2.--The new lifeboat, Mark Lane, presented to the National Lifeboat
Institution by traders at Mark Lane, was launched at Yarmouth.
--Captain Wiggins, F.R.G.S., lectured at Norwich, upon his experiences in
the Arctic Seas and Siberia. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., F.Z.S., F.L.S., who
presided, introduced the lecturer as a native of the city. Captain
Wiggins referred to the fact that forty-three years previously he lived
as a boy at Norwich, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to return to
his native town to tell them of things which he never dreamed of years
ago. On the previous day Captain Wiggins was received at Marlborough
House by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
9.--The Sheriff of Norwich and Mrs. White gave a _soiree_ at St. Andrew's
Hall, at which many residents in the city and county were present.
12.--The Earl of Rosebery addressed a great Gladstonian meeting held at
the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of
Kimberley. His lordship, after making an eloquent speech in favour of
Home Rule, entered Mr. J. J. Colman's carriage, and, preceded by two
brass bands, and escorted by torchbearers, was driven to Carrow House.
13.--Died, at Mill Hill Road, Norwich, aged 60, Mr. James Darkin, a
well-known music seller, who had been the means of introducing to the
city many talented singers and musicians.
16.--In the Queen's Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, before
Lord Coleridge and Mr. Justice Hawkins, was mentioned the case, Ford _v._
Wiley. This case arose out of the question whether the operation of
dishorning cattle, _i.e._, sawing off their horns at the roots, was
cruelty within the meaning of the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals. The Blofield Bench of magistrates had ruled in the negative.
Lord Coleridge said: "All that we have to say for the present is that we
have made up our minds distinctly and clearly to give judgment reversing
the decision of the magistrates, holding as we do that the practice of
dishorning is unlawful. But as we differ from several judgments we think
it only respectful to the learned judges who decided those cases to say
that we have duly considered everything they have said on the subject,
and therefore we have thought right to take time to put our judgment into
writing (though we entirely agree in it), and we will deliver judgment
early in the next sitting." On May 18th the Lord Chief Justice, in
delivering judgment, said the operation of dishorning was detestably
brutal, and it was also unnecessary except to enable its owner to obtain
a pound or two more for the animal on its sale. Mr. Justice Hawkins
concurred, and the case was remitted to the magistrates for further
hearing.
23.--The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise, arrived at Sandringham on
a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales. His Royal Highness, with
whom was Prince Albert Victor, welcomed her Majesty at Lynn railway
station, where she was presented with an address by the Mayor (Mr. G. G.
Sadler) on behalf of the Corporation of the borough. On driving from
Wolferton station to Sandringham House her Majesty was escorted by a
large number of the members of the Norfolk Hunt, headed by Sir Dighton
Probyn; and in the grounds one hundred men of the Norfolk Artillery
formed a guard of honour. The officers in attendance were Colonel Lord
Suffield, Major Dawson, Lieutenant the Hon. H. Tyrwhitt Wilson, and
Lieutenant Lombe. On the 22nd her Majesty visited the Artillery camp in
the park, and drove to Castle Rising and inspected the ruins; on the 23rd
several of the neighbouring villages were visited, and in the afternoon
the Queen received a deputation of the tenantry on the estate, who
presented to her a loyal address; and on the evening of the 26th her
Majesty witnessed a performance of "The Bells" and "The Merchant of
Venice," given by Mr. Henry Irving, Miss Ellen Terry, and the Lyceum
Company. Her Majesty returned to Windsor on the 27th.
25.--The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre's Rooms,
Norwich, under the presidency of the Bishop of the Diocese, and was
continued on the 26th.
26.--The phonograph, described as "Edison's wonderful talking machine,"
was exhibited for the first time in Norwich, "with a unique library of
voices," by Mr. William Lynd, M.I.C.E.