The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1868-06-13 00:00:00

THE PEOPLE'S FAMILY LIFE
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ASSURANCE AND SICK BENEPIP

SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the above society was held on
the sth mat, at th•i Ifeelettlics',lnstitate, Dudley. There
was a large attendance. In the unavoidable absence of
the Mayor, who was announced to preside, Mr. Coun-
cillor 8. Hound ITU voted to the chair.
In opening the meeting, the Chairman sail he regret.
ted to find that both the Mayor and Alderman Bagv,ott
—both of whom took a lively interest in the welfare of
the society—were unable to attend. However the meet-
ing must du their best with those who were present. He
was quite sure that the members would be very pleased
with the highly satisfactory statement which the mane-
gent would lay before them, as it showed that their so-
ciety Will being carried on in a very satisfactory manner.
Mr. Joseph Thompson, secretary, then read an admit'.
able report, which explained the objects and present
prove:lu of the society. It showed that during the
pat 3.ear the income reached £0875 11s fijd ; expenses,
ii a)osls fiui ; leaving a balance saved of £BlOl. The
number of members declared on the funds. 1331; and
0.0.1 weeks' sick pay were paid. Average duration of
sickness, five weeks; amount thus expended, £2877 188
51. Number members of at present on half-pay, 37.
Heaths 107, GO of which were new family members. The
&Aims varied in amount from 25s to £l5. The report
also briefly alluded to the death of the late Mayor, Mr.
W. Harrison, and of Mr. Moulton, one of the society'.
auditors.

Mr. Joseph Stokes moved the adoption of the report,
and regretted that the Mayor and Alderman Bagott were
unable to attend the meeting. Ile was glad, however, to
see such a large number of members present at their
annual meeting, as it only confirmed a remark he made
at the last meeting, that in another year a greater num-
ber would attend the annual meeting. This showed
tint they took a livelier interest in the progress of the
society than they bad hitherto done. Coming to the
position of the society the speaker said he hardly knew
how to commence, for the repot t just read was congratu-
latory on all sides. The past year had been one of al-
most unexampled dulness, and it might have been expec-
ted that but very little progress would have been made
by the society; but when they found that .tiSOO had been
saved, he thought that they could come to no other con-
eillaiMl but that the society was grounded on a firm basis
—(cheerid. As had been said, during the time the soci-
ety hod existed only one case of dispute had arisen, and
this, after a careful investigation, resulted in • decision
in favour of the sociely—(clieers). Again the society
was to be congratulated on the fact that most of the
large number of persons who had sought the aid of the
society's funds during the year, had been, in all proba-
bility spared the indignity of applying for parish relief
—(hear, hear). He wished to remind the meeting that
the surest test of a society's position or worth was to in-
quiet. what proportion the working expenses bare to the
receipts, Ind in examining the account• just presented
they found that the salaries of the permanent secretary
and the committee only amounted to £ll4—(applause).
Again let them look at the amount of invested funds.
The "People's Society " had an invested capital £4,500,
and by nest year it would probably reach £5,000 —(np-
planar). Ili concluding a forcible speech, Mr. Stokes
urged on the members the advimbilitv of extending the
benefit: of the society, which et once recommended itself
to the working men—(applause).
Dr. Brown tildbuty), seconded the adoption, and it
was carried unanimously.

.• •
The next business was the election of officers, all the
old officers were unanimously re•appninted, Mr. Holland,
Se•ltgley being appointed auditor in the room of Mr.
Boulton, deceased. In the re•appointment of Mr.
Thompson, secretary, Messrs. Stokes, Brown, and Hol•
land, paid a high and well•deserved compliment to the
efficient manner iu which the secretary of the egoiety
Ilea always cooducted their Write.