23rd January 1836

On Saturday afternoon a lady of respectable appearance went into the garden of the New Terrace of the Castle, and while looking at the gold and silver fish in the basin she overbalanced herself and fell headlong into the water. Luckily some gentlemen were near, who with the aid of the gardeners, succeeded in rescuing her from her unpleasant situation.

Robbery

On Saturday night an elderly female, named Elizabeth Hitch, was stopped on her way between Slough and Stoke Green by two men. The thieves forcibly took away her pocket, which fortunately contained only a bunch of Keys; they also took from her cart two baskets containing goods, which they afterwards left in an adjoining field, where they were found. A reward has been offered for the apprehension of the offenders.

Fire at Colnbrook

Soon after 12 o'clock on Monday night a fire broke out at Colnbrook, which at one time threatened destruction to nearly half of that town. The flames were discovered to have burst out in an outbuilding belonging to Mr.Stevenson, adjoining the premises at the back of the Ostrich, and at one side of a lane. The alarm was soon spread, and a number of the inhabitants were quickly on the spot, rendering every assistance that was in their power. The Colnbrook engine was soon brought to the scene, but owing to a stone getting into the barrel, and the necessity of obtaining water from the pumps some little delay was experienced. However the greatest exertions were used by the inhabitants, to some of whom the greatest praise is due for their activity and courage. Notwithstanding their efforts, from the buildings being nearly all composed of wood, the flames raged for some time with great fury. A messenger was sent to Windsor, and the Windsor parish engine, as well as that from Messr. Ramsbottom's brewery were quickly on the spot., but by the time they had arrived the fire was subdued. In the meanwhile the fire had committed considerable devastation. The dwelling house of Mr.Stevenson had caught fire, and nothing but the most praiseworthy efforts of a few individuals saved it from destruction. His barn and other buildings were however wholly destroyed, as were some outbuildings belonging to Mr.Kimber, the ironmonger. The property destroyed is valued at about £600, part of which only is insured. It has not been ascertained how the fire originated.

On Wednesday night or early Thursday morning an attempt was made to rob the premises of T.Dagnell, Esq, at Cowley. The thieves removed several squares of glass from the parlour windows, and bored the shutters with a centre-bit, but finding the shutters to be cased with iron on the inside, they were foiled in their attempt. They then endeavoured to get an entrance by removing some of the brickwork under the windows, but finding there efforts there to be useless they decamped without any booty.

The Poor Law Commissioners have appointed Thos.Stevens, Esq, of Bradfield, in the county of Bucks (one of the Magistrates for that County, and late Vice Chairman of the Board of Guardians of the Bradford Union), Assistant Commissioner of the Poor Laws. Mr.Stevens took the necessary oaths on the 16th inst.

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Meeting Of The Town Council Of Windsor

On Thursday the Members of the new Corporation met for the election of officers. Wm.Legh, Esq, Mayor , in the chair. The whole of the members were present. We had made an application to be admitted to the Court, in order to give the public a report of the discussions that were expected to take place, but, we received a reply that our application could not be taken into consideration, as no previous notice respecting it had been entered into the minute book.

It will be seen, however, that at this meeting two notices of motions were given, one that Reporters should be admitted, and the other that the Court should be open to the Burgesses, we are enabled to give the following account of the proceedings. Treasurer - It was unanimously agreed on the motion of Mr.Blunt, and seconded by Mr.Bedborough, that Mr.Thomas Arthur Moore be appointed Treasurer of the borough, with the duties of Chamberlain attached thereto. Mr.Wm.Towers was proposed by Mr.Blunt, and seconded by Mr.Alderman Cook, and unanimously appointed Collector of the Rents and Bailiff of the Borough. John Simms was re-appointed Gaoler, as were William Pond, Serjeant-at-Mace, and George Wiggins, Hall and Market Keeper and Collector of the market dues.

Committee of Finance

Mr.Clarke proposed that the following seven gentlemen be appointed the Committee of Finance:- The Mayor, Mr.Alderman Snowden, Mr.Alderman Bedborough, Mr.Twinch, Mr.Sharman, Mr.Jas.Jennings and Mr.Blunt.

Mr. Alderman Bedborough moved, and Mr.Barton seconded it, an amendment that the members of the Committee be appointed singly.

The amendment was negatived by 13 to 10; there were for it Messrs. Bedborough, Cook, Barton, Clode (3 High Street), Ingalton, Chapman, Noke, Bovingdon, Astle, and Baverstock; against it Messrs. Snowden, W.Jennings, Adams, Jenner, Jas.Jennings, Clarke, Tebbott, Berridge, Sharman, Blunt, Clode (Innholder), George, and Twinch.
The original motion was carried.
It was agreed to unanimously that it be an instruction to the Finance Committee to inquire into and to report on the funds of the Corporation generally; also to ascertain the present salaries and emoluments received by the various officers and servants of the Corporation; and to recommend the payment to be made to them in future; also to settle and define the duties of the several officers and servants.

Charity Trustees

It was unanimously decided that the Mayor, Mr.Alderman Bedborough, and Mr.Alderman Bovingdon be appointed Trustees to the Charity School and Reeve's and Sewell's Almhouses, in lieu of the Corporate Trustees under the old Charter. By the old system the Mayor and the two senior Aldermen were joint trustees with other persons of those charities, and therefore the re-election of them became necessary under the new Act.

Watch Committee

Mr.Snowden next moved that a Committee of nine be appointed for the purposes of the Watch, to consist of the Mayor, Mr.Clarke, Mr.W.Jennings, Mr.Adams, Mr.Jenner, Mr.Clode (innholder), Mr.George, Mr.Tebbott, and Mr.Berridge.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough moved an amendment, that the members of the Watch Committee be taken singly.

The amendment was negatived by 13 to 10; there were for it Messrs. Bedborough, Cook, Barton, Clode (3 High Street), Ingalton, Chapman, Noke, Bovingdon, Astle, and Baverstock; against it Messrs. Snowden, W.Jennings, Adams, Jenner, Jas.Jennings, Clarke, Tebbott, Berridge, Sharman, Blunt, Clode (innholder), George, and Twinch.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough then moved a second amendment, that the Watch Committee consist of the Mayor, Mr.Clarke, Mr.W.Jennings, Mr.Jenner, Mr. Adams, Mr.Clode, Mr.Barton, Mr.Tebbott, and Mr.Berridge.

There were 9 for the amendment and 14 against it, viz.: for it, Messrs. Bedborough, Cook, Barton, Clode (3 High Street), Ingalton, Chapman, Noke, Astle, and Baverstock; against it Messrs. Bovingdon, Snowden, W.Jennings, Adams, Jenner, Jas.Jennings, Clarke, Tebbott, Berridge, Sharman, Blunt, Clode (innholder), George, and Twinch.

Mr.Clarke having objected to his name being on the Watch Committee.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough moved to substitute the name of Mr.Ingalton, but that amendment - was negatived by the precise number to those in the foregoing division.
A division then took place on the original motion, which was carried 14 to 8; excepting Mr.Chapman, who did not vote upon that occasion , the votes were the same as on the previous division.

Selection of Magistrates

The letter of the Secretary of State for the Home Department , dated the 1st of October last, addressed to the Mayor, and Mr.Phillip's letter to the Town Clerk, dated the 16th inst, with reference to the recommendation of Magistrates for His Majesty's approbation were then read; after which, Mr.Sharman moved, that the Mayor and Mr.Blunt (the present Magistrates), Mr. Alderman Bovington, Sir John Chapman, Knt., and Mr.Tebbott, be recommended as the five persons fit and proper to be named in the Commission.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough moved an amendment, that the nomination of Magistrates be made singly.

The amendment was negatived by 13 to 10; there were for it Messrs. Bedborough, Cook, Barton, Clode (3 High Street), Ingalton, Chapman, Noke, Bovingdon, Astle, and Baverstock; against it Messrs. Snowden, W.Jennings, Adams, Jenner, Jas.Jennings, Clarke, Tebbott, Berridge, Sharman, Blunt, Clode (innholder), George, and Twinch.

Mr.Alderman Cook next moved an amendment, that Mr.Alderman Snowdon, Mr.Alderman Bovingdon, Mr.James Church, Mr.Jenner, and Mr.Tebbott, be the Magistrates nominated for approval.

This amendment was also negatived by 16 to 7. For it Messrs. Bedborough, Cook, Barton, Clode (3 High Street), Noke, Astle, and Baverstock; against it Messrs. Chapman, Ingalton, Snowden, Bovington, W.Jennings, Adams, Jenner, Jas.Jennings, Clarke, Tebbott, Berridge, Sharman, Blunt, Clode(innholder), George, and Twinch.

Mr.Astle next moved an amendment, that Mr.Legh, Mr.Tebbott, Mr.Snowden, Mr.Bedborough, and Mr.Bovingdon, be the Magistrates nominated for approval.

Mr.Alderman Bedborough requested his name might be omitted.

That amendment was negatived by 15 to 7, Mr.Bedborough declining to vote on it. There were for it Messrs. Cook, Barton, Clode (3 High Street), Noke, Ingalton, Astle, and Baverstock; and against it, Messrs. Snowden, Bovington, W.Jennings, Adams, Jenner, Jas.Jennings, Clarke, Tebbott, Berridge, Sharman, Blunt, Clode (innholder), George, Twinch, and Chapman.

The original motion was then put and carried.

Quarter Sessions

It was the moved that a petition for a Court of Quarter Sessions be prepared and settled under the superintendence of the Finance Committee, and that they be instructed to take into consideration and to report on the Recorder's salary and duties, and also to collect the various particulars necessary to be embodied in the petition to the King. The motion was carried unanimously.

Notices of Motions

Mr.Alderman Bovingdon gave notice that he would at the next meeting of the Council move that Reporters be admitted to all their future meetings. Mr.Alderman Bedborough also gave notice that he should move that the Burgesses be admitted to all future meetings of the Council.

The Council broke up at about half-past four o'clock.

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