28.—The Yarmouth Haven and Pier Commissioners determined to oppose at every stage the Norwich and Yarmouth Navigation Bill, by which it was sought to obtain powers for improving the navigation of the river Yare by straightening, widening, and deepening the channel, so as to admit of the passage of seaborne ships from Yarmouth to Norwich. Application was made in the Court of Chancery for an injunction to restrain the Corporation of Norwich from raising funds by means of the borough rate to forward the Bill, which went before a Committee of the House of Commons on May 2nd. Counsel for the promoters intimated on May 5th that they did not intend to offer further evidence in its support, whereupon the Bill was withdrawn.
FEBRUARY.
4.—The driver of the Brandon, Fakenham, and Wells coach, benumbed with cold, fell from the box seat unknown to the passengers, and was severely injured. The accident occurred at Toftrees. “The horses proceeded at their usual pace, turning all corners, crossing Hempton Common, up the narrow street into Fakenham, and passing several carts and other vehicles on the way. They pulled up at the Crown Inn, as usual, and waited for the porters and ostlers. The coach stops on alternate nights at the Crown and Lion Inns, and this was the proper night for it to stop at the Crown.”
7.—The Yarmouth election petition against the return of Lord Arthur Lennox and Mr. Octavius E. Coope, on the ground of corrupt practices, came before the Committee of the House of Commons. On the 14th the Committee found that “gross, systematic, and extensive bribery prevailed amongst the freemen at the last and previous elections, and considered it their duty to express to the House their unanimous opinion that the freemen should be disfranchised, and that no writ should be issued for the borough until legislative measures had been taken for the purpose of such disfranchisement.” The members were unseated. The Disfranchisement Bill received the Royal assent on June 30th, and the names of 1,106 voters were struck off the list, leaving the constituency at 876. On the same day the writ was issued for the election. Mr. C. E. Rumbold, Mr. Joseph Sandars, and Mr. Bagshaw were nominated candidates on July 7th; a poll was demanded, and the result was declared on the 8th, as follows:—Sandars, 416; Rumbold, 386; Bagshaw, 300.
27.—Died at Hill’s Farm, Attleborough, Mr. Theophilus Smith, aged 68. “He was a man of considerable talent and mechanical skill. In
1841 he had, through the kindness of the Earl of Albemarle, an introduction to Prince Albert at Windsor Castle, when a variety of ingenious models invented by Mr. Smith for improving the construction of the plough were submitted to and obtained the approbation of his Royal Highness, and a patent was subsequently taken out for what has become well known to agriculturists as ‘Smith’s Patent Albert Plough.’ Mr. Smith presented two poems to Prince Albert, addressed, ‘To the Queen’ and ‘To the Prince of Wales,’ and shortly after a beautiful family Bible, elegantly bound and emblazoned with the Royal Arms, was transmitted from Windsor Castle to Mr. Smith, with an inscription intimating that it was presented ‘by command of her Majesty.’ The Royal autograph and that of Prince Albert were, at Mr. Smith’s request, inserted.”
MARCH.
4.*—“Freehold building land is now freely selling on what is called Diss Common, for building purposes, at the rate of £700 per acre, which before the railway was barely worth the tillage.”
13.—The 16th Lancers arrived at Norwich, from Brighton. Men and horses came by special trains, and were under the command of Lieut.-Col. Smyth, C.B. The regiment had just returned from India, “where it had shared in the glorious battles of Aliwal and Sobraon.”
18.—Intelligence was received at Norwich that the Queen had given birth to a Princess (Princess Louise Caroline Alberta). The Corporation sent a congratulatory address.