Volume I Part 8 (1/2)

25.-A general fast was observed. At Yarmouth, the Shrops.h.i.+re Militia and Volunteers on permanent duty, to the number of nearly 2,500, attended Divine service.

26.-The Helena war sloop, of 20 guns, Capt. Losack, was launched from Mr.

John Preston's dockyard at Yarmouth.

-The North Walsham Light Infantry marched into Yarmouth for 14 days'

permanent duty.

-The 7th Battalion of the Army of Reserve, to which 500 Norfolk and Suffolk men belonged, volunteered to extend their services and become a regiment of the line.

JUNE.

1.-The City of Norwich Battalion of Volunteer Infantry, under the command of Lieut.-Col. Harvey, began one month's permanent duty in Norwich. The battalion mustered 500, exclusive of officers.

4.-The King's birthday was celebrated in Norwich. The detachment of Royal Artillery, the 24th Regiment of Foot, and the Norwich and Catton Volunteers, to the total number of 1,700, paraded on the Castle Hill, and fired a _feu de joie_. At Cromer, the Sea Fencibles, under Capt.

Tremlett, R.N., three companies of the 4th Battalion Norfolk Volunteers, commanded by Lieut.-Col. George Windham, and the Volunteers of the Cromer battery had a sham fight at that place. Other Volunteer corps in the county held ceremonial parades.

7.-The water mills of Mr. Wm. Partridge, of North Walsham, were destroyed by fire.

11.-A sham fight, in which all the regular and auxiliary troops stationed in Norwich were engaged, took place at Bramerton. A pontoon bridge, formed of wherries, was made use of in the course of the operations.

18.-The Corporation of Norwich granted the Blackfriars' site in St.

Andrew's to the Court of Guardians for 200 years, the latter body having considered plans for improving the workhouse there for the accommodation of 800 persons.

-A motion by the Common Council of Norwich, to confer the freedom of the city upon Mr. R. Fellowes, M.P., and Mr. W. Smith, M.P., was, on a division, rejected by the aldermen by ten votes to eight.

-A motion was made in the Common Council to augment the sum of 100, allowed to the Mayor towards defraying the expenses of the Guild-day festival, but, as the revenue of Norwich did not justify the increase, it was not acceded to by the aldermen. The allowance of 100 was fixed 80 years previously.

25.-Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced. ”Mr. c.o.ke won the sweepstakes, having estimated with more exactness than any of his compet.i.tors the weight both of wool and of carcase of the Southdown ewe slain on the occasion.” A drill for ”scattering at the same time turnip seed and the dust of pounded oil cakes, believed to be the best adapted manure,” was exhibited.

30.-Several ”battles” were fought on Yarmouth Denes by the soldiers of the Shrops.h.i.+re Regiment. In an encounter between a private and an officer's servant, the former received injuries from which he died three hours after, and at the inquest a verdict of manslaughter was returned against his a.s.sailant.

Major-General Money was appointed to the staff of the Eastern District.

The command consisted of 32,000 fully equipped and efficient men.

Under Mr. Pitt's Defence Bill the quota for Norfolk was 1,813 men.

JULY.

1.-The City of Norwich Battalion of Volunteer Infantry terminated its permanent duty of 30 days. All ranks received the highest commendation of Major-General Milner and Lieut.-Col. Metzner.

3.-The malt kiln, with a granary and dwelling-house, at the new brewery of Messrs. Prentice and Co., King Street, Norwich, was destroyed by fire.

The loss amounted to nearly 1,000.

5.-The East Harling magistrates fined a farmer 20s., for refusing to send his waggon to a.s.sist in taking the baggage of the East Suffolk Militia from Thetford to Downham, after having been summoned for that purpose.

6.-Mrs. Bennett, wife of an actor in the Norwich company, gave birth to triplets.

-A foot race was run by Lord Frederick Bentinck and the Hon. Edward Harbord for the sum of 100 guineas, between the second and third milestone on the Edgeware Road, London. Mr. Harbord won easily.