1.--The first annual meeting of the Norwich Meteorological Society was
held at the Literary Institution. After the visit of the British
Association to Norwich in 1868, the local committee, having defrayed all
the expenses, had a balance in hand of upwards of 300. At a meeting of
subscribers, 100 of this balance was devoted to the purchase of
meteorological instruments, and on December 3rd, 1868, the society was
formed, with Mr. S. Gurney Buxton as president.
4.--Died at his London residence, Clapham, the Right Hon. William
Schomberg Robert Kerr, Marquis of Lothian. He was the eldest of the four
surviving sons of John William Robert, seventh Marquis, by Lady Cecil
Chetwynd Talbot, daughter of Charles, second Earl Talbot. Born on August
12th, 1832, he married, on August 12th, 1857, Lady Constance Harriet
Mahonesa Talbot, eldest surviving daughter of the Earl of Shrewsbury and
Talbot. He succeeded to the marquisate on the death of his father, in
November, 1844. Educated at Christchurch, Oxford, he took high honours,
having been first class in classics in 1853, and first class in
jurisprudence and modern history in 1854. After he had finished his
University career, he went to India for a year, but the climate had an
injurious effect upon his naturally feeble constitution. His lordship
died without issue, and the family estates in Scotland and Norfolk were
inherited by his brother, Lord Schomberg Kerr.
6.--The foundation-stone of St. Philip's church, Norwich, was laid by the
Mayor (Mr. A. F. C. Bolingbroke), who was accompanied by members of the
Corporation. The church was consecrated by the Bishop of Norwich on
August 3rd, 1871. The architect was Mr. Edward Power, of London, and the
builder Mr. J. Nelson, of Necton. It was designed to seat 775 persons,
and the cost was estimated at about 3,575.
9.--The 1st Administrative Battalion Norfolk Rifle Volunteers went into
camp at Hunstanton Park. The battalion was inspected by Col. Freer, 27th
Regiment.
11.--The nomination of candidates to fill the vacancy in the
representation of Norwich caused by the unseating on petition of Sir
Henry Josias Stracey, took place at the Guildhall. Mr. Jacob Henry
Tillett was nominated by Mr. J. J. Colman, and seconded by Mr. Henry
Birkbeck; and Mr. John Walter Huddleston, Q.C., by Sir Samuel Bignold,
seconded by Mr. H. S. Patteson. The show of hands was in favour of Mr.
Huddlestone, and a poll was demanded by the Liberals. The polling took
place on the 12th, and resulted as follows: Tillett, 4,236; Huddlestone,
3,874. Mr. Tillett, on the 14th, took the oath and his seat in the House
of Commons. (_See_ August 3rd.)
15.--Great consternation was caused in Norwich by a report that Sir
Robert Harvey had committed suicide in his grounds at Crown Point. As it
subsequently proved, the rumour was well founded. Sir Robert was in his
shrubbery when two pistol shots were heard. Two workmen employed upon
the premises, on proceeding to the spot, found Sir Robert in a sitting
posture, bleeding from a severe wound in the chest. He was at once
removed into the house and placed in the library. Mr. Nichols, the
family surgeon, and Mr. Cadge were summoned, and on arriving found Sir
Robert in a critical condition. Dr. Copeman was subsequently called in,
and every effort was made to preserve life. On the 16th the patient
rallied slightly, and on the 17th he was pronounced to be better, but on
the 18th he became worse, and was visited by the Dean of Norwich, who
prayed with him and afforded him spiritual consolation. Later his
prostration increased, and he passed away in an unconscious state on the
19th. With the report of the suicide was circulated the rumour that Sir
Robert had speculated and lost heavily, and having been unable to meet
his engagements, was posted a defaulter on the Stock Exchange. At an
early hour on the 16th the following notice was exhibited upon the closed
doors of the Crown Bank: "Norwich Crown Bank. In consequence of the
lamentable catastrophe which has happened to Sir Robert Harvey, it has
been determined by the other partners to suspend the business of the Bank
for the present." This notice gave rise to increased anxiety. Messrs.
Gurneys offered to afford every possible accommodation to the customers
of the Crown Bank, and a few hours later the National Provincial Bank
made a similar offer. The affairs of the Crown Bank being inextricably
involved, Mr. Allday Kerrison, one of the partners, signed, on the 16th,
a declaration of insolvency, and on the same day the largest city
creditor, Mr. George Gedge, presented a petition for bankruptcy. The
sale of the good-will and premises of the Bank was provisionally made to
Messrs. Gurneys and Co. on the 18th. Mr. Allday Kerrison and his son,
gentlemen of unsullied honour, had their fortunes shattered by one dire
stroke, through the reckless speculations of their partner, speculations
of which they were entirely ignorant. The inquest was held upon the body
of the deceased baronet at Crown Point on the 20th, by Mr. W. H. N.
Turner, one of the Deputy Coroners for the Liberty of the Dean and
Chapter of Norwich, and the jury returned the following verdict: "The
jury are of opinion that Sir Robert Harvey's death was caused by firearms
discharged by himself while in a state of temporary insanity." A meeting
of the principal creditors was held at the Royal Hotel on the 21st, under
the presidency of the Mayor, and the following resolution was passed:
"That this meeting entirely approves of the steps taken by Messrs.
Kerrison in suspending the business of the Bank, the measures taken to
protect the assets of the Bank by the immediate filing of a petition in
bankruptcy and the negotiations for the sale of the goodwill and the
business and premises to Messrs. Gurneys and Co." On the 27th a meeting
was held at the Royal Hotel for the purpose of considering and discussing
the best course to be taken in liquidating the estate of the bankrupts.
Mr. E. C. Bailey was appointed trustee of the estate, and the Mayor and
Messrs. F. E. Watson, H. S. Patteson, H. Woods, and C. Hornor a committee
of inspection. The first general meeting of creditors was held on August
3rd, when it was reported that the total liabilities to rank for dividend
would be 1,600,321, and the total assets 910,187. [Sir Robert John
Harvey Harvey was the eldest son of General Sir Robert John Harvey, C.B.,
K.T.S., of Mousehold House, Norwich, by Charlotte (his cousin), daughter
and heiress of Mr. Robert Harvey, of Walton, Suffolk. Born in 1817, he
married, in 1845, Lady Henrietta Augusta, daughter of George, Viscount
Kilcoursie, and granddaughter of the eighth Earl of Craven. He was High
Sheriff of Norfolk in 1863, and represented Thetford in Parliament from
July, 1865, to November, 1868, when the borough was disfranchised under
the new Reform Act. His son and heir, Charles Harvey, was born at
Bracondale in 1849.]