Chapter C: J. Palmer, Esq., had entertained the inmates of the Gaol

Pickpockets were again in town, and John Webb had been robbed by them of £4 15s.

Mr. Smyth had been appointed Surgeon to the Gaol in the place of Mr. H. Worship deceased.

1855.

Jan. 6th.—There had been a high tide and heavy flood; 130 yards of the rails between Yarmouth and Reedham had been carried away by the latter.

The following gentlemen had been chosen as the Library Committee.—The Mayor (C. J. Palmer, Esq.), Rev. J. B. Bampton, Rev. H. Squire, and Messrs. B. Fenn, R. R. B. Norman, J. Bayly, and S. C. Burton.

It was considered too cold to drill the Militia on the South-denes.

Jan. 13th.—The following quantity of fish had been forwarded from Yarmouth during the preceding year:—

Packages. Tons. Cwt.
From Jan. to Sep. 282,441 10,591 10
,, Oct. to Dec. 250,981 9,411 15
Total 533,422 20,003 5

During the week 20 men of the East Norfolk Militia had volunteered for the line.

At the Tract Lenders’ Festival 400 persons had partaken of tea at the Priory. They were addressed by the Rev. G. Hills, Rev. G. W. Grogan and other friends.

Jan. 17th.—The Norfolk Artillery Militia had received an order to be permanently embodied from the 23rd inst.

Jan. 20th.—Sixty more men had volunteered from the East Norfolk Militia for the line, making a total of 300 of such volunteers in all.

Winter had set in “with all the vigour and severity peculiar to this portion of the Eastern Coast.”

Jan. 24th.—The weather continued intensely cold, and the navigation of the rivers were stopped by the accumulation of ice.

The District Visiting Society was doing great work in the way of alleviating distress.

Pickpockets were still at work. A woman had been robbed by one of them in the Market Row of 8s. 6d., and Mrs. Pole, of Burgh Castle, had suffered a loss of £2 17s. in this way.

Jan. 27th.—The Norfolk Artillery Militia had assembled,—156 non-commissioned officers and men, with the following officers: Captain Astley, Lieutenants Penrice, Tredcroft and North, Adjutant Gilberton, and Surgeon C. C. Aldred. Lord Hastings had not yet joined them.

The Rev. Bowyer Vaux had announced to the Hospital Committee that the Medical Library of the late Mr. Harry Worship would be presented to that Institution.

Bro. William Lucia had been elected W.M. of Lodge “Friendship,” in succession to Bro. Oswald Diver.

Feb. 14th.—The business of the Port had been much affected by the rigour of the weather.

Feb. 17th.—Thirty-four men had volunteered from the Norfolk Militia Artillery for the Royal Artillery.

The South-quay was blocked by the coal carts near the Town Hall, and great complaints being made about this it was suggested that the colliers should unload at a wider part of the quay.

Feb. 21st.—The Subscription Ball had been attended by the Mayor and Mrs. Charles Palmer, Lieutenant-Colonel Mason, the Honourable Mr. Harbord, Mr. Astley, Mr. Graver Brown, Mrs. E. Graver Brown, Reverend A. B. Smyth, Captain Gay, Captain and Mrs. Rippingall, Captain and Mrs. Mathew, Captain, Mrs., and Miss Pearson, Mr. and Mrs. Meadwell, Mr., Mrs., and Miss E. H. L. Preston, Mr., Mrs., and Miss Marsh, Mr., Mrs., and the Misses Steward, Mr. and Miss Chevallier, Mr. and Mrs. Freeman, Mr. and Mrs. Ferrier, Mr. Smith, (East Norfolk Militia) Mr. Smyth (East Norfolk Militia) and Mrs. Smyth, Mr. Palgrave, Mr. and the Misses Barber, Mr. Boycott, Mr. Press, Mr. Aldred, Mr. Eyre, &c., &c.

The town was infested by a gang of thieves.

Four deserters from the Royal Navy had been captured in the town.

A meeting had been held for the relief of the poor, the Mayor presided, and the Rev. G. Hills, and Messrs. R. Hammond, E. H. L. Preston, T. Brightwen, S. Dowson, R. Steward, R. Ferrier, and W. N. Burroughs took part in the proceedings. Mr. George Danby-Palmer sent £10 to the fund, and more than £200 was then collected in the room.

Feb. 24th.—Full power to act as a Burial Board had been vested in the Town Council, and the following Committee of that body appointed to carry out the Act:—The Mayor, and Messrs. R. Ferrier, F. Worship, E. R. Aldred, W. N. Burroughs, J. Jackson, C. E. Bartram, P. Pullyn, and T. Foreman.

Feb. 28th.—A thaw had commenced, and it was hoped that the River traffic would soon be able to be resumed.

Mr. Gyngell had superintended a grand display of fireworks on the Star Quay, which was witnessed by about 7,000 or 8,000 persons.

March 3rd.—A ship of war was likely to be stationed in the Roads to protect the shipping there.

The first of the frozen-in wherries had been liberated at Reedham, and the Steam Packet communication had been resumed with London.

March 10th.—The Norfolk Militia Artillery had been removed to London _en route_ for Eastbourne; when 170 men and the following officers, Captain Penrice, Adjutant Gilbertson, Lieutenants Tredcroft, North, and Micklewaite, left the town.

A meeting, at the Angel Hotel, had been held for the purpose of establishing a pack of harriers; Mr. H. Grimmer was chairman, Mr. Jex, of Hopton, undertook to purchase the hounds, and Mr. J. L. Cufaude to act as honorary secretary to the Committee.

March 14th.—The Market was to be held on Tuesday the 20th, as Wednesday, the 21st, had been proclaimed a day for fasting and humiliation.

The Batteries were being armed with 24-pounders, and it was proposed to construct a fort on Gorleston Cliff, to be armed with 68 pound guns.

March 17th.—Lectures had been delivered by the Rev. R. Cory on “Jerusalem,” and by Mr Craft (a man of colour) upon “American Slavery.”

Bro. Robert Harmer had presided at the annual dinner of the “Druids, Trinity Lodge, 220.”

March 21st.—Several complaints had been made of unprovoked assaults by members of the East Norfolk Militia upon respectable inhabitants of the town.

March 24th.—At the Quarter Sessions, the Grand Jury presented the foul state of the Court House at the Tolhouse.

The national Fast Day had been strictly observed.

Robberies continued to be very frequently committed in the town.

April 4th.—H.M.S. “Harrier” (17 guns) was then stationed in the Roads, and a rendezvous had been opened for Volunteers to the North Sea fleet.

Three hundred men of the East Norfolk Militia had claimed a right to be dismissed, having served 56 days in the then year under the terms of their enlistments, and they were dismissed accordingly.

April 7th.—Messrs. Green, Borking, Clayton, and Harbord had been appointed Overseers, which, as a “partizan” step, was justified by Mr. C. C. Aldred, and objected to by Mr. R. Hammond.

April 14th.—A militiaman had been buried with military honours.

Messrs. Aldred and Steward had been re-elected Churchwardens by the Vestry.

The Vestry decided on the question of making a Church rate, when there appeared 64 for and 87 against the rate, but the majority did not press the matter any further, and ultimately a rate of 1½d. in the £ was agreed to.

The Guardians’ Election had resulted as follows:—

_North Ward_. Mr. J. Jackson (L) 258 Mr. J. Mainprice (L) 252 Mr. J. W. Craske (L) 198 Mr. S. Nightingale (C) 246 Mr. E. H. L. Preston (C) 214 Mr. W. Wright (C) 193 _Market Ward_. Mr. D. A. Gourlay (L) 226 Mr. C. Steward (L) 165 Mr. A. Ames (L) 136 Mr. H. Laws (C) 252 Mr. C. C. Aldred (C) 247 Mr. J. Browne (C) 200 _Regent Ward_. Mr. John Clowes (L) 120 Mr. F. Palmer (L) 147 Mr. J. A. Norman (L) 147 Mr. W. Worship (C) 198 Mr. S. C. Marsh (C) 196 Mr. T. Foreman (C) 164 _St. George’s Ward_. Mr. T. Lettis, Jun., (L) 159 Mr. J. Scott (L) 127 Mr. B. Fenn (C) 223 Mr. R. Ferrier (C) 217 Mr. J. G. Plummer (C) 194 _Nelson Ward_. Mr. J. H. Harrison (L) 203 Mr. G. Danby-Palmer (L) 225 Mr. S. V. Moore (L) 193 Mr. W. T. Fisher (L) 131 Mr. W. C. Reynolds (C) 176 Mr. J. Clark (C) 187 Mr. C. Woolverton (C) 249 Mr. T. Brightwen (C) 218

April 18th.—A proposal had been made to have all the houses in the town numbered.

April 25th.—A purse of money had been presented to Mr. Farrow, the Secretary of the Liberal Association, “for his long-continued service in the Reform cause.”

April 28th.—The Poor’s Rate was estimated at 1s. 6d. in the £, to meet £3,000 required by the Guardians for the Quarter, who had then £430 in hand to meet demands amounting to £1,450.

May 2nd.—Mr. Lane had been appointed Collector of Poor’s rates for the Market Ward.

George Danby-Palmer, Esq., had almost entirely recovered from the indisposition which he had been suffering from during the winter, and it was proposed to entertain him at a public dinner.

May 5th.—The new burial ground comprised about 10 acres in extent, and the following tender was recommended by the Committee to the Council: J. Thompson, for walls, £1,388; gates, £50; levelling, £110; total, £1,548, with respect to fitting it for use.

Nelson’s Column was still allowed to fall into decay.

May 9th.—Mr. Allcock had been appointed Poor’s Rate Collector for the Nelson and Regent Wards.

The sale of part of the landed property of the late Mr. Ambrose Palmer had taken place, the ship-yard and docks bringing £1,100 and £900 respectively. The leasehold premises on the west side of the river were bought by Mr. Joseph Powell, and the building sites near Queen’s Road fetched about 20s. per foot frontage with a ground rental of about 2s. per yard upon the same.

Letters could now be posted as late as 8.10 p.m.

Water had been conveyed by the Company’s mains to Yarmouth from Ormesby for the first time. One of these pipes burst near the “Gallon Can.”

May 12th.—The Victoria Gardens had been laid out and were likely to outvie any in the neighbourhood.

May 19th.—Mr. Lummis had resigned the office of Librarian.

The Workhouse had been lighted with gas.

A meeting for the purpose of advocating “Administrative Reform” had been held at the Town Hall, when Mr. R. Hammond presided, and Mr. McCullagh delivered a stirring address.

The Tories complained that this meeting was “got up” by the Liberals for party purposes.

May 23rd.—The Water Company had offered to supply water for street-watering purposes free of expense.

H.M.S. “Harrier” had been firing shell to a distance of 1,200 yards in the direction of Scroby; the Queen’s Birthday had been observed in the usual way.

May 26th.—The Water Works had been opened, and in the evening 80 gentlemen dined at the Town Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor (C. J. Palmer, Esq.), who was supported by Sir E. H. K. Lacon, M.P., and Lieut.-Col. Mason.

Mr. F. Maryson and Mr. D. D. Offord, the candidates for the post of Librarian, having each obtained 27 votes, the Mayor gave his casting vote in favour of Mr. Offord, who was thus elected to the post.

Eight additional gas lamps had been placed on the Wellington Pier.

May 30th.—The first stone of the Wesleyan Free Church, on the Regent Road, had been laid by S. C. Marsh, Esq.

June 2nd.—The Russian brig “Phœnix” had been brought in by a prize crew.

June 9th.—The mackerel fishing was going on badly, and many boats had lost nets.

July 18th.—A brace of tench, weighing between eight and nine pounds, had been taken at Ormesby.

Mr. Stracey (afterwards Sir Edward Stracey, Bart.), the Tory candidate for East Norfolk had visited the town. (He was returned, on this occasion, without opposition.)

July 21st.—At the Regatta the following prizes were offered for luggers:—£50, £20, and £10, and there were ten entries; during the match the “Race-horse” (Mr. I. Shuckford) was run down by the “Ocean Star” (Smith and Son). Her crew was rescued by the yawls “Queen Victoria” and “Standard,” but the master of the lugger (Lark) had two of his ribs broken. The “Brothers” (T. Lettis, jun.) won the first prize, the “Henry” (H. Swann, jun.) and the “Prima Donna” (J. Minns) taking the other two prizes. The yawl prizes were not awarded.

The following notice again appeared with regard to the case of

“REGINA v. EAGLETON.”

“The defendant, John Eagleton, a baker, at Yarmouth, who had
contracted with the Guardians of Yarmouth to supply the poor with
bread, was tried before the Recorder, N. Palmer, Esq., at the Quarter
Sessions in March, 1854, upon an indictment charging him, in the
seven first counts, with an offence at common law, in fraudulently
supplying the poor with bread of short weight; and, in the three last
counts, with attempting to obtain payment from the Guardians, by
falsely pretending that he had supplied full weight. He was found
guilty by the jury, but the Recorder reserved a case for the opinion
of the Court of Criminal Appeal, as to the proprietory of the
conviction in point of law. On the first argument on April 29th,
1854, before Pollock, C.B., Parke, B., Creswell, J., and Williams,
J., the case was referred back to the Recorder, for him to state the
whole evidence given at the trial, which he did accordingly, and the
case, as re-stated, was, on the following 3rd of June, argued before
Lord Campbell, C. J., Alderson, B., Coleridge, J., Martin, B., and
Crowder, J., and they, having doubts as to the proprietory of the
conviction, desired the case to be argued before the 15 judges, and
on the 2nd December, 1854, it was argued before Jervis, C. J.,
Pollock, C. B., Parke, B., Maule, J., Wightman, J., Erle, J., Platt,
B., Martin, B., and Crompton, J., and again on the 3rd of February
last, before Jervis, C. J., Parke, B., Maule, J., Wightman, J.,
Creswell, J., Erle, J., Platt, B., Williams, J., Martin, B., and
Crompton, J.—Mr. Bulwer appeared in support of the conviction, and
Mr. Bodkin, Mr. Clerk, and Mr. J. H. Mills on behalf of the
Defendant. The Judges took time to consider, and on July the 9th,
Mr. Baron Parke delivered their judgment, affirming the conviction on
the last three counts. The defendant will, therefore, have to appear
before the Recorder at the next October Sessions to receive
judgment.”

July 25th.—One hundred and thirty ladies and gentlemen had attended the Regatta Ball at the Town Hall, among whom were—the Mayor and Mrs. Palmer, Lord Hastings, Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., Lieut.-Col. Mason, Captains Longe, Markham Gay, and other Officers of the East Norfolk Militia, &c. Howlett’s band attended, and dancing was kept up until 4.30.

July 28th.—The Grand Jury had found a true bill against Messrs. R. Ferrier, sen., and R. Ferrier, jun., for assault upon John William de Caux, and it was stated that the case would be tried at the next Assizes.

Aug. 4th.—The Mayor had presided at a meeting called to consider the “Small Tenements Act.”

Eighty-five boats engaged in the Mackerel Fishery had taken fish to the value of £27,994.

Aug. 18th.—All hope of raising the “Racehorse,” which was sunk at the Regatta, had been abandoned. The attempt to do so had cost £150.

Aug. 22nd.—C. J. Palmer, Esq., Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., and Captain D. Lane had acted as Stewards of the Races, and 6,000 persons had been brought to the sports by rail.

Between £170 and £180 had been raised by a bazaar for the Congregational Chapel, King Street.

Aug. 25th.—Mr. E. H. L. Preston had had the small bone of his arm broken whilst endeavouring to quell a disturbance which had arisen between some of the Artillery Militiamen.

Eighty ladies and gentlemen had attended the Race Ball.

Aug. 29th.—Mr. J. H. Tillett had produced the “Bench Warrant” for the apprehension of the Messrs. Ferrier for the assault upon Mr. J. W. de Caux, reporter to the _Mercury_ and _Norfolk News_; bail was placed at £100 and two securities of £50 in each case.

Sept. 8th.—150 men of the Horse Artillery had been encamped on the North Denes, under the command of Captain Mountain and three Lieutenants.

Sept. 12th.—These troops had been reviewed on the South Denes in the presence of several thousands of persons.

Sept. 15th.—The news of the evacuation of the Southern part of Sebastopol by the Russians had been received by the general public with incredulity, they saying “too good news to be true.”

Sept. 22nd.—A hare had taken to the sea, and was picked up by a person who went after it in a boat; having killed it, he sold it for 2s. 6d.

Oct. 3rd.—Sunday had been a day of thanksgiving for the success of the allied armies in the Crimea.

Oct. 10th.—The “Scampo,” a Russian prize, had been brought into the Harbour.

At the Quarter Sessions there was another discussion between the Recorder and Mr. Steward on the one hand and the Visiting Justices on the other side, as to the validity of the appointment of the Rev. G. Hills as Chaplain to the Gaol.

John Eagleton had been sentenced to three months’ imprisonment.

Oct. 17th.—The Liberals claimed a gain of 44 on the Municipal Revision, when Mr. Costerton appeared for the Liberal, and Mr. Cufaude for the Tory, party.

Oct. 20th.—A very brisk corn trade was being carried on, vessels coming in light to load with corn for France and Holland.

Robert Steward, Esq., had been fined 20s. and costs for obstructing the Quay-head.

Oct. 27th.—The East Suffolk Railway was projected.

In 1855, 258,121 quarters of corn had been shipped at this port.

The “Hopton Harriers” had held their first meet at the Kennel at Hopton. Mr. W. Jex provided luncheon. The next meet was to be at Haddiscoe.

Oct. 31st.—Messrs. Beeching and Son had launched a beautiful lifeboat for the Gorleston beachmen.

Nov. 3rd.—Only two Wards had been contested. The returns were:—

_St. Nicholas’ Ward_. W. Worship (C) 405 J. B. Hilton (C) 405 Henry Danby-Palmer (L) 262 John Mainprice (L) 262 _Regent Ward_. R. D. Barber (C) 224 R. R. B. Norman (C) 224 John Clowes (L) 159 John Fish (L) 159

The names of the other re-elected Councillors are not given.

Four gun-boats had come into the Roads from the Baltic.

Nov. 10th.—The Mayor of Norwich had given a grand ball, in St. Andrew’s Hall; Mr., Mrs. and the Misses Marsh, the Officers of the East Norfolk Militia and Norfolk Artillery Militia, the Misses Steward, the Mayor of Yarmouth and Mrs. Palmer, Mr. W. Danby-Palmer, Mr. F. Danby-Palmer, and others had attended it from Yarmouth.

Nov. 14th.—The “Meander,” 44 gun frigate, was at anchor off the Monument.

Nov. 28th.—Lieut. Matthew Gooda, late of the East Norfolk Militia, had died at Southtown, aged 76.

Dec. 1st.—The dinner, commemorative of the re-election of C. J. Palmer, Esq., to the office of Chief Magistrate, had been held at the Town Hall. His Worship was supported on his right by the Hon. H. Byng, Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., M.P., Lieut.-Colonel Astley, the Rev. George Hills, and J. Harcourt, Esq., and on his left by the Recorder (N. Palmer, Esq.), Sir H. J. Stracey, Bart., M.P., the Mayor of Norwich and Captain Broadhead, R.N. The Mayor’s guests on this occasion numbered upwards of 100 persons.

George Danby-Palmer, Esq., had presided at a meeting called for the purpose of promoting a national testimonial to Admiral Sir Charles Napier, K.C.B.

Dec. 8th.—Mr. Wright (of the Adelphi) had been performing at the Theatre.

Dec. 12th.—The Mayor had attended the magnificent reception given to the King of Sardinia by the Corporation of London.

Dec. 22nd.—The stormy easterly winds had driven several vessels on to the Beach.

On the north of the Jetty were four brigs, viz., the “Friends,” of London; the “George,” of Yarmouth; the “Boa,” of Colchester; and another. And on the south, one brig, a sloop (the “Telegraph,”) and a billy-boy.

Dec. 26th.—The Norfolk Artillery Militia had marched into the Southtown Barracks under the command of Colonel Astley.

The following Magistrates had been selected to hear salvage cases:—George Danby-Palmer, R. Steward, R. Hammond, J. G. Plummer, J. W. Shelly, B. Fenn, E. H. L. Preston, and W. H. Palmer, Esqs.

Dec. 29th.—The Hon. Colonel Vereker was spoken of as a colleague for Sir E. H. K. Lacon, should Mr. Rumbold resign his seat, but this rumour as to Mr. Rumbold’s resignation, the _Globe_ stated on authority, was without foundation.

At the Quarter Sessions, a conviction of R. Steward, Esq., by the Justices, for obstructing the quay, was quashed with costs.

The question of the legality of the Rev. G. Hills’ appointment as chaplain to the gaol was again considered by the Recorder and Justices.

_N.B.—The file for the Year_ 1856 _is missing_.

1857.

Jan. 3rd.—The fourth anniversary of Court “Crown and Anchor” A.O.F. had been celebrated by a dinner at Bro. Franklin’s, Hall Quay. Mr. C. B. Dashwood occupied the chair, and it was stated that the Court then consisted of 90 members.

Jan. 10th.—There had been a loan exhibition at the Priory Hall.

Messrs. Charles J. Palmer, B. Fenn, Rev. H. Squire, Dumbleton, R. R. B. Norman, Burton, and J. Bayly had been elected the members of the Public Library Committee.

Jan. 17th.—The “Britannia Pier Bill” was projected, and the Wellington Pier Company had determined not to oppose that undertaking.

The body of a whale, which had been taken at Winterton, was being exhibited on the Church Plain.

The Rev. W. D. Wade, the new minister of St. Mary’s, Southtown, had, before leaving Southsea, been presented with a purse of £61.

Jan. 21st.—The “Sisters” had been in collision with one of the stone piers of the Bridge, which it had considerably damaged.

Feb. 4th.—An Anti-Income Tax meeting had been held at the Town Hall. The Mayor presided, and the following took part in the proceedings:—Messrs. George Danby-Palmer, Bradbeer, Garson Blake, W. Livingston, S. B. Cory, R. Hammond, J. Clowes, J. H. Harrison, J. Rivett and J. Fiddes. Mr. S. Bradbeer appeared to be the mover in this matter.

The Poor’s Rate was 1s. 6d. for the quarter.

Feb. 18th.—H.M. Line of Battle-ship “Blenheim,” 74, had steamed into the Roads.

Feb. 21st.—A “Poor’s Rate” meeting had been held at the Masonic Hall. Mr. W. Livingston presided, and a resolution protesting against the 1s. 6d. quarterly rate was adopted. Messrs J. Rivett, Joseph Neave, Royal, R. Bailey, Nichols, and F. Starling spoke on the subject, while the conduct of the Guardians was defended by Mr. J. H. Harrison, one of the Board.

Feb. 25th.—A case which excited considerable interest, had been heard at the County Court, Tolhouse-hall, before the Judge (T. J. Birch, Esq.) The plaintiff was Mr. John Cobb, leather merchant, for whom Mr. C. H. Chamberlin appeared; the defendants were Messrs. W. N. Burroughs and G. D. Palmer, who were represented by Mr. J. L. Cufaude. The plaintiff stated that he was a candidate for the office of Councillor for the Market-ward, in November, 1851, and that he became such at the solicitation of Messrs. W. N. Burroughs and G. D. Palmer. At the time he became a candidate he distinctly told them that he would not pay out of his own pocket more than £10 towards the expenses of the election, and it was understood that the Liberal party, to which he belonged, would subscribe the remainder. The evening before the election he received an estimate of what the expenses were likely to be, and in consequence of that he at once saw both Mr. Burroughs and Mr. G. D. Palmer. That estimate, he believed, amounted to about £45, while the subscriptions altogether amounted to but £42. After some conversation they agreed to hold him harmless of the amount of the expenses that might exceed the sum subscribed, and he and Mr. Burroughs then went to the Committee-room of the North-ward, where Mr. Burroughs said they had made arrangements for their friend John Cobb winning the Market-ward. The expenses of the election, which he (the plaintiff) lost, amounted altogether to £58 1s. 7d. The balance, therefore, which he now claimed from the defendants was £16 1s. 7d.—The plaintiff, in cross-examination by Mr. Cufaude, admitted that £39 of the whole amount was for — —.—Mr. Cufaude contended that if, as the plaintiff stated, the defendants had given him a guarantee for the surplus expenses, the guarantee ought to have been in writing. And, assuming the evidence was true, which, however, he disputed, it was impossible for the plaintiff to recover, inasmuch as he himself had allowed that a large part of the whole of the expenses was for — —, which was an illegal act.—Mr. Chamberlin contended that the plaintiff, after receiving the promise from the defendants, acted only upon the faith of that promise, and that therefore, as they had entered upon an engagement to pay the money, they were liable. The money, moreover, had not been spent by the plaintiff, but by the committee appointed to conduct the election, and until the election was over, the plaintiff was not aware that any of the money had been spent in — —.—His Honour said it was clear the guarantee should have been in writing. He was of opinion, also, that the plaintiff was not bound to pay the illegal charges, and consequently he could not bring his action for the money which he claimed.—The plaintiff was, accordingly, non-suited.

March 4th.—The “Branch,” a schooner of 150 tons, had been launched from Messrs. Fellows and Son’s yard.

A distress warrant had been issued against the effects of Mr. James Lawn, draper, Broad Row, for 5s. 3d. due for Church rate. Mr. Cufaude, who appeared for the Churchwardens, stated that the amount of defalcations on the present rate was “about £14 or £15.”

A meeting of the shareholders in the Yarmouth and Haddiscoe Railway had been held at the Star Hotel. R. Hammond, Esq., presided, and there were present—C. C. Aldred, Esq., (the Mayor), C. J. Palmer, T. Brightwen, William H. Palmer, E. H. L. Preston, W. C. Reynolds, E. P. Youell, G. G. Day, H. Danby-Palmer, and William Day, Esqs.

March 11th.—N. Palmer, Esq., (Recorder), had appointed John B. Bales (late Sergeant-at-Mace) an Inspector of Weights and Measures in the room of Mr. Wall.

The address of Messrs. Torrens McCullagh and Edward Watkin to the electors appears in this issue.

March 14th.—The Liberal electors had held a meeting at the Corn Exchange, J. Shelly, Esq., in the chair, when both candidates delivered addresses, and a resolution pledging the meeting to support them was unanimously carried.

Mr. Cufaude had applied for 17 more summonses against Church Rate defaulters, and Mr. Garson Blake had been summoned for a like default by the Gorleston Churchwardens.

There had been a high tide, which had dashed over the new Marine Drive works.

March 16th.—Mr. J. W. Shelly had presided over a meeting at the ‘Star,’ when Messrs. McCullagh and Watkin were adopted as the Liberal candidates.

There was a suggestion of a local gentleman’s name as a candidate, to which the Editor refers to by the quotation—“and palm to palm is holy _Palmer’s_ kiss.”

March 18th.—The Liberal electors and non-electors had been addressed by both the Liberal candidates at the Duke’s Head public-house at Gorleston. S. Dowson, Esq., presided, and there were present—Messrs. J. H. Fellows, N. Sterry, A. Markland, Captains Manthorpe, Stanford, and Tunbridge, and Messrs. J. Page, A. King, J. Ling, G. Reynolds, C. E. Bartram, and J. Cobb.

The four candidates, Messrs. McCullagh and Watkin and Sir E. H. K. Lacon and Colonel Vereker, had been invited to attend a meeting of electors at the Masonic-hall. None of them were present, but, nevertheless, a resolution pledging the meeting to support the Liberal candidates was carried.

The “Venus,” 150 tons register, had been launched from Mr. Rust’s yard.

March 21st.—D. A. Gourlay, Esq., had presided at a great Liberal meeting held in the Corn Exchange, when Messrs. J. W. Shelly, P. Pullyn, S. Dowson, F. S. Costerton, W. Briggs, C. Sayers, S. Palmer, C. E. Bartram, J. D. Chapman, J. Bailey, F. Dendy, J. Cobb and others were present.

The Conservatives had also convened a meeting at Crowe’s Assembly-rooms, Chapel-denes, when E. H. L. Preston, Esq., presided. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Colonel Vereker, and J. Cherry, Esq., addressed the assembly.

Sir E. N. Buxton, Bart., and Major-General C. A. Windham, the Liberal candidates for East Norfolk, had held a meeting in the Corn-hall. Mr. R. Hammond presided, and was supported by Messrs. Benjamin Dowson, J. Clowes, C. H. Chamberlin, P. Pullyn, A. W. Biddulph, S. Palmer, T. Burton Steward, F. Palmer, W. N. Burroughs, C. E. Bartram, E. R. Palmer, J. H. Harrison, J. Owles, J. Cobb, &c.

George Tewsley, Sergeant in the London Constabulary, had been elected Superintendent of the Borough Police Force.

The case against Mr. Garson Blake had been heard as to non-payment of Church Rate and the usual order made.

Mr. S. Waters Spelman had submitted to public competition various freehold estates, belonging to the late Mrs. Ann Marsh, which realised £8,672.

March 25th.—The Election was “assuming all the features of a bitter, as well as a strong contest.”

J. Shelly, Esq., had presided at another Liberal meeting held in the Corn Hall, and Mr. J. Royal at a meeting of non-electors in the same interest held at the Masonic Hall.

The Church Rate question had again been before the Justices, when Mr. Chamberlin appeared for the defaulters, who were Henry Boulter (baker), 4s. 6d.; Joseph Neave (twine-spinner), 1s. 9½d.; George Goodrich (shoemaker), 3s. 6d.; Henry Blyth (shoemaker), 4s.; George Clowes (ironmonger), 5s.; William Curtis (cork-cutter), 5s. 1d.; James Rivett (baker), 4s.; Frederick Starling (shoemaker), 1s. 10½d.; Angelina Cox and W. P. Brown (brokers), 4s. 2½d.; John Clowes (grocer), 4s.; William Livingston (draper), 3s.; Robert Browne (gentleman), 2s.; George Danby-Palmer (Esquire), 8s. 6¾d.; and George Danby-Palmer and Salmon Palmer (Esquires), 3s. 6d.

Mr. W. Sidney had again opened the Theatre.

March 28th.—A monster meeting of Liberals had been held on the Hall Quay in front of the Star, when Mr. W. Briggs occupied the chair; 500 Liberals had attended a meeting at the Globe Inn, Gorleston, where Mr. T. Burton Steward presided. Both meetings were very enthusiastic. It was said the Tory candidates were “Sir Edmund Lay—on and Colonel Very—queer.”

April 1st.—The polling had resulted as follows;—

Nine. Ten. Eleven. Twelve. One. Two. Three. Four. McCullagh 161 304 416 527 562 587 600 609 Watkin 150 296 405 507 541 568 582 596 Lacon 122 234 335 430 443 481 492 521 Vereker 115 220 305 383 393 419 428 451

Majority for the Liberals: 158.

After the declaration of the poll Messrs. McCullagh and Watkin addressed from 12,000 to 15,000 persons from the Star leads.

April 8th.—Messrs. W. Green, J. Borking, J. Clayton, and W. Harbord had been re-appointed overseers of the parish.

April 11th.—At the Election of Haven Commissioners Captain Scott proposed, and Mr. J. H. Harrison seconded the re-election of George Danby-Palmer, Esq., “to whom the town was greatly indebted for his long and valuable services.” Mr. T. Lettis, junr., proposed, and Mr. Henry Danby-Palmer seconded Mr. J. Barker. Mr. F. Palmer proposed and Captain Briggs seconded H. Hammond Esq.; and Mr. G. Blake proposed, and Captain Manthorpe seconded Mr. D. A. Gourlay, whereupon the two former were declared to be elected Commissioners, and the two latter Supernumerary Commissioners.

Mr. J. Owles had presided at a meeting of the Liberal Registration Society.

The following was the result of the Guardians’ Election:—_North Ward_: Messrs. J. Mainprice, S. Nightingale, and E. H. L. Preston re-elected. _Market Ward_: Messrs. D. A. Gourlay, C. C. Aldred, and W. Laws, re-elected. _Regent Ward_: Messrs. W. Worship, S. C. Marsh, and R. D. Barber, re-elected. _St. George’s Ward_: Messrs. B. Fenn and J. G. Plummer, re-elected, with Mr. T. Foreman in the place of Mr. J. Clark resigned, and in the _Nelson Ward_ (Mr. J. H. Harrison having resigned) the polling was—Brightwen 402, Woolverton 431, Reynolds 309, Clark 339, and Moore 287, Mr. Clark thus taking the place of Mr. Harrison.

April 18th.—At the annual Vestry Meeting there was a large attendance. The Rev. George Hills presided, and Mr. Hammond proposed, and Mr. T. Brightwen seconded, the re-election of C. S. D. Steward as Churchwarden. Mr. Lawn then proposed Mr. George Danby-Palmer, but that gentleman declined the honour and explained that the reason why he would not pay the Church Rate was that the Churchwardens, while pressing the poor, discharged the rich, and especially Mr. Talbot, from payment of that tax. Mr. B. Fenn proposed, and Mr. S. C. Marsh seconded Mr. Edward Aldred; Mr. J. H. Harrison and Mr. Neave addressed the meeting amid “great uproar,” and eventually the appointment of Mr. Steward and Mr. Aldred was carried by a large majority. Messrs. Hammond, Fenn, and Harrison were appointed a Committee to look into the question of the St. Nicholas Estate, and Mr. R. Hammond was re-appointed Auditor of the Vestry’s accounts.

Measures were being taken by Mr. M. Butcher and others with a view to establishing a School of Art.

April 22nd.—The Artillery Band was performing on the Hall-quay.

Trade at the Fair “had been brisk.”

April 25th.—The Rope-walks “which had caused such great annoyance” were to be removed, and the following compensations had been paid to owners of them:—Mr. Bracey, £750; Mr. T. Lettis, jun., £550; Mr. Green, an annuity for himself and Mrs. Green equal to £420; and to Mr. R. Barber (who had refused £200), £615 under the award of C. Evans, Esq., of Norwich.

April 29th.—A meeting had been held at Mr. Paget’s late residence for the purpose of forming a School of Navigation in connection with the School of Art.

May 2nd.—A petition in favour of the removal of Jewish Disabilities was being signed in the town, and the Mayor (C. C. Aldred, Esq.), George Danby-Palmer, R. Hammond, J. W. Shelly, J. Fenn, D. A. Gourlay, W. Johnson, P. Pullyn, and R. Steward, Esqs., had supported the movement.

The East Norfolk Militia Band had performed on the Hall-quay.

The Poor’s rate was 1s. 4d. for the quarter.

The Insignia belonging to the Corporation had been sent to the Manchester Art Exhibition.

May 6th.—The entire Police force (with the exception of the Superintendent) had received one month’s notice to quit the force, with liberty to apply for re-appointment.

May 16th.—A petition, signed by E. H. L. Preston and R. Ferrier, Esqs., (Mr. C. Moore being surety for the required £1,000), was about to be lodged against the return of Messrs. McCullagh and Watkin.

May 20th.—This petition had been presented to the House of Commons.

May 23rd.—A young woman, residing in the Star and Garter Row, had been charged before the Justices “with illegally detaining a silver mace, the property of the Corporation.” Defendant said that she did not know where it was, but that her mother, who had been dead three years, “wished it to be buried with her.” The case was adjourned for a week, when the defendant “bounced out of Court.”

May 27th.—Several friends of the sitting Members had received Speaker’s warrants, as also had Sir E. H. K. Lacon, who was served as he was about to start on a Continental tour; Messrs. B. Powell and George Byford had also been served.

May 30th.—The guarantee fund for opposing the petition had reached the sum of £2,400.

Two Russian guns had been received by the Corporation.

It was proposed to carry on the trawl fishery by means of “iron screw welled smacks of 150 tons burden.”

June 3rd.—The police had been re-modelled. Originally the force consisted of 4 sergeants, 16 privates, beside 4 non-permanent men who formed the “river watch.” Of these a sergeant and six privates had been discharged, and in their stead a sergeant and 13 privates appointed; the force, therefore, then consisted of a Superintendent, four sergeants, and 23 privates.

The “small silver mace” above referred to had been delivered up by the Carter family to the Corporation.

June 6th.—Fourteen hundred persons had visited the town by excursion train from Norwich on Whit-Monday.

June 10th.—Contains an obituary notice of Mr. Rumbold, who had died at Brighton on the 31st. ult., aged 69. It was stated that he had “not left behind him _one enemy_.”

The _Yarmouth Standard_, started three months since as an advocate “of Conservative and true Christian principles,” had ceased to exist.

June 13th.—The mackerel fishery had improved, Mr. Mainprice’s Company of 14 boats had sent in 12,000, and Mr. Shuckford’s 10,000 fish.

June 20th.—Mackerel were selling from 31s. to 32s. per 100. The “Fisherman” (Mr. James Woolverton) being the “head boat.”

June 24th.—The “Russian guns” were to be placed either on the Marine Parade, Hall Quay, or Chapel Denes.

One thousand silver penny pieces of the reign of King John, the two first Edwards, and Alexander I. of Scotland had been found at a depth of about 17 feet in Mr. Ambrose Palmer’s dry dock.

The “Eastern Unitarian Christian Society” had celebrated its 44th Anniversary at Great Yarmouth. The Rev. Dr. Sadler preached from 1 Cor. xii., 27. At the subsequent meeting, Sir Thomas Beevor, Bart., presided, and Mr. J. W. Dowson, Mr. Mills (Norwich), Mr. W. N. Burroughs, the Rev. H. Squint, Mr. S. Dowson, Rev. D. Davis, Mr. Welham and Mr. C. Freeman took part in the proceedings, afterwards 70 members partook of a cold collation at the Victoria Hotel.

At the quarterly meeting of the Primitive Methodist Society, it was stated that their members had increased by 100 during the last quarter.

One boat had brought in 6 lasts of herring, selling at from £20 to £28 per last.

July 1st.—A cricket match had been played on Gunton-denes between the Yarmouth and Lowestoft Clubs, in which the latter was victorious. The Yarmouth team consisted of Messrs. Graystone, Jennings, G. Clarke, Reeve, J. S. Browne, Young, R. Clarke, Vaughan, E. Clarke, Steward, and C. Diver.

Mr. T. Lettis, jun., had been found dead in his counting-house, and the Jury had returned a verdict “That deceased destroyed himself while in a state of temporary insanity.”

July 8th.—Mr. C. E. Bartram had been elected a Councillor for the Nelson-ward in the room of the late Mr. Lettis, the polling being—