9.--At the Norwich Police Court, William Davies, of the Army Hospital
Corps, Henry Pritchard, and William Solly, privates in the 6th
Inniskilling Dragoons, and Staff-Sergt. Alexander W. Browne, Army
Hospital Corps, were charged with attempting to kill and murder John
Smith, a private of the 17th Regiment of Foot, at the Cavalry Barracks,
on August 3rd. Smith had been left in the military hospital by a
detachment of the 17th, who had handed the barracks over to the
Inniskillings. Smith was suffering from a loathsome disease, and it was
alleged that the orderlies of the dragoons and Davies, who had charge of
him, with the cognisance of Browne, stuffed up the fireplace of the ward
with straw, closed the windows and door, and placed plates of burning
sulphur upon the floor, for the purpose of suffocating him. The man died
a few days subsequently from the effects of the disease from which he was
suffering. The prosecution alleged two motives against the
prisoners--first, that some of them were interested in a will made by
Smith in their favour, and, secondly, that they were desirous of getting
rid of an unpleasant patient. After several remands, the prisoners were
committed for trial at the Assizes. The case was heard before the Lord
Chief Justice on November 12th, when the jury acquitted the prisoners.
Sergt. Browne was shortly afterwards promoted to the post of Acting
Sergt.-Major in the Army Hospital Corps at the North Camp, Aldershot, and
headmaster of the 3rd District Station Hospital.
16.--Mr. Traverner's English Opera Company commenced a six nights'
engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the opera of "Martha." The company
included Miss Annette Albu, Mdlle. Joyce-Maas, Mr. Michael Dwyer, Mr.
William Parkinson, and Madame Arabella Smythe.
--The annual meeting of the National Association of Architects commenced
at Norwich. Visits were made to different parts of the county, for the
inspection of the church architecture of the district.
30.--The extension of the East Norfolk Railway from Aylsham to Cawston
was inspected by General Hutchinson, and was opened for public traffic on
September 1st.
31.--The Norwich Town Council received a report from a special committee
recommending a scheme for repairing the main streets of the city with
wood, at the cost of 19,284. The scheme was adopted on September 15th.
On October 13th Mr. Arnold Taylor, an Inspector of the Local Government
Board, held an inquiry at the Guildhall as to an application by the
Corporation for powers to borrow 30,300 for street improvements and wood
paving. It was stated that of the amount named, 25,000 would be required
for the latter work. The Town Clerk reported, on November 16th, that the
Local Government Board had sanctioned a loan of 25,000, repayable with
interest within a period not exceeding twelve years. (_See_ January
22nd, 1883.)