Page 272 - Reading Mercury

put forth to erect and pay for the commodious house of prayer in which they were
met, and expressive use of the earnest desire of its promoters that it might, from time
to time, be filled with the Divine Glory, and that the Gospel of Christ in its purity and
simplicity might ever be proclaimed within it. A statement of the finances was
followed by addresses from the Revds. Stevenson and R. Bulmer, of Reading,
immediately after which the evening service commenced, when the venerable Rev.
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J.H. Hinton preached from the 10 of John and 11 verse.
The Chapel was opened for divine worship just three years since; the entire cost of
the building, warming apparatus, &c., together with a portion of the burial ground,
having amounted altogether to £1,875., about £1,700 of this has been raised by the
congregation and friends within a few miles of the place, and the remainder
contributed by persons at a distance. The total extinction of so large a debt in so short
a time has exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those concerned in the
undertaking, and the efficacy of the voluntary principle has in this received another
pleasing illustration. The weather being fine, added to the cheerfulness, and
harmonised with the feelings of joy and gratitude which evidently animated all
present.

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Sat 30 July
FIRE
On the morning of Sunday last, about a quarter past four o’clock, flames were
discovered burning very fiercely at the rear of a cottage at Shute End, Wokingham, in
the occupation of Mrs. Arlott. The fire soon caught an outhouse and the skittle alley at
the back of the “Hope and Anchor,” public-house, and then seized upon the upper part
of Mrs. Arlott’s cottage, which being old, burnt with great rapidity. As soon as the
alarm was given, Superintendent O’Neill arrived, and with the willing assistance of
the neighbours the flames were prevented extending to the adjoining cottage, but that
occupied by Mrs. Arlott was entirely burnt down. A portion of her furniture also,
which could not be removed, was consumed.
Water was then poured on which was extinguished in a short time, but owing to the
drought there was found very little water in the wells near, but fortunately a supply
was obtained from a pond at the rear of the Rev. E.J. Selwyn’s house opposite. The
inmates of the cottage had to make a very hasty exit, and have sustained a
considerable loss, we hear also, with regret, that the owner of the cottage was not
insured. The damage to the “Hope and Anchor” premises is not very heavy; the skittle
alley was burnt down, and the back of the house somewhat damaged, but it is covered
by an insurance.
The origin of the fire cannot be traced with certainty, but no doubt is entertained that
it was accidental. The short supply of water in our town has long been a source of
anxiety to many of the inhabitants, who feel that if a fire of such magnitude should
occur, the means of subduing it would be weak indeed, from this cause only.

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Sat 6 Aug
WATERING OF WOKINGHAM STREETS
During the past week, through the energy of a few of our tradesmen, a capital
improvement has been introduced in our town: we mean the partial watering of our
streets. At present the water-cart only visits the Market-place, and a short distance
down the adjoining streets, but when the inhabitants experience the benefit derived,
we shall hope to see the improvement extended.

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