Volume Ii Part 60 (1/2)

15.*-[Advt.] ”The Erpingham Coach-and-Four is now running every Tuesday and Sat.u.r.day, calling at the several parishes on the way. Times and fares can be had at the Maid's Head Hotel, Norwich, the starting-place.”

17.-The Annual Moveable Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows commenced its proceedings at King's Lynn, and was attended by 400 delegates.

19.-The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Yarmouth, in the discharge his duties as Admiral-Superintendent of Naval Reserves and Coastguards. In the evening his Royal Highness attended a ball given by the officers of the Prince of Wales' Own Norfolk Artillery Militia, and left Yarmouth on the 21st.

21.-A meeting was held at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. H. Bullard), in furtherance of the proposed new line of railway between Lynn, Fakenham, and Norwich. Mr. Walrond Smith, C.E., stated the details of the scheme, and a committee was appointed to promote the progress of a Bill before Parliament. The Corporation of Norwich had previously presented a pet.i.tion against the railway, but, on the promoters giving an undertaking to construct a new road from Barn Road to a point in St. Martin-at-Oak Street, to be carried over the Wensum by a bridge, the Town Council, on May 26th, consented to the withdrawal of the pet.i.tion. Before the end of the year a more elaborate scheme was submitted by the promoters, who suggested an extension of the line beyond the intended terminus at North Heigham. It was to cross the Wensum and pa.s.s beneath the Fakenham and Aylsham turnpikes to the hamlet of Pockthorpe, to be again carried over the river near Bishop Bridge, and to pa.s.s through the Lower Close and St. Faith's Lane to the Prince of Wales Road, where it was proposed to erect a central station for the accommodation of pa.s.sengers, goods, and cattle. Application was made to the Corporation to contribute 50,000 towards the cost of the land required for this undertaking. The matter was considered at a meeting of the Town Council on December 21st, when the proposals generally, and the suggested contribution in particular, were ridiculed. The Dean of Norwich, on behalf of the Cathedral body and the inhabitants of the Close, wrote an indignant protest against the contemplated intrusion upon their privacy and injury to their property. The subject was referred to the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee, who, in due course, condemned the scheme. (_See_ March 31st, 1882.)

24.-The Sheriff of Norwich (Mr. Philip Back) revived the observance of the Queen's birthday, a custom which had been in abeyance for some years, by giving a grand ball at St. Andrew's Hall.

27.-The headquarters of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons arrived at Norwich Cavalry Barracks.

JUNE.

3.-At a meeting of the Norwich Board of Guardians, a series of resolutions and amendments on the subject of the Boys' Home and the education and industrial training of pauper children was considered. Mr.

Daynes moved that from and after June 24th the Boys' Home in St. Faith's Lane be discontinued, and the boys transferred to the Workhouse, and that the Home be offered for sale. Canon Copeman moved that it was desirable to provide education and industrial training for the children of the poor apart from the Workhouse. The amendment was adopted by 24 votes against 12.

3.-The centenary anniversary of the Yarmouth Monthly Book Club was celebrated by a dinner held at the Crown and Anchor Hotel. ”In former days the custom was for each member present at the dinner to propose the health of a lady. The society was promoted by the Rev. Richard Turner, afterwards vicar of the parish, who, at the first meeting, was elected honorary secretary, and held that office fifty years. He was succeeded by Dr. G. Penrice, who was followed by the Rev. Mark Waters, B.A., in 1841. After the decease of that gentleman, in 1864, the business was conducted by the Rev. Bowyer Vaux, who, five years ago, resigned, and was succeeded by Mr. J. F. Waters. The club is remarkable for its age, for having had during its century of existence only five secretaries, and for being still as flouris.h.i.+ng as it was in its early years.”

12.-A special meeting of the Norwich Diocesan Conference, summoned by requisition, was held at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich, to consider the Burials Bill introduced by the Government. The Conference adopted resolutions protesting against the principle of the Bill, and suggesting certain amendments thereto, the chief of which were that its provisions should not extend to the consecrated parts of cemeteries nor to churchyards to which land had been added by living donors, and that the permissive clause as to the modification of services be omitted.

14.-Died at North Runcton, Mr. Daniel Gurney, in his 90th year. He was for many years senior partner in the Lynn and district banks of Messrs.

Gurney and Co. Mr. Gurney was a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, and wrote some useful essays on banking and ”A Record of the House of Gurney,” printed for private circulation. He was a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant for the county, and served the office of High Sheriff in 1858.

15.-Died at St. Leonard's Precincts, Mousehold, Norwich, Mr. John Henry Druery, of the Middle Temple, barrister-at-law. He was a member of the Antiquarian Society of London, of the Norfolk and Norwich Archaeological Society, membre de la Societe Francaise d'Archaeologie, &c.

-At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the corporate seal was affixed to an agreement between the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for England and the Corporation, for carrying into effect the arrangement made in 1866 with the Dean and Chapter of Norwich for conveying Mousehold Heath to the Corporation for the purpose of public pleasure grounds. The proposal met with strenuous opposition from the inhabitants of Pockthorpe, who claimed the Heath as the property of themselves and their successors, and a.s.serted that while they were ent.i.tled to the rents, rights, and profits, the Ecclesiastical Commissioners had no t.i.tle whatever. (_See_ June 21st, 1881.)

16.-The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation was held at Downham Market, and was continued on the 17th. Mr. H. Villebois was president.

27.-The celebration of the centenary of the Sunday School movement originated practically by Robert Raikes, the newspaper editor, of Gloucester, commenced at Norwich with a special service at the Cathedral and children's services at the parish churches. The proceedings of the week closed on July 1st. The centenary was celebrated throughout the county.

JULY.

1.-Colonel Black, Chief Constable of Norfolk, resigned his appointment, and received from the magistrates the highest superannuation allowance permitted by law. On September 23rd Mr. Paynton Pigott, who, for six years, had been Deputy Chief Constable, was elected to the vacant post.

Colonel Black, on his retirement, was presented with valuable testimonials by the magistrates and the constabulary.

10.-A fifty miles walking match, for 20 a side, took place at the Hop-pole Gardens, Norwich, between George Parry, winner of O'Leary's champion belt of the world, at Chicago, and William Clarke, the Norfolk champion. Heavy rainstorms occurred during the day, and at times the track was flooded. Clarke left the path after completing 40 miles, and Parry, who was three miles ahead, also retired.

14.-The Duke of Norfolk visited Norwich, and presided at an influential meeting held at St. Andrew's Hall, on behalf of the Eastern Counties'

Asylum for Idiots. The princ.i.p.al streets of the city were decorated in honour of the visit, peals were rung upon the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, and his Grace was received at the hall by the Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard), the Sheriff (Mr. Philip Back), the Deputy Mayor. (Mr. J. D.

Smith), and other civic dignitaries. The Mayor presented to the Duke an address of welcome, adopted on the previous day by the Town Council, and afterwards entertained his Grace and 200 guests at a _dejeuner_.

17.-The Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture adopted a resolution, moved by Mr.

C. S. Read, expressing satisfaction with the steps taken by the Government for the repeal of the Malt Tax by the subst.i.tution of a beer duty, ”as repeatedly recommended by the chamber.”

22.-Died at Munich, three weeks after her arrival there from London, Madame Anna Caroline de Belleville Oury, one of the most distinguished pianists of her time.