Page 218 - Reading Mercury

rag and paper to prevent injury from rubbing. The other man attempted to escape, at
the same time dropping a bad shilling.
The following day they were brought before James Hayward Esq. When they gave
their names as Charles Goddard and James Barnett, and the depositions being taken,
the prisoners were remanded in order that the Mint authorities might be informed of
the case, and they have since intimated their intention to prosecute both prisoners

th
Sat 7 May
THE STAINES AND WOKINGHAM RAILWAY
The bill for this railway passed through Committee on Friday, the preamble being
declared proved. The bill grants the right to run over that part of the south-Eastern line
lying between Wokingham and Reading: this will open a direct communication
between Reading and Waterloo-bridge, a convenience that will be widely and greatly
appreciated. The particulars of this line are given under our Railway intelligence head,
in another page. It is anticipated that the interests of the Great Western will be
somewhat affected by this new access to the metropolis.

st
Sat 21 May
THE ANNIVERSARY OF THE FRIENDLY SOCIETY
The anniversary of the friendly society held at the Roe Buck Inn, took place on
Wednesday last. The members after walking in procession round the town
accompanied by the Sunninghill band dined together a 2 o’clock, when the chair was
taken by the alderman of the town, John L. Roberts, Esq., the medical officer of the
club, Frederick Fellows, Esq., and several other friends of the Society attended. A
most agreeable afternoon was spent and the arrangements of the host, Mr. Wigg, gave
the most entire satisfaction to the whole party, numbering about one hundred and
twenty.

th
On the 14 instant three tramps named William Webster, Charles Landsley, and
John Robinson, were committed for 14 days imprisonment by Le Marchant Thomas,
Esq., for refusing to pick one pound weight of oakum each in the Wokingham Union
workhouse on that morning, being the prescribed task to be performed in return for
their lodging and maintenance the previous night

th
Sat 5 Nov
FAIR
Our annual November pleasure Fair was held on Wednesday last, and was attended
by a large number of shows, and stands, for the sale of fancy articles, &c, than usual,
and the afternoon proving fine there was a considerable influx of visitors. Although,
as on all such occasions, there was plenty of noise everything passed off in an orderly
manner.

1854
th
Sat 11 March
LITERARY INSTITUTE
It is with much pleasure we again notice the proceedings of this institution, which
for some time past, from a variety of causes, had been by no means in a flourishing
state, still we are glad for the credit of the town to state that several of its old friends,
and some of its supporters from its formation, feeling the same interest as of old in its
proceedings, resolved if possible to restore its efficiency and usefulness as far as

216