1855, History, Gazetteer, and Directory of Suffolk
Lowestoft chapter, page 558
Henry IV. granted to Wm. de la Pole, Marquis of Suffolk, "one market and two fairs, below the village of Lowestoft." The market was removed from beneath the cliff to the area near High street now called the Old Market; but in 1698, when the Corn Cross was erected, it was removed to the present market-place, nearly in the centre of High street. The Corn Cross, with some additions and alterations, is now the Town Hall, and the greater part of it was a chapel of ease till the completion of St. Peter's Chapel, in 1833, when it was purchased for the use of the town.
That part intended for the sale of the corn was converted into a vestry and passage to the chapel, in 1768; but the chamber over it was always used for public meetings of the parishoners.
The Fish market, called Billingsgate, is very spacious and has recently been erected on the North Pier, by the Railway and Harbour Company for the sale of herrings, &c. by auction, to the wholesale dealers, for London and other markets.
Lowestoft Improvement Act was passed in 1854, and is entitled "An Act for the Improvement and Regulation of the Town of Lowestoft, and the Parishes of Lowestoft and Kirkley and for other purposes." Its powers are entrusted to 27 commissioners, nine of whome are elected for each of the three wards, called the East, West, and South Wards. The latter comprises South Lowestoft and the parish of Kirkley.
In 1795, 1801, and 1805, certain lands, containing about 42 acres, called the Lamp Lands, in Lowestoft, were vested with trustees, for repairing and mending the pavements, lighting the town , and other public uses. Part of this land was sold to the Railway Company for £693. 10s., which, with the rest of the land is now vested to the Commissioners with this act, who have power to sell such other parts of the land as are not let on lease. The Trustees of the Lamp Lands, &c. obtained an act for paving and lighting the town in 1810, under a body of 24 commissioners, who were commonly called the Town Commissioners, and when they surrendered their trust to the Commissioners of the New Improvement Act, in August, 1854, their debts amounted to about £1800.
The latter are empowered to levy rates upon the inhabitants for the reparation of the highways, and for lighting, watching, sewering and otherwise improving the streets and thoroughfares. They have also a controlling power in the formation of new streets and roads and may establish a police force under the powers of the general Town's Police Act of 1847. The rate which they levy upon the inhabitants are not to exceed 2s per pound per annum on the assessed rental. E. Norton Esq., is clerk to the commissioners.
The neighbouring county magistrates hold Petty Sessions every Monday, at the Crown Hotel, and Mr. R. H. Reeve is their clerk. There is a newly-built County Police Station in London road, with a superindentendent (Chas. Nagle) and four constables.
Lowestoft County Court District comprises the 18 parishes of Lowestoft and Kessingland Districts in Mutford and Lothingland Hundred, as noticed at page 531. The court is held monthly at the Town Hall. F. K. Eagle, Esq., is the judge; T. Collins, Esq., of Bury St. Edmunds's, is the clerk; and E. Norton, Esq. is the assistant-clerk, Mr. Edward Muskett, of Bury, is the high-bailiff, and Mr. William Thomas Balls, sub-bailiff.
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