March 25th. The Yarmouth and Gorleston Tramway opened to the public by the Mayor, and a luncheon afterwards given at the Star Hotel, in celebration of the event.
March 25th. Number of wherries registered with the Norfolk Port and Haven Commissioners during the past year was 112, of the total burthen of 1,963 tons, being an increase of 93 tons on the year.
March 25th. From this date to June 14th, the total number of passengers conveyed by the tram cars to and from Gorleston was 95,912.
March 27th. The brig “Thirteen,” of Sunderland, struck on the Cross Sand in a heavy sea, and both vessel and cargo, value £1,100 and £350 respectively, foundered. The crew were gallantly rescued by the Caister lifeboatmen.
March. The Rev. E. M. Sanderson, M.A., senior curate of the Parish, presented by the Lord Chancellor to the living of Weston St. Mary, near Spalding, worth £300 a year.
April 1st. The “Ernestine,” a full-rigged Dutch East-Indiaman, of 1,296 tons, with a crew of 27 hands, and having 2,000 tons of coal on board, struck on Hasbro’ Sands, but was got off by the aid of five tugs and another steam vessel the next day, after 800 tons of coal had been thrown overboard. Value of ship and cargo, £7,162. On June 24th the Admiralty Court awarded £1,800., i.e., £1,000 to beachmen and £800 to steamers.
April 2nd. Mr. C. H. Wiltshire selected Clerk to the School Board, out of ten candidates nominated.
April 5th. Last meeting held in the old Primitive Methodist Chapel, Priory Plain. (See Sept., 1850.)
April 8th. Bradwell Church (St. Nicholas’) re-opened after £750 had been expended in restoring the fabric and interior fittings. This church, dating from the 14th century, consists of nave, north and south aisles, chancel, south porch, and round tower at west end.
April 9th. Mr. William Laws, after serving as a Guardian of the Poor for 25 years, retired from the Board, at the age of three score and ten.
May 1st. The smack “Harkaway” lost on the Barber Sand. Value £600.
May 7th. A paper balloon sent up at the Crystal Palace at Sydenham, fell at Belton same evening.
May 18th. Contracts for enclosing additional ground to New Cemetery, amounting to £3,086—viz., brickwork, £2,230, stone-work, £286, palisading, &c., £520—accepted by the Corporation, the work to be completed by 29th Sept. (See June 9th, 1875, and Sept. 7th, 1876.)