8.—The Lynn Town Council unanimously resolved to take steps to abolish “the annual collection of rubbish and roguery which passes under the title of the Cheese Fair.” The fair, which for many years had been held in King Street, was abolished by an order issued by the Home Secretary in the month of April.
18.—The Amateur Dramatic Club of the 5th Royal Irish Lancers commenced a series of performances at Norwich Theatre, with the production of “Ingomar.” On succeeding evenings, “The Lady of Lyons,” “Black-eyed Susan,” and other pieces were performed. The proceeds were in aid of the new uniform fund of the Norwich Rifle Volunteers, and of the Soldiers’ Monument on Norwich Cemetery.
21.—Interesting experiments were made with the telephone in the counting-house of Messrs. J. and J. Colman, Carrow Works, under the direction of Mr. H. Sack, superintendent of the Great Eastern Railway telegraph department. Telephones were attached to Messrs. Colman’s private wire to London, viâ Ipswich, and to the railway company’s wire viâ Cambridge to Liverpool Street Station, a distance of about 120 miles. “Parties of ladies and gentlemen at both ends were able to converse freely with each other, the words being clearly understood and distinctly heard. This was considered to be a very successful experiment, although it does not appear that at present the telephone can be adapted to public use.”
22.—Died at Heckingham, in her 100th year, Kezia, widow of Richard Haywood.
MARCH.
7.—Sir Wilfrid Lawson, M.P., addressed a meeting held at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, in furtherance of the Permissive Bill.
9.*—“The rules approved by the Secretary of State for the regulation of prisons in England and Wales under the Act of Parliament (the Prisons Act) passed last year have been issued. From these it appears that upon an order being directed for the discontinuance of Norwich Gaol and Wymondham Bridewell, the prisoners therein will be transferred to the County Gaol, Norwich Castle.” The prisoners were transferred from the Gaol to the Castle in the early part of May.
11.—Mr. H. M. Pitt’s Comedy-Drama Company commenced an engagement at Norwich Theatre. The company re-appeared at the Theatre on November 25th, for a season of eighteen nights—its farewell visit.
15.—Died at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital, from cancer on the tongue, Mr. John Joseph Cotman, aged 63. “As an artist he would have rivalled his father, John Sell Cotman, but unhappily his unquestionably great genius was marred by an eccentricity which at times verged on insanity, and ruined a career which should have been one of honour and renown to himself and of profit to his family.”
—Died at Lewes, Sussex, Mr. George P. Bacon, in his 71st year. He was the second son of Mr. Richard Mackenzie Bacon, proprietor and editor of the “Norwich Mercury.” In 1843 he became proprietor of the “Sussex Advertiser,” which he conducted in a very spirited manner. Mr. Bacon joined his brother in forming the “Norwich Mercury” Company. He was also well-known as secretary to the Association for the Repeal of the Hop Duty.