26.—Died at Montreal, Sir Benjamin D’Urban, Commander of her Majesty’s forces in British North America. He saw much active service during the Peninsula War, and in 1829 became Colonel of the 51st Foot. He was a native of Norfolk, and related to the D’Urban Blythes of Massingham.
26.*—“One day last week a fine sturgeon, weighing 3 st. 11 lbs., and measuring 5 ft. 9 in. in length, was caught in the river at Northwold, twenty-eight miles from the sea.”
JUNE.
5.—The Rev. R. S. Bayley, of Sheffield, the originator and promoter, gave the first of a series of addresses on the aims and work of a new institution in Norwich known as the People’s College. Commodious premises were taken in St. George Colegate, where students were instructed under competent masters.
11.—Mountjoy the pedestrian commenced the task of walking from Norwich to Yarmouth and back twice daily for six successive days, and completed it on the 16th.
20.—Mr. G. L. Coleman, of Norwich, was presented with a valuable piece of plate, in recognition of his efficient discharge of the duties of the Mayoralty in 1847–8. The presentation was made at a dinner given at the Norfolk Hotel, under the presidency of the Mayor (Mr. Bignold).
—The demolition of the old Guildhall (or Church Hall) at Yarmouth commenced. The building had been used as a National School.
JULY.
18.—The annual show of the Royal Agricultural Society of England was opened at Norwich. The show ground, which comprised about fifteen acres, was on the old Heath, near Ipswich Road; the trials of implements took place on Mr. Parker’s land at Bixley. H.R.H. the Duke of Cambridge attended the show, and during his one night’s stay in the city was the guest of the Mayor. The society’s dinner, attended by 900 noblemen and gentlemen, was held at St Andrew’s Hall on the 19th, under the presidency of the Earl of Chichester. The show, which lasted two days, was visited by 22,000 persons.
20.—“A gentleman well known as Champion of the Yare” undertook to row 100 miles in twenty-four hours. He started at 12.35 a.m., and rowed to Beccles Bridge, a distance of 40 miles, and returned to Carrow Bridge; he then pulled down the river to Rockland Dyke, and back, a distance of 20 miles, finishing at 8.28 p.m., and completing the whole distance in 19 hrs. 53 mins. He rowed the last 20 miles under three hours.