5.--The marriage of Viscount Anson, eldest son of the Earl of Lichfield,
and Lady Mildred Coke, youngest daughter of the Earl of Leicester, was
solemnised at Holkham church.
6.--The first general meeting of the shareholders of the Norwich Cafe
Company was held at the Guildhall, under the presidency of Mr. John
Gurney. The company was incorporated in July, with a nominal capital of
20,000, in 20,000 shares of 1 each. About 8,000 shares had been
subscribed for at this date, by about 90 shareholders.
7.--The extension of the franchise to female householders was advocated
at a public meeting held at St. Giles' Hall, Norwich, presided over by
the Mayor (Mr. J. D. Smith), and addresses were delivered by Miss Helen
Taylor and Miss P. H. Downing.
9.--Mr. Harry Bullard, on the expiration of his term of office as Sheriff
of Norwich, was elected Mayor. For the office of Sheriff there were two
nominees, Mr. William Howlett and Mr. Donald Steward. After a long and
acrimonious discussion, Mr. Steward was appointed.
16.--At a meeting of the Board of Management of the Norfolk and Norwich
Hospital, Mr. Samuel Herbert Burton was elected house-surgeon, Mr.
Charles Williams surgeon, and Mr. H. S. Robinson assistant surgeon.
--The memorable and disastrous flood occurred at Norwich. A heavy fall
of snow on the 12th, followed by a rapid thaw and continuous rain, had
the effect of greatly swelling the tributaries of the Yare and Wensum.
Simultaneously, a north-west wind occasioned a high tide at Yarmouth, so
that the river waters were denied their natural outlet. Instead of
ebbing with the tide, the Yare rose steadily on the 15th, and many
thousand acres of marshes lying between Norwich and Yarmouth were
inundated on the following day. The New Mills at Norwich, were, however,
responsible for the greater part of the damage from which the city
suffered. The obstruction caused the waters to overflow the banks of the
river, and, in a short time, many of the streets in the low-lying
localities were flooded, and hundreds of the inhabitants were compelled
to leave their houses by means of boats. An enormous amount of distress
prevailed. The Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard) convened a meeting at the
Guildhall on the 17th (Sunday), at which it was decided to establish
centres for the distribution of provisions; and permission was obtained
from the Government authorities to make use of the governor's house at
the disused City Gaol for the accommodation of the houseless people, of
whom 200 found refuge there. The Sessions Court at the Guildhall was
opened during the day as a store-house, in which 2,600 loaves of bread
and many hundreds of blankets, received from the County Gaol, Asylum,
Workhouse, and Cavalry Barracks, were placed ready for distribution. At
6.30 on the same evening another influential meeting was held at the
Guildhall, when the Mayor and the Sheriff (Mr. Donald Steward) were
publicly thanked for the active part they had taken in mitigating the
distress of the people. On the 18th a third meeting took place, at which
a relief fund was inaugurated, when, in a few minutes, 2,271 13s. 6d. was
subscribed, an amount which, by the end of the week, was increased to
4,200. Three or four persons lost their lives in the flood. In various
parts of the county rivers overflowed their banks, and much damage was
done to property. (_See_ January 4th, 1879.)
18.--An art loan exhibition, largely contributed to by noblemen and
others in the Eastern Counties, was opened at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich,
by the Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard) in aid of a fund for the restoration of
the church of St. Peter Mancroft. An inaugural ode, specially written by
Mr. E Oxenford, and composed by Dr. Bunnett, was performed by members of
the Norfolk and Norwich Musical Union. The exhibition remained open
until December 14th, when a balance of 820 3s. 6d. was handed over to the
credit of the fund. (_See_ October 4th, 1881.)
19.--At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council, the Provincial Tramways
Company applied for permission to construct tramways in the city. The
proposed route was to commence at the Cemetery and to proceed by Dereham
Road, St. Giles' Road, Chapel Field Road, Queen's Road, Upper Surrey
Street, All Saints' Green, Golden Ball Street, Castle Meadow, Prince of
Wales Road, Foundry Bridge, and Thorpe Road to Whitlingham Railway
Station. An adjourned meeting was held on December 17th, at which it was
agreed not to oppose the Bill, provided the Tramways Company consented to
the insertion of such clauses, conditions, and restrictions as, in the
opinion of the Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee might be deemed
necessary. The Norwich Tramways Bill was considered by a Select
Committee of the House of Commons, on May 6th, 1879. It was opposed by
the Great Eastern Railway Company and Mr. Foster, a local resident, and
thrown out after only the promoters' case had been heard. (_See_ January
16th, 1883.)
21.--The Norfolk and Norwich Fat Cattle Show was opened at Chapel Field,
Norwich.