Page 385 - Reading Mercury

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Sat 4 Dec
MUTUAL IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION
Mr. Hawkins presided at the weekly meeting on Wednesday evening, in the
Wesleyan School-room, Rose Street. Mr. Councillor Baker gave a successful lantern
entertainment, illustrative of “Egypt and the Pyramids.” Mr. Wesley Baker efficiently
manipulated the lantern. Some excellent views were thrown upon the screen, and at
the close of the entertainment, a hearty vote of thanks was passed to Messrs. Baker.
There were 60 persons present.

SALE OF A FREEHOLD PUBLIC HOUSE
Messrs Cottrell, Simmons and Goodchild sold at the Queen’s Hotel on Friday, the
th
26 November, the freehold fully-licensed inn, known as the “Rifleman,” close to
Wokingham. There was a large attendance of buyers, and biddings were brisk, starting
at £1,500; eventually the property was sold to Messrs. Nicholson and Sons, of
Maidenhead for £3,200. Messrs Cooke, Coper, and Barry, Wokingham were solicitors
for the vendor.

WOKINGHAM CATTLE MARKET
Messrs. Cottrell, Simmons and godchild held their usual sale of stock on Tuesday.
There was a fair supply and a good attendance of buyers. Fat calves made from £4 to
£4 16s.; sucklers, 15s. to 36s.; sheep, 25s. 6d.; pigs, 20s. to 70s.

1898

th
Sat 15 Jan.
Mr. and Mrs. Murdoch’s house party for the Garth Hunt Ball and the following meet
(reported else where) included H.R.H. Prince Christian (attended by Major Martin)
the Earl of Coventry, Mr. George, Lady and Miss Russell, Miss Emerson Tennant,
and Mr. Ambrose Lethbridge.

SERIOUS ACCIDENT TO MR. HOWARD PALMER IN THE HUNTING FIELD
We regret to say that on Monday a serious accident happened to Mr. Howard
Palmer, of “Heathlands,” while hunting with Mr. Garth’s Foxhounds. The meet was at
Billingbear, and when near Hawthorn Hill Mr. Palmer’s horse swerved at a blind
fence, and pitched the rider over its head, the result being a broken collar bone and
severe shock. Dr. Heasman, of Wokingham, who was in the field, at once attended to
Mr. Palmer, and the sufferer was taken to his home in Mrs. Henderson’s carriage. Mr.
Palmer is going on well under Dr. Heasman’s treatment.

FIRE BRIGADE FANCY DRESS BALL.
The Wokingham Volunteer Fire Brigade held a very successful fancy dress ball in
the Drill Hall on Wednesday. The dance was in aid of the Accident Insurance Fund,
which costs the brigade about £22 annually, and took the place of the concert which
has generally been held in former years on behalf of the fund. Encouraged by the
success of Wednesday evening’s departure from the usual entertainment the brigade
propose to make the ball an annual institution. The furnishing of the hall and ante-

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