5.--A barque, named the Oriental, was launched from Mr. J. W. Rust's
shipyard at Yarmouth. The vessel, which was intended for the China
trade, was 115 feet long, 24 feet beam, 15 ft. 8 inches in depth, and 320
tons burthen.
9.*--"An agreement has been entered into for the purchase, by the
Provincial Banking Corporation, of the business of the East of England
Bank, an unlimited joint stock bank established in 1836, with head office
at Norwich and branches at Yarmouth, Lynn, North Walsham, Fakenham, East
Dereham, Swaffham, Bungay, Halesworth, and Harleston, and agencies at
Wymondham, Wells, and Hingham." The city was startled on the 20th by the
rumour that the Bank had suspended payment. "On those who had accounts
at the Bank going to that establishment, the doors were found to be
closed, and a printed notice was exhibited in the windows to the effect
that the directors regretted to intimate that they were compelled to
suspend business. Up to the hour of closing on the previous day the
directors, after having resolved to suspend payment, continued to receive
the money of unsuspecting customers." A few days afterwards was issued a
statement, from which it appeared that the Bank's liabilities were
576,963 7s. 6d., and assets 453,256 5s. 3d., leaving a deficit of 123,707
2s. 3d. Meetings of the shareholders were held, at which resolutions
were passed in favour of registering the company under the Companies Act,
1862, with the view to a voluntary winding up. On August 13th it was
announced that the Provincial Banking Company had issued a circular to
the late customers of the Bank, stating "that being satisfied there was a
probability of the customers being paid in full, they had authorised the
branch managers at once to give credit to each customer of the East of
England Bank in his pass-book for the full amount of the balance due to
him on his current account with the East of England Bank." Messrs.
Harveys and Hudsons, immediately after the issue of the circular, offered
like terms. Dividends were, in due course, paid to the creditors of the
Bank. In July, 1866, it was stated that the liquidators had announced "a
further dividend of 2s. 6d. in the pound, which will make 20s. in the
pound distributed, exclusive of interest, payment of which is postponed."
23.--Died at the Palace Hotel, Buckingham Gate, London, Admiral Bertie
Cornelius Cator, younger brother of Mr. John Cator, of Beckenham, Kent,
and of Woodbastwick. He entered the Navy in 1800, under his uncle,
Captain Albemarle Bertie, and was actively employed early in his
professional career in the capture of privateers in the Mediterranean.
In 1810 he assisted at the taking of the Isle of France; commanded the
Actaeon on the coast of America in the attack on the enemy's barracks in
Lynn Haven Bay in 1813, and participated in various other services.
After gaining post rank, he was not employed afloat. He accepted
retirement in 1846.
29.--Merton Park was the scene of great rejoicing, on the coming of age
of the Hon. Thomas de Grey. Seven hundred cottagers and labourers were
entertained at dinner, and Lord and Lady Walsingham received a large
number of personal friends in a pavilion erected near the famous Merton
oak. At luncheon Lord Ashburton proposed the health of Mr. de Grey,
which was drunk with great enthusiasm. The day's festivities concluded
with a display of fireworks. On the 30th Lord and Lady Walsingham gave a
ball to 150 tenants on the Merton estate, and on the 31st the celebration
ended with a servants' ball.