1.--Died, at Gimingham Rectory, the Ven. Ralph Blakelock, aged 88. He
was born at Red Hall, Leeds, and was educated at St. Catherine's College,
Cambridge, of which he became Fellow and tutor. In his Cambridge days he
published some mathematical treatises, which added considerably to his
reputation as a college tutor. On withdrawing from the University he
became rector of Gimingham in 1833, and an active worker on behalf of
many diocesan organizations. He paid special regard to the social
improvement of the labourers, and was known as "the father of the
allotment system." For many years Mr. Blakelock was Archdeacon of
Norfolk.
9.--Died, at Rippon Hall, Hevingham, the Rev. Henry Philip Marsham, aged
75. He was a son of Mr. Robert Marsham, of Stratton Hall, and his taste
for country life and love of nature had descended to him from his great
grandfather, Robert Marsham, the ardent naturalist and frequent
correspondent with White, of Selborne. The annual records of the
earliest dates, when many common plants were observed to flower, together
with similar natural history data, as commenced by the elder naturalist,
were continued by the younger.
14.--The memorial stones of a permanent building, to be used as the
headquarters of the Salvation Army in Norwich, were laid by Mr. George
White and other prominent Nonconformists, on a site at the rear of
Mortimer's Hotel, St. Giles' Street. The building, which, inclusive of
the site, cost about 4,000, was opened on October 30th.
15.--A scheme for altering the number and bounderies of the wards in
Norwich was unanimously adopted by the Town Council. The Privy Council
on June 16th were petitioned to approve the scheme, and on July 8th the
formal order was received for dividing the city into sixteen wards. Mr.
Charles Neve Creswell, the Commissioner appointed to prepare the scheme
for determining the boundaries of the wards and for apportioning
councillors among them, held a public inquiry at the Guildhall on July
28th, at which evidence was given by representatives of the Town Council
and others. The first municipal elections under the provisions of the
redistribution scheme took place on November 1st, when members were
returned for sixteen wards instead of for eight.
16.--The first sale of shire horses, the property of the Prince of Wales,
was held at Wolferton by Messrs. Sexton and Grimwade. Forty-nine animals
were sold for the total sum of 5,200.
21.--At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Mathew and a special
jury, was tried the action, Bullard and others _v._ Saul. The case was
brought by the plaintiffs as trustees of the charities of St. Swithin,
Norwich, for an alleged slander uttered by the defendant at an inquiry
held before an assistant Charity Commissioner at Norwich on January 15th.
By the words that the defendant used on that occasion the plaintiffs said
they understood him to mean that they had been guilty of
maladministration of the charity funds, and had administered them for
base and political purposes, and as vehicles of all sorts of corruption.
The defendant denied that the words set out in the statement of claim
were a correct report of the words used by him at the inquiry, and he
further denied that they had any slanderous meaning. A verdict was given
for the plaintiffs--damages 5.
25.--In the Court of Arches Lord Penzance decided in favour of the Bishop
of Norwich, who had convicted the appellant, the Rev. Mr. O'Malley, of
drunkenness, and sentenced him to two years' suspension. Lord Penzance
declined to hear Mr. O'Malley's appeal until he had given security for
the Bishop's costs, and limited the time during which the appellant
should find such security to four months. (_See_ June 1st, 1899.)
26.--Died, at Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mrs. Sarah Fletcher, aged 87.
Mrs. Fletcher had given active support to many philanthropic movements,
and was one of the founders of the Orphan Home for Girls, originally
started in Pottergate Street, and afterwards transferred to Chapel Field.
27.--Died, at Unthank's Road, Norwich, the Rev. Charles Heath Hosken,
Baptist minister, in his 81st year. In his early days he was sent to
Ireland for missionary work by the Baptist Irish Missionary Society, and
subsequently laboured at Belize in the Bay of Honduras; at West Troy in
the State of New York, and at Crayford in Kent. "The Rev. C. H. Spurgeon
sent his first two students to Mr. Hosken to be trained; thus the
deceased was really associated with the foundation of the Pastors'
College."
28.--Sir Harry and Lady Bullard celebrated their silver wedding at
Hellesdon House, Norwich, and were the recipients of many presents from
friends in county and city, and from the staff of the Anchor Brewery.
30.--Died, at Sheringham Hall, Mr. Henry Ramey Upcher, aged 82. He was a
son of the Rev. Abbot Upcher, and coming to the estate when only nine
years old, he had probably been in possession of his property longer than
any landowner in England. When at Harrow he played in the cricket
eleven, and on leaving Cambridge University took a leading part in
athletic games, and was well-known throughout the country as a clever
cricketer, a good horseman, and an excellent shot. Mr. Upcher married,
on July 3rd, 1838, Miss Caroline Morris. In politics he was a Liberal of
the old school, and a valued supporter of his party.