5.—At the Sheriffs’ Guildhall Court, Norwich, the only jury available were so long engaged in considering a verdict that nine solicitors in
court volunteered to form a jury to try the next cause. Those sworn were Messrs. J. B. Daveney, H. Miller, G. Dye, R. Fickling, C. S. Gilman, Colman, Lawter, and Marston. Three laymen made up the requisite number. “The swearing of the jury of legal gentlemen caused much laughter, and what appeared most singular, after hearing evidence on both sides, they could not agree to a verdict, but recommended the withdrawal of a juror, which was done accordingly. Such a jury was never heard of before in Norwich.”
10.—John Simmons, aged 31, and William Lovet, 20, convicted at Thetford Assizes of burglaries at Thorpe, were executed on the Castle Hill, Norwich. Calcraft was the executioner. “After the execution the bodies were laid out in the mill-yard, and the different classes of prisoners were marched past.”
—*“A few weeks since a pike was caught in the North River, near St. Benet’s Abbey, which weighed 35 lbs., the extreme length of which was 49 inches. It measured 25 inches in girth. This astonishing fish, the largest ever caught in this county, was presented to his Majesty by Mr. H. N. Burroughes, of Burlingham.”
12.—Mr. Power, of Covent Garden Theatre, commenced a short engagement at Norwich Theatre, in the part of Dennis Brulgruddery. His other impersonations were Teddy the Tiler, Larry (“More Blunders than One”), Dr. O’Toole, Alessandro Massaroni (“The Brigand”), and Teague (“Honest Thieves”).
13.—At a meeting of the Norwich Paving Act Commissioners, a report was received from the Lighting and Watching Committee on the proposals of the agents of the Norwich Gas-Light Company for extending their works through the principal streets of the city. There were then four miles of main and service pipes supplied with oil gas; it was proposed to extend the pipes to twelve miles, and to supply “purified coal gas.” It was explained that the adoption of the proposal would result in the abolition of 900 old oil lamps and the substitution of gas lamps, at an increased annual charge of £500. At an adjourned meeting on April 30th, the scheme was adopted, and tenders were invited for carrying it into effect. In May the Norwich Gas Company purchased five acres of land near Bishop Bridge, on which to erect works for supplying the whole city with coal gas.
19.—Three troops of the 1st Royal Dragoons, under the command of Major Martin, arrived in Norwich, to replace the 7th Dragoon Guards. The headquarters of the regiment marched in on May 15th, from Manchester.
21.—Mrs. W. West, of Drury Lane, appeared at Norwich Theatre, as Portia. Her other parts included Edmond (“The Blind Boy”), Juliana (“The Honeymoon”), Mrs. Beverley, Ellen Enfield (“Falls of Clyde”), and Therese.
23.—The Norfolk Quarter Sessions petitioned the Lord Chancellor to order the removal of the Lent Assizes from Thetford to Norwich. On May 3rd the Corporation of Norwich adopted a similar petition.
—The birthday of King George IV. was celebrated for the last time.