Several large estates which were in the hands of the corporation for charitable purposes are now vested in charity trustees. The corporation still pay fee farm rents to the crown, over £100 yearly. There is in trust of the corporation an estate of 112 acres, situated outside of St. Stephen’s Gate, called the “Town Close,” on which the burgesses had the right of commonage formerly, but in lieu of which right the freemen receive a few shillings yearly. The meetings of the corporation are held in the Council Chamber in the Guildhall almost every fortnight for the despatch of business, and meetings of the committees are held almost daily. The body corporate, as a Council and Board of Health, levies rates as we have already said to the amount of £45,000 yearly. The Board of Guardians sits in the same room, and raises by poor rates about £30,000 yearly, making the local taxation amount to £75,000 per annum. The City Police and Fire Brigade, under direction of Mr. R. Hitchman, the chief constable, occupy the basement of the Guildhall. The force, comprising nearly a hundred men, is considered to be very efficient. This year an extensive scheme was begun for an effective drainage of the city. We subjoin a brief history of the proceedings which led to this movement, and take the opportunity at the same time of giving some details as to the general operations of the Local Board of Health. THE NEW DRAINAGE SCHEME. So long ago as 1862, complaints were made of the impurity of the river in consequence of all the sewage of the city and of all the water closets being poured into the stream. In 1863, many inhabitants of Thorpe became urgent in their demands that some immediate steps should be taken to divert the sewage from the river, but this was more easily asked than done. The Board of Health, however, requested their then surveyor (Mr. Barry) to report on the subject; and subsequently Mr. Bazalgette visited Norwich and surveyed the stream. In the autumn of 1865 Mr. Bazalgette’s report was received. It recommended a plan of conveying the sewage through main drains to Crown Point to irrigate the land there. The board discussed the report and appointed a sewerage committee, who entered into negotiations with R. J. H. Harvey, Esq., M.P., for irrigating part of his estate at Crown Point. Mr. Harvey was to pay the cost of preparing the land for irrigation, and the annual cost of pumping; but after a preliminary notice had been given of the intention of the board to apply for an act of parliament, the board determined not to proceed at that time with the application for the act.