The Dorset County Express and Agricultural Gazette.
Dorchester, Dorset, England, 1878-06-25 00:00:00

FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The anniversary of this Society was celebrated on
Friday last, and Beaminster vied with ether towns of
its size in pitting on a holiday appearance. There
were Bags all over the village, here and there a motto,
and evergreen in abundance. At 11 o'clock in the
morning the members assembled in Fore-place, wlere
the roll was called. The preliminaries being over, the
Ganda the 3rd D. R. V., undo r 13andmaster Wellspring,
snorted them round the village, and then to church.
The service here was short choral. the sermon being
preached by the Rev. 11. G. Wood, curate, who took
for hia text the words to be found in the 11th verse of
the avi. Psalm. After divine service, the procession
was reformed and proceeded to the residence of Mr.
Peter Cox, and old an staunch supporter of the
:4edety, where the band played for some minutes.
Afterwards the member, wended their way back to
Fore-place, and then to the dinner field, which was
kindly placed at their disposal by Mr. It. Bugler, A
capital repast waa prod i led under a large tent by
Host NOMM&11, of the Red Lion Inn, and the chairman
was Mr. .1 L. Kihoon. solicitor, who was sopported by
Mr. Peter Cos, The Rev. H. G. Wood ; Mr. Abraham
Meech (hon. secretary), Mr. S. Cox., Mr. John Hine,
Mr. Swatridge, Mr. TuleMan, &c. Alter the cloth had
been removed,
The CHAIRMAN proposed the usual loyal toasts, and
In referring to the Prince of Wales said he was al raid
His Royal Highnees would not for some years come
nearer to Reambpder than he had recently, but they
would all much like to see him there, and he c wad
predict for him • hearty reception. (Cheers.) If he
would only codsent, said the chairman jokingly, to
come down and tu.n the 6rst sod of a railway from
here to Crewkerue (a project which had been talked of
for many years), they would all feel grateful to him.
(Laughter and ..beers.)
The CHAIRMAN next gave "The Army, Navy, and
Reserve Forces," coupling with the toast the name of
Sergeant Hine. (Cheera)
Sergeant HINZ, for the Volunteers, said their value
had recently been proved in the matter of the riot in
Lancashire; and pas.ing on to speak of the neceesity
of obedience to drill and g•sil discipline, both of which
were learnt in the ranks, said every young man ought
to join for a few years in order to attain these
qualificatiatia He was glad to be able to tell them
that the little squadron at Beaniinster was Stronger
than ever. Forty-five men good and true were at
',Meat enrolled, and he hoped to be able to take
between 30 and 40 of these to camp at Poole shortly.
Sergeant Mescit also replied.
The CHAIRMAJI proposed "The Bishop and Clergy
of the Diocese," and, regretting that the Rev. Canon
Cold was absent to-day, coupled the name of the Rev.
Mr. Wood with the toast.

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The Rev. H. G. Wool; in thanking them, said he
was not present at the bite 4yn0.1, but he could quite
understand what the chairman had said in reference to
the Bishop's managing to unite them all in the spirit
love. Ile hat known his lordship for many years
personally, and his experience of him was that he was
kind and gentle, celebrated for the way in which he
unites those who work under him, itad possessed ot a
gift of organisation which was truly wonderful.
(Cheers.) In concludon the rev. gentleman said this
was the first meeting of the kind he had attended, and
be hoped it would not be the teat.
Mr. E. COOMBS proposed the "Success of the
Beaminster Friendly Society," and in doing so took
occasion to urge that the society should confer old age
pay. He was glad to know that special benefits were
provided in case of a member's illness, but he hoped
before long to see that provision would be made by
them for members' old age. (Hear, hear.) The name
of Mr. Meech, the secretary, was coupled with the
toast. (Cheers.)
Mr. MUCH responded. He said the society had
been in existence a great number of years, and Its
fortunes, likethoes of other institutions, had fluctuated.
At present they had enrolled about 142 members,
having loot seven during that year, and one member's
wife had died. In sick pay they had spent during the
year rel Is. 81, and had paid to relatives of deceased
members £44, making a total of 1:66 Is. SI for the
year. The moiety had a sum of about £670 in hand
now, which was invested in the names of the trustees.
In conclusion the secretary hoped the society would
prosper, and any service he could render towards pro-
moting their interest he wouhl readily render.
Mr. ,MATIUDG II proposed "The health' of the
Trustees and Managing Committee," the names of
Lieut• Colonel Cox, Mr. J. Furmedge, Mr. F. W.
Gundl7, Mr. Peter Cox, Messrs. W. Andress, J. Ci,x,
H. J. Shirring, R. Bwatridge, jun., T. Oliver, and
0. M. &lament, being mentioned.
Mr. Pgrsa Cox and Ms. Animism replied.
Mr. Hiss proposed "The Treasurer, Mr. William
James Daniell, the arbitrator', who were generally
present but whose services were never required—Dr.
}Ceddle' Messrs. N. M. Loggia, James Rawlins.
W. H. W. Toby. and R. Blade; and the auditors and
etewarda—Mr. Kitson responded to the toast, as also
to that of the chairman.
The members afterwards rejoined their wives and
companies in the field, where numerous games were
provided till the shades of evening drew on.