1.—The 7th Hussars, after eighteen months’ service in Norwich, left for Aldershot, under the command of Col. the Hon. R. T. Lawley. The regiment proceeded by three special trains from Trowse. There were 642 men, 362 horses, 28 officers’ chargers; 30 women and 60 children.
10.—The reservists and recruits of the 13th Hussars, who relieved the 7th Hussars at Norwich Cavalry Barracks, arrived at Trowse Station by special train. There were between 300 and 400 men.
13.—The death occurred at Parsonage Square, Norwich, in his 65th year, of Thomas Mitham, who was regarded as the last representative in the city of the old watchmen who shouted the hour to the public. He was for many years watchman at Gurney’s Bank, and announced the hour once during the night, namely, at 11 o’clock. Prior to his entering the service of the bank he was keeper of the old toll-gate at Thorpe. In his early days he was a schoolmaster in Cambridgeshire, his native county; with his watchman’s duties he combined the work of collecting for various societies, was door-keeper at the Corn Hall, and was a man of great integrity.
26.—A reredos of richly carved alabaster, designed by Messrs. Hicks and Charlwood, architects, of Newcastle-on-Tyne, was dedicated at Letheringsett church by the Bishop of Norwich. It was the gift of members of the Jodrell family, who had done much to restore and beautify the church.
JUNE.
11.—At the Norfolk Assizes, before Mr. Justice Bigham, William Jimby, 38, was indicated for feloniously setting fire to a straw stack at Surlingham. The chief warder informed the judge that the prisoner was, or pretended to be, deaf; he understood nothing and was unable to read or write. The judge thereupon had a jury sworn to decide whether the accused was “mute of malice or by the visitation of God.” They found him to be mute of malice, and the judge ordered a plea of not guilty to be taken, and the case proceeded, with the result that the jury returned a verdict of guilty. His lordship remarking that he had not the slightest doubt prisoner was pretending he could not hear the proceedings, sentenced him to twelve months’ imprisonment.
17.—The celebration of the bi-centenary of the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel commenced at Norwich.
25.—Died at Cleveland House, Newmarket Road, Norwich, Mr. George Clayton Eaton, in his 66th year. A son of Mr. Thomas Damant Eaton, on whose death he succeeded to a liberal competency, Mr. Eaton followed no business occupation, but devoted his time to literary pursuits, gave most valuable aid to various charitable organizations, and took part in furthering the usefulness of several scientific institutions. During the transition of the Norfolk and Norwich Museum from its old quarters in St. Andrew’s to the Castle, Mr. Eaton laboured incessantly, wrote one of the descriptive guides to the Museum, and compiled the catalogue of the pictures. He was vice-president of the Norfolk and Norwich Library. When the library was destroyed by fire in 1898, Mr. Eaton was appointed a member of the special committee who advised upon the purchase of new books, and it was in this respect that his literary knowledge proved valuable. One of his latest acts of public generosity was to give, in conjunction with his brother, the Rev. William Ray Eaton, the site on which the mission-hall for the parish of St. Peter Mancroft is erected.
29.—A sale of the Sandringham shorthorns and Southdowns, the property of the Prince of Wales, was conducted at the Home Farm, Wolferton, by Mr. John Thornton. His Royal Highness and a large party from Sandringham were present. Forty-one heifers made a total of £2,954 14s., an average of £72 1s. 3d.; 13 bulls realised £780 3s. The 54 lots of heifers and bulls made £3,724 17s., an average of £69. The sheep made less satisfactory prices than on previous occasions.
30.—The Prince and Princess of Wales visited Norwich for the purpose of opening the new Jenny Lind Infirmary. His Royal Highness arrived at Trowse by saloon train from Wolferton at 1.10 p.m., and was received by Mr. Russell J. Colman, chairman of the Committee of Management of the Infirmary. Four minutes later the train by which the Princess travelled from London entered the station. Their Royal Highnesses, escorted by the 13th Hussars, were driven to Carrow Abbey, where a large and distinguished party had been invited to meet them at luncheon; and afterwards they proceeded to the new Infirmary, where they were presented with an address read by Mr. Colman, to which the Prince of Wales replied, and declared the building open. The Princess of Wales then accepted purses in aid of the endowment fund, a short address was delivered by the Dean, and the Bishop offered prayer. On leaving the Infirmary their Royal Highnesses proceeded to the Cathedral, and after hearing a short organ recital, took tea at the Palace. In the evening they left Thorpe station for Sandringham.