Page 409 - Reading Mercury

with a splendid basket of exotics, daintily tied with salmon pink satin. The red and
white draping of the doorways, combined with the flags festooned above, and the
foliage on the bandstand, fireplaces and elsewhere, making a very effective display.
The floor was covered with red baize with the exception of a large square in the
centre, reserved and prepared for dancing. Refreshments were laid in the Council
Chamber, and also in the ante-room at the other end of the hall. Lounges and small
tables arranged around the dancing area afforded excellent opportunity for watching
the dancing or for social intercourse. Mr. W. Chambers was entrusted with the
catering, the upholstering was done by Messrs. Gadd and Co., the floral decorations
were supplied by Mr. G.F. Pontin, the floor coverings and the hangings by Mr. R.
Yalden, while Mr. A. Fox prepared a splendid floor for the dancing.
The young visitors were entertained in a variety of forms, their host and hostess,
with a number of their friends, doing all in their power to make them happy. Mr.
Alan, Stainer of London, gave a capital legerdemain and ventriloquial performance.
Mr. C.H. Martin a “Father Christmas,” assisted by Master Clode (a goblin) distributed
bon-bons amid much merriment. Members of the Royal Military College Band,
Sandhurst, discoursed some excellent music for the various dances.
The proceedings terminated with a “friendship’s chain” of the whole company to the
strains of “Auld Lang Syne.” Three cheers were heartily accorded the Mayor and
Mayoress for their kindness, and the large party dispersed expressing many thanks for
their hospitality. After an interval of half-an-hour, a large number of guests assembled
for a dance, which was continued until midnight. (all participants listed)

nd
Sat 2 Feb Reading Observer
EMMBROOK MISSION ROOM
A successful entertainment was held on Wednesday evening in the Emmbrook
Mission Room, in aid of the Emmbrook Young Men’s Club. The Rector (the Rev.
H.M. Walter) presided. The Misses Long contributed a Japanese duet in costume and
Mr. R.T. Butler gave an excellent exhibition of conjuring tricks, etc. several other
performers also delighted the audience.

WOMEN’S LIBERAL ASSOCIATION
A successful meeting of the East Berks. Women’s Liberal Association (Wokingham
Branch) was held on Tuesday evening. The meeting, which was conducted and
carried through by one of the members, proved very interesting. An excellent address
on current politics was given by Mr. C.H. Baker of Reading. Mr. W. Ford
th
(Maidenhead) was also present. It was arranged that on February 13 Sir Berry
Cusack-Smith, the prospective Liberal candidate for the division, should open a
debate on “The Taxation of Land Values.” A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr.
Baker for his address.

WOKINGHAM MAGPIES CRICKET CLUB
The annual general meeting of the Wokingham Magpies Cricket Club was held on
Saturday at the Working Men’s Club Room, Peach-street, by kind permission. The
members attended in good numbers, Mr. W. Langley presiding. The hon. sec. Mr.
A.E. Jones, presented the balance sheet, which showed a small deficit balance of £1
5s. 4d., due merely to heavy expenditure of rent and expenses of re-laying the ground,
the Club possessing valuable assets as an efficient set-off. The balance sheet was
adopted amid expressions of satisfaction. The officers and committee were then
elected. Canon Sturges was unanimously re-elected president. The vice-presidents

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