HKGAUU TO THE FKE8II-WATEU FlSHEKlEcJ OF NORFOLK. 437 
bo passed, or so to inflict other i^enalties according to the 
ordinances aforesaid.” This charter was supplemented by an 
Act of I’arliamcnt of 33 George II., c. 27, by which if is made 
the subject of a fine of twenty shillings, or in default imprison- 
ment with hard labour for a term not exceeding three months, for 
any person to take, have in his ])ossession, sell, or expose for sale, 
“ any spawn, fry, or brood of fish, or any unsizeable fish, or fish 
out of season, or any smelt not five inches long,” etc., and these 
two acts constituted the authorities under which the Corporation 
took action till the year 1877, when the Yare Preservation Society 
obtained an act entitled the “ Norfolk and Suffolk Fisheries Act 
1877,” under which a joint board of conservators for Norfolk and 
Suffolk was appointed, and a code of bye-laws drawn up and 
sanctioned by the Homo Secretiiry, which are vigorously enforced 
mainly by the beneficial action of the above-named society through 
their watchers. 
From time immemorial it has been the practice for certain 
members of the Corporation, accompanied by the town clerk, to 
take float from Norwich and proceed annually, in the month of 
August, to llardley Cross — an ancient stone cross situated about 
fifteen miles from Norwich, at the junction of a tribuUiry of the 
Yare called the Chet, and marking the boundary of the jurisdiction 
of the city — and at the foot of tlic cross to read a proclamation in 
the following words : — 
“ Oyez ! Oyez ! Ojez ! If there be any manner of person that will 
absume, purfy, implead, or present an}* action, suit, plaint, or plea, for any 
offence, trespass, or misdemeanor done or committed upon the Queen’s 
Majesty’s Itivcr of fVeuson, let him repair unto the Right Worshipful 
Mr. Maj’or and the M orshipful Sheriff of the City of Norwich for the 
redress thereof and he shall be heard. God save the Queen.” 
Having thus asserted the jurisdiction of the city authorities, the 
party return on board their boat, which is usually a commodious 
steam yacht, and it is needless to say much festivity follows. The 
words “ absume ” and “ purfy ” have caused considerable speculation 
as to what they may mean; and in order to put the matter to the test, 
a former town clerk was asked what he would do supposing some 
person should appear before the maj’or and express himself desirous 
to “absume” or “purfy.” The town clerk was, however, quite 
equal to tlie occasion, and replied that he should request him 
