Morning journal and courier., 1881-01-15
LOCAL NEWS.
Masonic Mutual Benefits.

Annual Meeting Of the eAssoeiatfon-Grat- flying Exhibit by the Secretary Amounts Paid to Families of Deceased
 Members-MembershIp and Assessments. The annual meeting of the Masonic Mutu- al Benefit association was held in the Blue Lodge room at Masonic Temple last evening, President E. s. Quintard in the chair
 The secretary submitted his report, from which we glean the following facts The secretary says: The past year has added new laurels to the efforts of the society. Per feet harmony and concert of action is report ed among the officers of the association.
 Out of an average membership of 2,39S during the year. but IS have been lost by non-payment of assessments. One assess ment was closed without the loss of a single member by what is termed lapses.
 While the affairs are conducted on business principles, yet it is equally true that many of our members do not join the association wholly for what benefits they expect to receive. It is pleasure to them to contribute to the re- lief of deceased worthy brother, and this affords an excellent opportunity for so doing At the same time they feel that their families will receive something should they themselves be removed by death.
 There has been paid to the families of de- ceased members since it's organization $166.- TOY, which has been divided among PAS per sons and without any litigation or any ex- pense to the families of deceased brothers for collections, &e. The amounts due the families have been promptly and cheerfully paid, many times within AS hours after the receipt of proofs of death.
 It has cost on an average but 79 cents per annum for each member for the entire run ming expenses, such as salaries, postage, printing, &c., and we are in better shape as an organization at the present time than at any during the past seven years.
 FUNDS.
 During the year the contingent fund has been slightly increased from the following Sources: Amount received from new mem bership fees $2,116, from interest $1, ,O00 Essex town bonds paying 4 per cent interest. There was standing in cash to the credit of this fund-at the commencement of the year $951. 39. From this and the amount received for new membership fees and inter- est we deduct $2 OSS, the amount paid for time to the credit of the fund of $1, ,4S4. 39, which, added to the 13, % in bonds makes the amount of our contingent fund $14,- 39. The interest from our investments will net $550 per annum. Wetrust the day is not far distant when the interest from our investments will equal the running expenses of conducting our association.
 AuC IASIOdS0 III tue COuG1uR0ub 1uuO ms been made without any special tax or assess ment on the members of the association. In addition to this increase there have been $4 1000 paid in death claims from the assess ment fund without assessing the members therefor.
 DESIGNATIONS.
 On this subject the secretary expresses the opinion of the officers that the members are not particular enough in regard to the desig- nation of their benefciaries. He urges that should immediately make the prop er change when the parties whom they make as their beneficiary are deceased. Blanks for this purpose will be furnished on application to the secretary. The board of directors have no changes to recommend in the bylaws at this time, as they meet the requirements of the associa- I ion so far as experience has demonstrated. The average age of deceased members du- 1 ring the year has been 48 years. The aver age age of new members has been 36 years
 MEMBERSHIP. Number per last report. 3SS New members iurinp the 19a l