Page 279 - Reading Mercury
P. 279

On Tuesday night the hills on the farms held by the tenants of Castlereagh Estate
                   were  illuminated  with  tar  barrels,  bonfires  etc.  The  Craighah  Hill  was  rendered
                   conspicuous by a grand display of fireworks consisting of several flights of rockets
                   with various smaller pieces. For miles around the illuminations were visible several
                   farm houses being brilliantly lighted.

                                                         1866


                         th
                   Sat 13  Jan
                             THE COMING OF AGE OF THE EARL OF HILLSBOROUGH
                      The festivities at Hillsborough Castle in celebration of the coming of age of the Earl
                   of Hillsborough continues—
                      On  Tuesday  evening  the  tenants  of  the  Kilmarlin  Estate  to  the  number  of  600
                   partook of the hospitality of the Marquis of Downshire and amongst the enjoyments
                   provided  for  them  witnessed  a  private  theatrical  performance  in  an  elegant  little
                   theatre expressly fitted up in the mansion. Other amusements are in contemplation.

                          th
                   Sat. 24  Feb
                      On  Thursday  last  the  Churchwardens  and  Overseers  of  Wokingham  distributed
                   nearly forty tons of coal amongst the poor parishioners from the funds realised from
                   the fuel allotments--a most acceptable gift just now when the weather is colder, and
                   from the long continued wet weather the poor have not been so fully employed as
                   usual.

                         rd
                   Sat 23  June
                                                 GENERAL HOLIDAY
                      In the early part of the past week a requisition was set on foot by a number of the
                   inhabitants who were desirous that a general holiday should be kept on the Coronation
                   Day,  which  very  quickly  received  the  appeal  of  all  the  principal  tradesmen  of  the
                   town,  and  on  Thursday  it  was  presented  to  the  Alderman,  Mr  James  Skerritt,  who
                   promptly issued a hand bill, in which he recommended his fellow townsmen to carry
                   out the proposal on Thursday next by closing their shops and suspending business as
                   far as practicable.
                      We shall hope to see so reasonable request very generally complied with and thus
                   enable the employer and employed to enjoy the rare treat of a day of recreation in this
                   beautiful summer season, a boon, the value of which can only be realised by those
                   whose duties tie them daily to the counter or desk.
                                              REMOVAL OF NUISANCES
                      The authorities are taking measures of a precautionary nature, with a view to the
                   sanitary improvement of the town and neighbourhood, the board of Guardians having
                   recently appointed Supt. Millard, inspector of nuisances for the south district of the
                   Wokingham Union and Mr. Edmond Herrington, of Twyford inspector for the north
                   district. We trust all parties will endeavour to assist the inspectors in the discharge of
                   their  duties,  as  far  as  practicable  by  the  removal  of  all  causes  of  complaint  and
                   especially during the hot season and in the suppression of these evils which are the
                   sure forerunners of disease.

                        th
                   Sat 7  July



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