Page 185 - Reading Mercury

HALF FARTHINGS
A proclamation announcing the issue of a coin of a value unknown before, namely
half-farthings, was published on Friday. To merchants eighths of a penny have long
been familiar with their dealing; but how shopkeepers may like this new money is
problematical. Hitherto a large proportionate profit has been made out of fractions,
which never have been given in favour of the buyer and which will now be ended, and
therefore by so much will it be beneficial to the poorer classes.

rd
Sat 23 July
INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS, MANCHESTER UNITY
On Wednesday last, a Lodge of the above Order, to be called the “Royal Forest
Lodge,” was opened at the King’s Head Inn, Wokingham, and, from the decided
success which has attended its establishment, there can be no doubt of its prosperous
continuance. A great number of the officers and brothers connected with the lodges at
Windsor, Reading and the neighbouring districts, attended upon the occasion, and, we
understand, that no less than seventeen individuals were proposed and elected
members, while the names of several others were submitted for nomination at a future
meeting. G. M. Webb, D.G.M. Church, and P.G. and S. Pook, from the Windsor
District superintended the institution of the Order; after which the brothers partook of
an excellent and substantial dinner, provided by Host Churchman, and served in a
very creditable style. After meat, the usual loyal toasts were given from the chair, by
G.M. Webb, who presided with great ability, and was ably supported by P.G. Pook, as
vice-chairman; other toasts followed, and the healths of the respective officers of the
Windsor district, as well as the members of the several lodges in the neighbourhood,
were drank with enthusiasm, and duly responded to; after which the company were
addressed in a very eloquent and impressive manner by Mr. Dehay, an honorary
member, by whom the benevolent objects of these friendly associations were ably
described and eulogised; also some excellent speeches were made by Messrs. Bell,
Webb, Pook, and others present, while the entertainments of the evening were
agreeably varied by this convivial party who were pleased to sing on this occasion.
The utmost hilarity prevailed till the close of the meeting, which did not arrive until a
late hour, after which the company separated, highly delighted with the successful
result of their endeavours.

th
Sat 24 Sept
REMOVAL OF MR. ROWLAND HILL
We have been informed that the individual to whom the country is indebted for the
inestimable advantages of the cheap postage, has just been dismissed from his
situation by the Government. Mr. Rowland Hill is no longer to have even a share in
the working of his own plan. The dismissal of Mr. Hill, under such circumstances, is,
as the act of a Government to a public benefactor, ungrateful and unjust. It has,
however, an important bearing which cannot fail to excite alarm. Is the penny postage
to be disturbed? Is the work of the last three years to be undone? Is the scheme left
entirely to the mercy of its enemies as a preliminary to its destruction? -- Chronicle

th
Sat 8 Oct
WATCHING.---WOKINGHAM,---WANTED
An intelligent, active, able-bodied Man, to act as CHIEF CONSTABLE: and also two
active able-bodied Men to act as ORDINARY CONSTABLES throughout the
ensuing Winter. The Wages of the Chief Constable will be £1 5s. per week, and of the

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