5.--Downham Market was lighted with gas for the first time. The event
was celebrated by a dinner at the Queen's Head and by other rejoicings.
6.--The Oddfellows of the Norwich District, to the number of 700, dined
at St. Andrew's Hall, under the presidency of Mr. W. M. Kitton.
7.--The Norwich extension railway of the Eastern Union line, completing
the communication with London _via_ Ipswich, Colchester, and Chelmsford,
was opened on this date. It was part of the plan of the Eastern Union
Company, whose Act for making the railway from Ipswich to Colchester was
obtained in 1844. The line was commenced in 1845, and opened on June
11th, 1846. In 1845 another Act was passed for making a railway from
Ipswich to Bury St. Edmund's, and in 1846 an Act was obtained for making
the Ipswich and Norwich extension. In the latter year an Act was also
passed for the amalgamation of the Eastern Union and the Ipswich and Bury
Railway Companies, and by the two united the Norwich line was
constructed. Mr. Locke was the engineer-in-chief, Mr. Bruff the resident
engineer, and Messrs. Mackenzie and Brassey the contractors. The first
train, conveying 550 ladies and gentlemen, the guests of the directors,
started from the station ("constructed in part out of the old Pantheon"),
and proceeded to Stowmarket, where refreshments were served. Trains from
Bury, Colchester, and Ipswich brought 600 more passengers, and the three
trains uniting ran to Norwich, where they arrived at 4.30, the band of
the 16th Lancers playing the travellers into the city. A dinner took
place at St. Andrew's Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr.
Bignold), and the Sheriff (Mr. Chamberlin) gave a ball in the evening, at
the Assembly Rooms. The line was opened for the conveyance of cattle and
goods on December 3rd, and of passengers on December 12th.
9.--Mr. Henry Woodcock was elected Mayor, and Mr. James Colman appointed
Sheriff of Norwich. Mr. Bignold reminded the Council that when he took
the office of Mayor a distinct assurance was given that there was to be a
retention of the system of alternate Whig and Tory Mayors and Sheriffs.
He would not have accepted office but for that assurance.