The Sun.
London, England, 1867-04-26 00:00:00

Friendly Societies —B 3inonstrat ion.

The following letter appears in the Times :
A society called the Farriers' Horseshoe Fund was
established in 1847, and in that year the rules were
duly certified; they were revised i❑ August, 1862,
and again certified. The society is now held at the
Fountain, New-street, Golden-square, and consists,
from the report of 1866, of nearly 300 members.
The objects of the society, as stated in the rules,
are to afford relief to the membefs when sick, suf-
fering from infirmity, and old age, and for the
burial of the members and their wives, and the
tables of contributions and benefits were originally
certified by an actuary. It would appear from the
annual accounts that, in addition to a friendly
society, it had become a trade society, as payments
were made to members out of work, although the
rules contained no provision for such payments.
In November, 1866, there was a special general
meeting of the society to receive a report with re-
ference to an intended Reform Demonstration, and
it was resolved that the members of this society
should join such demonstration.

On the 3d of December the Reform Demonstra-
tion took place, which was attended by several
members, and. the appearance of the mounted
farriers was specially alluded to in the newspapers.
Ou the Bth of February last two members of
this society called upon me yespecting the misappli- 1
cation of the funds, which had been applied t.) de-
fray the expenses attending the Reform Demonstra-
tion, and requesting me to take proceedings against
the officers under the 231 and 21th Vic., cap. 58,
see. 9, which authorises the Registrar " to proceed
summarily, if any officer, member, or other person
misapplies the funds, or wilfully applies any part of
the same to purposes other than those expressed or
directed in the rules of the society, and, on convic-
tion, subjects the offenders to repay the amount of
money improperly applied, and to pay, if the jus-
tices think fit, a further sum of money not exceeding
£2O, together with costs, and in default of such re:
payments, &e., the justices may order the parties
convicted to be imprisoned in the common gaol,
&c., with or without hard labour, for any time not
exceeding three months."
I immediately communicated with the society as
to whether the facts stated were true, and obtained
the following account of the expenses attending the
Reform Demonstration on Dec. 3, 186(, amounti❑g
to £63 10s. 3d., which had been paid out of the
funds of the society contributed for the relief of the
I
members in sickness, &c. : .
- • -

--- - - • .
Insertion of circular to masters in Morning Ad-
vertiser and Daily Telegraph
Horses for 14 officers at 20s. each
Admission tickets to ground
Fitzroy-works brass band
0
0
Horses for 35 priiate members
Flag carriers and refreshments to ditto 314 6
Cleaning and repairing large banner
Messrs. Rumney and Carpenter, washing poles 0 2 0
Mr. Wolfe's expenses as delegate
Drying and putting away regalia 0 2 6
Postage of circulars to masters
Ditto of notices to members
Ditto to employers of labours in first division 0 8 3
Attendance of secretary at two special meetings 0 4 0
Refreshments to committee ditto
Expeniies incurred in hiring horses by Messrs.
I3owley and Matthews .............

0 7 6

£63 10 3
Upon the receipt of this statement I informed
the officers that it was my intention to proceed
against them under the 18th and I.9th of Victoria,
cap. 63, sec. 21, unless the money was repaid.
On the 13th inst. I received a letter stating that
the money withdraw❑ from the friendly fund of the
Farriers' Horseshoe Fund Society for the Reform
Demonstration of the 3d of December last had been
replaced to that fund, and that in future no money
will be taken away for trade purposes at all. Under
these circumstances it is not my intention to take
further proceedings.
I have troubled you with this for the purpose of
informing the members of Friendly Societies thatif
I am furnished with sufficient evidence of any mis-
application of the funds they will find me ready to
take the necessary proceedings to punish the
offenders. JOHN TrDD PRATT,
Registrar of the Friendly Societies in England.
Friendly Societies'-office, 29, Abingdon-stieet,
Weetminater, April 24.