16.--On this date was published the announcement that the First Norfolk
Mounted Rifle Volunteer Corps had been attached to the City of Norwich
Rifle Volunteer Corps for administrative purposes. The mounted corps,
which numbered 50, was commanded by Capt. F. Hay Gurney. The uniform
consisted of scarlet tunic with blue facings, white cross belt, white
breeches, and Napoleon boots. The head-dress was a busby with blue bag;
the forage-cap was blue trimmed with white.
16.--Intelligence was received at Norwich of the death, of the Duchess of
Kent. On the 17th (Sunday) special references were made to the
melancholy event at the religious services in the city, and at intervals
the age of the deceased was tolled upon the muffled bells of the
Cathedral and St. Peter Mancroft church. The Town Council, on April 5th,
adopted an address of sympathy with the Queen.
--The Surlingham estate was sold by Messrs. Butcher, at the Royal Hotel,
Norwich, for 16,895 pounds.
26.--At the Norfolk Assizes, before Chief Baron Pollock and a special
jury, was tried the libel action, Cufaude _v._ Cory. The plaintiff and
defendant had taken different sides at the election of a vestry clerk at
Yarmouth, and the libel was contained in a handbill issued during the
contest by the defendant, who referred to the printed statement of the
income and expenditure of the Guardians, to which body the plaintiff was
clerk, as "cooked," and left the sum of 779 pounds unaccounted for. The
special jury returned a verdict for plaintiff, damages 500 pounds. In
the Court of Queen's Bench, on April 17th, Mr. Lush moved for a rule to
set aside the verdict, on the ground of excessive damages. A rule was
granted. Mr. Cufaude subsequently consented to a reduction of damages
from 500 to 300 pounds, "much against the advice of his counsel."