ABOUT this time the two parties in the council became nearly equal in numbers, and the Liberals found a difficulty in selecting a mayor and sheriff every year from their own party. They accordingly proposed that each party should nominate a mayor and sheriff alternately. In 1848 S. Bignold, Esq., was nominated a second time, and elected unanimously to serve the office of mayor. From that time to the present the chief magistrate and the sheriff have been selected from each party alternately. This has also led to the members of the various committees being selected so as to represent all parties fairly, and the former exclusive system has been discontinued. * * * * * 1850. In 1850, in consequence of a memorial to the General Board of Health, established under the (1848) Public Health Act, Mr. Lee, a civil engineer and government inspector, came to Norwich and commenced an inquiry respecting the sanitary state of the city. The inquiry lasted a fortnight, and Mr. Lee heard evidence given by all the officials and other parties. He afterwards prepared a very elaborate report, showing that the supply of water was insufficient, that the drainage was defective, and that many causes of preventible disease existed. He advised the application of the Public Health Act, which was ultimately done. A company had been previously formed with a large capital, and had constructed works for the supply of water from the river Wensum to all parts of the city. The abundant supply of pure water proved very beneficial to the health of the inhabitants, and entirely relieved the Local Board of Health from all trouble on that point, and they had only to contract for the supply of water to water the roads and streets during the summer months. In January of this year Jenny Lind gave two concerts in St. Andrew’s Hall, which was quite filled, at high prices, by fashionable audiences, more than 2000 being present at each concert. The proceeds, amounting to £1253, were generously given by the celebrated songstress for the foundation of the Jenny Lind Infirmary for Children in Pottergate Street. It was established in 1853, and visited by the Queen of Song in 1856, when she was so much pleased with the management that she added £50 to her former gifts. * * * * *