Sept. 18th. The old wooden Grand Stand on the South Denes totally destroyed by fire.
Oct. 2nd. The three-masted schooner “Curlew,” with her captain and four of the crew, lost off Yarmouth, the result of a collision.
Oct. 4th. Heavy gale and loss of the lugger “Ebenezer” on the South Beach. About £400 worth of damage done to South Pier. On the 29th there was another gale, and many men injured and drowned at sea as well as great destruction of fishing property. The Yarmouth schooners “John Snell” and “Isis” lost. The smacks “Expert,” “Luna,” “Mystery,” “Harry,” and “Defiance” each lost six hands. The Swedish barque “Systers,” which came into port after the gale in a wretched state of dilapidation, was the best criterion of what she had encountered. The “Systers” was valued at £927 14s. 1d., and salvors were awarded £384. She was sold in London on Feb. 1st, for £295.
Oct. 7th. The wine and spirit stores and building site of Messrs. S. Grimmer and Co., at the south-east corner of Regent Street, sold by auction, and realized £5,300, but was afterwards re-sold to Mr. Bayfield by private contract.
Oct. 15th. The resident Inspector at the Vauxhall Station (Mr. Reeve) run over by a train and killed.
Oct. 18th. The Rev. R. Nicholson, founder of the Boys’ and Girls’ Homes, presented with a public subscription (£61) prior to leaving the town.
Oct. 18th. A petty juryman fined £5 for refusing to appear at the Quarter Sessions when summoned.
Oct. 24th. Great communion at the Parish Church, and 1,102 persons partook of the Sacrament this day.
Oct. 30th. A lad named Charles Meffin (15) fell from the inner scaffolding at the new Town Hall (26 ft.), and died from injuries received.
Oct. Cornelius Harley Christmas, a native of this town, whose property was sworn under £60,000, willed £15,800 to the poor of Great Yarmouth _for ever_, the yearly interest of which was upwards of £770, which sum was to be divided and spent every year, the week before Christmas, in coal, bread, and money. The £770 was reduced by other expenses to £696, viz., £199 for bread, £398 for coal, and £99 in money, to be distributed in wards, namely, North and South Wards each £100 coal, £50 bread, and £24 in money; Market, Regent, and St. George’s each £66 coal, £33 bread, and £17 in money. Not more than 2 cwt. of coal, 1s. in bread, and 1s. to 2s. in money, to be given to one house. But “if difficulties arose through litigation, the property to be realised, and the money to be distributed among the poor of Yarmouth, not more than £20 to occupier of each house.” This year nearly 8,000 cwts. of coal, 16,000 loaves, and more than £100 in money was distributed among 6,000 families, but Mr. Christmas’ death occurring afterwards (see Feb. 4th, 1881) the gift was passed into Chancery, and the poor will have to wait its resuscitation before they get further aid. Other charities were to be benefited. (See Feb. 4th, 1881).