3.--A public meeting was held at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, to consider
the propriety of memorialising the Government to open the ports of Great
Britain and Ireland for the admission of foreign grain free of duty, in
consequence of the apprehended scarcity of food. The Mayor presided, and
Mr. Tillett moved that a petition be presented to Parliament for the
immediate repeal of the Corn Laws. A similar petition was adopted by the
Norwich Town Council on the 9th.
12.--In the Arches Court, Sir H. Jenner Fust gave judgment in the suit
Kitson _v._ the Rev. Arthur Loftus, vicar of Fincham St. Martin and
rector of Fincham St. Michael. The case came before the Court by letters
of request from the Bishop of Norwich, and the articles, in substance,
charged Mr. Loftus with gross immorality. Sentence of deprivation was
passed.
--A "remarkable and unprecedented" occurrence took place at the meet, on
Mulbarton Common, of the Norfolk Subscription Pack of Staghounds. A
bailiff, on behalf of the Rev. J. H. Steward, of Carlton House, served
notices upon all who were suspected of being about to commit a trespass.
"The eccentricity of such a proceeding created much amusement, and the
consequence was a change of position was ordered."
22.--The van of a menagerie travelling through Potter Heigham overturned
into a ditch, and the bars of the tiger's cage giving way, "the animal
escaped, after biting off the head of an eagle." The neighbouring
farmers, armed with guns, and the labourers with pitchforks, went in
pursuit of the beast. An unsuccessful endeavour was made to entangle him
in a sheep-net. "A large hamper containing a piece of flesh was then
placed in his way. Upon his jumping in to seize the food the lid was
drawn down and soon secured, the animal uttering the most hideous yells."
24.--A serious accident occurred on the Norfolk Railway near Thetford.
The up-train from Norwich was proceeding at a rapid rate when the engine
left the line and fell down the embankment. The engine-driver, named
Pickering, was killed instantly, and the stoker, Richard Eager, had both
legs broken, and died shortly after his removal from the scene of the
accident. None of the passengers were seriously hurt. The accident was
supposed to be due to the excessive speed at which the train was
travelling--fifty-five miles an hour.
26.--Norwich Theatre was opened, under the management of Mr. Abington,
M.A., lessee of Southampton Theatre. The circuit also included the
Cambridge, Bury St. Edmund's, Ipswich, Colchester, and Yarmouth Theatres.
The old company had been dispersed, and regret was expressed that the new
company was not likely to maintain the reputation of the Norwich stage.
31.--The customary peals were rung at St. Peter Mancroft, Norwich. "In
the centre of the circle stood the celebrated pitcher, capable of holding
seventeen quarts, which was moulded by John Dearsley in the year 1749.
This the churchwardens (Mr. W. Butcher and Mr. Robert Fitch) liberally
filled with punch."
1846.