OCTOBER.
1.—At Norwich Police Court, Mr. William Sidney, proprietor of the Theatre Royal, made application for a licence for the performance of stage plays in that building. He stated that it was fifty years since he first performed at the Theatre, when, under the management of Mr. Davenport, it was open all the year round, and was understood to be a patent theatre. It was afterwards purchased by a company of which Sir William Foster and Mr. Robberds were the chairmen. He (Mr. Sidney) became lessee and afterwards proprietor, and purchased the shares and freehold land. The understanding during all those years was that it was a patent theatre and required no licence from the magistrates. The Town Clerk had requested him to produce the patent, but neither he nor his solicitors (Messrs. Rackham) were able to do so. Eventually a patent was found, but to their great surprise it was granted to one Thomas Ivory for seven months in the year only, commencing November 1st. The Town Clerk explained to the magistrates that the attention of the Executive Committee of the Corporation having been called to the necessity of certain structural alterations at the Theatre, Mr. Sidney was requested to have them carried out, and in consequence of his non-compliance the Lord Chamberlain was communicated with, and then it appeared that no patent had been granted to a theatre in Norwich since 1768. The magistrates, before granting the licence, required Mr. Sidney to comply with the demands of the Corporation, and on the 19th, it being reported that the work was completed, his application was acceded to.
15.—The coming of age of Mr. John Cator, eldest son of Mr. Albemarle Cator, was celebrated at Woodbastwick by a village fête.
18.—The Duke of Portland laid the last stone of a new dock at Lynn.
30.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at the Victoria Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Lord Bishop. The proceedings concluded on the 31st.
NOVEMBER.
9.—Dr. Eade was elected Mayor and Mr. J. Farrar Ranson appointed Sheriff of Norwich.
12.—Col. Boileau, at the annual distribution of prizes to the 1st Volunteer Battalion Norfolk Regiment, announced his impending retirement from the command of the corps. He was succeeded by Lieut.-Colonel Mansel.
23.—The headquarters of the 4th (Queen’s Own) Hussars arrived at the Cavalry Barracks, Norwich.
24.—A fire occurred on the premises of Mr. Ilott, Bridewell Alley, Norwich, and caused damage to the amount of between £1,200 and £1,500.