19.--The Norwich Town Council ordered a petition to be presented to
Parliament against a scheme for the construction of electric tramways in
the city. This course was adopted not in a hostile spirit, but with the
object of making the best terms possible for the citizens. On February
9th the Corporation gave its consent to the Tramways Bill then before
Parliament, and on February 23rd a petition signed by nearly 23,500
inhabitants of the city was presented to the Town Council, asking them to
support the projected electric tramways as distinct from the proposed
scheme of light railways. The Parliamentary and By-laws Committee on
April 13th reported that they had considered side by side the merits and
proposals of the New General Traction Company, Limited, to construct
electric tramways in the city and Thorpe, and of the British Electric
Traction Company, Limited, to construct light railways in the city and
district, and were of opinion that the interests of the city would be
best served by making an arrangement with the former company. It was
understood that the company had given an undertaking to withdraw their
Bill from Parliament at any time upon the request of the Corporation. On
April 23rd the Council adopted the following motion:--"(a) To enable the
New General Traction Company, Limited, to carry their Bill through
Parliament if terms can be arranged with the company satisfactory to the
committee, for the construction of electric tramways in the city; (b) to
oppose the application of the British Electric Traction Company, Limited,
for an order by the Light Railway Commissioners authorising the company
to construct light railways in the city and adjoining districts; (c) that
the committee be authorised to take such action and incur such costs as
may in their opinion be necessary to carry out the above resolutions."
On May 31st the Norwich Electric Tramways Bill was considered by a Select
Committee of the House of Commons, and it was announced that all
opposition had been withdrawn; and on July 20th it was stated that the
Bill had passed through the House of Commons and been read a second time
in the House of Lords. (_See_ February 5th, 1898.)
19.--The resignation of Mr. Robert Hitchman, of the office of Chief
Constable, which he had held for 38 years, was received by the Norwich
Town Council, who granted him a retiring pension of 273 6s. 8d.
--The Norwich Town Council accepted the offer of Messrs. Gurneys and Co.
to present to the Corporation a set of civic robes.
22.--The roads in many parts of the county were rendered impassable by
snowdrifts; the river traffic between Norwich and Yarmouth was impeded by
ice, and in the stormy weather which prevailed much damage was occasioned
to the Yarmouth fishing fleet and coast-bound vessels.
23.--A public meeting convened by the Lord-Lieutenant of the county (the
Earl of Leicester) and the Mayor (Mr. C. R. Gilman) was held at the
Guildhall, Norwich, to decide upon the method of celebrating locally the
Diamond Jubilee of her Majesty the Queen. The Dean of Norwich moved
"That subscriptions be invited in order to raise a sum of money, to be
called the Diamond Jubilee Fund, for the purpose of building a new Jenny
Lind Infirmary for Sick Children, it being the strong feeling of the
meeting that no memorial could be found more typical of the tender
sympathy and interest ever shown by her Majesty in the sufferings and
needs of her people." Viscount Coke seconded the resolution, and a
committee was appointed to raise the fund. (_See_ March 15th, 1898.)
25.--At the Norwich Assizes, before Mr. Justice Cave, Henry Greaves
Corsbie (37), clerk, pleaded guilty to feloniously endorsing and uttering
a banker's cheque for the payment of 31 12s. 1d. with intent to defraud
the Norfolk and Norwich Savings Bank on July 15th, 1893, and was
sentenced to seven years' penal servitude. The prisoner had been guilty
of frauds extending over a period of ten years.
--John George Foster (35) was indicted at the Norwich Assizes, before Mr.
Justice Cave, for the wilful murder of Alice Maria Newby, at 60,
Pottergate Street, Norwich, on December 8th, 1896. He was found guilty
of manslaughter, and sentenced to penal servitude for life.