The Statesman.
London, England, 1818-10-17 00:00:00

YU I.iGI .

BENEFIT SOCIETIES-14PORTANT DECISION.
UNION-llALL.—llichard Sparks, the President
of the United True Britons Benefit Society, ap-
peared yesterday to a summons, for refusing to
pay the sum of 14s. weekly to John Symes, a free
member of the Society, according to the articles of
the Institution.
From the statement made to the Magistrate, it ap.
peered, that one of the articles p►ovided. that 145..
a-week should be paid to any member afflicted .with'
sickness and unable to work, and who h..d paid ep.:
his arrears. Ten weeks beck the Complainant fell
ill of a disorder, which incapacitated him from fol-
lowing his business, and having made ever) pa) meat
good to the Society which was required bt the rules,'
he applied for the sum lie was entitled in as a sit k
member, and he received a positive rofuKal from the
President and Stewards to pay any part of the money
dematioed of them.
The President contended, that the majority elite
Society had it in their power, at any time, to alter
the rules and regulations at present in existence for
the controul of the member., and that they could
make additional articles whenever they thought
proper; and it having been considered that the funds
of the Institution were not sufficiently flourishing to
allow of 144. a-week being paid, the majority had
made an additional article, which prohibited any fur.
ther payment from the hots: for a certain time, sod
under that article be opposed the claim of the Com-
plainant.
The MAGISTRATE agreed with the President, that
power rested with the majority to vary or alter their
articles, according to circumstances, or to establish
fresh regulations ; but such varistiod or addition
could not he operative upon the Soctety, until they
had been submitted to the Magistrates at the Quarter
Sessions, approved by them, and enrolled by the
Clerk of the Peace ; and in support of his opinion
referred to the 30th Geo. 111. cap. 54., which states,
" That no such rule, order, or regulation, shall be
binding, or have any force or eff:ect,.. until the same
shall have been agreed to, and signed by such Ju.
(ices." Ile should therefore adjudge that the Com-
plainant should be paid the sum of 71. that being the
amount due to him for ten weeks, at the rate of I4s.

a-week.
IlArrott-GAnnErc—Yesterday, a young man of
the name of Ilenry Moore, was brought up from the
watch-house for nomination, charged by the watch.
man with letting oil- fire-works, about 12 o'clock the
preceding night, near the Shakespeare's Head, in
Nerceial•street, Clerkenwell. He was convicted in
the penally of 20s. which he paid, and was discharged.
D. Fielding, a butcher, residing in Rosamond.
st reef, Glerken well, appeared to a summons, charging
him with hanging up the carcase of a 'keep on a hook
Thursday morning a man who was employed to outside hiv shop-window, over the foot pavement,
clean windows at a house in Craven-street, Strand, contrary to the Ne.w Street Act. The Defendant
in consequence of having nothing but e slight hand. said, he did it without thought. He pleaded guilty,
rad to lay hold of, it gave way, and he was , and without waiting the decision of the Magistrate,
tared to the pavement, end injored so much, Mph he
.pot tts,n(oloii pocket anti paid the penalty,
was conveyed to the Westminster Infirmary).ulthoollentl costs, then bowing, he took his leave, not wish.,
hopes of recovery. c ing to give them farti.er tro.A!e.

The Insolvent had the offer of being discharged
before the case was gone into, provided he would have
allowed a single debt to be excepted, but this he de.
dined.
James Philip Devenkh was opposed by Mr. John
Prosser, whose debt was only 161. but the legal pro-
ceedings on which amounted to 181. and odd:.
The COURT allowed him two years to pay the
debt, but discharged him from the cubic. •