The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1871-01-21 00:00:00

THE PROGRESS OF FORESTRY.

There is no doubt that the late severe weather
has told heavily upon some portions of the work- '
iug classes, wore particularly that portion whose
ordinary avocations necessitate a great deal of
out-door exposure ; often productive of catarrh,
rheumatism, and, in too many cases, leading to
more serious results. Still, even this dark pic-
ture has its bright side, and that is the thrift and
foresight displayed by the majority of the work-
ing classes in making what provision they can
against those casualties which befit) all men, viz.,
by becoming members of a Friendly Society;
not some of those so-called Insurance Societies,
that issue a" cooked " balance-sheet once a year,
and fill the country with a class of highly-paid
agents, but societies such as the Foresters and
Odd-Fellows, that have stood the test of time,
and increase every year, both numerically and
financially.

If we take the first-named society, we find it
has its courts throughout the whole of the United
Kingdom, the British Colonies, and the United
States of America, and comprises 250 districts,
3,046 courts, and upwards of 380,000 members,
with an accumulated capital of more than
£1,600,000, giving an average of more than „t 4
per member. The sum paid for medical attend-
ance alone during the year 1869 was £48,460
17s 9d; and the assistance to widows and
orphans amounted to more than 1.:57,000. The
sick allowance paid to members during the year
was £203,790 4s 4d, sod the funeral ditto
.C 54,541 Os 3d. Well may working men be proud
of such an organization. What an amount of
pauperism, suffering, and distress is either pre-
vented or alleviated by this society alone, to say
nothing of what is done by other societies.
Nor, when occasion requires, is the sympathy
of Foresters confined to the members of their
own order exclusively. During the cotton fam-
ine in Lancashire the order contributed upwards
of £6OO to the fund for their relief. They have
also built, named, and maintained in a state of
efficiency two first-class life boats, which have
on several occasions rendered valuable service
in rescuing shipwrecked mariners from a watery
grave.

- That this valuable order is well represented
in this town and neighbourhood, is proved by
the healthy and thriving condition of its courts.
The Stourbridge district comprises 18 courts,
with upwards of 1,000 members, and a und of
£960, exclusive of court funds, which amount to
upwards of £2,000 more. The Mother Court of
the district is " Court Foley," held at the Old
King's Head, and is, both as regards the res..
pectability of its members, the management of
its affairs, well worthy of its position as head of
the district. It numbers 130 financial members
and 17 honorary members, at the head of whom
stands our respected member fur the county, it.
P. Alephlett, Esq., Q.C. The yearly audit has
just closed, and shows an increase to the surplus
of £B2, in the last 12 months.

In short, whether as regards its prospects of
stability, the efficiency of its organization, or
the soundness of its laws, the Ancient Order of
Foresters seems to offer to young men a safe pro.
vision against the " thousand and one ills that
flesh is heir to," and the infirmities of old age.