14.—Died, at Clermont Terrace, Queen’s Road, Norwich, Sarah, widow of John Barnard, formerly of Beccles, in her 101st year.
18.—Mr. S. Hoare, M.P., delivered a farewell address to his constituents, at St. Andrew’s Hall, Norwich, previous to his departure for India.
19.—A heavy fall of snow, accompanied by sharp frost, occurred on this date. Skating became general throughout the county.
26.—Ginnett’s Circus opened for the winter season at the Agricultural Hall, Norwich.
27.—Died, at Lynn, Mr. John Osborne Smetham, aged 78. He was six times Mayor of the borough, and had been an alderman thirty-four years, and held various public offices in the town.
30.—An influential meeting, convened by the Mayor, was held at the Guildhall, Norwich, to inaugurate a fund for the relief of the unemployed and necessitous poor of the city. About £900 was subscribed in the room, and active measures were taken for the relief of public distress.
1891.
JANUARY.
1.—A sudden break-up occurred of the severe frost, which had lasted twenty-one consecutive days, but at sunset it froze again with increased severity. This was stated to have been the longest frost recorded in Norfolk since 1813. On the 20th another thaw took place, followed by heavy rain; but during the night the frost reasserted itself, and became very severe on the 21st and 22nd. Then the temperature gradually increased, bright sunshine followed, and the wind having veered to the south rain fell. On the 24th the river steamer Alpha cut her way through the ice on the Yare, and opened up between Norwich and Yarmouth the traffic which for five weeks had been suspended.
2.—Died, at Weasenham, Mr. Henry Overman, aged 65. He established a wide reputation as a breeder of shorthorns, Southdown, and Oxford Down sheep, hackneys and cart horses. Mr. Overman was an extreme Radical, “but his political extravagancies were amply condoned by his warmth and kindliness of heart.”