1.--At a meeting of Norfolk agriculturists, held at the Norfolk Hotel,
Norwich, it was decided to support the national movement for presenting
Mr. C. S. Read, M.P., with a testimonial in recognition of his services
to agriculture. Upwards of 600 was subscribed in the room, the Earl of
Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, heading the subscription-list
with a handsome donation. The presentation was made at the Cannon Street
Hotel, London, on May 2nd, at a banquet presided over by Mr. Charles
Howard, of Bidenham, and attended by 160 of the leading agriculturists of
the three kingdoms. The testimonial consisted of a massive silver salver
weighing 115 ozs., and inscribed, "Presented, the 2nd May, 1876, to Clare
Sewell Read, M.P. for Norfolk since 1865, with a cheque for 5,500, in
testimony of his valuable services to Agriculture."
19.--The first of the entertainments known as "Spelling Bees" was given
at Noverre's Rooms, Norwich. It was claimed that they "served the
twofold purpose of testing the orthographical and philological knowledge
of the competitors and of providing amusement for the public." The Mayor
(Mr. J. H. Tillett) presided. The referees were Mr. Carlos Cooper, the
Rev. A. C. Copeman, and Mr. A. Master, and their decisions were in
accordance with the Imperial, Richardson's, and Walker's dictionaries.
Mr. T. Richmond Pinder was interrogator. "Spelling Bees" enjoyed for
some months the same popularity as their precursors, "Penny Readings,"
and every town and village in the county took up the movement, which,
however, was very short-lived.
22.--The members of the Yare Preservation Society and the riparian owners
of the county adopted a memorial to the Home Secretary, praying for the
legislative protection of local sea and inland fisheries. A deputation,
which included the members of Parliament for the county and city,
approached the Home Secretary upon the subject on February 1st, and
received the assurance that "if the Government could see their way they
would take the matter up at some future time." (_See_ February 2nd,
1877.)
29.--Died at his residence, Unthank's Road, Norwich, Mr. Abel Towler, one
of the senior magistrates of the city, aged 83. He was head of the firm
of Towler, Allen, and Co. In politics Mr. Towler was "a Liberal of the
old school."