Belvidere T. Read Yarmouth 28 feet
Victorine J. Fiddes ,, —
Iris A. D. Stone ,, 27 „
Tantivy Messrs. Morgan Norwich 19 ,,
The Belvidere won. The third contest was for a cup, presented by D.
Falcke, Esq., for shrimp boats; the “Smack” won.
During the sports Mr. Gardiner (editor of the _Yarmouth Independent_) was
knocked overboard by the boom of Mr. Diver’s boat, but, being a swimmer,
escaped with a “good ducking.”
Aug. 14th.—A meeting had been held for the purpose of establishing a
“Beachman’s Institute.” The Mayor occupied the chair, and G. Harcourt,
Esq., addressed the meeting at some length; Mr. Fisher and the Rev. G.
Hills also took part in these proceedings.
A mirage had been seen off the coast, presenting the appearance of a
number of ships sailing between two chalk cliffs, thought by some to
pourtray the Isle of Wight. Nothing of a similar kind had been seen in
Yarmouth for 75 years. It was noticed the weather had been close and
sultry and the tides low.
Aug. 18th.—The sum of £139 18s. 6d. had been contributed for the
Beachman’s Institute.
Aug. 25th.—The Norfolk Hotel, Marine Drive, had been purchased by Messrs.
Hills and Underwood for the sum of £2,160.
Sept. 1st.—The sum of £448 had been subscribed for the restoration of the
Nelson Monument.
About 100 vessels were then engaged in the North Sea herring fishing, the
fish realising from £12 15s. to £26 per last.
George Wells Holt, Esq., who had officiated as Magistrates’ Clerk for
more than 22 years, had resigned that appointment.
Mr. W. Holt (son of the late Clerk), Mr. H. R. Harmer and Mr. Costerton
were candidates for the office.
Sept. 8th.—The following Magistrates attended on the appointment being
filled up:—F. Worship, Esq., (Mayor), R. Hammond, B. Fenn, J. G. Plummer,
W. Johnson, P. Pullyn, F. Palmer, R. Steward, D. A. Gourlay, W. T.
Clarke, J. Fenn, E. H. L. Preston, B. Jay, W. H. Palmer, W. Yetts, C. C.
Aldred, W. H. Bessey, G. D. Palmer, W. Thurtell, T. Brightwen, J. Owles,
and J. C. Smith, Esqs., and on the motion of Mr. Hammond, seconded by Mr.
Steward, Mr. William Holt was unanimously elected.
The emoluments of the office were then about £375 per annum.
Messrs. Mellor and Young, the M.P’s. for the town, had arrived, the
former at the Norfolk, and the latter at the Royal Hotel.
The Artillery Militia had assembled for 21 days’ drill.
There had been further disturbances between the Fermanagh Militia and the
townspeople, which had led to a conference between the Magistrates and
the officer commanding that Regiment, since which the soldiers had not
been allowed to enter the town after 6.30 p.m., and a picket had been
stationed on the Bridge.
A fancy fair in aid of the Sailors’ Institute was being held in three
marquees fronting the Norfolk Hotel.
H.M.S. “Pembroke,” 60 guns, had sailed for Harwich, after remaining in
the Roads 14 days. During her stay 40 volunteers had been entered upon
her books.
The King of Prussia’s yacht “Grille” had arrived in the Harbour; she was
of 400 tons, and rigged as a three-masted schooner. The officers on
board were Captain baron Bothwell, Lieutenants Baron St. Paul, Baron
Dobenack, and Count Moate.
Sept. 15th.—The Fermanagh Militia had left Yarmouth for Bradford, and
were to be succeeded by the Louth Rifles.
The comet (visible with the naked eye) was getting brighter every night.
Sept. 22nd.—One of a recently-arrived advance party of the Louth Rifles
named John Carret had been found drowned in the Yare.
Sept. 25th.—Herring were selling at from £3 to £4 per last for manure.
Sept. 29th.—The subscriptions to the Races amounted to only £289 18s.
6d., leaving the balance to be raised by sale of race-cards, &c.
Mr. Colley was acting as House Surgeon at the Hospital.
Oct. 2nd.—The East Norfolk Militia had been inspected by Colonel Lewis
prior to being disbanded.
The Louth Rifles, 500 strong, had arrived, and marched into the Southtown
Barracks. The officers were Colonel Lord Bellew, Lieut.-Colonel Sir J.
Robinson, Bart.; Major Taaffe, Adjutant Bellingham, Surgeon Dixon,
Quarter-Master Edward Burke, Paymaster J. Burke, Captains O’Reiley,
Smith, Singleton, and Murray, Lieutenants Evans, Osborne, Townley,
Murphy, and Cormack, and Ensigns Mason, Lindsay, Standidge, O’Donald and
Twentyman.
Oct. 6th.—The mortality in the town was then 23 in 1,000 persons.
Oct. 9th.—The fishing had improved, and herring was selling at from £19
5s. to £22 per last.
William Holt, Esq., had given a dinner at the Crown and Anchor to the
officials connected with the Police Court.
Mr. S. J. F. Stafford had been elected Surgeon for the North District.
Oct. 16th.—The County Revision had been held before Mr. R. Couch at the
Tolhouse, Mr. Clowes appearing for the Liberals and Mr. Cufaude for the
Tories; also for the Borough, when Mr. Costerton appeared for the
Liberals, and Mr. Cufaude for the Tories. The Liberals claimed gains on
both these registers.
Oct. 20th.—It was understood that R. Steward, Esq., would be Mayor for
the ensuing year.
The Mayor (with Messrs. Pilgrim and Cooper as assessors) had held the
Municipal Revision, Mr. Costerton appearing for the Liberals and Mr.
Cufaude for the Conservatives; the former claimed a gain of 73 on the
proceedings.
Oct. 27th.—Lieutenant Mends, R.N., had been presented with a handsome
gold pencil-case by the crew of H.M.S. “Dolphin,” (Revenue cruiser on
this station), on his resigning his command.
Oct. 30th.—The Bishop of Norwich had confirmed 115 persons at St.
Nicholas’ Church.
Nov. 3rd.—The following Councillors had been elected without
opposition:—_North Ward_: Messrs. W. Worship and J. B. Hylton. _Market
Ward_: Messrs. E. R. Aldred and D. A. Gourlay. _Regent Ward_: Messrs. R.
D. Barber and R. R. B. Norman. _St. George’s Ward_: Messrs. R. Ferrier
and B. Jay. _Nelson Ward_: Messrs. Charles J. Palmer and Charles
Woolverton. _St. Andrew’s Ward_: Messrs. Robert Steward and William T.
Clarke.
Captain Ryder, R.N., Government Inspector, had examined 42 pupils at the
School of Navigation.
Nov. 6th.—It was “confidently reported” that the Vicar (the Rev. G.
Hills) had been appointed Bishop of British Columbia.
Nov. 10th—A claim had been made by a person whose father had served in
the army from 1802 to 1816, to sell excisable articles without a license,
under the 56 George III. cap. 67.
Nov. 13th.—At the Council meeting held on the 9th, Mr. William H. Palmer
proposed, and Mr. Hylton seconded, Robert Steward, Esq., as Mayor for the
ensuing year, and he was declared unanimously elected, but as “the late
Mayor was about to invest him with the chain of office, His Worship
rather prematurely took hold of the chain and placed it on the seat.”
A complimentary dinner had been given by the Council to the ex-Mayor, at
which C. J. Palmer, Esq., presided.
Nov. 17th.—The Mayor had dispensed with the formality of being preceded
by the maces and other insignia of the Corporation in attending divine
service and taking his seat on the Bench. He had also declined wearing
the gold chain on the same occasions.
Nov. 20th.—Attention was directed to the “Wonders of the Microscope,
published by Mr. Harmer, the photographist of Great Yarmouth.”
Dec. 4th.—The Royal National Lifeboat Institution had sent one of its 30
foot single-banked boats to this station.
The Mayor had issued invitations for a dinner at the Town Hall to 170
gentlemen connected with the town and district.
The Rev. R. H. Nevill had been appointed to the Vicarage, which was
supposed to be worth some £350 per annum.
Dec. 11th.—Mr. J. H. Harrison had lent the St. George’s Hall to the
tradesmen, who were getting up a concert for the benefit of the Hospital.
Dec. 15th.—The Mayor, Sir John Robinson, Bart., S. C. Marsh and C. J.
Palmer, Esqs., had acted as Stewards of the first Subscription Ball, and
there were also present—the Mayoress, Captain Winyard, R.N., Captain
O’Reiley, Dr. Dixon, Captain Smith, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Harcourt, Mrs. and
Miss Gwynne, Mrs. C. J. Palmer, Mr. Cubitt and family, Mr. and Mrs.
Ferrier, Mr. W. Travers, Mr. E. and Miss Preston, Mrs. S. C. Marsh and
family, Mr. H. Lacon, Mr. and Mrs. Barber and family, Mr. Jolly, Mr. F.
Danby-Palmer, Mr. Bullock, Mrs. A. Thompson, Mr., Mrs. and Miss Venning,
Mrs. and Miss Pearson, Dr. Button, Mr. and Mrs. Biddulph, Mrs. R.
Steward, Rev. Mr. Gott and family, Mr. Harmer, &c.
Mr. J. Petts had been promoted to be Chief Coastguard Officer at
Yarmouth.
Dec. 11th.—It was proposed to present Bishop Hills with a silver
Communion Service.
1859.
Jan. 5th.—A meeting had been held (C. J. Palmer, Esq., in the chair) for
the purpose of raising a fund with a view to presenting a testimonial to
the Rev. George Hills. Sir E. H. K. Lacon, and Messrs. R. Hammond, T.
Brightwen, C. C. Aldred, E. H. L. Preston, C. S. D. Steward, and C. Cory,
took part in the proceedings, and £145 was raised in the room.
The Mayor (R. Steward, Esq.), had given away 300 cwts. of coal to poor
persons.
Jan. 12th.—It was reported that 20 missionary clergymen would accompany
the Rev. G. Hills to his new mission, and that Mr. Lupson, Scripture
Reader, should be ordained and go as one of these.
Jan. 15th.—The members of the Ship Insurance Society, to the number of
30, had held their annual dinner at the “Crown and Anchor”; Mr. D. A.
Gourlay occupied the chair, and Mr. D. B. Palmer the vice-chair.
Jan. 22nd.—The East Suffolk Railway was to be opened on the 1st March.
Jan. 29th.—The Rev. G. Hills had preached his farewell sermon.
The Mayor had given a Juvenile Ball to 130 children at the Town Hall.
Among those present were members of the following families:—Reynolds,
Youell, Harcourt, Cufaude, Marsh, Impey, Tompson, Clarke, Donald, Norman,
Bond, Aldred, Lettis, Woolverton, Butcher, Barnby, Ayers, Reeve, Laws,
Bayly, Chamberlin, Dashwood, Bracey, Palmer, Shuckford, Smith, Smyth,
Plummer, Barber, &c.
Bro. John Cobb had been installed W.M. of Lodge “Friendship” by Bros. O.
Diver and J. W. Bunn, and he had appointed the following officers:—Bros.
W. Wright, S.W.; G. Harley, J.W.; C. L. Chipperfield, S.D.; J. H. Bly,
J.D.; and George Knox, I.G.
Feb. 5th.—The ladies had presented plate to the value of 50 guineas to
the Rev. G. Hills.
Mrs. Gray had given a “ball and reception” at the Town Hall.
Feb. 9th.—About 100 Foresters had attended the funeral of Bro. Hatch, at
Gorleston, on Sunday, which proceeding had been objected to by the Vicar.
Feb. 12th.—A “Reform” Meeting had been held, Mr. Livingston in the chair.
Feb. 16th.—Mr. Boning, of Cambridge, had accidentally injured himself
while shooting on the Caister Marshes. Dr. Smyth, Mr. F. Palmer, Mr.
Skinner and Mr. Colley (Hospital) were attending the sufferer.
Feb. 19th.—Mr. Nevill, the new Incumbent, had arrived, and was going “to
read himself in” on the next Sunday.
Feb. 23rd.—This ceremony had been duly performed by him.
A Reading-room had been established in connection with the Subscription
Library on the Quay.
Mr. J. C. Smith had presided at Mrs. Sizeland’s annual dinner at the
Royal Hotel.
A high tide had washed over the Beach up to the Marine Drive wall.
Feb. 26th.—The Foresters had held a dinner at the Corn Hall; 100 brethren
attended. The Chief Ranger (Bro. Franklin) presided, and Bros. Steele,
Horne, E. Stagg, Dr. Smyth, Dumbleton and Thompson took part in the
proceedings.
March 2nd.—Dr. Hills had been consecrated Bishop of British Columbia at
Westminster Abbey.
The first train from Yarmouth had run over the East Suffolk line.
March 5th.—A search for treasure had been made at the “Stone Cairn” on
the North Denes, it seems from the report, without effect.
The old Jetty was to be repaired.
The officers of the Louth Rifles had given a Ball at the Town Hall, for
which about 180 invitations were issued.
March 19th.—Messrs. Mellor and Young had attended a Reform Meeting at the
Corn Hall; from 1,000 to 1,200 persons were present. Among the gentlemen
accompanying the M.P.’s were Messrs. R. Hammond, P. Pullyn, Gourlay, F.
Palmer, Clowes, Briggs, Barker, &c.
March 23rd—There was a “rage” for new buildings in the town.
March 30th.—A Court of Foresters had been opened at Hasbro’, the
officiating officers being D.C.R. Stratford and C.R. Franklin (of Court
“Crown and Anchor.”)
April 2nd.—The question as to who were to be the Liberal candidates for
the Borough was being “mooted”; it was reported that Mr. McCullagh was to
be put on one side, that Mr. Mellor would withdraw, and that Messrs.
Watkin and Young would take the field.
A new Coastguard Station was being erected at a cost of £3,500. Mr.
Norfor, contractor.
April 6th.—The action of “Morant _v._ Chamberlin” had been referred to
Mr. Barstow.
April 9th.—Both parties had been waiting for notice of the Dissolution of
Parliament. Sir E. H. K. Lacon and Sir H. J. Stracey were making a
house-to-house canvas, accompanied by Messrs. W. Yetts, W. Thurtell, R.
Ferrier, C. Cory, S. C. Marsh, W. Worship, E. H. L. Preston, J. G.
Plummer, F. Ferrier, J. Fenn, &c.
The Liberals had held a meeting on the Hall Plain, which 3,000 persons
attended. Mr. Briggs occupied the chair, and Messrs. J. Clowes, R.
Hammond, J. Owles, J. W. Shelly, and P. Pullyn took part in the
proceedings, which eventuated in the selection of Messrs. Watkin and
Young as the Liberal candidates.
April 13th.—Both parties had held meetings, the Liberals at the “Star”
and the Conservatives at the “Fish Stall House.”
April 16th.—Both parties expressed themselves confident of success, but
it was supposed that Gorleston would turn the scale; the voters there
were described as “dangerous men.”
The barque “Athelstan” (Captain John Bracey) was to be launched from
Fellows’ yard on the 19th.
April 20th.—The Liberal electors “and their wives” had met at the Corn
Exchange, while the Conservatives had held a meeting at the Victoria
Gardens.