11.--A Local Government Board inquiry was held at the Guildhall, Norwich,
by Mr. R. Morgan, C.E., as to an application made by the Town Council to
borrow the sum of 32,500, for the purchase of a portion of the Crown
Point estate, for sewerage and irrigation purposes. The amount required
for the purchase of the land was 27,500, for legal and other charges,
500, and the remainder was for erecting buildings, &c. The application
was opposed by the Norwich Ratepayers' Protection League. Another phase
of the sewerage question occupied the attention of the Town Council at a
special meeting on May 13th, when the City Engineer presented a report
stating that serious defects existed in the low-level sewer, and part of
the works had given way. It was resolved to borrow 20,000, at four per
cent., on mortgage of the sewerage farm, as a permanent loan for ten
years. On August 19th the City Engineer submitted to the Council three
alternative plans for dealing with the difficulty--(1) By plating the
sewer, at a cost of not less than 17,178; (2) by reconstruction, at a
minimum cost of 25,000; and (3) of providing a new lining at not less
than 33,000. Up to that time the total expenditure on the works amounted
to 113,000. On October 21st the Council decided to consult Messrs.
Hawkesley and Bazalgette, who, on December 16th, presented a report
suggesting that certain remedial works be carried out at an approximate
cost of 34,000. (_See_ January 20th, 1874.)
20.--In consequence of the demand by agricultural labourers for increased
wages, an important meeting of employers resident in the district of the
Wayland Agricultural Association was held at Watton, under the presidency
of Lord Walsingham, when resolutions were adopted whereby the meeting
pledged itself to decline to recognise the system of compulsion exercised
by the Labourers' Union, and to refuse any demand for higher wages made
by those who were members of the Union, "although willing to give
favourable consideration to any request made in a proper manner whenever
circumstances might be found to justify it." It was further decided to
invite co-operation from a larger area, and to form a society to be
called the Wayland Farmers' Defensive Association. Similar action was
taken by employers in the North Walsham district, at Swaffham, and in the
Blofield and Taverham Hundreds. (_See_ March 14th, 1874.)