1.--The arbitration case, Coaks _v._ Tillett, was opened at the
Shirehall, Norwich, before Sir Willoughby Jones, Bart. The inquiry had
reference to a claim made by Mr. I. B. Coaks against Mr. J. H. Tillett,
arising out of the winding-up of the affairs of the East of England Bank.
An action was originally brought in the Court of Queen's Bench, and was
intended to have been heard at the previous Norwich Assizes, but by
consent of both parties the matter in dispute was referred to the
arbitration of Sir Willoughby Jones. Mr. Merewether appeared for Mr.
Coaks, and Mr. Tillett conducted his own case. The amount claimed was
2,160, and the arbitrator, after an exhaustive inquiry was due
consideration, awarded 1,881 4s. 5d.
8.--In the Court of Queen's Bench, the Attorney-General moved for a rule
_nisi_ calling upon the Town Council of Norwich to show cause why a
_mandamus_ should not issue directing them to build a new asylum for
pauper lunatics. The question had been in abeyance since 1863, and
various reasons were urged why the asylum should not be erected. The
Court granted the rule _nisi_. On the 17th it was resolved, at a meeting
of the Town Council, to write to the Secretary of State, pointing out
that on April 17th a resolution was passed in the House of Commons
affirming that occupiers in counties and boroughs should be relieved
either in whole or in part of charges imposed for lunatics, the
expenditure for such purpose being almost entirely independent of local
control. The Home Secretary was asked whether he felt it imcumbent by
compulsory measures to force upon the local rates of Norwich an
expenditure estimated at between 40,000 and 50,000. On the 21st the Town
Council sent a memorial to the House of Commons, asking them "to
intervene for the protection of this municipality, or at least obtain a
postponement of the threatened proceedings until Parliament shall have
definitely settled by whom the cost of maintaining lunatics shall be
permanently borne." The Court of Queen's Bench, on June 10th, made the
rule absolute against the Corporation, and on June 18th the Corporation
decided, by 33 votes to 7, to offer continued resistance to the
_mandamus_. (_See_ January 15th, 1873.)
14.--A meeting, presided over by Colonel Hugh FitzRoy, was held at the
Town Hall, Aylsham, to discuss the feasibility of constructing a narrow
gauge railway between Norwich and Aylsham, and thence to Aldborough and
Beeston. Mr. Minshull, engineer, estimated the cost of construction at
5,000 per mile. The meeting was in favour of the scheme, and appointed a
committee to consider details.
16.--The first stone of Christ church, Eaton, was laid by the Mayor of
Norwich (Mr. R. Chamberlin). The church was opened on November 4th,
1873, by the Bishop of Norwich. Mr. H. Bolingbroke gave the site; the
architects were Mr. J. H. Brown and Mr. J. B. Pearce, and the contractors
Mr. W. Wright and Mr. J. W. Lacey. "It is said that the bell fixed in
the turret was formerly the sanctus bell at the Cathedral."
20.--The Queen's birthday was celebrated at Norwich on this day
(Whit-Monday). "It was a demonstration of regard towards the person of
her Majesty and of joy that his Royal Highness the Prince of Wales had
recovered from his illness." The streets of the city were decorated, a
military review took place on Mousehold, civic entertainments were given,
and the festivities terminated with a display of fireworks on the Castle
Meadow.
21.--Captain Bates, the Kentucky Giant, and Chrissie-Millie, better known
as the "Two-headed Nightingale," appeared at the Lecture Hall, St.
Andrew's, Norwich. Of this mulatto girl it was said, "Chrissie and
Millie are fairly educated, and sing either solos or duets with ease and
effect."
23.--Died at Naples, the Right Hon. Henry Lytton Earle Bulwer, Baron
Dalling and Bulwer. Born in 1804, his lordship was the second son of
General William Bulwer, of Heydon Hall and Wood Dalling, by Elizabeth
Barbara Lytton, sole heiress and last descendant of the Lyttons of
Knebworth in Hertfordshire. His career as a diplomatist is familiar to
every student of history. His lordship was the author of "Historical
Characters," which appeared in two volumes in the winter of 1867, and
rapidly ran into a sixth edition; and of a "Life of Lord Palmerston,"
published in 1871. The remains of the deceased nobleman were interred at
Heydon on June 25th.
27.--A one hundred yards' race took place on the West Winch Road, Lynn,
between Thomas Akers and a horse belonging to Mr. W. L. Proctor. "Akers
led off, the horse not starting directly the signal was given, but he had
not proceeded far when he was overtaken by the animal and beaten by about
ten yards."
29.--The tower of the church of Beeston-next-Mileham was struck by
lightning. "The Litcham fire-engine was taken into the church, but the
molten lead and burning timber fell so rapidly that nothing could be
done, and the tower was entirely destroyed."
--A remarkable mirage was witnessed at Yarmouth. "The weather was
exceedingly sultry, with heavy banks of clouds towards the east and
south-east, just opposite Yarmouth, and extending from the Scroby to the
Corton Sands there appeared a sharply-defined and magnificent outline of
Gorleston and Corton cliff, with the entrance to the harbour and even the
white sands. A stranger visiting the locality for the first time would
have supposed that Yarmouth was embayed by a narrow peninsula."