Alston Herald, and East Cumberland Advertiser. — 1875-01-16 (Alston, Cumbria, England)

ALSTON INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.  The ninth anniversary of the Alston Industrial Co-operative Society was celebrated on Friday last, by a public tea in the afternoon, followed by the annual public meeting in the evening. At the tek meeting the tables were gracefully presided over by Mimics Jane Meagher', Hainutb. %Mew, S. Xassody, Jane Jackson, Mary Vipond, Mary Walton, Ann Richardson, and E. Burn About 170 partook of the cheering beverage. It had been announced that Dr. J. H. Rutherford, of Newcastle.upon-Tyne, would attend the hieeting and deliver a popular lecture. The Dr. being a stranger in Alston there were great expectations as to the forthcomiug treat, and we sympathise with the managers in their disappoint. ment in not being able to carry out their intentions. Dr. Rutherford c,uld not fulfil his engagement, but be oent an able substitute in the person of Mr R. Stapleton. Toe meeting was presided over by the Rev. J. Sharpe, curate of St. Augustine's Church, Alston, who, after afew appropriate remarks, called upon Mr Joseph Bentley to read the financial statement for the past quarter. From the following items it will be seen that the society is doing a good business and is in a thriving condition. There are now on the books 225 members, with a capital of £1,398, the reserve fund being £2B 16s Bd. The shop sales for the quarter had been £B4l with a profit balance of £59 19s sd, which was disposed of by the depreciation of fixed stook and property ac. count and the payment of 25 to the pound as divi. dead on members' purchases. Mr Stapleton gave an able address, dwelling at some length on the past and present relations of capital and labour, and on the position and prospects, duties and responsibilities or the ar.izan and labouring c'asses, together with the well directed and successful efforts they were making to improve their condition. The arguments and illustrations were framed on a liberal basis, and well worthy the attention or the classes for which they were designed. Notwithstanding the disappointment the meeting was a very decided impro7ement on any previously held under the auspices of the co-operative socioty, and we are glad to see that they have seen their way clear to entirely do away with the comic element in which a former official took so much delight, but which was a real source of annoyance to the orderly part of the audiences. Comic songs, &c., are doubtless an attraction to the juveniles, but any society or institution that has to depend upon them for its popularity and support has incomparably weaker claims upon the pablic than has co-operation. The proceedings were brought to a close by votes of thanks to the chairman, the lecturer, and the ladies.—The quarterly meeting was held on the evening of Saturday last, when the last quarterly report was read and adopted, and the fol. lowing officer- reelected :—.llr T. Turner, president; Mr Jackson, treasurer; Mr J. Bentley, secretary; Mr Stephen Lathren, auditor. It was resolved that stock be taken and balance sheet prepared at the end of each half.year instead of at the end of each quarter as has been the custom hitherto  We understand the Vicar of Alston, the Rev J. Milner, has been appointed Domestic Chaplain to his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh.  A draper's assistant, named James Smith, 30 years of age, has attempted to commit suicide by cutting his throat. at Gateshead, the wound being so serious that recovery seems hopeless.