14.—St. Martin-at-Palace church, Norwich, was re-opened, after being restored and in great part rebuilt. In August, 1851, while the church was undergoing repair, a portion of the roof fell in and brought down with it the eastern end of the north aisle.
23.—A serious fire took place at the Norfolk Hotel, Norwich. The roof was entirely consumed, and a number of rooms destroyed. The Watch Committee, on May 21st, held an inquiry into certain allegations regarding a deficiency in the water supply, and the inefficiency of the fire-engines.
31.—Kensington Gardens, Lakenham, were opened to the public, who “found amusement in the collections of animals and birds.” During the Assize week “there was a pyrotechnic and scenic exhibition on the meadow side of the river, called, ‘The Storming of San Sebastian,’ being an imitation of the pyrotechnic display at Cremorne.”
JUNE.
5.—Election proceedings commenced in Norwich with the arrival of the Marquis of Douro and Lieut.-Col. Dickson, who had been adopted Conservative candidates. The Whig-Radical candidates, Messrs. Peto and Warner, arrived at Wymondham on the 9th, and proceeded thence by road to Norwich. At Mile End a procession was formed, headed by men carrying large and small loaves, labelled respectively “Free Trade” and “Protection.” In the evening the candidates addressed a great meeting at St. Andrew’s Hall. (See July 7th.)
—*“Through the exertions of several persons interested, the city and county magistrates have taken steps to put a stop to spring netting in the Wensum and Yare, and a fund is being raised to defray the expenses of protecting the rivers and prosecuting offenders.”
15.—A cricket match, between 22 of Lynn and 11 of All England, commenced at Lynn, and concluded on the 16th. Lynn, 63—58; All England, 41—66.
19.—The Witton estate was purchased by Mr. John Penrice for £18,900. “The Cromer Hall estate, the property of the Countess of Listowel, including the Gothic mansion, several farm-houses, and upwards of 1,200 acres of land, with several manors, has been purchased by private contract for £60,000, by Mr. Benjamin Bond Cabbell, M.P. for Boston.”
JULY.
2.—At the Norfolk Sessions the county justices received the resignation of Col. Richard Montague Oakes, Chief Constable. Capt. Black was elected in his place on October 22nd. Col. Oakes was presented, on October 23rd, with a silver vase, subscribed for by the superintendents and constables of the Norfolk constabulary.