1.--Mr. Craven Robertson's company commenced an engagement at Norwich
Theatre. "Caste," "School," "Ours," and "M.P." were produced.
5.--An election to fill the vacancy caused in the representation of
Norwich by the elevation to the judicial bench of Mr. Huddleston, Q.C.,
took place. The candidates were Mr. J. H. Tillett and Colonel Josiah
Wilkinson, Southampton Lodge, Highgate. The result was declared as
follows: Tillett, 5,877; Wilkinson, 5,079. On April 2nd a petition
against the return of Mr. Tillett, M.P., was filed in the Court of Common
Pleas, by Frank Ames, a workman at Messrs. Barnard and Bishop's
Ironworks. (_See_ May 6th.)
7.--Died at Brighton, Mr. Edward Warner, of Hingham Hall, Woodford,
Essex, formerly member of Parliament for Norwich. He was first returned
in 1852, in conjunction with Sir Morton Peto, and in opposition to the
Marquis of Douro and Lieut.-Colonel Dickson; and sat in the House of
Commons until the dissolution in 1857, but did not present himself for
re-election. In 1860 he again came forward, with Sir William Russell,
with whom he was returned, defeating the Conservative candidates, Mr. W.
Forlonge and Mr. W. D. Lewis. In 1865 he and Sir William Russell were
unsuccessfully opposed by Mr. A. Goldsmid and Mr. R. E. Chester Waters.
After the passing of the new Reform Act, the advanced Liberals selected
Mr. J. H. Tillett as their candidate, and the Whigs adhered to Sir
William Russell. In 1870 Mr. Warner took the field in opposition to Mr.
Tillett, but, after consulting the electors, he decided to retire from
the contest. Thereafter he lived in comparative retirement.
11.--A severe gale raged on the East Coast. The schooner Elizabeth,
belonging to Messrs. Bessey and Palmer, of Yarmouth, struck on the Barber
Sand, and the crew of four hands were drowned. Several other casualties
occurred.
25.--Application was made in the Court of Common Pleas, on behalf of
Josiah Buttifant, charged with the building society frauds at Norwich,
for an order that a writ of _certiorari_ might issue to remove the
indictments into the Court of Queen's Bench. The order was granted, and
the case came for trial before Mr. Justice Archibald, on May 6th, when it
was stated that the prisoner's defalcations amounted to 20,000.
Buttifant pleaded not guilty to the charge of forging certain documents,
but guilty to embezzling various sums. A jury was sworn to try the
charge of forgery, and returned a verdict of guilty. The prisoner was
sentenced to fifteen years' penal servitude.
31.--St. Margaret's church, Lynn, which had been restored at the cost of
7,000, as an act of thanksgiving for the recovery of the Prince of Wales
from his severe illness, was re-opened for Divine worship. The sermon
was preached by the Lord Bishop, and a distinguished company assembled
for luncheon at the Town Hall, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. E.
E. Durrant). The Prince and Princess of Wales attended afternoon service
at the church on Sunday, April 18th, and were received by the Mayor and
Corporation. The work of restoration was carried out under the direction
of Mr. Ewan Christian and Sir E. Gilbert Scott.
--A new organ, erected at North Walsham church, by Messrs. Hill and Son,
of London, at the cost of 487, was opened by Mr. James Turle, organist of
Westminster Abbey, at a special service, at which the sermon was preached
by the Dean of Norwich.