DECEMBER.
17.*—“A line of wire has been suspended between Messrs. Morgan’s Brewery, King Street, and Mousehold House, the residence of Mr. W. H. Hackblock, who is a member of the firm.” This is the first record of a telephone wire erected in Norwich. The line was constructed by the United Telephone Company.
19.—The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Holkham, on a visit to the Earl and Countess of Leicester.
26.—For the first time for many years there was no pantomime at Norwich Theatre. The Christmas attraction was the appearance of Mr. George Loveday’s London Folly Company, in Paul Merritt’s “Rough and Ready” and Pinero’s “Hester’s Mystery.” The company included Messrs. John Billington, E. D. Ward, E. W. Garden, Misses Ada Mellon, Emily Thorn, Eliza Johnstone, &c. At John Sanger and Son’s Circus, on Castle Meadow, was produced the equestrian spectacle, “Dick Whittington and his Wonderful Cat.”
1882.
JANUARY.
7.—Great discontent was caused among the agriculturists of the county by the issue of a Privy Council Order directing the closing of the markets for the sale of store stock, owing to the recurrence of foot-and-mouth disease. At a meeting of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, a resolution was adopted and forwarded to Earl Spencer, declaring “that the severe restrictions imposed on the sale of cattle in the county were uncalled-for, and that a heavy penalty inflicted upon all persons moving diseased cattle would be a sufficient protection from disease.” On the 14th Mr. Edward Birkbeck, M.P., presided at a large meeting held at Norwich Corn Hall, at which resolutions were adopted protesting against “harassing and unnecessary restrictions, entailing serious loss upon the farming community”; and on the 18th a deputation appointed by the meeting waited upon Earl Spencer, with the object of obtaining relaxation of the restrictions. An important conference of the local authorities and Privy Council inspectors was held on the 21st, to discuss the state of the cattle lairs at Trowse and Lakenham, when it was resolved that as the local authorities had done all in their power to check the spread of the disease through the lairs, the Privy Council be requested to take such further steps as might seem desirable. On the 28th a telegram was received from the Privy Council, stating that the Order relating to the sale of fat beasts had been so far relaxed as to permit animals that had been offered at a public sale in a place not infected being sent within six days to the Metropolitan markets; and on February 17th the “London Gazette” announced that the restrictions in Norfolk, Essex, and Suffolk had been removed. Another outbreak occurred in December, and on the 9th of that month Norwich market was closed in respect to the sale of fat cattle. On the same day a large meeting of farmers, graziers, and dealers was held, under the auspices of the Norfolk Chamber of Agriculture, for the purpose of supporting an application made by Mr. Birkbeck, M.P., to the Vice-President of the Privy Council (Mr. Mundella), “that other than the Metropolitan market be opened to fat cattle sold on Norwich Hill and at the cattle sales held in the county.” On December 23rd it was announced that the authorities of the county and city were taking energetic measures to stop the sale of store stock unless the animals had been on a farm or premises fourteen days, and persons were appointed to watch the movements of animals, with the view of detecting any evasion of the Privy Council Order. (See March 17th, 1883.)
10.—Mr. J. L. Toole appeared with Mr. G. Loveday’s London Folly Company at Norwich Theatre, and continued his performances on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. His characters were Barnaby Doublechick (“Upper Crust”), Spriggins (“Ici On Parle Français”), Paul Pry, Tom Cranky (“Birthplace of Podgers”), Caleb Plummer (“Dot”), and Tittums (“The Steeplechase”).
11.—An “Old English Fair,” in aid of the restoration fund of the church of St. Peter Mancroft, was opened at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, and continued on the 12th and 13th. A total profit of £1,880 10s. 6d. resulted, and by the first week in March the required sum—£4,000—for the completion of the work had been raised. (See April 29th, 1883.)