17.--Mr. C. J. Palmer, at a meeting of the Yarmouth Town Council, called
attention to the unsatisfactory condition of the Corporation records, and
stated that many of the documents in existence in Manship's time no
longer existed, whilst several others belonging to the town were in the
hands of private individuals in Norwich. A committee was appointed to
examine and schedule the charters and rolls, and to avail themselves of
the services of Mr. Henry Harrod, of Norwich, "for their better
elucidation and classification," at an expense not exceeding 20 pounds.
18.--The first snowfall of the season occurred on this date, and was
heavier than had been known for several years. The mails were delayed,
and great inconvenience occasioned. The morning train from London was
detained for fourteen hours at Lakenheath. At Lynn, on the 23rd, the
tide rose to a great height, and the low-lying parts of the town were
under water. A breach occurred in the river bank near Magdalene, and
occasioned the loss of much live stock and farm property.
21.--Died at Leeds, aged 69, the Rev. Robert Fountaine Elwin, rector of
Wilby-with-Hargham. He was well known in Norwich for the active part he
had taken in the Musical Festivals from their commencement. A few years
before his death he retired to Leeds, where he resided with his only
daughter, Mrs. Hyde. Mr. Elwin not only possessed fine musical taste,
but was skilled in mechanics, and an excellent connoisseur of the fine
arts. "Whether in the company of the great, presiding at the Choral
Society's meetings, or lecturing to mechanics, it was always delightful
and instructive to listen to him." Mr. Elwin's paternal grandfather
married a granddaughter of Oliver Cromwell.
24.--In the House of Commons, Capt. Baldero presented a petition from
certain electors at Norwich, who had petitioned the House against the
return of the sitting members, complaining that their petition had been
withdrawn without their consent, and praying that the order discharging
the petition might again be put on the orders of the House. Mr. T.
Duncombe presented a protest from Col. Dickson, complaining of the
withdrawal of the petition. It was alleged that Mr. Brown, the
Parliamentary agent, had been guilty of a breach of privilege by
withdrawing the petition. A motion for printing the petition was agreed
to. On March 2nd a Select Committee was appointed to inquire into the
matter. The investigation commenced on March 10th, and concluded on
March 17th, on which day Mr. Duncombe brought up the report of the
Committee. They were of opinion that Mr. Brown had received no
instructions to withdraw the petition, but as they could find no
precedent as to the proper mode of proceeding under the circumstances,
they left it to the House to determine whether it could comply with the
prayer of the petitioner. On March 12th a great Liberal meeting was held
at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr.
Coaks), at which resolutions were adopted expressing indignation at the
allegations made before the Select Committee with regard to Messrs. Peto
and Warner. A duel was to have been fought between Col. Dickson and Col.
Forester (a witness before the Committee) on March 19th, but "at the
eleventh hour the matter was fortunately adjusted by the friendly
interposition of an hon. member who sits on the opposite side of the
House. Mr. Culpepper represented Col. Dickson, and Mr. Craven Berkeley,
M.P., was the friend of Col. Forester." It subsequently transpired that
the withdrawal of the petition formed part of an arrangement and
compromise entered into between Mr. Henry Edward Brown and Mr. James
Coppock, solicitor, in pursuance of which eight petitions were
simultaneously withdrawn, as implicating the seats of ten members of the
House, namely, Norwich, 2; Kidderminster, 1; Gloucester, 1; Middlesex, 1;
Youghal, 1; County Down, 2; and West Norfolk, 2.
24.--At Norwich Quarter Sessions, before the Recorder, Mr. Prendergast,
the appeal case, Colman _v._ Clarke, was heard. Mr. Evans and Mr. Palmer
were for the appellants, and Mr. Hawkins and Mr. Bulwer for the
respondent. It was proved that in the early part of May, 1852, Messrs.
Colman established at Carrow a business for the manufacture of cake from
refuse rice, and it was alleged that after the process had been carried
on for a short time offensive smells were observed in the neighbourhood.
The firm were summoned before the magistrates for permitting a nuisance,
and were fined. They now appealed against the conviction, on the ground
of informalities in the original proceedings, and of want of jurisdiction
on the part of the magistrates. The conviction was quashed.
28.--Hengler's Circus and Roman Amphitheatre, Castle Meadow, Norwich, was
opened with the production of a grand equestrian spectacle, entitled,
"Kenilworth Castle."