Page 243 - Reading Mercury

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Sat 13 March
MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE’S SISTER
We understand that several of the inhabitants of this town who regard the existing
law which prohibits these marriages, as a source of much inconvenience and injustice,
have prepared petitions to the Houses of Parliament, setting forth the grounds on
which their objections are founded, and praying that such a measure may be passed
as to legalise marriage under the circumstances, and for the reasons therein set forth,
they have placed one of these petitions at Mr. Gotelee’s library for signature, by those
who entertain similar views on the subject. It is requested that it may be signed in the
course of the ensuing week, in order that it may be presented the following week,
when Viscount Bury intends to bring the subject under the consideration of the House
of Commons.

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Sat 27 March
MARRIAGE WITH A DECEASED WIFE’S SISTER
The petition to the Legislature from this town, praying that the legality of these
marriages might be secure by the authority of Parliament, which during the previous
week had been very numerously signed, were on Monday last forwarded by the
promoters for presentation; and they were much gratified at the result of the division
on Tuesday evening, on Lord Bury’s obtaining leave to introduce the Bill.

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Sat 8 May
CRICKET
The Wokingham Club, mustered for the first time this season, on Wednesday last,
on the Wellington Cricket-ground, and we were pleased to find so large a number
present. An excellent game was played between two elevens of the club, and some
very good play was shown, especially in the batting, which was acknowledged to be
first-rate, and superior to the bowling. We hear that a match with the Henley Club is
on the tapis; but let who will oppose the Wellington club this season, they will find
they have undertaken no slight work.
In the evening there was a goodly muster (about 45) to partake of an excellent
dinner at the Bush Inn, the party being ably presided over by Edward Weight, Esq.,
the president of the club. After paying due honour to the usual patriotic toasts Mr.
Weight rose, and after paying a most justly deserved compliment to Mr. William
Goodchild on behalf of the members of the club, begged to present him with a very
handsome silver pint cup of elegant workmanship, as a token that the club heartily
esteemed the favour of enjoying the gratuitous use of Mr. Goodchild’s meadow,
known as the Wellington-cricket ground, as well as the kind assistance invariably
shown by Mr. Goodchild to the club. The cup bears an inscription, engraved in the
centre to the same effect. Mr. Goodchild in feeling and suitable language assured the
company how highly he prized their present and the kind feeling shown to him. The
cup was at once brought into service and rapidly passed round filled with wine, each
of the company heartily drinking to the health of Mr. Goodchild. Several excellent
songs were sung, and a most pleasant evening was spent, thus inaugurating the
cricketing campaign in a manner that will long be remembered with satisfaction by all
who were present.

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