12. A fifty miles bicycle race from the second milestone on the Dereham
Road, Norwich, to Swaffham and back, was ridden by members of the Norwich
Amateur Bicycle Club. The roads were heavy, and the wind, during the
greater part of the journey, unfavourable. Result: 1st, H. J. Hayes, 3h.
45m. 30s.; 2nd, Overton, 3h. 46m.; 3rd, Howes.
14.--The currency question was discussed by the Norfolk Chamber of
Agriculture, and a resolution adopted expressing alarm at the daily
increasing difficulty experienced by the agricultural classes in
obtaining money with which to meet their obligations, asserting the
belief that "an increase in the circulating medium would lessen that
difficulty," and urging the Government "to respond to the invitation of
the great Powers who had asked this country to join with them in
restoring to the peoples the free coinage and use of silver money." The
following resolution was also adopted:--"Although currency may in some
way affect the prosperity of trade and agriculture in this country, it is
the opinion of this Chamber that the main cause of the depression is the
influx of foreign produce to the ruin of the English producer and the
employment of foreign labour in the place of English labour."
14.--Died, at Thorpe Hamlet, Norwich, Mr. George Alden Stevens,
solicitor, in low 57th year. An entirely self-made man, he rose by
perseverance and integrity to become a partner in the firm of Miller and
Son. He was an ardent politician, and for several years argent to the
Liberal party, and the constant adviser of Mr. Jacob Henry Tillett
throughout his chequered experiences on the hustings and in the election
courts. Mr. Stevens was a member of the Town Council, and an alderman,
and it was largely due to his generosity and zeal that Chapel Field was
transformed from a barren and useless waste into a beautiful garden.
18.--Died, at Gladstone Street, Norwich, George Wilde, aged 62, the last
survivor in the city of the famous light cavalry charge at Balaclava.
Wilde was a private in the 13th Light Dragoons, and in the charge his
horse was killed and himself wounded. He was in receipt of a pension of
thirteen pence per day.
--The Prince of Wales visited Yarmouth and laid the foundation-stone of
the new hospital. On the 19th his Royal Highness inspected the 2nd
Brigade Eastern Division Royal Artillery, and in the evening attended a
ball given by the officers.
24.--The Queen's birthday was celebrated in Norwich by a review on
Mousehold Heath of the 19th (Princess of Wales' Own) Hussars, the 3rd
Battalion Norfolk Regiment, and the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk
Regiment. The Mayor (Mr. Harry Bullard) gave a banquet at Blackfriars'
Hall in the evening. Earlier in the day his worship and the Sheriff (Mr.
F. Oddin Taylor) entertained the inmates of the Workhouse.
25.--An "anti-coercion demonstration," held under the auspices of the
National Liberal Federation, was addressed at the Agricultural Hall,
Norwich, by Mr. John Morley, M.P.