The Sun.
London, England, 1854-11-18 00:00:00

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LIIPORT.AN2' TO ERI2NDLY SOCIETIES.

At the Manchester Borough Court, on Friday, the
17th inst., before Mr. Maude' stipendiary magistrate,,
Mr. Benjamin Street, of Worksworth, Grand Master of
the Independent Order of Oddfellews of the Manchester
Unity, was summoned to appear at the suit of J. Palmer,
formerly a member of the St. Olave Lodge, London dis-
trict, to show cause why the plaintiff was expelled from
the lodge to which he formerly belonged, under a reso-
lution of the general.board of directors of the Manchester
Unity Friendly Society. The defendant objected to the
jurisdiction of the magistrate, as the laws of the St.
Olave s Lodge and those of the London district, as well
as those of the Manchester Unity, were registered under
the Friendly Societies Act, and that the board of direc-
tors, which he represented, were appointed in conformity
with the 2.2 d section of the act, both in the lodge, dis-
trict, and general laws, final arbitrators in cases of dis-
pute between any of the members or lodges of the Man-
chester Unity. The magistrate, after a lengthy and
careful investigation, dismissed the case, observing that
his jurisdiction only extended to those societies which
had not pointed out in their own rules the manner in
which their disputes should be settled, or in cases where
these provisions had not been complied with. It ap•
peared that the plaintiff had availed himself of the various
courts of appal and arbitration which the laws of the
society to which he belonged legally recognised, and
must consequently abide by the adjudication of the
directors, as the final court of appeal. This decision is
most important to the members of affiliated bodies of the
friendly society class, inasmuch as many branches have
declined to avail themselves of the protection accorded
by the Friendly Societies Act, under an impression that
the clauses inserted purposely for the object of securing
the power of self-government and the settlement of their
disputes within themselves would prove *elusion when
reduced to practice. This decision must have a salutary
effect amongst the numerous lodges and districts yet
unenrolled.
THE SURMAN TESTIMONIAL.

We observe that the approaching meeting of the Lon-
don Sacred Harmonic Society is to be distinguished by
the presentation of a testimonial to Mr. Surman, the
gentleman who has been the conductor to the society
from its commencement, and who for many years was
the conductor of a kindred society, whose concerts are
also held in Exeter-hall. Mr. Sermon deserves well
from the admirers of sacred music, for the ability which
he has uniforinly displayed in the selection of his sub-
jects, and his control of the large masses, whose excel-
lentu
training and efficient performance have been the re-
sults of his skill in teaching, and his power as
leader of these monatre performances. Sines this
thegentleman
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commenced
Harmonic
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made in diffusing a taste for sacred music in the metro-
polis and throughout the country ; and we believe no
one who is acquainted with the history of the, musical
world in this metropolis for the last twenty years, needs
to be told of the large share Mr. Surman has had in the
great progress which musical science has made. The
concerts o this gentleman in Exeter-Hall, in point of
time, took the lead in the successful efforts to procure
for the public a superior class of music on terms within
their reach ; and among those who have laboured with
honour and success in this field, there is no one who has
stronger claims on the public gratitude than the veteran
to whom the London Sacred Harmonic Society, aided
by all the friends of harmony and social progress, is
about to do honour on the forthcoming occasion, on
Monday next, the 20th inst.—Morning AdvertEeer.