Nov. 1st.-There had been from 1,500 to 2,000 vessels windbound and at anchor in the Roads, these had got under sail on Sunday, and were immediately followed by about 1,000 vessels from beyond Lowestoft, and it was contemplated that more than 3,000 vessels had pa.s.sed through the Roads in five hours, in so close procession that the sea could not be discerned beyond them.
With regard to the Munic.i.p.al Election, only one Tory was on the 1st November "found in the field," viz., Mr. J. G. Plummer, who opposed Mr.
Marsh in the Regent Ward. At the close of the poll the numbers were-
Tomlinson 89 Marsh 73 Plummer 72
The following was the general return for the town:-_St. Nicholas" Ward_: Messrs. R. Hammond and W. N. Burroughs. _Market Ward_: Messrs. S. Cobb and W. Johnson. _Regent Ward_: Messrs. J. Tomlinson and C. Marsh. _St.
George"s Ward_: Dr. Penrice and Mr. A. Clarke. _Nelson Ward_: Messrs. G.
Danby Palmer and R. Palmer Kemp, all of whom were of the Liberal party.
A meeting of the members of the "Operative Conservative Club" had been held, Mr. Thomas Paul, printer, in the chair.
Nov. 25th.-Messrs. Thomas Hammond and Samuel Crowe had been elected Councillors for the South Ward.
The fishing-boats "Mary," "Reward," and "Walter and Ann" had been lost with all hands.
Mr. F. Preston had launched a brig of 250 tons named the "Undaunted."
Nov. 15th.-Mr. Simon Cobb had been elected Mayor. He was the first Dissenter who had been elected to that office since the time of Charles II. On Sunday he had given a lunch, when amongst those present were the Hon. and Rev. E. Pellew, Dr. Penrice, Dr. c.o.x, the Rev. W. Squire, and Messrs. S. Tolver, Nichols, Hammond, Palmer, Pullyn, Marsh, B. Cobb, E.
H. L. Preston, &c.
Mr. Thomas Lettis, jun., had been elected a Councillor for the St.
George"s Ward, in the place of Dr. Penrice, who had been made an Alderman.
Mr. Samuel Costerton, ballast lessee, had been fined 40s. and costs for contravention of the Harbour Act.
It was contemplated to hold a meeting in favour of the repeal of the Corn Laws.
The annual Savings" Bank meeting had been held, when it appeared that 2,004 accounts totalling 60,065 11s. 1d. were deposited in this inst.i.tution.
The "Reindeer," yawl, had been launched for the Young Company. She was 75 feet long and could carry 500 yards of canvas. Eighty-two persons were launched in her.
The "Columbine," brig, built for Messrs. G. and A. Steward, had been launched.
Dec. 27th.-Mr. W. Saunders had been elected a Councillor for the St.
George"s Ward, in the place of Mr. Grave, deceased.
The Teetotal Society had a procession, headed by a boy on horseback, which was "set upon" by the rabble, and several of its banners destroyed.
1839.
Jan. 3rd.-The first half-yearly meeting of the governors and subscribers to the Hospital had been held, and is reported as follows:-
"On Friday the first half-yearly meeting of the governors and subscribers to the Hospital was held at the Town Hall, the Hon. and Rev. Edward Pellew in the chair. Mr. A. Drew was unanimously elected resident Dispenser, at a salary of 60 per annum. Some alterations of the rules were agreed upon. Mr. S. S. Barber then moved that the votes for officers to the inst.i.tution should be taken by ballot, and not by voting papers, as at the first meeting, which was lost by a majority of 17 to 13. It is intended to bring the question forward again at the next meeting. The Rev. J. North, honorary secretary to the inst.i.tution, stated that at the last yearly meeting of the old Dispensary, in October, it was resolved that an application be made to the subscribers to the Hospital for a grant from their funds to discharge the additional bills. At Lady-day last they had moved into the house at present used for the Hospital. They soon felt they could not maintain the increased expenditure with the same funds, and a meeting was called of the subscribers, when the proposition was first started for the Hospital, and in the end the Hospital was established. At the close of the year, owing to circ.u.mstances over which he could not say who had the control, it was found that the managers of the Dispensary could not pay their liabilities by 33.
They had furniture which was valued at 7 10s., leaving them minus 25 10s. 0d. He now asked whether they would make a grant of that amount from the funds of the Hospital. B. Dowson, Esq., proposed that a transfer be made of that sum to defray the deficiency, the new inst.i.tution having been established on the old one. C. Nichols, Esq., seconded it on the further ground that the old inst.i.tution had deferred several applications for a.s.sistance for the benefit of the Hospital, such as sermons at church, &c. Mr. North said all their funds had been merged into those of the Hospital. John Lacon, Esq., thought it would be better to raise the sum among themselves, which proposition, after a great deal of discussion, was ultimately carried, and 13 sovereigns were subscribed in the room. The decision was extremely satisfactory to all the new subscribers to the Hospital."
A very handsome vessel named the "Jenny Jones" had been launched from Mr.
F. Preston"s yard.
Jan. 10.-Edward Woodrow, baker, had been committed for trial on the prosecution of the Guardians, for selling them short weight bread for the paupers.
Jan. 17th.-The Poor Law Commissioners having complained of the Board of Guardians because they had presented a Christmas dinner to the paupers, the Guardians justified such proceedings.
Jan. 24th.-A subscription had been entered upon for the purpose of relieving the families of those seamen who had been lost in the recent gales. 115 was collected in the room.
Jan. 31st.-An Anti-Corn Law meeting had been held at the Town Hall.
Feb. 7th.-Meetings of the freemen had been held as to the question of whether Mr. Wilshere should be called on to resign his seat.
At the Quarter Sessions, Mr. Edward Woodrow was convicted for selling "short weight" bread to the Guardians, and sentenced to pay a fine of 50, which he paid, but "not until the Recorder (N. Palmer, Esq.) had twice threatened to commit him for contempt of Court."
Feb. 14th.-The Town Council adopted a pet.i.tion for the abolition of the Corn Laws with only two dissentients.
Feb. 21st.-Mr. John Owles had been elected a Councillor in the place of Mr. Cobb, who had been raised to the Aldermanic Bench.
Mr. Wilshere had presented the town pet.i.tion against the Corn Laws; it was signed by 2,355 persons.
Mr. Owen had delivered a lecture on "Socialism."
March 7th.-The use of the Town Hall had been refused to Mr. Hallock, a "Socialist" lecturer.
March 14th.-Mr. Rumbold had presented the Corporation"s pet.i.tion for the repeal of the Corn Laws.
A meeting of the Chartists had been held at the Masonic Hall, Mr. Fleet in the chair, and was addressed by Messrs. Gill and Deegan, delegates.
March 21st.-The Rev. W. Squire had lectured at the Masonic Hall in reply to Mr. Owen. More than 1,200 persons were present.
March 28th.-The sixteen Liberal candidates had been elected Guardians.
April 4th.-A meeting had been held for the purpose of forming a local branch of the Shipwrecked Mariners" Society, S. Cobb, Esq. (Mayor) in the chair. Sir George Parker and Messrs. James H. Palmer, Matthew Butcher, and George Danby Palmer took part in the proceedings.
April 11th.-The election of Haven Commissioners had resulted as follows:-
For George Danby Palmer 511 W. Barth 473 E. H. L. Preston 380 C. J. Palmer 277
April 18th.-A pet.i.tion had been adopted in favour of a penny postage.
May 2nd.-Mr. Pickard (a Guardian) had complained to the Mayor that he was continually being insulted by Mr. E. Woodrow since that person had been convicted at the Sessions.
May 9th.-An endeavour was being made to revive the "Dutch Fair," in order to which such vessels were to be exempted from dues from the 17th to 30th September.
There were 23 prisoners for trial at the Sessions.
May 23rd.-An address had been voted to the Queen to congratulate her upon the issue of the "Bed Chamber" plot. The Mayor was in the chair and G.
Penrice, R. Palmer Kemp, William Danby Palmer, W. Johnson, George Steward, and E. H. L. Preston, Esqs., took part in the proceedings.