1861.
Jan. 2nd.—The poor rate assessment had been raised some £14,000, and a
1s. 2d. rate thereon made.
Mr. F. Ferrier (Deputy Coroner) had held an inquest on the body of Thomas
Algar, the clown who had expired at the Theatre immediately after the
performance on the previous Friday. The deceased was 34 years of age,
and left a widow and one child. The verdict was that deceased died from
“natural causes”; Mr. C. C. Aldred (the Surgeon) and the Jury gave their
fees to the family.
Jan. 5th.—The Revenue cutter, in attempting to run for the harbour, had
fouled the pier and was sunk.
Jan. 12th.—“The strong frost had literally stopped the river traffic.”
It had been decided to give £124 worth of coal to the poor.
Jan. 19th.—A public meeting had been held to raise funds for that
purpose. The Mayor presided, and the following gentlemen took part in
the proceedings:—Mr. W. Worship, the Rev. B. Vaux, Mr. R. Steward, Mr. C.
C. Aldred, Mr. R. Hammond, Mr. T. Brightwen, Mr. C. Cory, Mr. L. Blake,
and Mr. E. H. L. Preston. Sir E. Lacon sent a cheque for £50, and £350
was subscribed in the room.
Jan. 26th.—Dr. Stephenson had been appointed Surgeon for the South
District.
The “Racehorse” (belonging to George Danby-Palmer, Esq.), had been
abandoned near Cape Horn. There had been a mutiny on board her, and a
naval Court was inquiring into the affair at Calloa.
Jan. 30th.—The Guardians were calling attention to the “Compulsory
Vaccination Act.”
Feb. 2nd.—The annual Sailors’ Home meeting had been held in the new
building on the Drive.
Mr. Henry R. Harmer had been appointed a Chancery Commissioner.
Feb. 6th.—At a Vestry meeting it had been determined to take a poll of
the parish as to whether the Vestry Act (13 and 14 Vic. cap. 57) should
be applied to the parish.
Feb. 9th.—Two hundred and eighty-eight appeals had been lodged against
the Poor’s Rate.
Feb. 16th—“Costerton _v._ Lacon” had been tried. In this action the
plaintiff, a solicitor at Yarmouth, complained of having been slandered
by the defendant, who was M.P. for the town, and who ultimately consented
to a verdict against him for 40s. and costs.