8.--A complimentary dinner, attended by about 150 gentlemen, was given to
Lord Hastings at the Royal Hotel, Norwich, in recognition of the
successful manner in which he had hunted the East Norfolk Foxhounds.
13.--The English Grand Opera Company, managed by Mr. G. B. Loveday and
Mr. Oliver Summers, commenced a season's engagement at Norwich Theatre.
Madame Haigh-Dyer was the _prima donna_, and Mr. Henry Haigh and Mr.
Henry Rowland were members of the company. The works produced included
"Un Ballo in Maschira," "Fidelio," "Masaniello," "Faust," "Lurline," "Il
Trovatore," "Satanella," "Rose of Castile," and "Crown Diamonds."
14.--The headquarters of the 15th Hussars marched from Norwich Cavalry
Barracks, _en route_ to York.
17.--East Raynham church was re-opened, after restoration. The Marquis
Townshend had entirely rebuilt the nave, at the cost of upwards of 4,000,
and the rector, the Rev. R. Phayre, the chancel, at the cost of 1,000.
The work was commenced in May, 1866, by the contractor, Mr. William
Hubbard, of East Dereham.
25.--Died at Ballycroy, Ballina, co. Mayo, where he had occupied an
extensive farm, Mr. T. J. Birch, Judge of the Norfolk County Court
circuit. The second son of Mr. Wyrley Birch, of Wretham Hall, he was
born prior to the settlement of the family in the county. He was
educated at Eton, and having graduated at Oxford, entered the Inner
Temple, and was called to the Bar on November 18th, 1831. His first
official connection with the county was as a magistrate and joint
chairman of the Court of Quarter Sessions. After the passing of the
first County Courts Act, the Liberal Government of the day appointed him,
in March, 1847, to the judgeship of the Norfolk district. He was
succeeded in his appointment by Mr. William Henry Cooke, Q.C., Recorder
of Oxford.