17.--The Snettisham Hall estate of 2,600 acres and a rental of 3,600 was
offered for sale at Garraway's. The highest bid was 99,000, and the
reserve was declared at 130,000.
20.--In the Court of Queen's Bench, the action, le Strange _v._ Rowe,
which raised an important question as to sea-shore rights, came on for
hearing. The defendant was proceeded against for taking shingle, sand,
and shell-fish from the sea shore in the manor of Snettisham, belonging
to the plaintiff. About twenty special pleas were set up by the
defendant and demurred to in point of law, on the broad ground that there
could not be in law any such rights as alleged, "either in all the
subjects of the realm or by Royal grant or by custom or by prescription
in inhabitants or occupiers." The Court deferred judgment, and
ultimately referred the case to the Norfolk Assizes for decision as to
questions of fact. At Norwich, on August 4th, the case was adjourned to
enable the plaintiff to amend the declarations. The case came before
Lord Chief Justice Erle at the Norfolk Assizes on August 13th, 1866, when
the jury returned a verdict for the plaintiff, damages one shilling. In
the Court of Queen's Bench, on May 28th, 1867, application was made for a
new trial, on the ground of misdirection and that the verdict was given
for the plaintiff against the weight of evidence. The application was
refused.
23.--An earthquake shock was distinctly felt along the coast from
Scratby, on the north of Yarmouth, to Lowestoft, on the south.
24.--The Queen's birthday was observed as a general holiday at Norwich.
A detachment of the 16th Lancers and the Volunteers were reviewed in
Chapel Field, and fired a _feu de joie_ in the Market Place; the Mayor
gave a luncheon at the Guildhall, and the Volunteers were entertained at
the Corn Hall. The Mayor's ball took place in the evening, at St.
Andrew's Hall.
27.--Considerable opposition was manifested, not only by the villagers,
but by the citizens of Norwich, to an attempt made by Capt. Bellairs to
enclose Mulbarton Common. A meeting was held in the village, at which a
strong protest was made against the proposal, and it was asserted that if
ever the ancestors of Capt. Bellairs had possessed the power to effect
the enclosure, they had allowed their rights to lapse.