Page 315 - Reading Mercury

were laid before the meeting by the secretary. From the report it is gratifying to learn
that the bank fully retains the confidence of the investing public as shown by the fact
that the capital of the bank has somewhat increased during the past year, the capital
now amounting to upwards of £20,000, invested with the National Debt
Commissioners.

GAS COMPANY
A meeting of the shareholders of the Gas Company were held on Monday last to
consider the propriety of increasing the capital of the company in order to enable the
directors to lay down new mains and increase the works, and to enable the company
to meet the increased demand for gas in the town. A carefully prepared specification
and estimate drawn up by Mr. E. Baker, of Reading, was laid before the meeting and
considered, when it was resolved that the company’s capital be increased by the sum
of £1,500, to be raised by additional shares of £10 each, each share, in accordance
with the company’s trust deed, to be first offered to existing shareholders, and if not
all taken up by them, the remainder to be then offered for public competition

th
Sat 5 Aug
SIGNIFICANT OF THE TIMES
st
At the meeting of the Guardians of Wokingham Union, on the 1 inst. The master of
the house reported there were no able-bodied inmates—a circumstance which has
never been known before; and obtained permission to engage paid labour to perform
the necessary domestic duties of the establishment.

rd
Sat 23 Sept
FIRE
On Thursday, about 2 pm, much alarm was caused by the news that a fire had
broken out at Pike’s Farm, in the occupation of Captain J E Leveson-Gower, and
numbers of the inhabitants hastened to the scene to render assistance. It was found
that a large wheat rick standing in the stock-yard and in close contiguity to the farm
buildings, was in flames and burning fiercely. Many of those residing near set to work
to endeavour to keep the surrounding stacks from igniting until the arrival of the
engines, and in this they succeeded.
The Wokingham engine was soon on the spot and at work, under Supt. Millard and
his assistants, and was found to be in excellent working order. The Twyford engine,
with their Fire Brigade, under Mr. L Davis, arrived shortly afterwards, and, there
being a good supply of water, the flames were almost entirely confined to the rick in
which the fire originated, although the adjoining stacks caught fire several times. The
fire burnt all night, but was kept within bounds by the unremitting exertions of willing
helpers. The cause of the outbreak is believed to have been a spark from a locomotive
engine (which had arrived for the purpose of thrashing) falling on the thatch of the
rick. Fortunately, the wind was calm. Capt. Leveson-Gower, we hear, is insured in the
“Phoenix” Office.
th
Sat 7 Oct
WOKINGHAM FIRE BRIGADE
(From an advertisement on another page).
th
At a meeting held in the Town Hall, Wokingham, on Friday, the 29 September
(Capt. Gower in the chair), it was decided to form a volunteer fire brigade for the
Town and surrounding neighbourhood, towards which the inhabitants and others are
invited to subscribe.

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