Reading Standard Etc 05-1915

READING POLICE FORCE IN WAR TIME.
If any more members of the Reading Borough Police Force enlisted the townspeople would have to put up with slight inconvenience. Thi statement was made on Monday at the annual inspection of the Reading Borough Police Force by H.M. Inspector, Mr. Leonard Dunning, who addressed the police on the subject of recruiting. The inspection took place in the Corn Exchange, there being present on parade Captain J. S. Henderson (Chief Constable), Chief Inspector Lickley, Inspectors Chandler and George, Detective-Inspector Walters, 11 sergeants and 62 constables. After seeing the men go through various drills, which they performed with great smartness, H.M. Inspector attended at the Police Station, where he inspected the books, amde a tour of the premises and appeared very satisfied with all that he saw. The following members of the Watch Committee were present at the inspection: Aldermen A. H. Bull and F. B. Parfitt, Councillors Edward Jackson and W. J. D. Venner, with the Town Clerk (Mr. W. S. Clutterbuck).
Three Sons of Mr. and Mrs. ABDEY, Westfield, Cholsey.
Pte. H. ABDEY, Royal Army Medical Corps.
The late Pte. A. ABDEY, 4th Batt. Royal Berks Regt.
Pte. H. ABDEY, 5th Batt. Royal Berks Regiment.
We have already published the portrait of a son-in-law, Pte. J. Alder, who was killed in action. Building a Lighthouse.
EFFECTIVE TABLEAU BY CHILDREN.
An attractive feature of the Sunday School anniversaries at Oxford-road (Reading) Wesleyan Church is a song service and model building demonstration. This year the subject was "The Building of the Lighthouse," and a striking scene was presented on Wednesday evening, when forty scholars, under the direction of Mr. W. Watts (supt.), assisted by Miss I. May and Mr. T. Claridge, co-operated in erecting a sentinel of the sea. The various blocks of the lighthouse illustrated parts of Christian character and were built up from the "Rock Foundation" to the accompaniment of suitable recitations and singing. The resident minister, the Rev. W. Sinclair Smith, was the preacher for the Sunday services, and the Sunday afternoon meeting was presided over by Mr. H. J. Blundell and addressed by Mrs. J. Stocks. The school report, presented by the Secretary, Mr. T. Claridge, on Wednesday (Mr. J. A. Wells presiding), stated that scholars, including institute members, numbered 286, an increase of ten per cent, and officers and teachers 44. The year's collections for the Juvenile Missionary Association were £27, an increase of £9, and the debt on school funds on December 31st was £5 12s 6d.

Clergyman Mistaken for a Spy.
An unpleasant experience befell the Rev. I. Siviter, curate of Greyfriars, Reading, while staying in the Isle of Wight three weeks ago. Seen using binoculars as he sat near Freshwater, looking out to sea, he was suspected by three soldiers of being a spy and was arrested and taken to a neighbouring fort. On reaching the fort he was blindfolded and brought before the Colonel, with the statement that he was using binoculars and jotting down his observations. The latter part of the accusation he denied, and proceeded to explain that he was taking clerical duty at Tot land Bay. Having satisfied the Colonel of his innocence he was released, after being detained at the fort for half-an-hour.
He afterwards wrote to the Colonel saying that if the use of binoculars was forbidden it was the duty of the military authorities to inform the public. Replying, the Colonel expressed regret at the mistake, but said the soldiers' suspicion was a fault on the right side.
THE REV. I. SIVITER.
Witness of Many Fights.
FEW sailors of his generation have a career more crowded with interest that that of Mr. J. J. Gregory, the porter at Wantage Hall, University College, Reading. He has been serving on a mine-sweeper since August 4th, when he was called up, and is a first-class petty officer. Joining the Royal Navy in 1884, aboard H.M.S. Agincourt he was present at Queen Victoria's Jubilee review at Spithead in 1887. From 1892 to 1895 he was in the East Indies, and he saw special service in the Persian Gulf slaver chasing. Transferred for three years to China, he saw special service in the Phillipine Islands during the American- Spanish War and was present at the burning of Iloilo, afterwards landing with the Naval Brigade up the Picho River for the relief of Pekin under Vice-Admiral Seymour. He saw, too, special service in China from 1905 to 1907 during the Russian-Japanese War. Mr. Gregory owns the China Medal and the Long Service and Good Conduct Medal. The ships he has served on are H.M.S. Impregnable, Agincourt, Shannon, Cossack, Bonaventure and Hart.
PETTY OFFICER J. J. GREGORY.