The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1882-06-06 00:00:00

"UNITED PATRIOTS" BENEFIT SOCIETY.

The Blatt !ford Branch and Oksford District of this
national benefit society held a grand fete acd gala in
this village on Whit-Monday. A visitor to Okeford
early that morning oould not fail to discern that some.
thing "extra" was to take place that day, for the
numerous arches of evergreens, flags, etc., told there
own tale. The members met at Shillingstone and
headed by the Blackmoor Val* Brass Band perambe-
lated the man street of that village and thee pro.
carded to Okefori, about a mile distant. Divine
arsi vice was held in the pretty parish church here,
where the ordinary terries of the Established Church
was read by the rector (Rev. J. H. Phillips) and •
capital sermon preached by Cellos Hayman, reitor of
ihillingetowe, from the text "Beer ye one another's
burdens." The preacher gave an eloquent discourse.
After divine service the procession re-formed and
waded the village, &Rim first paying a visit to the
rectory griunds, and then 130 sat down to a
substantial dinner provided by Host Woolfrey, of the
Royal Oak inn. The dinner was laid out in a spacidus
room adjoining the inn, which had been tastefully
ornsansated with towers and evergreens, sundry
mottoee being interspersed around the walls, eta A
goodly comp say est down to the dinner, probably 150,
ant to which full jostles was done. Grace before meat
was said by the lies. J. H. Phlillps, and the blessing
alter be Canon lbsyman. The chair was taken by
Major Forbes, who was supported by Canon Dayrnsu,
Key. J. H. Phillips, Mr. Armstrong. Mr. C. W.
Wills, Mr. Goo, Mr. Roe, Mr. J. E. Wareham, etc.,
etc.

On the removal of the cloth, the CH.* gars the
usual loyal and patdotin touts with commendable
remarks thereon, the band renderieg magical hollows
between each. In propqeing "Th. Bl•hip end Clergy
of the Dice..., end Minister/1 of all deaoaguati
the Citeirrsui remark. I Englishmen were too apt to
think very little of their minister., and looked for
them.. a matter of course, like they might for the
cool air of heaven, and be contrasted this seeming
Indifference to what it was ia countries where he had
been, where no clergyman was to be met with for a
long period, then they were truly appreciated. He
looked on them.. indispensable, for they were require I
from the cradle to the grave—at baptism, =Ream,
and funeral. _ _

The Bev. J. H. Pilules briefly, yet suitab'y,
responded.
Ufa°ll Darnall as • member of the Church
inilltt,prupoeed'The Army, Navy, and Auxiliary
Forces." The toad we responded to by the Ch Orman
on behalf of the Army, and Slaws. Miller and Cox
on behalf of the Yeomanry.
The Wait of the day—" &mess to the United
Patriots National Benefit iociety," was proposed from
the chair, Major Fount congratulating the members
present on the great progress ma le by the society
during the past year, and expressing • hope they
would get further increase, so greater union meant
greater sump& He considered everybody should
join some provident so3lety or other, more especially
labourers and artisans, for by joining these it wove
mutual beads of brotherly love. Referring to the last
&nous' report before him he observed it showed great
solidity on account of the greet WM-WM apparent.
The juvenile members too were, be thought, the great
mainstay of every society, as good tubing formed In
youth generally followed on to mature years. The
Blandlord branch especially deserved great praise for
the large amount of good done, which he doubted not
was due in great measure to the excellent breach
secretary. (Hear, hear.)
Mr. WILLI!, on rising to respond, met with • hearty
reception. Resold it gave him pleasure to respauci to the
toast when be considered the results of their labours
In the negbbourhood. In the Okeford district alone.
Is 1871, there were 8 members, now there were 70,
exclusive of juveniles, yet in all that 11 years not one
single death of • member had occurred in that district,
an event he considered unprecedented. He was happy
to say all the various societies in Blandford and
neighbourhood worked together harmoniously to attain
one end, viz., relief In sickness, and to bear one
another's burdens. He eddied all not bekeging to
any society to join some one of the many now in the
neighbourhood, and to provide for a rainy day. Re-
tarded to the value of juveoile members be was proud
to still see the Blandford juveniles far ahead of any
other branch, and koped they would still increase and
rosper. Alter paying • tribute of praise to the
uhekird secretary, Mr. Strange, Mr. Will. resumed
his that amid great applause.
Mr. AINITIOVO, one of the directors, and the
deputation from the parent society, responded, and in
• lengthy speech gave statistics of the society's rapid
progree during the past five years. In 1.881 the
receipts amounted to g 2,311 3s. %id. against £11,303
in 1877; thus showing an amount of program peritalss
not attained by any other society. He further pointed
out the many advantages morning from the society
haring one general fund instead of being split up into
the 175 branch,. composing it; and allowed the
, benefit. arising from the six different divisions, thus
allowing men of every station in life to become
members, and to go into higher Of lower divisions as
choonetthoes may allow. Superannuation when
beyond work was also alluded to in glowing
se were the advantages of the Gift toad for paynatuntaol
the contributions when out of employment, and the
compulsory iosuranes against fire for £l5 at one penny
Per quarter. He adverted to the quinquennial
valuations compelled by Government as a at"
expense on any society, and hoped it would not last
long, or at any rate be made • septennial affair if at
all. He concluded his capita Boesch by reminding
I the company of the society's stability by stating they
bad a funded capital of upwards of £43,000 bearing
interest at 4i per cent., and Proposed "Booms to the
Blaulford Branch and Olteiord District." =25
with the toast the name of Mr. Wills, the
Thesecree6ZTOl then gave "Th. health of the °Wyman."
and in thing so tut= that in • year or two they
ndd o re-Irene shg and allow the club to exist
for some time to come, and the rev. Chairman would,
he felt sure, give advise and anistases to the club.
The Caolsß.as, in fellifOGOe, said the Bridport
Board of Guardians did not do their duty In refusing
to PAY the school fees of many childrea In the
whose parents could not afford to d so, Untfaalgty'
Oho guardians) found out their duties be (the speaker)
would pay the school fees of such children himself.
(Cheers.)
The Medical Officers" followed, then "The health
of the Cbaiegigeo and "Vioechaircoao," who both re-
sponded.
Kindred Societies " was given by Mr. A 11111201141
in eulogistic terms, to wh Mr. N. B. B. Haas,
sec= tise Loyal /31aad1ee4 Lodge of Oddtellons,