Page 325 - Reading Mercury

hon. Secretary, having resigned, Mr. T.S. Brown was elected to the office, and a vote
of thanks was unanimously passed to Mr. Heron for his services.

BERKS FRIENDLY SOCIETY
The annual meeting of the Wokingham Branch of this society was held in the
Church-room in Rose-street, on Tuesday evening—S.A. Hankey, Esq., in the chair.
Letters were received from several hon. Members, stating their inability to attend. The
committee (with the addition of the Rev. E.G. Coppleston) the chairman and the
agent, were unanimously elected. Mr. A. Barrett was elected a representative member,
in succession to Mr. H Hibbert. The society is in a prosperous condition. Considering
the weather there was a good attendance.

THE LATE FROST
The frost broke up on Wednesday night. Through the exertions of Mr. E. Lane,
surveyor, the streets have been partially cleared of the snow, although in the Market-
place and on the sides of the streets snow is still piled many feet high. Some of the
residents, taking advantage of the snow, commenced running sleighs. On Monday
evening, with the permission of Mr. Goodchild, a pleasant evening was spent on ice at
Waterloo. A bonfire was lighted, and the lake was illuminated by a number of naphtha
lamps.
Mr. W. Chambers of the Market-place, supplied the refreshments. The Wokingham Brass
Band attended, and played a good selection of music, and dancing on the ice, to the strains of
the band, went on merrily till past ten.

th
Sat 19 March
WATER WORKS
The Water Works Company have now their works in full working order, and the
task of laying on the water, which is of excellent quality, is being proceeded with. It
was been proposed to have some demonstration to celebrate the completion of the
undertaking.

THE SUNDAY CLOSING MOVEMENT
A public meeting in favour of closing public houses on Sundays was held in the
Town Hall on Friday evening. Mr. E. Nicholson of Oaklands presided and was
supported on the platform by Mr. Whitwell, the deputation; The Rev. J.S. Woodrow,
Mr. J. Weeks, Mr. J. Briginshaw, Dr. Noad and others. The meeting was opened with
prayer, and the chairman in a short speech introduced Mr.Whitwell, who read the
resolution, and in a lengthy speech stated that considerable good had been affected in
different parts of the country by the partial closing of public houses on Sundays;
landlords themselves were, he said, generally in favour of the movement, as they were
saddled with twice as many working hours per week as any other working men. A
canvas taken in different populous manufacturing localities was, he stated, wholly in
favour of Sunday closing, and he urged the audience to exert their influence on
County Members when the Bill came on in the House.
The speech met with frequent opposition and interruption from several parts of the
hall. The resolution was seconded by the Rev. J.S. Woodrow. A stranger present
proposed an amendment that no alteration was required in Wokingham. This was
seconded by Mr. H. Kemp, but on being put to the meeting was declared to be lost.
The original resolution was carried.

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