3.--At a meeting held at the King's Arms Inn, East Dereham, it was
decided to establish a pack of foxhounds in that part of the county, and
to solicit landowners to preserve foxes.
--*"Last month a number of persons left North and South Lopham in
waggons, on their way to embark at Liverpool for the United States of
America. Between 100 and 200 persons are emigrating from these parishes,
a considerable sum of money having been borrowed on security of the rates
to defray the expenses of their passage (about 6 pounds 10s. per head),
and to furnish each family with the clear sum of 5 pounds on their
landing at New York."--[Advt.] "Emigrants to North America. The
Preston, A.I., Thomas Woodthorp master, burden 300 tons, being well
fitted with berths between decks, and having excellent accommodation for
cabin and steerage passengers, will sail from Yarmouth, on the 15th
inst., for Quebec. For passage or freight apply at the Counting-house of
Isaac Preston, Esq."
5.--At the Sheriffs' Guildhall Court, Norwich, the only jury available
were so long engaged in considering a verdict that nine solicitors in
court volunteered to form a jury to try the next cause. Those sworn were
Messrs. J. B. Daveney, H. Miller, G. Dye, R. Fickling, C. S. Gilman,
Colman, Lawter, and Marston. Three laymen made up the requisite number.
"The swearing of the jury of legal gentlemen caused much laughter, and
what appeared most singular, after hearing evidence on both sides, they
could not agree to a verdict, but recommended the withdrawal of a juror,
which was done accordingly. Such a jury was never heard of before in
Norwich."
10.--John Simmons, aged 31, and William Lovet, 20, convicted at Thetford
Assizes of burglaries at Thorpe, were executed on the Castle Hill,
Norwich. Calcraft was the executioner. "After the execution the bodies
were laid out in the mill-yard, and the different classes of prisoners
were marched past."
--*"A few weeks since a pike was caught in the North River, near St.
Benet's Abbey, which weighed 35 lbs., the extreme length of which was 49
inches. It measured 25 inches in girth. This astonishing fish, the
largest ever caught in this county, was presented to his Majesty by Mr.
H. N. Burroughes, of Burlingham."
12.--Mr. Power, of Covent Garden Theatre, commenced a short engagement at
Norwich Theatre, in the part of Dennis Brulgruddery. His other
impersonations were Teddy the Tiler, Larry ("More Blunders than One"),
Dr. O'Toole, Alessandro Massaroni ("The Brigand"), and Teague ("Honest
Thieves").
13.--At a meeting of the Norwich Paving Act Commissioners, a report was
received from the Lighting and Watching Committee on the proposals of the
agents of the Norwich Gas-Light Company for extending their works through
the principal streets of the city. There were then four miles of main
and service pipes supplied with oil gas; it was proposed to extend the
pipes to twelve miles, and to supply "purified coal gas." It was
explained that the adoption of the proposal would result in the abolition
of 900 old oil lamps and the substitution of gas lamps, at an increased
annual charge of 500 pounds. At an adjourned meeting on April 30th, the
scheme was adopted, and tenders were invited for carrying it into effect.
In May the Norwich Gas Company purchased five acres of land near Bishop
Bridge, on which to erect works for supplying the whole city with coal
gas.
19.--Three troops of the 1st Royal Dragoons, under the command of Major
Martin, arrived in Norwich, to replace the 7th Dragoon Guards. The
headquarters of the regiment marched in on May 15th, from Manchester.
21.--Mrs. W. West, of Drury Lane, appeared at Norwich Theatre, as Portia.
Her other parts included Edmond ("The Blind Boy"), Juliana ("The
Honeymoon"), Mrs. Beverley, Ellen Enfield ("Falls of Clyde"), and
Therese.
23.--The Norfolk Quarter Sessions petitioned the Lord Chancellor to order
the removal of the Lent Assizes from Thetford to Norwich. On May 3rd the
Corporation of Norwich adopted a similar petition.
--The birthday of King George IV. was celebrated for the last time.