5.--At the County Sessions, at Norwich, the Committee appointed at the
previous Sessions recommended that the Chief Constable, on the
application of the High Sheriff, be allowed to supply police-constables
for keeping order in the Assize Courts, in place of the javelin men
previously employed, the High Sheriff engaging to pay the additional
expense. The Chairman (Sir Willoughby Jones) remarked that theoretically
the javelin men kept the Courts, but practically they kept the
neighbouring public-houses. The recommendation was agreed to. On March
27th, Mr. Justice Williams was received at Victoria Station by the High
Sheriff (Mr. Henry Birkbeck) and a posse of policemen, "in the place of
the time-honoured body which had long constituted a conspicuous part of
the pomp and circumstance of our Assizes, having at length succumbed to
the utilitarian tyranny of the age. His arrival at the Shirehall and
Guildhall was signalised, however, by the customary fanfaronade on a
couple of inharmonious trumpets."
15.--St. Giles' church, Norwich, was for the first time lighted with gas,
and evening services were held there from this date.
17.--Mr. E. E. Benest, City Surveyor, tendered his resignation to the
Norwich Town Council, after eight years' service. He was succeeded, on
March 14th, by Mr. Thomas D. Barry.
20.--Lord Sondes was presented by his Norfolk tenantry with a piece of
plate, of the value of 140 gs., as a birthday gift and as a testimony of
the esteem in which he was held by them as a landlord and nobleman.