1.--Mr. and Mrs. German Reed appeared at Norwich Theatre, and were
assisted in their entertainment by Mr. Corney Grain, Miss Fanny Holland,
and Mr. A. E. Bishop.
4.--Madame Blanche Cole's Crystal Palace Opera Company began a six
nights' engagement at Norwich Theatre.
6.--In compliance with a requisition signed by persons of both political
parties, the Mayor of Norwich (Mr. J. H. Tillett) convened a Common Hall,
"for the purpose of giving expression to the views entertained by the
requisitionists on the atrocities committed in Bulgaria." The Mayor
presided, and the Lord Bishop and many other leading citizens were
present. Resolutions were adopted expressing indignation and horror at
the atrocities perpetrated by troops in the service of the Turkish
Government. Meetings of a similar character were held in many of the
towns and villages of the county, sermons were preached in churches and
chapels, and relief funds organized.
9.--Mr. R. T. Gurdon was presented with his portrait (painted by Mr.
Sidley, of London), in recognition of his political services to the
county. The presentation was made by Sir Francis Boileau, Bart., at the
Liberal Club, Norwich.
10.--Swaffham church was re-opened for public worship. It had undergone
extensive restoration, under the superintendence of Mr. W. O. Milne,
architect, of London.
11.--Mr. H. Loraine and Miss Edith Kingsley opened Norwich Theatre for a
short season with a performance of "Othello." Among the other plays
produced were "The Gamester," "Hamlet," and "Richelieu."
12.--An explosion occurred on board the Alexandra steamer, which had been
chartered for the conveyance of the workpeople of Pockthorpe Brewery,
Norwich, on a river excursion. A case of fireworks placed in the bar
exploded, and filled the cabin with fumes by which many of the party were
seriously affected. Four deaths resulted. At the subsequent inquest,
the jury returned a verdict of accidental death, and expressed their
strong opinion "that in future no fireworks or combustibles be taken on
board steamers without being declared as such and placed under proper
charge."
13.--A disastrous gas explosion occurred at the church of St. John
Maddermarket, Norwich. The Rev. H. L. Rumsey and several members of the
choir were at practice when an escape of gas was noticed. Mr. Rumsey,
with a lighted taper in his hand, was in the act of turning off the gas
at one of the standards when a brilliant flame shot across the north side
of the nave, followed by a terrible explosion, which completely wrecked
the interior of the church. The choir escaped without injury, but Mr.
Rumsey was hurled a distance of several yards, and severely shaken and
bruised. The damage was estimated at 1,000.
19.--A skating rink, built at the cost of 9,000, including fittings, &c.,
was opened at St. Giles' Street, Norwich. It was 103 feet in length, 55
feet in width, with promenade gallery, smoking rooms, &c. An outer rink,
abutting upon Bethel Street, covered an area of 80 feet by 40 feet. For
some months roller skating proved a very popular amusement, and weekly
returns were published of the number of persons who visited the
establishment. This popularity was, however, of short duration, for on
May 26th, 1877, it was announced: "The passion for rinking having fallen
to zero, the managers have introduced additional attractions in the shape
of a couple of clever bicyclists and a troupe of performing dogs." A
theatrical licence was subsequently obtained, and the rink was opened, on
September 10th, 1877, as "The Vaudeville Theatre of Varieties," under the
management of Mr. Hugh J. Didcott, with Mr. B. Isaacson as musical
director. The originator of the skating rink was Mr. Warner Wright, a
local solicitor.
24.--A brilliant meteor "fell about half-past six o'clock directly over
the planet Saturn, which was then shining in a cloudless sky." It was
observed throughout the Eastern and Southern Counties, and upon the
Continent.
25.--Messrs. H. M. Pitt and H. Hamilton's Company commenced a three
weeks' dramatic season at the Theatre Royal, Norwich. The pieces
produced included "False Shame," "Partners for Life," "Old Sailors," "Two
Roses," "Forgiven," "Queen Mab," "Still Waters Run Deep," "New Men and
Old Acres," "Money," "London Assurance," &c. In the company were Miss
Fanny Addison, Miss Alma Murray, Miss Dora Santon, Mr. and Mrs. George
Canninge, Mr. John Burton, Mr. J. Watkins, Mr. Sidney Weatherilt, Mr.
Edward Fowler, Mr. E. D. Ward, Mr. A. Walters, and Mr. Barry. Mr. H.
Cecil Beryl (Mr. W. H. Sparrow, of Norwich) was the acting manager.
27.--Died at Great Yarmouth, Commander Horatio Nelson Atkinson, "named
after his god-father, the hero of Trafalgar." He was the eldest son of
Thomas Atkinson, master attendant on Nelson's flagships, and entered the
Navy in January, 1817. When mate of the Seringapatam, in 1825, he
received three severe gunshot wounds. He attained the rank of Lieutenant
on November 27th, 1827, and served from February 23rd, 1831, until July,
1834, in the Alfred on the Mediterranean station, where he witnessed the
establishment of King Otho on the throne of Greece, and was presented,
when off Alexandria, with a sword by Mehemet Ali. From March 31st, 1836,
until his retirement he was employed in the Coastguard, owing to his
inability to procure further occupation afloat. Commander Atkinson was
in his 74th year.