5.--At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by the
Mayor, it was decided to open a public subscription for the relief of the
distress among the Irish peasantry, consequent upon the failure of the
potato crop. For the same object collections were made in the places of
worship in city and county.
6.--The warehouse in Rose Lane, Norwich, belonging to Mr. Kitten was
burnt down, and its contents, consisting of barrels of grease, resin, and
other inflammable materials, destroyed. Another serious fire occurred on
the same premises on May 20th.
15.--The opening of the Wymondham and Dereham Railway for passenger
traffic was celebrated with great festivities. Mr. Gidney, of Dereham,
one of the principal promoters of the line, entertained a large company
at luncheon at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, and in the evening a dinner
took place at the King's Arms Hotel, Dereham, in which town the day was
observed as a general holiday. "Along the road from the station," it was
stated, "many new and handsome-looking houses have been built, far
superior to any modern houses in Norwich."
17.--Died at his residence in the Cathedral Precincts, Norwich, the Rev.
Canon Edward South Thurlow, rector of Houghton le Spring, Durham. He was
appointed Prebendary of Norwich in 1788.
25.--The Mayor of Norwich (Mr. Jeremiah Colman) turned the first sod on
the Norwich extension of the Ipswich and Bury Railway. The ceremony took
place on Mr. Cyrus Gillett's farm in the parish of Markshall. Several
gentlemen filled barrows with earth, which other gentlemen, including the
Sheriff (Mr. Charles Winter) wheeled away--a proceeding which elicited
from Mr. Willett the remark that "if they went on at that rate they would
leave little work for the navvies to do." The company then assembled for
luncheon, under the presidency of Mr. A. Ogilvie, and many congratulatory
speeches were made. (_See_ November 7th, 1849.)
28.--The shop of Mr. Cooper, silversmith and jeweller, London Street,
Norwich, was broken into and goods of the total value of 2,000 pounds
stolen.