Lacon, M.P., Reynolds, Nash, C. Cory, R. Hammond, F. Worship, W. Worship, E. Frere, F. Palmer, F. Ferrier, T. Brightwen, Captain Holmes, Dr. Smith, Rev. Nevill, Johnson, &c.
June 1st.-Contains the following report of a
"MEETING TO ESTABLISH A VOLUNTEER RIFLE CORPS."
On Friday, a meeting, called by the Mayor, was held at the Town Hall, to take into consideration certain communications which his worship had received from General Peel, the Secretary at War, and Lord Leicester, the Lord Lieutenant of the County. There was a very numerous attendance. Amongst the gentlemen present were-Sir E.
Lacon, Bart., M.P., Lieutenant Colonel Beckham, Captain Naylor, Captain Holmes, Rev. J. B. Bampton, Rev. T. Lowe, Messrs. J. H. Orde, F. Worship, W. Worship, W. Yetts, S. C. Marsh, C. C. Aldred, C. J.
Palmer, E. H. L. Preston, J. Clowes, Foreman, &c.
The Mayor stated that he had called the meeting in consequence of communications he had received from General Peel and the Lord Lieutenant, and in compliance with a requisition which he had received, and which was signed by seventy gentlemen. He read General Peel"s letter and the requisition. He had prepared no resolution or anything of that sort, but should leave the gentlemen a.s.sembled to propose anything they might think proper.
Mr. W. Worship said the subject upon which they had been called together was one upon which there could be no difference of opinion-(hear, hear)-and in order to put the proceedings into a practical form, he should move that a committee be appointed, which would include Sir E. Lacon and Mr. Orde.
Mr. R. Ferrier said he had much pleasure in seconding the motion, and he hoped it would be understood that, although they were forming a military corps, such men as himself might be allowed to contribute to the expenses which would be incurred in its formation. There were, doubtless, many men in the town who could afford to pay for the accoutrements and give up the necessary time; but there was also in the town a fine cla.s.s of men, in every way eligible, who could not afford that. It was, therefore, in a.s.sisting the latter cla.s.s that such men as himself could be useful. (Hear, hear.) He should be glad himself to pay the annual expenses of some man who could not afford to do it himself; and had no objection to put his name down at once for 10 a year. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. S. C. Marsh said he did not wish to interrupt the proceedings; but before they formed the committee he thought they should, by some resolution, declare it desirable to form a Rifle Corps. (Hear, hear.) Having decided to form a corps, the next step would be to form a committee to carry out the necessary arrangements. He was sure Englishmen would respond to the offer that had been made them to allow themselves to form volunteer corps for the defence of the country. Norfolk had never been behindhand in the manifestation of patriotic feeling, and he hoped that would not be the case on this occasion. Yarmouth had before shown what she could do for the Governments of England and the defence of the country, and he hoped she was prepared to do something now. (Hear, hear.) He begged to move "That it is expedient to establish a Volunteer Rifle Corps for Great Yarmouth and its vicinity."
Mr. Ferrier seconded.-Carried unanimously.
Sir E. Lacon, M.P. said he thought it highly essential that a town like Yarmouth should take a stand and come forward at once in obedience to the proclamation that had been issued by the Queen.
They must all put their shoulders to the wheel, and wherever they saw a fine young fellow who was a likely man for the corps, if he did not come forward they must ask him to do so. The duty they had to do that day was very slight indeed, but for his own part, he would say that he should give the movement all the encouragement that he possibly could. (Hear, hear.) He should now move that a committee be appointed, with power to appoint a sub-committee, and with directions to go round the town and see what force could be got up.
(Hear, hear.) Yarmouth was a large town it was true, but there were also districts around it out of which to draw much a.s.sistance; but he certainly thought it would be desirable to take in the Flegg Hundreds and the Island.
Mr. J. Clowes said there were many men in the town who, from age and other causes, would be unable to serve in a rifle corps, but who would be very desirous of taking part in the defence of our sh.o.r.es-men who were too old to sleep all night in the marsh ditches, or under hedges. (Laughter.) For that cla.s.s of men, he thought there should be an Artillery Corps, as many of them, though not fit to take the field, would be ready to man a gun or work a battery.
The Mayor said it was out of the scope of the present meeting to discuss an Artillery Corps.
Mr. Orde said Government had intended that they would sanction and approve the formation of Artillery Corps.
Mr. Marsh"s motion was then put and carried.
Sir E. Lacon, in answer to Dr. Stephenson, said it would, no doubt, be a desirable thing to have a mounted Rifle Corps, only they could not get the horses, and if they could get them, many would be unable to keep them, besides which he should object, unless he wished to see some of them killed, to their mounting horses. (Loud laughter.) But he might say that, at an agricultural dinner, where he was the other day, he heard the farmers express themselves strongly in favour of a mounted force in the Fleggs and the Island.
Mr. C. J. Palmer suggested that all who wished to support the corps, either by serving in it or by their subscriptions, should come forward and put down their names at once. (Hear, hear.)
The Mayor said he would take down the names of any gentlemen who wished to join the corps. When they saw who were willing to join, they might name a committee, and appoint some gentleman to act as secretary. That being done, the future conduct of the movement would remain with the committee.
The following gentlemen then gave in their names as members of the corps:-Sir E. H. K. Lacon, M.P., Sir H. Stracey, M.P., Lieutenant-Colonel Beckham, S. C. Marsh, C. J. Palmer, B. Jay, R.
Ferrier, W. Worship, F. Palmer, F. Worship, W. J. Foreman, W. C.
Reynolds, S. Aldred, Dr. Stephenson, J. H. Orde, G. Harvey, G. Baker, Rev. J. B. Bampton, H. Teasdel, J. W. Bunn, Captain Holmes, C. Brown, J. Tomlinson, H. R. Harmer, G. Diver, H. H. Barber, J. Franklin, E.
Fyson, J. B. Stevens, J. Playford, G. B. Costerton, H. Teasdel, T. P.
Burroughs, Ambrose Palmer, A. W. Morant, Rev. T. Lowe, and J. Clowes.
Mr. R. Ferrier moved that the foregoing be appointed a committee to carry out the arrangements for establishing the corps, with power to appoint a sub-committee; and that Colonel Beckham be requested to act as honorary secretary.
The motion was carried unanimously, and the book containing the list of names was ordered to be left at the Police-station during the ensuing week, to give persons desirous of joining the corps an opportunity of entering their names.
The proceedings then concluded.
June 8th.-The Norfolk and Suffolk Yacht Club had held its first meeting on Breydon Water, and subsequently the members (who appeared in Club uniform) dined at the Club House (Norfolk Hotel), when the healths of Colonel Wilson, Commodore; F. Brown, Esq., Vice-Commodore; Mr. Everitt, of Cove Hall, (father of the Club); Mr. Scott, Aylsham, and others were duly honoured.
Mr. Bradnum"s shop at Gorleston had been struck by lightning.
June 11th.-Mr. Mellor, Q.C., M.P. for Nottingham, had presented the pet.i.tion against the return of the M.Ps.
June 15th.-The Mayor and the Town Clerk had had a serious "difference of opinion," and the former gentleman had declined to accept the "_amende honorable_" tendered him by the latter.
It was stated that some 60 persons were ready to join the Rifle Corps.
June 18th.-The paper had opened a branch office at No. 31, King Street, Great Yarmouth, with Mr. Clarke as correspondent.
Lord Chelmsford, before resigning the seals, had appointed Mr. Francis Worship, Mr. John Clarke, and Mr. E. P. Youell, Magistrates for the Borough.
June 22nd.-A meeting had been held at St. George"s Hall, (Mr. Harrison in the chair), for the purpose of taking steps to advertise the town.
Forty invalid soldiers had arrived at the Royal Naval Hospital.
June 29th.-There now appeared to be two pet.i.tions lodged against the return of Sir E. H. K. Lacon and Sir H. J. Stracey, one signed by Mr.
John Clowes (solicitor), and the other by Mr. Bayly (surgeon) and Mr.
Pilgrim (draper).
A meeting of the first Company of Volunteers had been held at Crowe"s Sale-rooms. This body now numbered 90 men, the second Company having 56 members. Mr. Dumbleton occupied the chair, and Mr. Marsh having explained the position of affairs, the following gentlemen were elected officers:-Mr. Marsh (captain), and Mr. Foreman (first), Mr. Brown (second), and Mr. Preston (third) Lieutenants.
July 2nd.-The second Company had met at the Angel. Major Nesbitt presided, and the following officers were elected:-Mr. Orde (captain), Mr. E. P. Youell (Lieutenant), and Mr. J. Tomlinson, jun., (ensign).
There were from 8,000 to 10,000 persons on the Piers, Drive, &c., on Sunday evening.
July 6th.-Mr. Mellor had given notice that he should call attention to the state of the Yarmouth Bench of Magistrates.
The following cricket match had been played on the South Denes:-
MR. OVEREND"S SIDE. MR. WILLIS" SIDE.
Mr. Lawry 7 Mr. Ling 1 Mr. Jackson 3 Mr. Borlase 5 Mr. Fenner 1 Mr. Ellis 0 Lieutenant Townley 12 Mr. Larke 0 Mr. Ablitt 7 Mr. Clarke 2 Mr. Overend 7 Mr. Willis 1 Mr. c.o.c.ks 0 Mr. Davey 8 Mr. Edwards 0 Mr. T. B. Stevenson 17 Mr. Baker 0 Mr. Tewsley 4 Dr. Stephenson 4 Mr. Stolworthy 0 Mr. Wright 4 Mr. Green 0 Byes 2 Byes 5 Wides 2 Wides 5 Total 41 Total 48
Afterwards the players dined at the Crown and Anchor Hotel.
July 16th.-Owing to his altercation with the Town Clerk, the Mayor declined to attend the meetings of the Council.
July 20th.-One of the pet.i.tions against the M.Ps" return had been withdrawn.
The Rifle Companies numbered over 200. Mr. Orde"s Company mustered 80 at their first drill in the Barrack Square.
There were then on the Parish Books 272 indoor and 1,247 outdoor paupers, as against 1,134 in the preceding year.
July 27th.-Lieutenant-Colonel Mason had retired from the command of the East Norfolk Militia.
The Foresters had held a "gala" at the Vauxhall Gardens.
Aug. 3rd.-A very large number of Speaker"s Warrants had been issued in connection with the Election Pet.i.tion.