25.—At a meeting held at the Guildhall, Norwich, for the promotion of vaccination amongst the poor, it was stated that in 1819, when about 500 persons died of small-pox, “the figures of persons liable to take the disease was on an average of five years not less than 1,000 annually.” Since that year vaccination had again languished, and in 1820 not 100 of the poor were vaccinated. The meeting directed that a census be immediately taken for the purpose of ascertaining how many persons remained unvaccinated, and what would be the extent of the danger attending the introduction of small-pox.
26.—A smuggling boat was captured at Yarmouth between the Nelson monument and the old jetty, by boats of the Revenue cutter Ranger, Capt. Sayer. The smuggler had on board about 400 tubs of Geneva, and a quantity of dry goods, and her crew escaped by jumping overboard and swimming ashore.
28.*—“Died last week at Swaffham, the widow Turner, aged 96, formerly a midwife. Mrs. Turner had a perfect remembrance of the girl who was burnt at Lynn on April 1st, 1731, for aiding and assisting in the murder of her mistress, and was taken by her friends to visit her in prison a few days before the execution of that dreadful sentence.”
—Gurney’s Original day coach was advertised to leave the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich, for the Spread Eagle, Gracechurch Street, and the Black Bear, Piccadilly. The proprietor referred to the liberal patronage he had received “amidst the powerful ruinous competition among other parties concerned in the Norwich and London coaches.”
30.—At the White Swan Inn, Norwich, commenced a three double days’ play of cocks, for 10 guineas a battle and 200 guineas the odd, between the gentlemen of Norwich and the gentlemen of Cambridgeshire. Feeders: Lamb for Norwich, Burn for Cambridge. Norwich won by seven battles ahead in the mains, and two in the byes.
MAY.
1.—There was a contest this year for the Mayoralty of Norwich. At the close of the poll the numbers were declared as follow:—Alderman Rackham, 986; Alderman Hawkes, 950; Alderman Marsh, 630;
Alderman Yallop, 631. The two first-named were returned to the Court of Aldermen, who elected Mr. Rackham to serve the office.
2.—Died at his ancestral seat at Great Ormesby, aged 68, Mr. James Symonds, who was descended from one of the oldest families in Norfolk.
8.—At a meeting of the merchants, manufacturers, dyers, &c., held at the Guildhall, Norwich, presided over by Mr. John Harvey, it was resolved to petition Parliament for a repeal of the tax on imported foreign wool.