10.--A statement was published as to the proposed disposal of the sum of
1,263 pounds 4s. 5d. realised by the two concerts given by Jenny Lind in
1849. It was her wish "that the money should be employed in founding and
supporting some new charity, and, if possible, a lasting one, for the
poor of Norwich." The committee, "feeling that no charity could be
permanent which was not in a great measure self-supporting," resolved to
devote the money to establishing public baths and wash-houses. A large
malthouse in St. Stephen's, formerly the property of Mr. Crawshay, was to
be purchased for 700 pounds, and plans and specifications for converting
the building into baths had been prepared by a London architect, "but
unfortunately the lowest tenders exceed by a very large amount the sum at
the disposal of the committee. They find that unless they can raise
1,000 pounds in addition to their present fund, they must entirely give
up the undertaking." The Mayor was requested to convene a public
meeting, which was held at the Guildhall on April 21st, when Mr. Samuel
Bignold moved a resolution in favour of the adoption of the baths scheme.
Mr. Henry Browne strongly protested against the proposed misappropriation
of the money, and the question was adjourned for a month. Meanwhile
several local charities made claims for assistance, and on May 27th a
further adjournment was decided upon. The matter was in abeyance until
February 7th, 1853, when Dr. W. H. Ranking, in a letter to the NORFOLK
CHRONICLE, advocated "the endowment of an additional ward or wards in the
Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, to be appropriated to the treatment of
diseases of children." On May 30th, 1853, a public meeting was held at
the Guildhall, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop, "for the purpose
of promoting the establishment of an institution for sick children." It
was resolved, on the motion of Mr. J. G. Johnson, seconded by the Mayor
(Mr. Coaks), "That an infirmary for the treatment of the diseases of sick
children be established in Norwich, to be called the Jenny Lind Infirmary
for Sick Children." The first meeting of the supporters of the new
institution was held under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Samuel
Bignold), "in the house in Pottergate Street taken for the Charity," on
December 16th, 1853.
17.*--"The premises of the old Waterworks Company have been purchased of
the Corporation by the new company, who have liberally offered to give up
their interest in Chapel Field to the Corporation on condition that the
latter shall undertake to lay out the Field as a park and
pleasure-ground, so as to render it an ornament to the city. The
Corporation will have a considerable surplus fund in hand when the
company have paid the purchase-money for the Waterworks. By a plan
submitted by Mr. Lynore, engineer of the Waterworks, the Field will be
enclosed by a dwarf wall and railings, with handsome entrance-gates at
the Theatre Street, Crescent, and St. Giles' corners, and a porter's
lodge at the latter. The interior is to be laid out in the style of the
London parks, the reservoir to be retained, but altered in shape, and the
present tower to be ornamented and furnished with waiting-rooms, it is
also proposed to place the Nelson statue on an elegant fountain pedestal
in the centre of the reservoir."
18.--Died, Mr. George Bennett, comedian, aged 76.