Volume Ii Part 66 (1/2)

17.-It was announced that the Privy Council had granted licences for the sale of store sheep at Tombland Fair, on March 2nd. Norwich Cattle Market was opened for the sale of fat and store stock on April 7th, under certain conditions. (_See_ January 5th, 1884.)

22.-The Spring Show of the Norfolk Agricultural a.s.sociation was held on the Old Cricket Ground, Lakenham.

24.-A public subscription was inaugurated to enable the city of Norwich to purchase a site for the erection of brigade depot barracks for the Norfolk Regiment. The War Office, it was announced, had agreed to retain the Cavalry Barracks on condition that the city provided a site for the infantry depot. On July 24th the War Office intimated their acceptance of the site on Plumstead Road, which was purchased at the cost of 1,600.

26.-The accomplished young tragedienne, Miss Alleyn, made her first appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Juliet, with a company under the management of Mr. Charles Bernard. Among her other impersonations during the engagement were Marguerite Gauthier (”Woman's Love”), Lady Teazle, Adrienne Lecouvreur, Rosalind, Pauline, Iolanthe (”King Rene's Daughter”), and Portia. Miss Alleyn was described as ”incomparably the best actress seen on the Norwich stage within the last thirty years.”

30.-Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone pa.s.sed through Lynn railway-station, on their way to Sandringham, to visit the Prince and Princess of Wales. ”Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone travelled in a first-cla.s.s carriage, and on the arrival of the train they were apparently asleep. Mr. Gladstone, however, soon woke up, and immediately one of his admirers, in the form of a 'working-man,'

proceeded to the carriage window and introduced himself as one of his supporters, and thereupon shook hands with the Premier. On Sunday morning (April 1st), some prominent members of the Liberal party in Lynn received fict.i.tious invitations to lunch with Mr. Gladstone at Sandringham, the envelopes in which the notes were enclosed bearing the postmark of that village.” The visit terminated on April 2nd.

APRIL.

11.-Mr. Melton Prior, special artist of the ”Ill.u.s.trated London News,”

delivered at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, a pictorial lecture on the Egyptian War.

13.-A specially-invited company visited Carrow Works, Norwich, to witness the lighting of the premises for the first time with the electric light installed by the Hammond Electric Light and Power Supply Company. The machinery in the printing works was, for the first time, driven by electric power.

18.-The parish church of Wells-next-the-Sea, rebuilt at the cost of 10,000, after the destruction of the original building by lightning, on August 3rd, 1879, was opened. Mr. Herbert Green, of Norwich, was the architect, and Mr. S. C. Parmenter, of Braintree, Ess.e.x, the contractor.

20.-Died at Bank Street, Norwich, aged 48, Mr. R. T. Culley, Coroner for the County of Norfolk, to which office he was appointed in June, 1878, after discharging for sixteen years the duties of Deputy Coroner.

21.*-”Major-General Seager died the other day, at Scarborough, aged 71.

General Seager rose from the ranks. He was regimental sergeant-major of the 8th Hussars when that regiment was stationed in Norwich in 1840, and formed an attachment for a young lady residing in the Close, whose parents interfered and stopped the further progress of the engagement, which they would hardly have done could they have antic.i.p.ated the career which lay before the disdained young sergeant-major. Though in the ranks, he was the son of a Liverpool merchant. He won his honours and promotion in the Crimea and in the Indian Mutiny. For the former he was 'specially mentioned' for his bravery in the heroic Balaclava charge, when he broke through the Russian lines, for which he was made captain.”

22.-A porpoise was killed in the Yare at Buckenham Ferry. ”A capture of this kind is unparalleled on the river Yare. It is supposed the fish came up on the night of the 21st, with the strong flood tide.”

24.-The Norwich Town Council decided to discontinue the experimental lighting of the city with the electric light. In the House of Commons, on August 1st, a Bill to confirm a provisional order of the Board of Trade, in reference to electric lighting at Norwich, was considered, and reported to be read a third time.

29.-The Mayor and Corporation of Norwich attended the re-opening service at St. Peter Mancroft church, on the completion of the great work of restoration. The sermon was preached by the Bishop of Liverpool. ”By means of the liberal donations of Messrs. Gurney and Co., the twelve bells have been repaired and re-hung, three houses which stood on the churchyard have been purchased and taken down, and the acc.u.mulated soil has been removed from the church walls and the churchyard levelled.”

MAY.

3.-Mr. Hugh Aylmer's herd of shorthorns was sold at West Dereham, by Mr.

John Thornton. The cows and heifers (55 lots) averaged 69 11s. 3d., and the bulls (18) 72 14s. 10d. The total amount realised was 5,108 5s.

3.-A meeting of the freeholders in the Norwich district was held at the s.h.i.+rehall, under the presidency of the High Sheriff (Colonel W. E. G. L.

Bulwer), for the nomination of candidates for the office of County Coroner. Mr. John Furness, solicitor, of Forncett, was nominated by Sir Francis Boileau, and seconded by Mr. C. S. Read; and Mr. Joseph Stanley, solicitor, of Norwich, was proposed by Mr. Fred Bullard, and seconded by Mr. John Hotblack. The show of hands was declared to be in favour of Mr.

Stanley; whereupon a poll was demanded on behalf of Mr. Furness. The election took place on May 7th, and the result was declared as follows: Stanley, 707; Furness, 628. The last contested election for the County Coroners.h.i.+p took place in 1827.

8.-The first steam fire-engine for the use of the city was tested in Norwich Market Place. It was purchased for 600, partly contributed by the Norwich Union Fire Office, and partly subscribed by the public.

26.*-”The Queen has been pleased to approve the 1st City of Norwich and the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Norfolk Rifle Volunteer Corps to be known respectively as the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Volunteer Battalions of the Norfolk Regiment regular force.”

27.-Died at his residence, St. Andrew's Broad Street, Norwich, Mr. James Harcourt, aged 64, formerly choirmaster of the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Festival. He was a pupil of Mr. Pettet, a musician of great local repute, and organist of St. Peter Mancroft and St. Stephen's churches. Mr. Harcourt succeeded to his master's position at St.

Peter's, on its being relinquished by Mr. Critchfield, also a pupil and the successor of Mr. Pettet. He held that post for twenty-seven years.

On the death of Mr. Hill he was chosen Festival choir-master, and was also conductor of the Norwich Philharmonic Society and of the Norfolk and Suffolk Church Choral a.s.sociation.