6.--A strong gale and high tide occurred at Yarmouth. Many of the houses
on the Marine Parade were in danger of being flooded. Many thousands of
fish were killed in the Yare by the ingress of salt water.
--The Mayor and Mayoress of Norwich (Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Gilman) attended
the launch, at Hull, of a new steamer, the Norwich, built by Messrs.
Earle's Shipbuilding Company, for the Great Eastern Railway Company's
service between Harwich and Antwerp. The Mayoress performed the ceremony
of naming the vessel.
10.*--"Lieutenant M. W. M. Edwards, 2nd Battalion Highland Light
Infantry, son of Mr. H. W. B. Edwards, of Hardingham, has been presented
by the Queen with the Victoria Cross, for conspicuous bravery, displayed
by him at the battle of Tel-el-Kebir."
11.--A remarkably high tide took place at Lynn. The waters overflowed
not only the quays, but the high banks of the river, a circumstance
unprecedented for at least half a century. The lands reclaimed by the
Norfolk Estuary Company from the bed of the old river were flooded to the
extent of 400 acres. The low-lying streets of the town were inundated by
the overflow from the river and "flats," and by sewage driven up through
the gullies. At Wells the waters overflowed the quay and entered the
adjacent houses.
17.--It was announced that the Privy Council had granted licences for the
sale of store sheep at Tombland Fair, on March 2nd. Norwich Cattle
Market was opened for the sale of fat and store stock on April 7th, under
certain conditions. (_See_ January 5th, 1884.)
22.--The Spring Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held on
the Old Cricket Ground, Lakenham.
24.--A public subscription was inaugurated to enable the city of Norwich
to purchase a site for the erection of brigade depot barracks for the
Norfolk Regiment. The War Office, it was announced, had agreed to retain
the Cavalry Barracks on condition that the city provided a site for the
infantry depot. On July 24th the War Office intimated their acceptance
of the site on Plumstead Road, which was purchased at the cost of 1,600.
26.--The accomplished young tragedienne, Miss Alleyn, made her first
appearance at Norwich Theatre in the character of Juliet, with a company
under the management of Mr. Charles Bernard. Among her other
impersonations during the engagement were Marguerite Gauthier ("Woman's
Love"), Lady Teazle, Adrienne Lecouvreur, Rosalind, Pauline, Iolanthe
("King Rene's Daughter"), and Portia. Miss Alleyn was described as
"incomparably the best actress seen on the Norwich stage within the last
thirty years."
30.--Mr. and Mrs. Gladstone passed through Lynn railway-station, on their
way to Sandringham, to visit the Prince and Princess of Wales. "Mr. and
Mrs. Gladstone travelled in a first-class carriage, and on the arrival of
the train they were apparently asleep. Mr. Gladstone, however, soon woke
up, and immediately one of his admirers, in the form of a 'working-man,'
proceeded to the carriage window and introduced himself as one of his
supporters, and thereupon shook hands with the Premier. On Sunday
morning (April 1st), some prominent members of the Liberal party in Lynn
received fictitious invitations to lunch with Mr. Gladstone at
Sandringham, the envelopes in which the notes were enclosed bearing the
postmark of that village." The visit terminated on April 2nd.