4.--Chapel Field, Norwich, renamed Chapel Field Gardens, was re-opened
for the use of the public. This hitherto neglected area had been
tastefully laid out as a garden, and in the centre was erected the
wrought-iron pavilion manufactured by Messrs. Barnards and Bishop, and
exhibited by them four years previously at the Philadelphia Exhibition.
It was designed by Mr. T. Jeckyll, and purchased for the city by public
subscription. The Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard) performed the opening
ceremony, and after the band of the 6th Inniskilling Dragoons had played
the National Anthem, his worship entertained a large company to luncheon
at the Drill Hall.
--The Norwich Diocesan Conference commenced its sittings at Noverre's
Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop. The proceedings
concluded on the 5th.
--Died at Tasburgh, Mr. Ernest H. Willett, only son of Mr. Henry Willett,
of Norwich. He was a well-known cricketer, and although he fell away
from the early promise of his Radley days, did good service as captain of
the county eleven. With Mr. H. Birkbeck, jun., and the Rev. H. W.
Turner, Mr. Willett resuscitated the County Club, which played its first
match with Essex, at Brentwood, on July 28th and 29th, 1876.
9.--Mr. Samuel Grimmer was elected Mayor, and Dr. Eade appointed Sheriff
of Norwich.
14.--Died at Stow Hall, Downham Market, Sir Thomas Leigh Hare, Bart.
Born July 18th, 1807, he was formerly captain in the 2nd Life Guards, and
afterwards captain in the West Norfolk Militia. A magistrate and a
Deputy Lieutenant for Norfolk, he had served the office of High Sheriff.
18.--The annual exhibition of the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show
Association opened at the Drill Hall and Chapel Field, Norwich, and was
attended by the Patron, the Prince of Wales, who arrived from Horstead
Hall, where he had been staying as the guest of Mr. Edward Birkbeck. His
Royal Highness, after leaving the show, was entertained to luncheon by
Mr. and Mrs. Colman, at Carrow House. The Prince, before returning to
Horstead, inspected the various departments at Carrow Works.
20.*--"A final dividend of 9.5d. in the pound is announced in connection
with the bankruptcy of Messrs. Harvey and Hudsons, bankers, Norwich, who
failed for upwards of 1,700,000, in July, 1870. The total return to the
creditors has been 14s. 3.5d. in the pound." (_See_ December 3rd.)
22.--The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Melton Constable, on a
visit to Lord and Lady Hastings. Their Royal Highnesses left on November
26th.
--The dead body of Henry Jonathan Minns, lay clerk at Norwich Cathedral,
and a well-known local tenor, was discovered suspended by the neck upon a
ladder in the presbytery triforium over St. Luke's chapel at the
Cathedral. At the adjourned inquest, held on the 26th, the jury returned
a verdict to the effect that deceased committed suicide while of unsound
mind. On the same day "a special service of humiliation" was held at the
Cathedral, when an address was delivered by the Dean.
23.--The Duke of Edinburgh arrived at Didlington Hall, on a visit to Mr.
W. A. Tyssen-Amherst, M.P., and left on the 26th. His Royal Highness was
engaged in the inspection of the Coastguard and Naval Reserves on the
East Coast.
24.--A special choral service, in aid of the Choir Benevolent Fund, was
held at Norwich Cathedral. Members of the choirs of her Majesty's
Chapels Royal, St. Paul's Cathedral, Westminster Abbey, Ely, Norwich, and
Peterborough Cathedrals, Eton College, and St. George's Chapel, Windsor,
took part, and the sermon was preached by the Rev. Dr. Swainson, Canon of
Chichester.
29.--The bells of Blofield church were re-opened, after re-hanging by the
Redenhall firm of bell-founders--Captain Moore, Mr. Gervas Holmes, M.A.,
of Emanuel College, Cambridge, and Mr. Mackenzie, C.E.
--The Conservative party at Lynn presented to Lady Hamilton, wife of Lord
Claud J. Hamilton, a valuable diamond bracelet, and congratulated his
lordship, who formerly represented the borough, upon his election for
Liverpool.