9.—Mr. Charles Rackham Gilman was elected Mayor, and Mr. Samuel Newman appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
16.—The new Agricultural Hall at Norwich was opened by the Prince of Wales, on the occasion of the first exhibition held within the building by the Norfolk and Norwich Christmas Show Association. Among the distinguished company who received his Royal Highness were the Earl of Leicester, the Marquis of Hamilton, the Earl of Rosebery, Lord Walsingham, Lord Hastings, Lord Claud Hamilton, the High Sheriff, the Mayor of Norwich and Mrs. Gilman, &c. The Prince of Wales, having declared the hall open, made a tour of the show, and subsequently attended a meeting in the Farmers’ Room, at which the recently-formed Prisoners’ Aid Society was inaugurated. [The Christmas Show has since been held annually at the hall in the month of November.]
17.—The Rev. W. L. Blackley, rector of North Waltham, Hampshire, author of “Essays on the Prevention of Pauperism,” delivered an address at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, on his scheme of “national insurance or compulsory providence.” On the 18th Mr. Blackley addressed a second meeting, held at Noverre’s Rooms, under the presidency of Lord Walsingham.
21.—The Prince and Princess of Wales arrived at Merton Hall, on a visit to Lord and Lady Walsingham.
DECEMBER.
2.—The opening of the Norwich extension of the Lynn and Fakenham Railway, completed on November 21st, was celebrated by a déjeuner given at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, by the contractors, Messrs. Wilkinson and Jarvis. Sir William ffolkes, Bart., presided over the large and representative gathering.
7.—The action, Boswell v. Coaks, came before Mr. Justice Pearson. His lordship stated that he was intimately acquainted with one of the defendants, and suggested that the action be taken elsewhere. All parties agreed, and the trial was consequently deferred. (See February 26th, 1883.)
18.—A large portion of Gunton Hall, the seat of Lord Suffield, was destroyed by fire.
—An important public meeting, presided over by the Mayor (Mr. C. R. Gilman) was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, at which resolutions were adopted in favour of the entire prohibition of the use of drag-nets in the Yare and Wensum.
26.—Messrs. T. W. Robertson and H. Bruce’s Company appeared at Norwich Theatre, in the farcical comedy, “The Guv’nor.”