5.--A meeting of the Wells and Fakenham Turnpike Trustees was held at
Wells, for the purpose of letting the toll-gates for a term of eleven
months expiring on November 1st, 1881. The trust would have ceased in
1876, but Mr. E. B. Loynes, clerk to the trustees, was instructed to
attend a Select Committee of the House of Commons, to give information on
the subject. This resulted in a further period of five years being
granted, and certain restrictions and conditions were imposed to be
observed by the trustees. It was only in 1824 an Act was obtained for
making this road. "Under no conditions, however, can the trust be
maintained beyond November 1st, 1881, and therefore after that date the
Wells and Fakenham Turnpike Trust will be a thing of the past."
11.--Died at Unthank's Road, Norwich, the Rev. John Hallett, aged 57, for
twenty-four years minister of the Old Meeting House.
18.--The "Caste" Company, under the management of Messrs. Robertson and
Bruce, commenced a farewell engagement at Norwich Theatre. Miss Cora
Stuart (Mrs. T. W. Robertson) made her first appearance on the Norwich
stage.
22.--A new organ, erected at St. Andrew's Hall, Norwich, by Messrs.
Bryceson Bros. and Ellis, Charlton Works, Islington, was formally handed
over by Mr. Hugh Barclay, on behalf of the subscribers, to the Mayor (Mr.
Harry Bullard). The organ and its accessories cost 1,874. The receipts
amounted to 1,841, and Mr. R. A. Gorell made up the deficiency by handing
in a cheque for 35. Dr. Bridge, organist of Westminster Abbey, Dr.
Bennett, and Dr. Gladstone played selections upon the new instrument, and
the Mayor entertained the large company present on the occasion. The
public opening of the organ took place on the 23rd, when Dr. Bunnett gave
the first recital of his annual series.
26.--Died at Lowestoft, Mr. John Bathurst Graver-Browne, of Morley Hall,
aged 43. He was a son of Mr. John Graver-Browne, by his wife Frances
Bathurst, granddaughter of the Bishop of Norwich, and married, in 1871,
Frances Julia, daughter of Sir Henry Stracey, Bart. Mr. Graver-Browne
was a magistrate and Deputy Lieutenant of the county, and served the
office of High Sheriff in 1873.
29.--A dreadful disaster occurred at Wells-next-the-Sea. The Eliza Adams
lifeboat, manned by thirteen men, capsized while going to a ship in
distress, and eleven of the crew were drowned. Great public sympathy was
expressed, and to the fund inaugurated for the relief of the bereaved
families the Royal National Lifeboat Institution contributed 1,000.