Part 38 (1/2)

April. A fine sturgeon, a Royal fish, caught off Yarmouth.

A mammoth tusk picked up at sea, which measured 4 ft. on the bend and 21 in. in girth.

May 15th. Thackeray, the novelist, lectured in Yarmouth: Subject-Georges III. and IV.

May 16th. Emily Major, dressed in male attire, attempted to escape from Gaol.

May 27th. Two Russian trophies received at Yarmouth. The Mayor applied to Lord Panmure for them in June, 1856.

June 7th. Corner-stone of St. John's Church laid. This building, which cost 2,000, was opened Feb. 7th, 1858. In 1859 the southern aisle was added as a memorial to the late Miss Maurice, and opened by Bishop Hills before his departure for British Columbia.

June 8th. The Bill authorising the construction of the Britannia Pier read a third time and pa.s.sed. This Pier was opened by a public company, July 13th, 1858, which has since dissolved.

Aug. 28th. Meeting of the British Archaeological a.s.sociation at the Town Hall.

Aug. 29th. The House of Commons decided the election to Parliament of W.

T. McCullagh and E. Watkins, Esqs., as invalid. A. W. Young and J.

Mellor, Esqs., were returned to Parliament in their place; the next day a monster meeting, between 10,000 and 12,000 people being present, was held on the Quay. E. Watkin, Esq., was drawn by men, by means of a rope attached to his carriage, from the Railway Station round the town.

Sept. 15th. Two Prize Fights took place on the banks of the Yare, between Batson and Slack, and Stamp and Turner.

Sept. 18th. Meeting at the Town Hall on the Indian Mutinies; 233 17s.

subscribed in the room for the sufferers.

Sept. 24th. Organ at St. Peter's Church opened. It was built by Messrs.

Bishop and Starr, at a cost of 400.

Sept. 30th. Day of National Fasting and Humiliation.

Oct. 14th. Dinner given to Sir E. H. K. Lacon, Bart., at the Town Hall.

Oct. 22nd. Loss of the s.s. ”Ontario” and 24 of her crew, on the Barber Sand. A dreadful gale and great destruction to the s.h.i.+pping.

Oct. Government Schools of Art and Navigation established, mainly through the exertions of the Rev. J. B. Bampton.-Exhibition of Paintings, &c., held at these schools in 1860. These schools occupy part of a Mansion formerly the residence of the Paget family.

Oct. 29th. Demonstration of the Liberal party at the Town Hall.

Nov. 12th. A warm Vestry Meeting (the second) at the Town Hall for making a Church Rate of 1d. in the , to include St. Peter's. The report of the Church property in the town was made by a committee appointed at the first meeting, and it was resolved that no rate should be made. The Church party demanded a poll, which lasted till the following afternoon, but they lost it by 121 majority. The Church party finding they were defeated, the Parish Church and St. George's Chapel Clocks were stopped till Dec. 22nd, when they were set going after nearly six weeks' rest.

Nov. 17th. T. P. Burroughs, Esq., pa.s.sed his examination for admission as a Solicitor.

Dec. 4th. The steams.h.i.+p ”Rapid,” of Leith, sunk on the Cross Sands, and in 1858 divers were employed to raise some of her stores, consisting of wine, drapery goods, hearthrugs, smoked meats, tins of herrings, &c., which were sold at St. George's Hall, Corn Hall, and on Hall Quay.

1858.

Jan. 1st. Fire in Jane Place, destroyed the roofing of three houses, and entirely demolished the whole of a net chamber. It originated in Mr.

Moore's workshop.