16.—A reduction of from 15s. to 20s. per quarter in the price of bread corn was announced. There was also a decrease in the price
of live cattle of all kinds. “A sixpenny standard wheaten loaf, which about six weeks ago weighed only 1 lb. 4 ozs. 6 drs., now weighs 2 lbs. 10 ozs. 6 drs.”
23.*—“Another capital prize in the lottery has come down to Norwich. The whole ticket, number 24,350, a prize of £15,000 in the July Irish Lottery, is the sole property of Charles Weston, Esq., banker and brewer of this city. The ticket was purchased twelve months ago, and not being registered, the fortunate holder remained unconscious of his wealth until last week, when, on examining the public lists, he discovered that his ticket was a prize of the amount above stated.”
JUNE.
2.—Mr. Henry Harmer elected Speaker of the Common Council of Norwich, in place of his father, Mr. Samuel Harmer, who held the office upwards of 20 years.
4.—The King’s Birthday was celebrated at Norwich with great demonstrations of joy. The Corporation attended service at the Cathedral, the Loyal Military Association and the several parochial associations paraded in the Market Place and fired a feu de joie, and the members of the Norwich Light Horse, after a like ceremony, dined at the Maid’s Head. Major Patteson’s corps adjourned to Neeche’s Gardens, Capt. Blake’s corps to the Rose Inn, St Augustine’s, and the other corps to different taverns. The Mayor gave a dinner to the Aldermen.
8.*—“A quartermaster of the 13th Light Dragoons rode a certain distance up Thorpe Road in a given time, with his face to the horse’s tail, and afterwards up the sand hill near Kett’s Castle in the same position, and won both wagers.”
18.—The body of William Suffolk, who was executed in March, 1797, for the murder of Mary Beck, of North Walsham, was taken down by authority of the magistrates and interred on the spot where the gibbet was erected. “About ten days back a starling’s nest, with young ones, was taken out of the breast of Watson, who hangs on a gibbet on Bradenham Common, near Swaffham, for the murder of his wife, which was witnessed by hundreds of people as something very singular and extraordinary.”
20.—The ensign of the Généreux having been presented to the city by Capt. Sir Edward Berry, the Corporation caused it to be displayed in St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, with a suitable inscription.
22.—Holkham Sheep Shearing commenced and lasted until the 26th. Among those present were the Duke of Bedford, the Duke of Manchester, and other distinguished visitors. The new implements exhibited included a machine for drilling turnips, invented by the Rev. T. C. Munnings. It was described as “nothing more than a perforated tin box, affixed to and vertical with the axis of a wheelbarrow.” A thrashing machine “was much approved of.” At this meeting Mr. Coke announced his intention to give premiums for promoting the improvement of live stock and for encouraging experimental husbandry.