2.--At the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, held at Norwich, Mr. Day, the County
Treasurer, gave notice of his intention at the Easter Sessions, to resign
that office, which he had held for thirty-three years. Mr. Day took
leave of the Court on April 2nd, and Mr. Herbert William Day was elected
in his place.
--Lord Suffield, at the Norfolk Quarter Sessions, moved the adoption of
an address to her Majesty, expressing indignation at the Fenian outrages
committed throughout the kingdom, and promising the hearty and vigorous
co-operation of her Majesty's loyal subjects in the county in supporting
the Government in any efforts that might be made "to repress this odious
conspiracy." It was stated on January 11th that at Yarmouth precautions
had been taken to prevent an outbreak in the borough. Each ward was
under the special supervision of two magistrates; the store of gunpowder
was removed from the outlying magazine at the North Battery to the South
Battery, where a strong guard was stationed; and directions were given to
the Artillery and Rifle Volunteers as to the course to be pursued in the
event of their services being required.
14.--The Norwich Churchmen's Club was established at a meeting held at
the Clerical Rooms. It was intended for "the self-culture and rational
recreation of young men." For some years afterwards the society
continued to flourish, and was instrumental during the early period of
its existence in introducing to the city several eminent lecturers on
scientific and other subjects.
16.--A remarkable seizure of about one hundred coombs of wheat was made
at the New Mills, Norwich. This "mass of filth, one-tenth wheat and
nine-tenths rats' dung and maggots," had been sent to the mills by Mr.
Orlando Barnes, of Beeston, "for the purpose of being dressed for the
preparation of human food." The magistrates granted an order for its
destruction, and on the 22nd and 23rd it was publicly burned in the
Cattle Market. At the Norwich Police Court, on February 7th, Mr. Barnes
was summoned for sending the wheat to the mills with the view of
preparing it for human consumption, and was fined 40s. and costs. The
Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, on February 8th, discussed "the policy of
destroying agricultural produce by any local authority under the
Nuisances Removal Act, 1863, without sufficient proof of its unfitness
for feeding or some other useful purpose." A motion was adopted
affirming that such a practice was impolitic. In the following week
handbills were circulated calling upon the citizens to make an
"indignation visit" to Mr. Barnes' premises at Beeston on Sunday,
February 16th. The Mayor issued notices warning all persons to abstain
from taking part in the proposed proceedings, and the Chief Constable of
the county (Col. Black) drafted to the district thirty police-officers
and eight mounted inspectors and sergeants to prevent trespass upon the
farm. Several thousands of persons visited the village during the
afternoon, but a hostile demonstration was prevented.
18.--The colours of the 54th (West Norfolk) Regiment, bearing the marks
of the severe conflicts through which they had passed, were "laid up" at
Norwich Cathedral. They were brought from Aldershot on the 17th, in
charge of Capt. Shirecliff Parker, Lieut. Smart, Ensign Ibbetson, and two
colour-sergeants, and were deposited for the night at the Guildhall. On
the morning of the 18th the colours, escorted by the 15th Hussars, and
preceded by the band of that regiment, were borne to the Cathedral.
After Morning Prayer had been said, Lieut. Smart carried the Queen's and
Ensign Ibbetson the Regimental colour to the altar rails, and, kneeling,
handed them to Canon Nisbet and Canon Heaviside, "who placed them leaning
across the altar, one on the north and the other on the south side"; the
National Anthem was played upon the organ, and the officers and escort,
who wore their busbies, saluted. Canon Nisbet preached from Psalm xx.,
part of the 5th verse. The colours were subsequently placed in the
positions they now occupy in the choir.
23.--A fire, involving the loss of three lives and the destruction of
much valuable property, occurred at the house of Mr. Frederick Pigg,
hosier and boot and shoe manufacturer, Market Row, Yarmouth. Mrs. Pigg,
in heroically attempting to save her two children, was buried beneath the
falling roof of the building, and the charred remains of the mother and
infants were found the following day. The value of the property
destroyed was about 3,500.
28.--The first of the many long discussions upon the sewerage question
during this year took place at a special meeting of the Norwich Town
Council, on a recommendation of the Sewerage Committee that a memorial
from the citizens, praying for the introduction of the dry earth system,
instead of an expensive scheme of drainage, be not adopted. It was
decided that the works had progressed too far to admit of any
reconsideration of the plans. On February 28th a large meeting of
ratepayers was held at the Lecture Hall, St. Andrew's, under the
presidency of Sir Samuel Bignold, at which the following resolution was
passed:--"That the Local Board of Health be respectfully requested to
postpone the proposed drainage works, and that Messrs. Hay Gurney,
Charles Foster, J. Davey, and W. H. Clabburn and the other promoters of
the injunction be earnestly entreated not to interpose any obstacle to
the Board's compliance with this request." The "injunctionists," on
March 2nd, received a deputation appointed by the meeting, and, after
hearing their statements, Dr. Dalrymple replied on behalf of the relators
in the suit that they were of opinion "the question of proceeding with
the scheme of drainage did not rest with them but with the Town Council,
and they were not prepared to take any steps which would prejudice their
legal position for enforcing the purification of the river." On March
10th a memorial was presented to the Town Council, urging that the
drainage scheme in the then perplexity of sanitary science was "a
speculation with the health of the city," and that it was "stark madness
to plunge into a gulf of unplumbed expenditure unwarned by the failures
in other cities." A motion was adopted authorising the Sewerage and
Irrigation Committee to negotiate for a loan not exceeding 60,000,
required for the construction of sewerage works. On the 17th a band
paraded the city to attract the citizens to a common hall, at which
resolutions were adopted affirming that the rates were too high and the
trade of Norwich too depressed to warrant this costly experiment in
drainage. The Town Council, on April 7th, entered into a contract with
Messrs. Shrimpton and Co., of Uxbridge Road, London, for the construction
of certain sewerage works, at the cost of 28,874; and it was agreed to
take up at interest of the Hand-in-Hand Fire and Life Office the sum of
30,000, of which 20,000 was to be paid as soon as the necessary security
was prepared, and the remaining 10,000 at the expiration of six months,
at the rate of 4 15s. per cent. per annum. (_See_ March 5th, 1869.)
31.--Died at Welborne, aged 100 years, Benjamin Tooley, "leaving a widow
at the advanced age of 99."