Page 273 - Reading Mercury

One or two previous attempts in former years have failed, the more credit is due to
those who have successfully started the project new, and when it is seen that where all
combine how small an individual weekly subscription is required to continue this
present plan, it surely will not be discontinued, especially during the present dry and
dusty summer.
Some complain that the supply of water is rather scanty, but they must bear in mind
that the supply is in exact proportion to the subscription, and an increase in the latter
item will at once secure an increase in the former.

nd
Sat 15 Oct
ENTERTAINMENT
On Tuesday evening last, an entertainment entitled “Odd Varieties” was given in
our Town Hall, by Mrs Clara Macredy and Miss Blanche Lacy, and a very excellent
evening’s amusement it proved to be. Miss Lacy plays and sings very nicely and
elicited more than one encore in the course of the evening, whilst Miss Macredy’s
impersonation of the various characters she portrayed showed that she is a clever
actress and capital elocutionist. The large audience testified their approval by
applause.

FAIR
Our Hiring Fair on Old Michaelmas day proved a very small affair indeed, as
beyond a little increase in the market attendance, no sign of the fair could be detected.
The practice of hiring servants at country fairs attended as it is with many objections
is very nearly at an end.

nd
Sat 22 Oct
THE WOKINGHAM FIRE ENGINE
The larger engine which is kept at the Town Hall has lately undergone extensive
alterations and repairs, and for this purpose Mr. Merryweather of the firm of
Merryweather and Sons, (of Long Acre and Lambeth) attended to suggest what
repairs and alterations were necessary. Mr. Alderman Ferguson ordered that these
should be at once carried out, and consequently the engine was sent to Messrs.
Merryweather’s fire-engine works in London.
The engine has been mounted on springs which makes it travel much easier along
the roads. The works have been thoroughly overhauled and repaired, and the firm
have turned it out equal in power to those of their latest design. The engine is painted
a bright red colour, and on each side in gold letters is written the word “Wokingham”.
Several new lengths of hose, fire buckets, &c., have also been provided, and in
addition to those, a domestic fire pump, a small inexpensive article, which can be
instantly set to work by a single person, and is invaluable in extinguishing fires when
they have not obtained much hold on the place.
When the other engine is repaired, the townspeople may flatter themselves they
have sufficient power to soon extinguish any fire that may occur.

LITERARY INSTITUTION
The introductory lecture of the present season will be delivered in the Town Hall, on
Thursday evening by the head master of the Wellington College, the Rev. E.W.
Benson, on “Self Education.”

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