FEBRUARY.
19.—A deputation of Norfolk magistrates and members of the Norwich Town Council waited upon the Home Secretary (Sir William Harcourt) on the subject of the proposed provision of a new prison site at Norwich. Lord Walsingham explained the objects of the deputation. The county prison at Norwich, with the Castle and a portion of the ground on which it stands, having been offered under Section 34 of the Prisons Act, 1877, for re-purchase by the original prison authority, i.e., the county of Norfolk, at the statutory price fixed by the Act (amounting in this case to £10,569), a committee was appointed by the Court of Quarter Sessions for the county, and another committee by the Town Council of Norwich. The county authority would not consent to take money out of the pockets of the heavily-burdened ratepayers for the repurchase of property which they had been compelled by law to part with for nothing; but they asked that this ancient and interesting piece of county property should be restored to its original owners “that it might be by them preserved to the best advantage in all its imposing dignity and grandeur.” The Mayor of Norwich (Dr. Eade) stated that Mr. John Gurney had gone so far as to offer, free of cost, another site for a prison. The Home Secretary replied that the Prison Commissioners would not abandon the site, but would continue to occupy it, unless an offer were made which they could accept. If it was desired that they should go elsewhere, it should be made worth their while to do so. At a meeting of the Norwich Town Council on April 10th it was reported that the Home Secretary was willing to accept £5,000 for the Castle, and that a still further reduction was probable. On June 17th the Mayor announced to the Corporation that the Government had agreed to sell to the city the Castle and its environments for £4,000; and it was resolved to purchase the property for that sum. (See October 19th, 1886.)
20.—Mr. C. S. Read was returned unopposed to fill the vacancy in the representation of the Western Division of the county, caused by the resignation of Mr. Bentinck, M.P. Mr. Read took his seat in the House of Commons on the 21st, and had a very cordial reception. “The Premier shook his hand when he came to the table, and a score of members behind the chair greeted him as heartily.”
MARCH.
15.—On this date were published the names of Norfolk men, and of those connected with the county, who had distinguished themselves at the battle of Teb, on March 13th. The list included Colonel Sir Redvers Buller, of Castle Rising; Commander Rolfe, of Heacham; Major Haggard, son of Mr. Haggard, of East Bradenham; Lieutenant Probyn (killed), nephew of Sir Dighton Probyn; and Captain Wilson, R.N., of the Hecla, son of Mr. Knyvett Wilson, of Swaffham. Captain Wilson afterwards received the Victoria Cross.
20.—Mr. Oscar Wilde lectured before a large audience in the Assembly Room, Agricultural Hall, Norwich, on the subject of “The House Beautiful.”
22.—The Spring Show of the Norfolk Agricultural Association was held for the first time at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich. Since this date the show has been held annually in the same building in the month of March.
26.—Mr. E. P. Weston, the celebrated pedestrian, who on the 15th completed his walk of 5,000 miles in as many consecutive hours (Sundays and Christmas Day excluded), delivered a lecture at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, on “How I Came to Walk into Walking.” The Mayor (Dr. Eade) presided. Weston, whose address was in the cause of temperance, stated that in fourteen years he had walked 56,000 miles.
28.—Intelligence was received at Norwich of the death, at Cannes, of the Duke of Albany. The great bell of St. Peter Mancroft was tolled, and flags displayed at half-mast. References were made to the sad event by preachers in various places of worship on Sunday, the 30th; on April 8th the Town Council passed a resolution of condolence with her Majesty the Queen and the Duchess of Albany; and on April 10th the county magistrates adopted a similar resolution.