1.--A fire, involving the destruction of several dwelling-houses and a
large amount of other property, originated on the premises of Mr. W.
Colby, fish merchant, St. James's Place, South End, Yarmouth.
5.--The premises of Mr. H. F. Butcher, paper and mill-board manufacturer,
St. Martin-at-Palace, Norwich, were destroyed by fire. On the same day a
fire occurred at Mr. Orfeur's timber-yard, St. Edmund's; and on the 6th
an outbreak took place at the soap manufactory of Messrs. Andrews and
French, in Fishgate Street. The loss occasioned by the three fires
amounted to upwards of 6,000 pounds.
7.--Intelligence was received at Norwich of the defeat of General Windham
and his division by the Gwalier mutineers, near Cawnpore, on November
27th.
8.--Miss P. Horton and Mr. T. German Reed appeared at the Assembly Rooms,
Norwich. These favourite performers made a return visit on October 27th,
with their entertainments, "After the Ball" and "The Unfinished Opera."
19.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. J. H. Tillett moved,
"That an inquiry be held respecting the manner in which appointments to
the city magistracy are made, and also the manner in which the
magisterial business of this city is conducted, with the view to the
adoption of any measures which may appear likely to promote the better
administration of justice." The motion was adopted. The committee of
inquiry reported in February that they considered "the mode in which the
magistracy is appointed in cities and boroughs is highly objectionable,
the appointments being the result of party influence," and recommended
for the magistracy "those gentlemen who have served the office of Mayor
to the satisfaction of the Council." Complaints were made that from
excitement or infirmity of temper certain gentlemen made use of language
derogatory to their position, and tending to lower the respect of the
Bench, and these complaints the Committee found were not groundless. On
March 16th the Town Council adopted a series of resolutions, requesting
the Mayor to address a letter to those gentlemen whose names appeared in
the report as having never attended petty sessions, or as having rarely
or sometimes attended, requiring them to take upon themselves to
discharge the duties of their office; that a rota of attendance be
established; and that, "in relation to the unseemly proceedings which
have taken place in the Sword Room, the Council forbear to memorialise
the Lord Chancellor on the subject, in the hope that similar proceedings
will not occur again."
25.--The marriage of the Princess Royal was celebrated in Norwich by the
ringing of the bells of St. Peter Mancroft, and by public dinners at the
Royal Hotel. A ball took place in the evening, at St. Andrew's Hall.
The day was similarly observed at Yarmouth, Lynn, and other towns in the
county, and addresses of congratulation were afterwards sent to the Queen
by the respective Corporations.
26.--The long-pending case, Preston _v._ the Eastern Counties and Norfolk
Railway Companies, was before the Court of Exchequer, and Mr. Baron
Watson delivered judgment. The first count of the declaration charged
the defendants with diverting and obstructing the waters of the rivers,
and the second with omitting to repair certain locks, whereby the water
escaped. Judgment was given against the Eastern Counties Railway Company
for 40s. on all issues, and for the Norfolk Railway Company on their plea
of not guilty, but against them on all other issues. Finally the case
was before the Rolls Court on June 8th, and was entered as the
Attorney-General _v._ the Norfolk and Eastern Counties Railway Companies.
The object of the information was to have it declared that the defendants
were not by their Acts of Parliament empowered to divert or obstruct any
of the waters of the Rivers Yare and Waveney, or other waters connected
with them, except Lake Lothing, for the purpose of supplying the entrance
out between Lake Lothing and the sea with water. The Court made the
injunction already granted perpetual against the Eastern Counties Railway
Company, and ordered the company to pay the costs incurred in equity.
29.--The Norwich Town Council accepted contracts amounting to over 9,000
pounds for draining the northern portion of the city.