The “political actions at law” against Sir E. Lacon were “in course of settlement.”
Dec. 8th.—An explosion had taken place on board the “Tonning” steamer at sea, and inquests on several bodies of the men killed held at Yarmouth.
Dec. 22nd.—The Volunteer Artillery had given a concert at the Corn Hall, when Messrs. John Franklin, W. Offord, Clements, J. Bartram, J. Cocks, W. C. Mack and the Masters Nutman took part in the performance.
The following was the form of apology upon which the actions against Sir E. Lacon had been settled, upon his payment of plaintiff’s costs:—
“Dear Sir,—Upon full enquiry, I find that the statements made by me in a speech at the dinner at the Theatre in April last, and complained of by you as reflecting on yourself as a member of the committee therein referred to, were made under an erroneous impression of the facts of the case, as far as yourself and the committee are concerned.
“Under these circumstances, I have no hesitation in withdrawing the imputations you and the committee complain of, and the plea of justification, and in expressing my regret that legal proceedings were deemed necessary, which, being now ended, no difference will, I trust, henceforth be made in the friendly feeling that has previously existed between us.
At the Police Court, Mr. Owles again called attention to the “practical” joking question, when Sergeant Barnes stated that the jokers “were attired in cloaks, and one wore a uniform cap.”
Dec. 29th.—The Rifle Corps, 180 strong, had marched to Hopton, where Major Orde “regaled them on bread and cheese, hot sausage rolls, and plenty of old ale.”
Jan. 2nd.—The poor rate assessment had been raised some £14,000, and a 1s. 2d. rate thereon made.
Mr. F. Ferrier (Deputy Coroner) had held an inquest on the body of Thomas Algar, the clown who had expired at the Theatre immediately after the performance on the previous Friday. The deceased was 34 years of age, and left a widow and one child. The verdict was that deceased died from “natural causes”; Mr. C. C. Aldred (the Surgeon) and the Jury gave their fees to the family.
Jan. 5th.—The Revenue cutter, in attempting to run for the harbour, had fouled the pier and was sunk.
Jan. 12th.—“The strong frost had literally stopped the river traffic.”