Page 248 - Reading Mercury

of the scheme a certainty. Eight architects have been selected and applied to for
designs to be sent in for the consideration and approval of the inhabitants from which
to accept one for adoption. Since our last several handsome contributions have been
received, including £50 from the Marquis of Downshire, T.C. Garth Esq., £50, the
hon. P.P. Bouverie, M.P. £21, George Barker Esq., £21, Elliot Morres, Esq., Sir
Edward Conroy, Bart., £10, Mr. Edward Lane £10. The committee have arranged that
members of their body shall wait on every inhabitant in the town and parish to receive
donations and we shall probably be able to publish in our next Paper the list of
contributors showing how handsomely the public have come forward to secure the
successful realisation of the desirable object in view.
Sat June 26th
BICYCLE RACE
A bicycle race, under the auspices of the Wokingham Cycling Club, took place on
Wednesday evening, the course selected being from the “Two Poplars” Inn to the
letter-box at Finchampstead and back, a distance of almost five miles. There were 15
starters, the racing being against time and handicapped, two leaving the starting point
together. The three following were declared the winners:- F.J. Wells 1 (18 m 10s.,
allowed 2m.); R. Simmons 2 (18m 12s., allowed 1m); W. Scribbens 3 (17m 20s.). The
quickest time made by the unsuccessful competitors was 16m 30s., and the longest
21m 35s. The first prize consisted of a silver-plated pint tankard; a pair of plated nut-
crackers was the second, and the third was a pair of hair brushes and case.
The Rev. J.F. Llewelyn was judge; Mr. W. White starter, and Mr. H. Butler referee,
and Messrs White, Rednall and Butler acted as handicappers. A smoking concert was
afterwards held at the “Bush” Hotel, the Mayor (Ald. Heron) in the chair.

st
Sat 31 July
TOWN HALL AND COUNTY POLICE STATION
The committee appointed for the purpose of carrying out this scheme, having met
with such flattering support from the public, in collecting the funds necessary for the
object in view, have since been engaged in obtaining the most suitable plan for the
building. For this purpose, seven architects were selected, who were invited to send in
th
designs, and on the 16 instant these gentlemen delivered their drawings, and, taken
as a whole they certainly reflect great credit on their authors’ abilities, and show that
much care and attention must have been bestowed on their production. The following
are the names of the competitors:- Mr. J.B. Clacey, Mr. W. Brown, and Messrs.
Poulton and Woodman, of Reading; Mr. Horace Jones, Mr. C. Fowler jnr., Mr. J.
Turner, and Messrs. Judge and Winstanley of London. The drawings are all in sepia,
and accompanied by block plans, and it is really surprising how excellently some of
them succeed in the difficult task of harmonising the two dissimilar objects in the
same design, so as to present an attractive exterior on all sides, a point of great
importance, seeing that the building will be erected in the Market-place. The designs
are arranged in the Town Hall for the inspection of the subscribers, and attracted
much attention, the only regret expressed being that after so many beautiful designs
had been prepared, only one could be accepted. However, after a careful examination,
the committee have selected Messrs. Poulton and Woodman’s plan, provisionally on
its meeting with the sanction of the police committee, and that it can be carried out for
the limited sum (£3,500) in hand, and it is a source of much satisfaction to the
committee, to find that their choice is ratified by the approval of a large majority of
the subscribers. The design presents a beautiful Gothic exterior, with a very light and
elegant clock tower, and we are sure that it will not only a great ornament, but of great

246