2.--A case of considerable importance to the agricultural community, in
which the Earl of Leicester, Lord Lieutenant of the county, was
defendant, was heard by the Walsingham magistrates. His lordship was
alleged to have infringed the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1878,
and the Animals Order of 1878. The informations, laid by the Veterinary
Inspector of the district (Mr. Edward Case), charged his lordship (1)
with unlawfully causing to be driven on March 3rd a sheep affected with
sheep scab; and (2) with causing 200 suspected animals to be removed.
After a hearing which lasted eight hours, the Bench dismissed the case,
"because the defendant had satisfied them that there was no cause for
suspecting the animals removed."
5.--A singular accident occurred at Wells railway station. The driver of
engine of a passenger train from Norwich was unable to control the
brakes, and the engine dashing into the station, knocked down the buffer
stops, ran through the end platform, and, crashing into the lavatories
and porter's room, demolished the outer wall of the station, and came to
a standstill when partly in the public street. A young man named John
Cook was killed. At the inquest a verdict of accidental death was
returned, and at the subsequent Board of Trade inquiry the engine-driver
was exonerated of blame.
9.--St. Giles' Hall, Norwich, originally opened as a skating rink, and
afterwards used as a variety hall and theatre, was on this date opened
for the summer season as a circus by Mr. Stoodley.
11.--The Summer Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was opened
at East Dereham, when the entries were larger than on any previous
occasion. Mr. R. T. Gurdon was president.
15.--The Norwich Artillery Volunteers paraded for the first time in their
new uniform. The regulation scarlet facings and helmet of the Royal
Artillery had been substituted for the white facings and busby previously
worn.
17.--The Prince of Wales visited Norwich, for the purpose of laying the
foundation-stone of the new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. The visit was
of a semi-private character. His Royal Highness, who was received at
Thorpe Station by the Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard), the Sheriff (Mr. Donald
Steward), the Earl of Leicester, Lord Suffield, and Lord Carrington,
proceeded to the site of the new building, and having performed the
ceremony, returned to the station and travelled by special train to
Yarmouth. The cost of the new Hospital was originally estimated at
35,500, but the Board of Governors subsequently decided to purchase
adjoining property, at an additional outlay of 5,000. The Board
afterwards adopted a building design jointly prepared by Mr. T. H. Wyatt,
of London, and Mr. Edward Boardman, of Norwich, and accepted the tender
of Messrs. Lacey and Co. for the completion of the work. (_See_ June
30th, 1881.)
--The Prince of Wales arrived at Yarmouth, and on the 18th inspected the
Prince of Wales' Own Norfolk Artillery. His Royal Highness left on the
morning of the 19th. On both evenings of his stay in the town, the
Prince attended performances given by the Gaiety Company at the Theatre
Royal.
27.--At a special meeting of the Norwich Town Council, Mr. J. H. Tillett
moved, "That this Council objects to the proposed schemes of the Charity
Commissioners, particularly to those relating to the Boys' Hospital and
the Girls' Hospital Schools, on the ground that educational and other
funds given expressly and emphatically for the benefit of the poor are
thereby diverted from their proper objects, and applied to the increase
of the endowments in middle and upper schools, which schools, if in need,
should be helped otherwise than at the expense of the poor." The motion
was adopted, and the Parliamentary and Bylaw Committee were requested to
prepare a petition against the scheme. A Common Hall was held on July
16th, at which resolutions were adopted expressing dissatisfaction with
the scheme; and at a meeting of the Town Council, on August 26th, the
Parliamentary and Bylaws Committee, in a draft report upon the scheme,
urged that to apply grants originally given for the maintenance,
education, and advancement of the children of the poor, in aid of the
Grammar and Commercial Schools, or either of them, would involve a
misappropriation of the funds and a violation of the intentions of the
founders. (_See_ October 24th, 1882.)