Page 304 - Reading Mercury

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Sat 18 January
The marriage of Lord Arthur Hill on Thursday at St. Paul’s Church, Knightsbridge,
second son and late brother of the present Marquis of Downshire with Annie Lysander
Mary, only daughter of Lieut. Col. And Mrs Cookes.

The report notices the improvements effected in paving and channelling during the
past year, and concludes by congratulating the town on favourable return as to its
exceptional freedom from zymotic disease.

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Sat 1 March
THE QUEEN’S HOUNDS
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On Friday, the 21 ult., His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales hunted with the
Royal Staghounds for the first time since his late illness. The meet was at the Warren
House, Wokingham, and at 12 o’clock, His Royal Highness, accompanied by Colonel
Ellis, arrived in a char-a-banc and four horses from Windsor. He was met by the noble
Master of the Buckhounds, the Earl of Cork, and an immense assemblage of horsemen
and pedestrians.
The Price, who looked remarkably well, having mounted his hunter, the deer, “Little
Lady” was uncarted, but after an indifferent run through Tipping’s Wood by Bill Hill
to Hurst, and down near the Loddon she was left, and “The Quaker” was turned out
near the “Shoulder of Mutton” at Binfield. He led the field a good run by Pockets
Copse, Bean Oak, and Waterloo into Wokingham, where he ran into Messrs. Lush’s
Coach Factory, and was safely secured.
The Prince of Wales and Lord Cork left the field near Buckhurst in time to catch the
five o’clock train at Bracknell, and returned to town.

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Sat 19 April
On Wednesday, in the Easter week, the Alderman and Corporation attended service
at All Saints’ Church, when an appropriate sermon was preached by the Rev.-Bird,
the curate. They afterwards met at the Council Chamber and transacted the ordinary
business, viz., the election of an Alderman and Chief Magistrate for the ensuing year.
The unanimous choice of the Council fell on Mr. John Heelas, jun., who was
thereupon sworn into office. A cordial vote of thanks was carried to the retiring
Alderman, Mr. J.L. Roberts, for the efficient performance of his duties during the past
year.
On Easter Monday, the usual election of Church Wardens took place, when Messrs
William Goodchild, Thomas May, and Elliott Morres were re-elected for All Saints’
Parish, and Messrs. T. Cooke and J. Skerritt for St. Paul’s. The annual parochial
dinner afterwards took place at the Bush Hotel, when about thirty sat down to an
excellent repast, and spent a very agreeable afternoon. The new Rector of All Saints’
was present, and was heartily welcomed. The day was kept as a holiday in the town,
and, being beautifully fine, the numerous pleasure-seekers thoroughly enjoyed their
Bank Holiday.

LOCAL GOVERNMENT
We lately stated that a petition very numerously signed by the ratepayers had been
sent to the Local Government Board, asking for the formation of a district, comprising
the town and its suburb to be called “The District of Wokingham,” under the Local
Government Act, instead of continuing merely a portion of a Rural Sanitary District
under the management of the Board of Guardians, it being naturally felt that such an

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