 1 inches."

OCTOBER.

3.-The twenty-sixth Norfolk and Norwich Triennial Musical Festival commenced at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich. The princ.i.p.al vocalists were Madame Albani, Miss Clara b.u.t.t, Miss Marie Brema, Miss Ethel Wood, Miss Kelyn Williams, Miss Edith Nutter, and Mrs. Julia Franks; Mr. Edward Lloyd, Mr. Ben Davies, Mr. Andrew Black, Mr. David Bispham, Mr. Whitworth Mitton, Mr. Robert Radford, and Mr. F. Ra.n.a.low. Mr. Alberto Randegger conducted. At the opening performance "Faust" (Berlioz) was produced; 4th: morning, symphony in B minor (Schubert), "Biblical Songs" (Dvorak), "Hymn of Praise" (Mendelssohn), evening, opera, "Sampson and Delilah" (C.

Saint-Saens), first time in Norwich; 5th: morning, Meditation (Edward Elgar), first time in Norwich, conducted by the composer, sacred trilogy, "Pa.s.sion of Christ" (Don Lorenzo Perosi), first performance in England, ode, "A Song of Darkness and Light" (C. Hubert H. Parry), first time in Norwich, conducted by the composer, evening, overture, "Mignon" (Ambroise Thomas), cycle of songs, "Sea Pictures" (Edward Elgar), composed expressly for the Festival and conducted by the composer, trio des flutes, "Dall' Aurora" (Weyerbeer), new suite, "The Seasons" (Edward German), composed expressly for the Festival and conducted by the composer, "Ode to the Pa.s.sions" (written by William Collins, 17211759, set to music for chorus and orchestra by Frederic H. Cowen), first time in Norwich, and conducted by the composer, "Tristan and Isolde" (Wagner), scena, "The Dream of Endymion" (F. F. Cowen), conducted by the composer, overture, "Di Ballo" (Sullivan); 6th: morning, "The Messiah," evening, cantata, "Hiawatha's Wedding Feast" (S. Coleridge Taylor), first time in Norwich, conducted by the composer. The receipts amounted to 5,398, and the payments to 4,998.

16.-Mr. Peter E. Hansell was presented by the magistrates and officials of the North Erpingham division with a ma.s.sive silver Irish bowl on the occasion of this retirement after twenty years' honourable and efficient service as clerk to the justices.

-A meeting of the party was held at the Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club, to express approval of the policy of her Majesty's Government in relation to the conduct of affairs in South Africa. Mr. W. T. Stead, author of a notorious pamphlet, "Shall I slay my brother Boer?" essayed to address a meeting in the Agricultural Hall a.s.sembly Room on November 6th, on the subject "Is England Doomed?" Mr. Henry Broadhurst, M.P., presided, and a strongly antagonistic audience offered resistance to the proceedings. The National Anthem and patriotic songs were song, and Mr.

Stead and his supporters were compelled to leave the platform. A collection was then made for the widows and orphans of soldiers in South Africa, and a resolution adopted affirming that Great Britain must be the paramount power in South Africa, and expressing the hope that the Government would prosecute the war to its final issue with the utmost vigour. On November 9th meetings were held in various parts of Norfolk under the auspices of the National Union of Conservative and Const.i.tutional a.s.sociations, at which resolutions were adopted expressive of confidence in the Government. Funds were opened in county and city for the relief of the widows and orphans of soldiers who had fallen in the war, and for the a.s.sistance of soldiers' wives and families. On December 27th the reservists of the Norfolk Regiment, a.s.sembled at the Britannia Barracks to the number of 320, and on the 28th, amid a great demonstration, left the city _en route_ to South Africa. Early on the morning of the 31st a second contingent of reservists, numbering 320, left Norwich for Aldershot. Their departure from Thorpe Station was witnessed by the Mayor (Mr. James Clabburn), Sir Harry Bullard, M.P., and other prominent citizens. (_See_ January 2nd, 1900.)

17.-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the Sewerage Committee reported that the main drainage of the city, referred to in the report of the City Engineer on February 2nd, 1895, had been completed in accordance with the recommendations laid down therein. It was believed that the City Engineer's estimate of 152,000 would nearly cover the whole cost of the works, the excess of expenditure not being more than two per cent. of the total.

25.-Died at Hingham, Mr. Charles Crawshay. He was a son of Mr. Richard Crawshay, of Rowfant, Surrey, and was born February 26th, 1815. His father settled at Hingham as a brewer, and afterwards opened a brewery in St. Stephen's Street, Norwich. Young Crawshay was sent to Messrs.

Charington, Head, and Co.'s brewery in London, where he received an excellent training, and returning to Norwich took charge of the St.

Stephen's brewery. Ultimately he became partner with Mr. John Youngs in the King Street brewery, and retained his connection with the firm of Youngs, Crawshay, and Youngs until his death. Mr. Crawshay was one of the foremost sportsmen in the county, a skilled whip, an excellent judge of a horse, a clever shot, and as a yachtsman he held his own in Norfolk waters with his well-known yacht, the Kestrel. In 1856 Mr. Crawshay married the daughter of Sir William Cubitt, the constructor of Lowestoft harbour. In 1857 he was appointed Sheriff of Norwich. Mr. Crawshay was a famous breeder of Southdown and cross-bred sheep, a great benefactor of Hingham, and in dress, manners, and tastes he retained all the best characteristics of a country gentleman of the old school, and paid little heed to modern innovations.

27.-The portrait of Mr. J. J. Colman, painted by Professor Hubert Herkomer, R.A., at the cost of 600 guineas, was unveiled by Sir Harry Bullard, M.P., at St. Andrew's Hall. The portrait is identical with the one at Carrow Abbey, painted by the same artist three years previously, but with the addition of certain details.

NOVEMBER.

7.-The High Sheriff of Norfolk (Mr. H. M. Upcher) gave, at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, a county ball, which was attended by 500 guests.

9.-Mr. James Clabburn was elected Mayor, and Mr. Samuel Wainwright appointed Sheriff of Norwich.

10.-The Norwich and Norfolk Conservative Club was formally opened by Mr.

Walter Long on the occasion of the conference of the Eastern Division of the National Union of Conservative and Const.i.tutional a.s.sociations. Sir Harry Bullard, M.P., president, and Lady Bullard gave a _conversazione_ at St. Andrew's Hall in the evening.

15.-The Norwich Omnibus Company wound up its affairs in consequence of the approaching completion of the tramways scheme. The company was formed in 1878 with a capital of 5,920.

25.-The German Emperor and Empress arrived at Sandringham on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales. Their Majesties, who were accompanied by the Prince of Wales, were met at Wolferton station by the Princess of Wales, the Duke and d.u.c.h.ess of York, Princess Victoria of Wales, and Sir William and Lady ffolkes. The Emperor and Empress accompanied the Prince and Princess of Wales to church on the 26th, the Sandringham preserves were shot over on the 27th, and their Majesties departed on the 28th.

28.-Killed in action at the battle of Modder River, Lieut.-Col. Horace Robert Stopford, commanding 2nd Battalion Coldstream Guards. Col.

Stopford was a resident of Sheringham, captain of the Sheringham Golf Club in 1895, and a member of the Improvement Committee. He was in his 44th year.

DECEMBER.

12.-The new organ erected at Norwich Cathedral at the cost of 6,000, with the celestial organ given by Mr. Hugh G. Barclay, was opened at a special service attended by the Mayor and members of the Corporation.

The sermon was preached by the Dean, and a recital was given by Dr. A. L.

Peace, organist of St. George's Hall, Liverpool.

30.-The extensive premises known as "Free Trade House," Swaffham Road, East Dereham, occupied by Mr. F. Vincent, grocer, factor, and general warehouseman, were destroyed by fire. The loss was estimated at 2,500.

-Died at 5, Park Square, Regent's Park, London, Sir James Paget, Bart.

The son of Mr. Samuel Paget, merchant, of Yarmouth, he was born in that town on January 11th, 1814. After a most distinguished medical career he was appointed Serjeant-Surgeon to the Queen, and surgeon to the Prince of Wales. He was created a baronet in 1871. His third son, the Rev. H.

Luke Paget, vicar of St. Pancras, married a daughter of Sir Samuel h.o.a.re, Bart., M.P.

1900.

JANUARY.

1.-Died at Booton rectory, the Rev. Whitwell Elwin. He was born in Norfolk on February 25th, 1816, and entering Caius College, Cambridge, graduated B.A. in 1839. After his marriage with his cousin, Miss Frances Elvin, in that year, he was ordained, and became curate of Hemington with Hardington, in Somersetshire. In 1849 he was presented to the family living of Booton, where he resided until his death. During his inc.u.mbency he undertook the great work of re-building his parish church in the Early Decorated style upon the old ground plan. Elwin was best known as editor of the "Quarterly Review," the personal friend of Thackeray and Bulwer Lytton, of d.i.c.kens and Forster, and of many other famous people in the literary world. It was in 1843 that he wrote for the "Quarterly Review" his first article-on the "Histoire du Chien" of Elzear Blaze. When Lockhart's illness made it necessary for him to go abroad in 1853 he asked Elwin to do the work of editing the "Quarterly Review." Lockhart died in 1854, and Elwin then succeeded him in the post of editor. He lived at home in Norfolk and went up to London for the publication of each number. Thackeray gave to him the gold pen with which he had written most of "Vanity Fair," and has left a pleasant sketch of him in his "Roundabout Paper" on "Screens in Dining Rooms."

Elwin wrote the review of "The Newcomes" in the "Quarterly" for September, 1855.

2.-The formal presentation of gifts subscribed by the residents of Norfolk and the citizens of Norwich for the men of the Norfolk Regiment took place at Aldershot by a deputation consisting of the High Sheriff (Mr. Upcher), the Deputy-Mayor of Norwich (Mr. G. H. Morse), Col.

Shepherd, D.S.O., Mr. P. E. Hansell (Under-Sheriff of Norfolk), and Mr.