Page 475 - Reading Mercury

building, to the effect that it was purchased and handed over as the town’s war
memorial, and, also that bronze tablets, suitably inscribed, and containing names of all
who died in the Great War, be erected on the wall of the Town Hall at the side of the
Town Clerk’s chambers.
The object is a most worthy one, and needs no recommendation. The wonderful
work accomplished by Captain Girdlestone of Oxford, is known not only in
Wokingham, but in all the surrounding villages. From a small start with cases in
Wokingham the work has developed until now 50 cases from various parts of the
district are dealt with each Saturday. It is interesting to note that the town memorial is
to be to assist in the work which is now being carried out as the result of experience
and knowledge gained in the war. The skill to which the surgeons attained during the
war was remarkable and it is this skill and experience which is the means of affecting
the remarkable cures and treatments of Captain Girdlestone. It is, therefore, a point of
next appeal, and the whole object and scheme most worthy.
The Mayor’s appeal has already produced several handsome donations, but £2,000
is expected to be necessary, and, the Mayor appeals for help in the raising of that sum.
Wokingham people will, no doubt, respond to a call calculated to be the means of
working greatand everlasting benefits to the unhappily deformed and afflicted
children.

Sat 12th Nov
Councillor Blake was appointed Mayor with Alderman Sale as Deputy Mayor.
Also elected were:
Sgt. C. Sparkes as Sergeant-at-Mace
E Jeffries, W Pearce, A Jarvis and H Dyer as Honorary Constables.
James Taylor as Town Crier.

th
Sat 17 Dec
UNEMPLOYMENT AND EMIGRATION
The Unemployment Committee of the Town Council arranged a meeting at the
Town Hall on Friday last week to consider the possibilities in respect of emigration to
Australia.
The chair was taken by the Mayor (Alderman Blake) who was supported by the
Deputy-Mayor (Alderman Sale) and Councillors Cheeseman, Sturges and Ward.
The Mayor, after referring to what had been done in Wokingham for
unemployment, stated that the meeting had been called to give prospective emigrants
to Australia an opportunity of having the true conditions put before them by Mr.
Barnes, the industrial advisor to the Commonwealth of Australia, an ex-Minister of
the Australian Assembly.
Mr. Barnes stated that he was due that evening to speak to a large meeting of 5,000
at Chelsea, but at the last moment had been urged to come to Wokingham, the only
corporation in England that had invited a representative of the Commonwealth to
address a meeting in their town on the question of emigration. Mr. Barnes dealt with
the life and openings in Australia particularly from the point of view of agricultural
workers and the advantages emigrants were likely to reap if they went out determined
to live a thrifty life until they were well started on their career. He emphasised
strongly the fact that Australia only wanted workers, and anyone emigrating to
st
Australia must be prepared to work, and to work hard. Up to December 31
applications can be received for an assisted passage to Australia. The British
Government will pay the passages of accepted emigrants and on their arrival in

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