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Holloway, Victoria-road.-Ward No. 1, Upper Holloway, 1,148; Ward No. 2, Lower Holloway, 1,080; Ward No. 3, Higbury, 1,242—3,470: Cox, 533; Mills, 704-1,237: unpolled, 2,234.

Islington.-Ward No. 4, Thornhill, 1,722; Ward No. 5, Barnsbury, 1,474 -3,196: Cox, 696; Mills, 592—1,288: unpolled, 1,908.

Islington.-Ward No. 6, St. Mary, 1,006; Ward No. 7, Canonbury, 1,465; Ward No. 8, St. Peter, 1,622—4,093: Cox, 906; Mills, 837—1,743 : unpolled, 2,350.

Stoke Newington.-St. Mary, Stoke Newington, 492: Cox, 49; Mills, 152 -201: unpolled, 291.

Totals.-22,556; of which Cox polled 4,884; Mills, 4,842; unpolled, 12,830-22,555. Majority for Cox, 42.

(To the Editor of the "Working Man.")

J. R. T.

SIR,-I have been favoured with several copies of the Working Man, which I am highly pleased with, and hope it will be supported as it deserves. I herewith enclose half-a-sovereign subscription for two copies by post for the current year, the balance towards defraying expenses already incurred.-I am, yours faithfully, JOHN SCOTT.

Belfast, Jan. 17, 1862.

CO-OPERATIVE NEWS.

[The following report reached us too late for insertion in our last, but we think it of too much importance to lay it aside, even so late after its appearance. We urge all our Co-operators to unite their efforts to forward this movement to a satisfactory issue.]

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE FOR THE CO-OPERATIVE CONFERENCE,

Assembling at the Oldham-road Branch News Room of the Rochdale Equitable Pioneers' Society, on Christmas Day, December 25th, 1861.

GENTLEMEN,

1. Your Committee, in accordance with the instructions of the last Conference, held at the King-street Store News-room, Oldham, on March 29th of the present year, have got the Amendments and Extensions to the Industrial and Provident Societies' Acts made by E. Vansittart Neale, Esq., in the form of a bill, and brought before Parliament by the Hon. Robert A. Slaney, Esq., M.P.

2. The bill, to which is attached the names of Mr. Slaney, Mr. Cobden, and Mr. William Ewart, was read a first time on the 25th of June last, and ordered by the House to be printed.

3. Owing to the lateness of the Session when the bill was introduced, your committee were advised that it would not be possible to proceed to further stages with it in that sitting of Parliament.

4. Your Committee kept a continued correspondence-first with E. V. Neale, Esq., to get the Draft into proper form, and afterwards with the Hon. R. A. Slaney, Esq., the mover of the bill, and other members of Parliament, with a view first to get the measure before the House, and then to accelerate its progress, but unavoidable delays occurred, which resulted in its abandonment for that session.

5. Your Committee, however, think that some service has been done by the bill being printed by order of the House of Commons and placed in the hands of members of Parliament, as they will now have had an opportunity of knowing

our wants, and if they approve of our measures they may support the bill all the better in the next session by having had time to consider it.

6. Your Committee have to suggest to the Conference the following alterations in the bill, viz. :—That in the preamble, page 3, section 4, a further dividend or bonus than 5 per cent. per annum be allowed, so as to embrace a provision for Manufacturing Societies. That on page 5, section 7, the five acres of land be left out, so as to allow Societies to take more or less land according to their requirements. That on page 6, section 9, the term " Limited Liability Companies be left out, so as to give to Societies power to invest in other Societies or Companies whether their liabilities are limited or otherwise.

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7. Your Committee have prepared a Financial Report, which will be laid before the Conference.

8. Your Committee has no one pledged to conduct the Bill on its reaching the House of Lords; but they would suggest that the Conference authorise the Committee to solicit Lord Brougham to take charge of the same.

9. Your Committee are advised that it would be needful that some member of the House of Commons should be solicited to explain and defend the bill in its legal clauses.

10. If the Conference deem it advisable to send a deputation to London, to watch and forward the bill, the same should be sanctioned or appointed; and as it is possible that the balance now left in the hands of the Treasurer may not cover the expenses of next year, the Conference may consider whether another contribution from Societies of one halfpenny per member should be asked.

11. Your Committee are of opinion that as complete a list of Co-operative Societies, as is possible, should be got up; and recommend that Societies registered under the Industrial and Provident Societies' Acts, in Great Britan and Ireland, be requested to send to the Conference Secretary a statement of the number of members in their Society, its amount of funds or capital, date when established, amount of buisness done in the year 1861, and such other facts as may contribute to the completeness of a tabular statement. If such facts were collected, they would strengthen the hands of our friends in Parliament, and go far to establish our claims to legislative consideration.

12. Your Committee would suggest that a shorter petition should be drawn up than the one used last session,-except where Societies have got signatures to that of last year, in which cases the petition of last year should be sent with as many signatures of members of such before-mentioned Societies as is possible. 13. Your Committee urge upon the attention of the various Co-operative Societies the necessity of early action in the matter of petitioning Parliament in favour of the bill, in order that members of the House of Commons may know how urgent and important the measure is for better securing the interests of a very large number of the working class-as is intended by the amendments of the Industrial and Provident Societies' Acts.

14. Your Committee have assertained that many members of both Houses of Legislature take a lively interesst in the welfare of our Co-operative Industrial Societies; nevertheless, it is likewise well known that many members have not had sufficient opportunities of making themselves acquainted with our objects-hence the necessity for vigorous efforts in petitioning when the measure is before Parliament.

15. In conclusion, your Committee have framed a clause in the amendments, which if it become law, will make the establishment of Wholesale Depots legal and practicable, and leave the maturing or organising a plan to this or future Conferences.

On behalf of the Committee, Oldham-road, Rochdale, Dec. 24th, 1861.

WILLIAM COOPER, Secretary.

ECCLES CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The progress of this society is very encouraging. The directors have been enabled to pay to non-member purchasers ninepence per pound on their dealings. It was paid on Boxing-day to all who applied for it, on producing

their checks. Altogether the quarter ending Christmas, 1861, indicates the plan adopted in the business management of the society to be promotive of success, and worthy of imitation.

BRIGHOUSE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The members of this society, with their wives and friends, to the number of about 400, celebrated their annual meeting by taking tea together in the schoolroom of the Methodist New Connection, on New Year's Day, previous to holding an adjourned public meeting in the Odd Fellows' Hall, which was densely crowded. Mr. Samuel Bains, of Hopwell Hall, was called to the chair, when the secretary (Mr. Holdsworth) read a lengthy report congratulatory of the progress made by the society during the past year. At the end of 1860, the number of members was about 400; at the end of 1861, 550. During the last quarter the receipts had averaged about £230 per week, and a good business had been done with the butcher, draper, shoemaker &c. Soon, it is intended to add various other branches to the society's store, the committeee feeling anxious to do everything in their power to develope the co-operative principle. Excellent addresses were delivered by the chairman and Mr. J. C. Farn, and the evening's entertainment was enlivened by the vocal and musical assistance of the Brighouse Glee and Madrigal Society, whose performance reflects the highest commendation. The adjourned meeting took place on the 6th January, when Mr. Joseph Abbey presided. New premises have been taken. report, read by Mr. Cockroft, was very encouraging.

MANCHESTER AND SALFORD CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The

The third annual festivity of this socieiy was held on the 20th December, at the Mechanics' Institute. There was a very large attendance on the occasion. The Mayor and Mr. Bazly, M.P., took part in the proceedings, and from the report, which was read by the secretary (Mr. J. C. Edwards), it appears the business done during the year amounted to £38,000. The directors, it was stated, had made arrangements to allow members to draw upon the society without giving the usual notice, in order to meet the pressure of the times.

TOLLCROSS CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

This society held its second quarterly meeting on the 10th December, when the following report was read and unanimously adopted. It shows the society to have made steady progress, and to gain every encouragement to urge its members onwards. During the past quarter the increase on sales, £273 15s. 9d.; increase of members' capital, £51 13s. 5d.; entry money, £1 6s. 1d.; cash received for goods, £809 8s. 9d. The liabilities are- Members' capital, £231 12s. 5d.; goods unpaid, £133 8s. 5d.; and for balance, or net profits divisible, £611 9s. 94d. Assets are-Cash balance, £301 2s. 41d.; stock, £84 3s. Od.; and by fixed stock and interest, £41 5s. 3d. The profit account: the divisible profit is appropriated as follows: To reduction of fixed stock, 7s. 3d. ; interest on paid capital of £199 12s. 10d., at 5 per cent, per annum, £2 9s. 5d. ; dividend on amount of purchases of £691, at 1s. 8d. in the pound, £57 11d. 8d.; balance, £1 1s. 5d.; total, £61 9d. 93d.; which state of affairs was highly gratifying to the meeting.

CUMBERWAULD CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

This society, which commenced about six weeks ago, is doing business of the amount of £36 weekly, with every prospect of increase of members and business. Mr. Alexander Campbell has lately delivered a lecture here, which seems to have given new life to many of the inhabitants.

OAKLEY IRON WORKS.

Mr. McDonald has lately been lecturing here on co-operation to numerously attended audiences of working men. The lecture was delivered in the schoolroom, and Mr. Drummond, the cashier of the works, took the chair. The lecture was listened to with the greatest attention, and the result has been the formation of a society, and several members have been already enrolled.

ROCHDALE.

A Conference of delegates from Co-operative Societies was held at Rochdale, on Christmas-day last, to decide on plans to be taken to secure the passing of the bill to amend and extend the laws relating to Industrial and Provident Societies in the next session of Parliament. There were ninety delegates present from the principal societies in Lancashire and Yorkshire. It was agreed to get up petitions from the various co-operative societies, to be sent to members of the House when the measure is before Parliament. It was also agreed that as complete a list of societies as is possible be got, as we think such a list setting forth the interests of the working classes in these societies will give us some claims to the consideration of Parliament. The Conference sanctioned the recommendation of the committee to send deputies to London to wait upon members when the bill is before the House. It was also decided to ask societies to contribute at the rate of one halfpenny per member towards the expenses that be incurred The Conference met at 2 o'clock p.m., and closed at 8, allowing an interval of one hour for tea. The delegates took great interest in the matters under consideration, and went away to their respective societies pledging themselves to use their best efforts to induce their societies to do the needful work in petitioning, &c.—For the Conference Committee, WILLIAM COOPER.

BRADFORD PROVIDENT INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.

This society held a tea party and public meeting on Saturday, January 4th, in the large room of the Odd Fellows' Hall, Thornton Road, when about 600 well-dressed people partook of a substantial repast. After tea, as is usual on such occasions, a public meeting was held, presided over by the Mayor, Isaac Wright Esq. The meeting was crowded, and addressed by the chairman, Mr. John Holmes, of Leeds, Mr. Bowyer, (president of the society), Mr. Alderman Brown, the Rev. Dr. Burnet (Vicar of Bradford), Mr. Norton, Mr. Jas. Wood, of Lowerly Bridge, and others. Each speaker joined with the other in pointing out the provident habits and elevating tendencies that would come out of the co-operative movement as a necessary result of good management, &c. This society, has four branch stores, and is doing a business of about £200 per week.

CO-OPERATIVE PROSECUTION.

At the Salford Police-court, on Thursday, the 12th December, a member of the Whit Lane Weavers' Company applied for summonses against two of the trustees for having the name of a third to a bank order, and thereby getting possession of the money in the bank belonging to the society. The transaction being eight years old, and the formation of the society being established before the alteration of the law, the summonses were refused. The manager of the Salford store secretly prosecuted one of the carters for embezzlement, and found no difficulty in the matter. It was dealt with as a private transaction, in order to show what the law was and is, and that co-operators cannot be robbed now with impunity.

HIGH GREEN EQUITABLE AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.

This society, which has been in existence about eight years, held its annual meeting on the 3rd January, in the High Green school-room. There was a good attendance, and Mr. John Firness, the secretary, read the report of the society, which showed its capital to be at present about £38 8s. 3d.; the dividend declared for the nine weeks ending December 31st, was 1s. 2d. in the pound. The committee have had obstacles to contend against in various ways, which they have overcome by their persevering energy. Premises are in course of erection, which, it is anticipated, will be ready for occupancy in about another month, when the committee feel confident to supply all articles necessary for domestic use. New shares were taken, and an amount of £7 18s. 11d. paid thereon.

MOORSIDE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

On Saturday, December 14th, a public meeting and soiree, was held by this society to celebrate the opening of their new premises, which have been recently erected at a cost of £700. Several speeches were delivered by different members, which indicated a determination to make the society a success. The annual amount of business done is about £3,000, and although large dividends have not hitherto been paid, this should not be taken as an indication of weakness; often it is the reverse.

EDINBURGH CO-OPERATIVE BUILDING SOCIETY.

The object of this society or company is to afford facilities to the working classes for possessing themselves with houses for their homes, and the directors have resolved on holding a series of meetings in and about the city of Edinburgh explanatory of their principles. The first of these meetings took place on Tuesday, the 8th January, in the Masons' Hall, Lyons' Close, when addresses were given by several of the directors to an attentive and respectable audience. We call attention to these meetings, and heartily wish the directors success.

SOWERBY BRIDGE DISTRICT FLOUR SOCIETY.

This society has erected a new mill, on a plot of land situate on the left hand side of the bridge, between the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway and the river Calder. It is a substantial, well-built edifice of five stories, measuring 70 feet in height, 94 feet facing the bridge, and 49 feet towards the river. There is an engine-house, boiler-house &c., with a strong chimney 140 feet high. Two handsomely built cottages, and offices with board room, stand at some little distance, the whole having cost £8,000. About 2,000 people attended the opening of the mill on New Year's Day, and an excellent tea was provided. After tea, music, dancing, and singing, alternately enlivened the enjoyments of the evening, and everything appeared to "work together for good." Well pointed speeches were finally delivered by the president (Mr. Baxendale), andMessrs. Moores, Horsfall, Harrison, Crossley, Shaw, and Crowther.

PLYMOUTH.

The Plymouth Co-operative Society held their annual soiree at St. George's Hall, on Boxing day, when upwards of 400 ladies and gentlemen sat down to tea. Mrs. Lockwood had the superintendence of the refreshment department, and too much praise cannot be bestowed upon those ladies who so kindly assisted her for the efficient manner in which they discharged their duties. After tea, the evening was joyously passed away by alternate singing and dancing. An efficient band was in attendance under the direction of Mr. Isaacs, while the vocal department had the able directory of Mr. Smith. The secretary read his report, from which it appears that the society had done business during the year to the amount of nearly £1,400, being an increase of £50 over any preceding year. Two years ago their numbers were only 6, now they number 120 members. Mr. Webb, in a neat and earnest speech, pointed out the benefits that would accure to the working classes by adopting the co-operative system, and forcibly insisted on its power of removing the degrading duelism now existing between employer and employed. He invoked all present to rally around their society, and had no doubt next year of doing a business of over £2,000.

ARMADALE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

On Monday evening, the 6th January, a soiree was held in the Town Hall, which was crowded to excess, to celebrate the inauguration of their co-operative society, whose store had been open about seven weeks, and had done business to the amount of £50 per week. Mr. Hunter presided on the occasion, and in a brief speech introduced Mr. Alex. Campbell to the meeting, who delivered an excellent address on the principles, objects, and aims of co-operation, in a very pleasing and satisfactory manner, highly gratifying to the audience. Anderson gave several good songs, accompanying them with an organ-accordeon. By the aid of the Armadale Quadrille Band the evening was joyously passed

away.

Mr.

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