For applying the Vestry Act 737
Against 414
Majority 323
Mr. Clowes then proposed, and Mr. Livingston seconded, a resolution to
the effect that a Vestry Clerk be appointed at a salary of £100 per
annum, and ultimately this was carried, and a vote of thanks to the Vicar
and his assessor (C. J. Palmer, Esq.), terminated the proceedings.
Feb. 23rd.—The Conservatives had adopted Mr. C. H. Chamberlin (a Liberal)
as their candidate for the office of Vestry Clerk, the other candidate
being Mr. S. B. Cory.
Feb. 27th.—The case of Morant v. Chamberlin (which involved the right of
user of part of the Quay by George Danby-Palmer, Esq.), had been decided
as follows: “Verdict for plaintiff, issue on the 4th plea for defendant.”
March 2nd.—The Prince of Wales had visited the town “incog.”
March 6th.—One Cox, “a magician of Friars’ Lane,” had been before the
Justices.
March 9th.—The Hon. Harbord Harbord had been hunting the district with
his pack of harriers during the week.
Part of a house had been blown down on the Regent Road.
March 13th.—The Artillery Corps had adopted white (in lieu of blue)
facings to their uniform.
March 16th.—The Fitzroy storm signals had been hoisted in the town.
March 23rd.—“Iconoclast” proposed to deliver lectures at the Theatre.
This had been stopped by the Mayor, and an action was threatened against
the proprietor of that building. The following is a copy of the Bill
issued:—“Theatre Royal, Great Yarmouth. Iconoclast the well-known
advocate of Secularism, and co-editor with Mr. Joseph Barker, &c., will
deliver three lectures in the above place, on the 25th, 26th, and 27th of
March, 1861. Subjects—Monday, “Were Adam and Eve our first parents?”
Tuesday, “The History of the Crucifixion, self-contradictory and
incredible.” Wednesday, “The Atonement and its relation to sin and
pardon.” Admission—Lower boxes, 6d.; upper ditto, 4d.; pit, 3d.,
gallery, 2d. Iconoclast respectfully invites the clergy and ministers of
Yarmouth to discuss his lectures; especially those who claim to have
refuted him during his absence.”
Major Orde, Mr. Chamberlin, and Captain Holmes had given readings from
Dickens’ works in the saloon of the Victoria gardens before the members
of the Rifle Corps and their friends; Captain Holmes was expected to be
appointed adjutant of this corps.
March 30th.—“Cufaude _v_ Cory” had been heard at the Assizes. In this
action damages were claimed by the plaintiff, Clerk to the Guardians
against the defendant, Mr. S. B. Cory, for an alleged libel, he having
stated in a handbill that Mr. Cufaude “cooked” the parish accounts. Mr.
O’Malley, Q.C., Mr. Power, Q.C., Mr. Keene and Mr. Cherry were for the
plaintiff, and Mr. Palmer and Mr. Hotson for the defendant. The Jury
found for the plaintiff with £500 damages.
April 3rd.—“The nocturnal jokes” were again the subject of inquiry; Mr.
E. O. Johnson (a Volunteer Sergeant) had been discovered by a policeman
taking away Dr. Smyth’s bell, but as that gentleman would not prosecute,
the charge dropped.
Mr. J. H. Harrison then made a complaint to the Court of damages to his
property by these “jokers.”
At the Vestry Meeting, Mr. R. Hammond proposed, and Mr. W. Worship
seconded, the re-election of Mr. S. C. D. Steward as one of the
Churchwardens, and Mr. Fenn proposed, and Mr. Laws seconded, the
re-election of Mr. E. R. Aldred as the other warden, “and the Minister
accepted the second nomination as his warden.”
N.B.—This was the first attempt by a Vicar to take action of this sort,
(the right of election of both Churchwardens being vested in the Vestry
of the parish.)