Page 319 - Reading Mercury

The despatch of letters at 1.30 has been abolished and in lieu thereof a letter bag is
made up at 3 pm for London and all parts (Reading Excepted). Letters for Sandhurst
and Wellington College should be posted before 9.30 pm.

th
Sat 28 Dec
AMATEUR BAND
On Christmas Eve the Amateur Band went around the town playing the well-known
Christmas hymns and carols. The music sounded very sweet in the still frosty night air
and harmonised with the thoughts of persons at this happy season. In the ordinary case
bands of music follow up their performances by ringing bells of different houses and
making a request for money but the members of the Wokingham Band gladly gave
their services in order to usher in the festival amongst the townspeople in a suitable
manner. They were led by Mr. Breacher who set the tunes expressly for the various
instruments.

1879

st
Sat 1 Feb
ENTERTAINMENT ON THE ICE
rd
On Thursday the 23 Ult., Mr. Goodchild, the ex-Alderman invited his fellow
townspeople to spend an evening on the ice on the ornamental water on his property at
Waterloo. The large space was well lighted by burning tar barrels, Chinese lanterns
and torches. Between 300 and 400 people assembled and all appeared to heartily
enjoy themselves. Messrs. L and T Carroll, Messrs. H and H Roberts and others
formed themselves into a glee party and sang some part-songs and glees.
The handbell ringers were also in attendance, and much enlivened the proceedings.
A large fire was kept burning on the centre island from whence a display of fireworks
took place. Mr. W. Chambers supplied the refreshments.

th
Sat 8 Feb
THE HEALTH OF WOKINGHAM
The annual report of Dr. Shea, the Medical Officer of Health, which has just been
presented to the Local Board, deserves a careful perusal. We glean from the report
that in the year 1878 there were 98 births in the district, and 60 deaths. Of the births
48 were males, and 50 females; of the deaths, 29 were males, and 31 females. Out of
the 60 deaths, 17 took place in the Union Workhouse, and of these 12 belonged to the
rural district, leaving 58 to be credited to the town, giving a death-rate of 18.7 per
1,000. This an increase on the rate for 1877, which was abnormally low. The year
1878 was, however, characterised by a high death-rate throughout this country. The
report contains many details as to ages and the various causes of death. A statement is
also shown of the work done by the Inspector of Nuisances, from which it will be seen
that 110 cases of nuisance have been remedied, and that much has been accomplished
in improving the sanitary states of spots which have long been deemed sources of
danger to health. The report notices the improvements effected in paving and
channelling during the past year, and concludes by congratulating the town on the
favourable return as to its exceptional freedom from zymotic disease.

ENTERTAINMENT

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