15.--The Norwich Court of Guardians considered the question of the
erection of a new workhouse. The average number of poor maintained in
the two workhouses during the previous 18 years had been 1,282. It was
recommended that one building be erected to accommodate 1,300, the money
to be borrowed on shares of 100 pounds each, bearing interest, and to be
paid off by lot, so that the whole debt, with interest thereon, would be
discharged in 20 years. A Bill was brought before Parliament and
received the Royal assent on May 24th, and a site for the building was
purchased near "the opening to Chapel Field." On December 7th, in
consequence of observations made by Mr. Alderman Rigby on the subject of
outdoor relief, the question was deferred until the committee had
informed the Court whether "these allowances may not be so extended
without any diminution of the comforts of the poor as to render
unnecessary the building of such a workhouse as has hitherto been
proposed." The scheme for the erection of the workhouse was ultimately
abandoned.
21.--Died, Mr. Henry Skipper, dyer, St. Peter Hungate, Norwich. "He was
in his time a famous pugilist, and fought several pitched battles with
Algar, Henry, and others."