Much regret is felt at this result, and especially at the loss of the public services of Mr. Pullyn, after his having so long served the Ward, and after his twice filling the office of Chief Magistrate in a manner that won for him the praise even of his political opponents.
_Nelson Ward_.
1851-341 Voters.
Dr. Impey, L. 132 Mr. S. V. Moore, L. 132 1850-317 Voters.
Mr. G. D. Palmer, L. 121 Mr. T. Lettis, L. 119
The Conservatives did not contest this Ward, and Dr. Impey was re-elected, in conjunction with Mr. Moore in the room of Mr. J. Symonds, now non-resident.
_Gorleston Ward_.
1851-344 Voters.
Mr. S. Miller, C 136 Mr. W. H. Palmer, C 135 Mr. J. H. Harrison, L 76 Mr. N. Sterry, L. 74 1850-337 Voters.
Mr. E. H. L. Preston, C 185 Mr. W. Hammond, C 169 Mr. S. Crow, L 78 Mr. Costerton, L 64
This Ward was contested, but in rather a peculiar way, for although it was supposed that some opposition to the outgoing Councillors would be made, it was treated by the Conservatives as a "sham" one, and such it really seemed up to 12 o"clock, when the state of the poll came out with upwards of 100 for Messrs. Miller and Palmer, and only about two votes for each of their opponents! This, however, was only a _ruse de guerre_, and in a short time the voters came up almost in a body for Messrs.
Harrison and Sterry, who stated in their address that in "the short s.p.a.ce of four hours they obtained 97 promises," and had they been sooner in the field it is thought they would have met with better success.
The result of the Elections has been a gain to the Conservative party of two seats, and this reduces the two parties to a level in the Council; the Liberals have still, however, a bare majority, and it is doubted whether they will not be able to carry the Mayoralty for another year.
The Conservatives, it is said, intend nominating either Sir E. H. K.
Lacon, or (which is more likely) Mr. S. C. Marsh for that office, whilst the names of Alderman E. R. Palmer and Alderman Bartram are spoken of by the Liberals.
The Bishop of Norwich, attended by the Rev. S. Hills and his chaplain, had inspected the Priory buildings, when they were received by J. H.
Hakewell, Esq., (the architect) and C. J. Palmer, Esq., (the hon.
secretary to the Committee).
Mr. Worlledge had moved the Court of Queen"s Bench for a "_quo warranto_"
to try the legality of Mr. Hammond"s election as a Councillor for the St.
Andrew"s Ward, and the rule had been granted.
Nov. 15th.-The Hospital was badly supported, and it was stated that unless 150 a year in additional subscriptions could be obtained, the a.s.sistance afforded to sufferers must be abridged.
A lecture on "Bloomerism" had been delivered by Mrs. Knights at the Corn Hall in full "Bloomer" costume, but she did not appear to have achieved a marked success.
Dr. Wolff (the traveller) had offered to give some lectures in the town in aid of the National Priory Schools.
At the Town Council for the Election of Mayor, a great crowd a.s.sembled prior to the meeting, when Sir E. K. Lacon proposed, and Mr. Fenn seconded, S. C. Marsh, Esq., to fill that office, and Mr. George Danby-Palmer moved, and Mr. R. Hammond seconded, the re-election of Captain Charles Pearson, R.N. Upon the votes being taken, there appeared for Captain Pearson-Aldermen Pearson, Boulter, Bartram, Bayly, Fiddes, Hammond, Pike, R. Hammond, jun., E. R. Palmer, and Barker; Councillors Burroughs, Butcher, Cannell, Clarke, Chapman, Fish, Gourlay, Impey, Jackson, Lettis, Moore, G. D. Palmer, and P. White; total, 23. For Mr.
Marsh-Alderman B. Fenn; Councillors C. Aldred, E. Aldred, Barber, Bessey, Cherry, Ferrier, Ferrier, jun., J. Fenn, W. Hammond, B. Jay, H. Jay, Lacon, Marsh, S. Miller, Nightingale, W. H. Palmer, Plummer, Preston, Smith, Steward, F. Worship, and W. Worship; total, 23. And the Mayor, giving a casting vote for himself, declared himself duly elected.
Subsequently the Town Clerk (Mr. John Clowes) declared that he would not continue in that office at the salary of 250, and it having been stated that Mr. Charles Cory would accept it on those terms, he was elected Town Clerk by 23 against 15 voices. Mr. Cory then attended, was informed of his election, and an order made on the late Clerk to hand over the papers relating to the office to him. In conclusion, the Editor expressed a hope that "on no future occasion will any parties be allowed to violate order and decorum in a way so disgraceful as they did on Monday last."
Nov. 22nd.-A dinner had been given to the Mayor at the Star-hotel, when 45 members of the Council and others attended.
A Poor"s Rate of 1s. 2d. in the had been made. Great dissatisfaction existed as to the new a.s.sessment of the parish.
Nov. 29th.-Mr. Joseph Sandars, M.P., had issued a reply to the requisition of the electors, justifying the course he had taken with regard to the Public Health Act.
A meeting had been held with regard to the new a.s.sessment, Mr. J. H.
Harrison in the chair.
The town had been visited with a tremendous gale, during which several vessels had been blown out to sea. At the time of the storm there were 700 sail between this port and Lowestoft.
The "Enterprise," 600 tons, had been launched from Mr. Branford"s Yard; she was christened by Miss Barber and Miss Holt.
Dec. 6th.-A public meeting had been held at the Town-hall (Mr. J. H.
Harrison in the chair) for the purpose of considering the Poor"s Rate a.s.sessment recently made. About 400 persons attended, when the same was condemned, and a subscription commenced for the purpose of disputing the validity of it.
In respect of such proceedings, Mr. F. S. Costerton had been engaged as solicitor to the owners of small tenements, and Mr. C. H. Chamberlin for the general body of appellants, estimated at from 500 to 600 in number at the least.
Dec. 13th.-At the special meeting of the Town Council, "a scene of much disorder and confusion arose out of some recriminations relative the late Town-Clerk, between Mr. Burroughs and Mr. Preston."
Dec. 20th.-On the hearing of the a.s.sessment appeals, the rate was quashed by the Justices on the ground of unequal a.s.sessment. In these proceedings Mr. Chamberlin appeared on behalf of the Committee of Ratepayers, Mr. C. Cory for several private individuals, and Mr. Cufaude for the Overseers.
Dec. 27th-The Overseers had applied for, and obtained a fresh rate of 1s.
2d. in the .
It had been determined in future not to use the "St. Nicholas" Seal,"
belonging to the Corporation, and for practical purposes a smaller seal was to be made; the old one had been in use since about the year 1251.
The Race Committee had issued its report, from which it appeared that the income had been, for the last year, 512 1s. 3d., as against 523 3s.
11d. expended.
1852.
Jan. 3rd.-The new Railway Bridge had been opened.
Jan. 17th.-There was further dissatisfaction in the town on the subject of the a.s.sessment and the Poor"s Rate; a summons, obtained by Mr. J. H.
Harrison against some officials for not allowing him to inspect the rate-books, was dismissed with costs.
Mr. Hammond (one of the Justices) had called the attention of the Press to the manner in which on certain occasions Magistrates were "drummed up."
William Rising, Esq., of Somerton Hall, had entertained a large party of sporting friends at the Angel Hotel.
A portion of the Gorleston Cliff had fallen away, carrying with it the Misses Barber, who were subsequently dug out of the sand below.
A high tide had washed over the west side of the Harbour with such force that a vessel belonging to W. H. Palmer, Esq., had been driven from her moorings. On the Beach it flowed past the Britannia Terrace.
Jan. 24th.-There were more Poor"s Rate appeals, and Mr. J. H. Harrison being dissatisfied with the result of them, gave notice that he should carry his case to the Quarter Sessions,
Jan. 31st.-Captain Manby had received a medal from the Jurors at the Great Exhibition for the life-saving models which he had exhibited there.
The parish had been divided into five wards for Poor Law purposes; prior to this the whole 16 Guardians had been voted for "en bloc" by the ratepayers throughout the whole parish.
Mr. Worlledge had again appeared before the Queen"s Bench in the case of "The Queen _v._ Hammond," and the Court had granted the rule.
Feb. 7th.-Mr. J. H. Harrison had been fined for an alleged a.s.sault on a constable, arising out of the confusion in the Court on the late hearing of the Poor"s Rate appeals. He gave notice of appeal to the Quarter Sessions.
Feb. 14th.-Mr. Harrison had presided at another meeting of ratepayers who were dissatisfied with the action of the Justices as to the a.s.sessment.