Yarmouth Notes Part 20

A swindler, calling himself "Clinton," had been victimising the inhabitants.

Dec. 9th.-The first subscription concert had been held at the Town Hall.

Dec. 16th.-It was stated that the value of the Yarmouth living was then estimated at 430 per annum.

Dec. 23rd.-The Birmingham and Leicester coach had run over Mr. John Clowes, jun., at Caister, the hind wheel pa.s.sing over his body and very severely bruising his leg and thigh.

A light vessel had been placed in the c.o.c.kle Gat.

Dec. 30th.-The Temperance Society had held their annual festival at the Town Hall, and in the course of the afternoon some members of Rechabite Tent had walked in procession round the town, headed by the Temperance Band, and carrying a few banners and the insignia of the order.

1844.

Jan. 6th.-At a concert and ball given at the Town Hall, a violin duet, by the Masters Hulley, was played with "great spirit."

Bartholomew Earle, "for the last eight years butler to S. Palmer, Esq."

had been discovered quite dead, suspended by the neck from a beam in that gentleman's cellar. The inquest lasted seven hours, and was attended by S. C. Marsh, Esq. (Mayor), and S. Palmer, G. D. Palmer, W. D. Palmer, C.

Pearson, G. Bateman, J. C. Smith, J. Hammond, and A. Woods, Esqs. The deceased left a widow and four children; the verdict was temporary insanity.

Jan. 13th.-The Railway Company had abandoned their plan of erecting a bridge over the river with wharfs on the North Quay.

Jan. 20th.-The congregation of the Mariner's Chapel had presented a testimonial to their minister, Mr. Joseph Pike.

Jan. 27th.-The Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew had been presented with a testimonial consisting of a teapot, coffee pot, ma.s.sive silver waiter, cream ewer, and sugar basin upon his resigning the Vicarage.

Feb. 3rd.-The Haven Commissioners had determined to oppose the proposed Railway bridge over the Bure, the following Commissioners being present on this occasion:-Robert Marsham, Esq. (Chairman), H. N. Burroughes, Esq., M.P., Col. Petre, John Penrice, John F. Leathes, F. W. Farr, Geo.

Danby Palmer, T. O. Springall, John Marshall, Peter Finch, and W.

Hammond, Esqs.

The Borough Lands Committee recommended that the Rev. H. Mackenzie (the incoming Vicar) should have the parsonage house at the yearly rent of 1s.

Feb. 10th.-John Franklin, the Southtown pedestrian, had walked from the Duke's Head Inn, Yarmouth, to the Shire Hall, Norwich, and back in 11 hours for a wager of 10.

Feb. 17th.-In pursuance of the will of the late Mr. James Moyse, of Yarmouth, the Rev. F. P. Baker and Mr. John Baker had distributed 50 amongst poor persons residing in the town, and Mr. E. C. Sharpin, of Beccles, had distributed 10 amongst the poor there.

It was proposed to appoint a schoolmaster at the Gaol, with a salary of 50 a year.

Feb. 24th.-A dispute having arisen between the Magistrates and the Town Council as to the liability of the latter to furnish the Justices Court Room, Mr. C. Austin's opinion had been taken on the subject, which proved to be in favour of the Justices.

March 2nd.-The electric telegraph had been laid along the railway.

March 8th.-A meeting had been held of the owners and occupiers of property in the Market Ward, when it was proposed to oppose the Railway Bridge scheme, and Messrs. Wm. Johnson and Richard Ferrier were appointed a deputation to wait upon Sir E. Lacon (the only local Director) to urge the views of the meeting upon him.

March 23rd.-The Town Council had determined to expend 500 in alterations at the Gaol.

The Rev. R. G. Mason, "the Father Matthew of Scotland," had held two meetings at the Town Hall.

March 30th.-The Committee of the House of Commons sitting on the Railway Bill had found the preamble as to the proposed Bridge over the Bure "not proven."

Mr. Pellew had been presented with the testimonial by Sir E. Lacon and B.

Dowson, Esq., on behalf of the subscribers.

April 6th.-Messrs. Wm. Cross, John Richmond, Wm. Burton, and J. T. Buston had been appointed overseers.

The following gentlemen had been elected Guardians:-Messrs. G. Danby Palmer, W. A. Burton, J. Fiddes, J. Fish, S. C. Marsh, J. Starling, J.

Tomlinson, D. A. Gourlay, J. Lawn, F. Clark, S. W. Bly, W. Smith, J. D.

Chapman, T. Hammond, J. Brightwen, and C. Pearson. There was only one Tory candidate, who was rejected.

April 13th.-On Good Friday, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Tomlinson had been thrown from a gig at Fritton, and Mrs. Tomlinson was seriously injured, while Mr. Tomlinson escaped with a few bruises; their little boy who was with them was unhurt.

May 4th.-Contains the report of the opening of the Railway from Norwich to Yarmouth, on the 30th April, it was stated that the works had been completed in the s.p.a.ce of eight months from their commencement, by Messrs. Peto, Grissel & Co.

A _dejeneur_ had been given at the a.s.sembly Rooms, Norwich, by the contractor to 150 ladies and gentlemen, when the following toasts were given:-"The Queen," "Success to the Yarmouth and Norwich Railway,"

"Prosperity to the City of Norwich and the Port of Yarmouth," "The healths of the Mayors of Norwich and Yarmouth," "Mr. Peto" (by the Mayor of Norwich), "The Ladies," (by Mr. Peto), after which they retired; "Mr.

Stephenson and the Directors," and "Mr. Grissel" (by John Penrice, Esq.)

On the same day a train made its first trip to Yarmouth, starting at twelve o'clock, and returning at 7 minutes to 4 o'clock, accomplishing the return journey between Yarmouth and Norwich in 42 minutes.

On 1st May the shareholders and friends of the Railway gave a dinner to the Directors, at the Victoria Hotel, the Mayor in the chair. C. J.

Palmer, Esq., was vice-president, and there were also present Sir E. H.

K. Lacon, Bart., Adam Duff, Esq., H. Bolingbroke, Esq., R. Till, Esq.

(treasurer), G. N. Tootal, Esq. (secretary), the Mayor and Sheriff of Norwich, J. Penrice, J. E. Lacon, Capt. Lacon, RN., E. H. L. Preston, W.

H. Palmer, W. Johnson, W. Yetts, J. C. Smith, R. Hammond, W. Goldsmith, T. M. Nelson, E. Youell, I. O. Taylor, W. S. Ferrier, H. Fellows, S.

Nightingale, C. Brown, and H. Aldred, Esqs.

May 11th.-A number of sailors had been thrown out of employment owing to a strike of pitmen in the North and other causes, and it was proposed that they should apply to the Guardians for temporary relief.

May 18th.-The Yarmouth Anti-Corn Law League had held a meeting at the Masonic Hall, Mr. D. A. Gourlay in the chair.

A meeting of the Gas Company had been held in London, when it was agreed to reduce the price of gas from 10s. to 8s. per 1000 cubic feet; (in 1840 the price had been 13s. 4d.,) the shareholders were then receiving 5 per cent. on their shares.

Mr. Nelson had stated to Mr. Lacon that he could not redeem his pledge to complete Kimberley Terrace.

Mr. T. C. Foreman (confectioner), had been a.s.saulted by Mr. Bidden (surgeon).

May 25th.-Miss Pestall had received a telegraphic message to provide a dinner for the Railway Directors at five o'clock, which left Norwich at four o'clock on the same day, and the order was fulfilled in "the fine old carved room."

June 1st.-The second instance of the escape of a prisoner from the gaol during the last few months had occurred, this man's name was Cooper.

June 9th.-A meeting, to establish a Marine Regatta, had been held, when the following Committee was appointed for that purpose:-The Mayor, S.

Palmer, B. Dowson, John Penrice, and Chas. Pearson, Esqs., Sir George Parker, and Lieut. Eaton.

The Victoria Bra.s.s Band had commenced playing on the Terrace.

June 15th.-Madame Vestris and Chas. Matthews were to appear at the Theatre.