Page 810 - Reading Mercury

was purchased for £1,645. It had formerly been maintained by donations,
subscriptions, fire attendance fees and the proceeds of the annual ball.
It was claimed that the assets were the private property of the members of the
brigade in much the same way as property of a members’ club was owned by the
members for the time being.
On the other hand it was alleged on behalf of the representatives of subscribers that
the property was given on a rather peculiar sort of trust—to use the money given for
the purposes of the fire brigade or for the individual members’ benefit—and failing
the division of the money in that way, upon a resulting trust for the subscribers. The
Attorney-General claimed that the funds were subject to a charitable trust
“In my view,” said Mr. Justice Danckwerts, “This was a body of a non-profit-
making character which was formed to supply a public need, and that was to provide a
means of fighting fires in the Wokingham district. It seems to me that the provision of
a public fire brigade of this kind is as much a public charitable purpose as the
provision of a lifeboat.”
That ruled out any other application of the funds, and he proposed to declare that
they were held on a charitable trust for the provision of a public fire brigade for the
benefit of Wokingham and adjoining district. The matter would go into Chambers for
the settlement of a scheme. His lordship was told that his decision might affect a large
number of other bodies of a similar character.

th
Sat 24 Feb
MONTAGUE HOUSE
It was reported at Friday’s meeting of the Berkshire Education Committee that the
County Valuer had agreed with the District Valuer that the price for the purchase of
Montague House, Wokingham should be £5,000. As the property is to be used for
educational purposes no development charge will be payable.

th
Sat 17 March
GARDENERS’ QUIZ
Members of the Wokingham and District Gardeners’ and Allotment Holders’
Association held a quiz at St. Paul’s Parish Room, Wokingham, on Friday last week.

DANCE
A dance, organised by Mr. J. Goswell, was held at the Drill Hall, Wokingham, on
Saturday, to raise funds for the annual outing of the Children’s Hospital, Cold Ash.
Music was supplied by Archie Knapp and the Casino Players, and Mr. E. Cropper as
M.C.

DRAMA SCHOOL
The second of two one-day schools on drama, taken by Mr. John Morley (county
drama advisor), proved extremely popular at Wokingham Town Hall on Friday last
week. Subjects of the two demonstration classes were “Mainly for Actors” and
“Putting on a Play.”

EVENING INSTITUTE
How young people are trying to solve the problem of furnishing a home was shown
at an “open night” exhibition by Wokingham Evening Institute members on
Wednesday. Students were seen at their studies by parents and friends.

808