—Captain Wiggins, F.R.G.S., lectured at Norwich, upon his experiences in the Arctic Seas and Siberia. Mr. J. H. Gurney, jun., F.Z.S., F.L.S., who presided, introduced the lecturer as a native of the city. Captain Wiggins referred to the fact that forty-three years previously he lived as a boy at Norwich, and expressed the pleasure it gave him to return to his native town to tell them of things which he never dreamed of years ago. On the previous day Captain Wiggins was received at Marlborough House by the Prince and Princess of Wales.
9.—The Sheriff of Norwich and Mrs. White gave a soirée at St. Andrew’s Hall, at which many residents in the city and county were present.
12.—The Earl of Rosebery addressed a great Gladstonian meeting held at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich, under the presidency of the Earl of Kimberley. His lordship, after making an eloquent speech in favour of Home Rule, entered Mr. J. J. Colman’s carriage, and, preceded by two brass bands, and escorted by torchbearers, was driven to Carrow House.
13.—Died, at Mill Hill Road, Norwich, aged 60, Mr. James Darkin, a well-known music seller, who had been the means of introducing to the city many talented singers and musicians.
16.—In the Queen’s Bench Division of the High Court of Justice, before Lord Coleridge and Mr. Justice Hawkins, was mentioned the case, Ford v. Wiley. This case arose out of the question whether the operation of dishorning cattle, i.e., sawing off their horns at the roots, was cruelty within the meaning of the Act for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals. The Blofield Bench of magistrates had ruled in the negative. Lord Coleridge said: “All that we have to say for the present is that we have made up our minds distinctly and clearly to give judgment reversing the decision of the magistrates, holding as we do that the practice of dishorning is unlawful. But as we differ from several judgments we think it only respectful to the learned judges who decided those cases to say that we have duly considered everything they have said on the subject, and therefore we have thought right to take time to put our judgment into writing (though we entirely agree in it), and we will deliver judgment early in the next sitting.” On May 18th the Lord Chief Justice, in delivering judgment, said the operation of dishorning was detestably brutal, and it was also unnecessary except to enable its owner to obtain a pound or two more for the animal on its sale. Mr. Justice Hawkins concurred, and the case was remitted to the magistrates for further hearing.
23.—The Queen, accompanied by Princess Louise, arrived at Sandringham on a visit to the Prince and Princess of Wales. His Royal Highness, with whom was Prince Albert Victor, welcomed her Majesty at Lynn railway station, where she was presented with an address by the Mayor (Mr. G. G. Sadler) on behalf of the Corporation of the borough. On driving from Wolferton station to Sandringham House her Majesty was escorted by a large number of the members of the Norfolk Hunt, headed by Sir Dighton Probyn; and in the grounds one hundred men of the Norfolk Artillery formed a guard of honour. The officers in attendance were Colonel Lord Suffield, Major Dawson, Lieutenant the Hon. H. Tyrwhitt Wilson, and Lieutenant Lombe. On the 22nd her Majesty visited the Artillery camp in the park, and drove to Castle Rising and inspected the ruins; on the 23rd several of the neighbouring villages were visited, and in the afternoon the Queen received a deputation of the tenantry on the estate, who presented to her a loyal address; and on the evening of the 26th her Majesty witnessed a performance of “The Bells” and “The Merchant of Venice,” given by Mr. Henry Irving, Miss Ellen Terry, and the Lyceum Company. Her Majesty returned to Windsor on the 27th.
25.—The Norwich Diocesan Conference was opened at Noverre’s Rooms, Norwich, under the presidency of the Bishop of the Diocese, and was continued on the 26th.
26.—The phonograph, described as “Edison’s wonderful talking machine,” was exhibited for the first time in Norwich, “with a unique library of voices,” by Mr. William Lynd, M.I.C.E.
MAY.
7.—Died, at Norwich, aged 36, Mr. Edward Preston Willins, A.R.I.B.A. He was the youngest son of Mr. William Willins, and published a handsome volume, entitled, “Quaint Old Norwich,” a work much sought after by local collectors.