SOUTHERN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The members of the Glasgow Southern Co-operative Society held their fifth quarterly meeting in the Greenside Lane school-room, on Wednesday, the 8th January. Mr. J. A. Stewart occupied the chair. A statement of the society's progress was read, showing the amount of business done during the past quarter to be £520 8s. 7d. for goods sold, and after paying all expenses and allowing 5 per cent on £120 of members' capital, declared a dividend of 9d. in the pound on members' purchases amounting to £474.

DUNFERNSHIRE CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The quarterly meeting of this society was held on Saturday, the 4th January; Mr. R. Strong in the chair. Mr. Brown, the treasurer, read an abstract of the business done by the society for the quarter, from which it appears that £1,586 9s. 10d. had been drawn for goods at the store during that period, and 60 new members, with £73 1s. 6d., had been added. The number of members at the end of the quarter was 285; paid up capital, £242 10s. 9d.; profits, £88 Os. 6d., which gave a dividend of Is. 2d. in the pound to members, and 9fd. to non-members. Business done over last quater £359. The report was unanimously adopted, and a vote of thanks to the chairman and other officers closed the proceedings.

BRISTOL PROVIDENT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

The soiree in commemoration of the eighth quaterly report of this society took place at the Broadmead Rooms, on Tuesday, the 14th January; Mr. Commissioner Hill occupying the chair. The room was tastefully decorated, and an excellent tea was provided by Mr. Hallen, confectioner, the wives of members "doing duty" at the tables, at which there sat down upwarde of 500 persons. After tea a public meeting was held, to which the public were freely admitted, and the large room became crowded to excess. On the platform we noticed Handel Cosham, Esq., Rev. T. Hacking, Messrs. J. Foster, J. Rider, R. Charleton, &c., each of whom, with the learned commissioner, delivered some excellent, lengthy speeches to the audience. The Bristol Mechanics' Brass Band was in attendence, and by their excellent performing added much to the harmony of the evening's proceedings.

BINGLEY.

This society held its eleventh annual festive meeting on Monday, the 6th January, in the Odd Fellows' Hall, when there were about 400 people present. Last year this society paid a dividend of 1s. 24d. in the pound on members' purchases, which this year had dwindled to 9d. The directors could not account for this. Several members and friends addressed the meeting, and it appears that their late agent, Mr. Barron, had left them in a manner that does not reflect much credit upon him, and resolutions were passed recommending that legal advice be sought in the matter.

BOLLINGTON.

A festive gathering to celebrate the first year's success of this society was held on 13th January, and it appears everything goes well here. The number of members is 400, capital £500, and doing a business at the rate of £,5000 per

annum.

CHORLEY.

On New Year's day the members of this society held their quarterly meeting. The balance-sheet showed sales during the last quarter to the extent of £2741. A dividend of 1s. in the pound was declared.

GLASGOW CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

On Tuesday evening, the 14th January, the anniversary meeting of this society was held in the large hall of the Bill Hotel; Mr. McGhee presiding. After reading the minutes of the previous monthly meeting, and the announcement that 44 new members had taken 80 shares, Mr. Moir, the secretary, read the

quarterly report, which was unanimously accepted. It showed a large increase in members and capital over the last quarter; 2. per cent. had been set aside for educational purposes, 5 per cent. was declared on capital, and a per centage for redemption fund for dead and fixed stock; dividend 1s. 1d. in the pound on all purchases made at the stores. After the election of officers for the ensuing year, the chairman delivered an energetic address, and, a vote of thanks having been passed, the meeting separated.

REDDING COLLIERIES SOCIETY.

On Wednesday evening, the 7th January, Mr. Alex. Campbell delivered an excellent lecture on the advantages of co-operation to a large and attentive audience in the Redding Muirhead school-room. Jas. Russell, Esq., took the chair. Mr. Campbell discoursed for upwards of an hour in his usual plain, simple, lucid, matter-of-fact style, and at the close of his address upwards of 30 members were enrolled, and another meeting was agreed to. Mr. Russell having addressed the meeting urging them to perseverance, much good it is hoped will be the result of these gentlemen's labours among the colliers of the neighbourhood.

NOTTING HILL (LONDON) CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

This society held its anniversary meeting on Wednesday, the 15th inst., at the Johnson Tavern, Johnson-street. There was a large attendence of members, and Mr. Osborne having been called to the chair, the business of the evening was introduced by him in a brief, but very suggestive speech. Mr. Elton, the secretary, gave a succinct history of the society's progress, which, with the reading of the balance-sheet, augurs well for co-operation in this locality. They now numbered 116 members, and had done business amounting to £365 12s. 10‡d. during the past year, and declared a dividend of 1s. in the pound, independent of reserve fund, &c. After the election of officers and other business, the secretary announced that the success of their co-operative efforts had caused great jealousy and prejudice against them by the "shopocracy" of the neighbourhood, and that they had received notice to quit the premises they at present held. He, however, was in hopes of securing other premises suitable for the society, and thought that, until they had succeeded in gaining their object, silence on their part would be the better part of valour, as he had experienced difficulties already in the matter, and knew of one shopkeeper who had said he would give £10 more per annum for any premises rather than they should have them if he knew it. Messrs. Newland, Blake, Ackerell, Curby, Negus, and others took part in an animated discussion, and, after the usual votes of thanks to the different officers, the meeting broke up at about 11 o'clock.

BRIGHTON WORKING MEN'S CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.

On Monday, the 6th of January, this society commemorated its anniversary at the Odd Fellows' Hall by a tea party and soirée. About 200 sat down to tea, which was supplied by Mr. Chatfield, of Bond-street, whose efficiency in such matters needs no commendation. The Rev. R. Ainslie, Messrs. J. Hilton, jun., G. Smart, Thompson, Bellchambers, &c., were amongst those present. Tea having been cleared away, Mr. T. Harman, the secretary, read letters of apologetic encouragement from the borough M.P.'s, Lieut.-Colonel Fawcett, Rev. Babbington, and several others. Mr. Hilton delivered a short and pithy address on co-operation, after which the secretary gave a very lucid account of the society's flourishing condition. In two years their numbers had increased from 29 to 280, business was every day increasing, and the society was open to all. After a few remarks from the Rev. R. Ainslie, the chairs, tables, &c., were removed for Terpsichorean recreation to the strains of Lacy's Quadrille Band. The company highly enjoyed themselves, and did not disperse till two o'clock the next morning. We are glad to hear the Temperance Co-operative Society is also doing well, and that another is in course of formation.

OLDHAM.

This town has two stores and two manufacturing companies. The one at Greenacre-hill held the annual festive meeting on the 3rd ult. 600 persons were present.

KIDSGROVE.

This society held its annual meeting on New Year's Day. 250 persons were present. The profits of the meeting will be devoted to the formation of a library.

LEIGH.

The imports from abroad have made both short work and short wages for the silk weavers here. They are now recommended in the local newspaper to add the profits of trade to the wages of labour, by forming manufactucing companies.

CO-OPERATIVE WACTHMAKING.

At a recent meeting of watch and clockmakers, it was stated that the foreign watch was made of a far less number of parts than the English watch, and therefore sold cheaper. As the manufacturers are not disposed to alter the system of manufacture, the workmen were recommended to do it by the formation of a co-operative society.

BEDFORD.

An endeavour is making here to get up a reciprocating society under the Industrial Act. We wish it every success. The absence of fines is a condition of much importance to the class for whose benefit these associations should be originated.

CLECKHEATON.

The third quarterly report of the Industrial Self-help Society has recently been submitted to the members, showing most unmistakeably the progress of the society in spite of dull trade. The number of members is 213, being an increase of 23 over last quarter. Goods sold during the quarter, £1,498 1s. 91d.; contributions, £269 6s. 11d. Dividend to members, 1s. 6d. in the pound on their purchases; to non-members, 9d. A butchery has been added to the store, and, as none but the best meat will be sold, it is hoped this department will receive adequate support. Shares can be taken and paid up at the rate of 3d. per week, or 3s. 3d. per quarter.

LEITH CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY

A meeting of the shareholders of this society was held in the Cordwainers' Hall on Tuesday evening, the 14th of January. By the report it appeared* that for the past quarter the business done had been £597 7s. 6d., profit £31 6s. 5 d., giving 5 per cent. to capital, 1s. 5d. in the pound on members' purchases, and 84d. in the pound to non-members. The business of this society has been conducted in a very efficient manner, and a vote of thanks was given to the management.

(From our Lancashire Correspondent.)

TODMORDEN.

On Christmas-day the co-operative society of this place held its ninth annual meeting. 300 persons were present. After tea a public meeting was held, and such was the interest excited that hundreds were refused admission.

WINTON.

A few days before the Christmas holidays the members of this society held a festive meeting to celebrate the extension of their business and premises. The society has usually done a good business aud paid fair dividends. Their festive meeting was a decided success. Dividend 28. in the pound.

BACUP AND WARDLE.

It appears that the guardians (?) of the poor in this neighbourhood have been busy making inquiries to learn who, among the rate-payers, belong to co-operative societies, as such persons are not entitled to parochial relief. In Bacup the

profits upon co-operative trading have been 3s. in the pound. In co-operative manufacturing the profits have been greater than the wages of labour.

CO-OPERATIVE PROFITS AT ROCHDALE.

Stores, £52,624; corn mill, £32,937; manufactory, £12,366. The above items are the totals from the commencement.

DURING the past year in Lancashire and Yorkshire there have been many co-operative successes and very few failures. Those societies which have had the principles of co-operation publicly expounded and defended have found it to answer their purpose by an increase of business.

On the 17th of last month Mr. EBENEZER EVE (late pupil of Dr. Donovan) delivered a very interesting lecture on "Phrenology viewed in reference to Physiognomy" to the members and friends of the Notting-hill and Kensington Co-operative Society. We regret that our limited space prevented us at the time from reproducing the report of the lecture in our columns, and that we are still unable to do so this month. But science is never stale; and we keep it on our file with a view to find room for it at some future time.

LABOUR NEWS.

IMPORTANT TO FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.-Frederick Franklin, late secretary to the Ironfounders' Friendly Society, held at the Moonraker Tavern, Great Suffolk-street, was recently charged before Mr. Combe, at the instance of the trustees of the society, for refusing to give up the books. The defendant filled the office of secretary up to the 2nd of November, and had held that office six or seven years. Another secretary was appointed on the day alluded to, and the books were demanded of him (defendant), but he refused to give them up. Mr. Edwin (for the defence) said he was instructed to say that the books were old, and he had destroyed them to prevent their being used as butter paper, or the like, by which the affairs of the society would have been made public, to the detriment of the members. The magistrate observed that he could easily understand that the society required the books; and, as for defendant's saying he had destroyed the books, he had no right to do anything of the sort, and he doubted whether he had done so, but that he made that lame excuse for the purpose of keeping back property that he knew well belonged to the society, and not to him. Unless he gave them up forthwith he must pay a penalty of £10, or go to prison. Mr. Edwin said his client was not provided with the books, therefore he must pay the penalty. The money was accordingly paid, when Mr. Combe ordered the defendant to enter into sureties to attend on a future day with the books. The defendant not having attended to his sureties or produced the books, the magistrate issued a warrant for his apprehension.

THE "strike among the masons of London is still going on at a heavy cost to both parties, masters and men. The direct cost to the society of the latter is said to be £3,500; the aggregate loss in wages, &c., is estimated at no less a sum than £20,000 up to the present time. The men are sanguine of success. There are in London 22,000 carpenters and joiners who have gone to work under protest. A meeting was held at the Whittington Club, on Wednesday, 23rd January, to take into consideration the present position of the masons on strike, resisting the system of payment by the hour. A resolution condemning the payment by the hour was moved by Mr. Connolly, seconded by Mr. Wilson, and carried unanimously. Mr. Charles Murray then moved a resolution pledging the meeting to support the masons, which was seconded and carried. The meeting concluded by a vote of thanks to the chairman (Mr. Wright, painter) moved by Mr. George Potter.

AT Chelsea the "war of the counter" continues among the boot and shoe trade (Yapps); the men are supported by contributions from various trade societies; the Amalgamated House Painters lately voted them £5. Mr. Yapp shows no inclination to surrender, and is having his labour done elsewhere.

THE London newsvendors are busily at work forming an association to protect themselves from the excessive toil and small profit arising from the cheap and nasty" system adopted by the proprietors of the weeklies, consequent upon the repeal of the paper duty.

AMONG the trades' delegate council, held at the Bell Inn, Old Bailey, we do not notice any representative from the tailors, the watchmakers, and many other branches of the industrial world.

THE London Compositors' Society have lately held a meeting at the Farringdon Hall "to consider what steps should be taken in a question involving a serious infraction of the scale and customs of the trade." Mr. Self occupied the chair, and, after considerable discussion, it was unanimously resolved-"That, in consequence of the persistent attempts of Messrs. Woodfall and Kinder to evade or resist scale prices, as agreed to between masters and men, this meeting declares that office unfair."

THE garment dyers held a general meeting on the 7th of January, at the George and Blue Boar, Holborn, to receive the reply to their petition recently laid before the employers praying for a reduction in the hours of working to ten per day, with the privilege of leaving work at four o'clock on Saturdays. Mr. Ross was in the chair; and Mr. Collings, the secretary, read the following reply from the employers' circular which had been received :-" That on and after the 1st of January, 1862, the working hours of the journeymen garment dyers shall be ten and a half hours for the first five days of the week, and nine and a half hours on the Saturday. Each firm to settle its own time for beginning or leaving work, and its meal times." The concession made by the employers was unanimously accepted, and the meeting dispersed highly satisfied with their success.

The Newcastle Daily Chronicle records several festive réunions between masters and men in that locality. This is well in its way, "but man to man would brothers be for a' that.”

A TRADES' UNIONIST ASSAULT.-At the recent York Assizes Patrick Ward was indicted for having, at Huddersfield, on the 6th of December, wounded Thomas M'Kinny, a slater, with intent to maim him. The prosecutor was in the employ of Mr. Goodwin, of Huddersfield, and was proceeding to his work on the morning above indicated, when he was brutally struck on the head and face, and severely wounded by the prisoner with a poker. From statements subsequently made by Ward, it appeared that the prosecutor had given him offence by following his work when there was a strike. The prisoner was found" Guilty." Mr. Justice Wightman, in severe terms, deprecated the monstrous tyranny used by such parties, and sentenced the prisoner to three years' penal servitude. [We confess that such brutal outrages argue nothing in favour of trades' unions. We deplore such brutality.]

STUBBS, of Mercantile Circular or "Black List" notoriety, has obtained a verdict of "one farthing damages" against the proprietor of Lloyd's Weekly Newspaper for an alleged libel. The thing was referred to during the trial in anything but terms of approval both by bar and bench. [Such a publication would not be tolerated in Austria, and is a disgrace to a free country.]

MR. WILSON, the extensive master builder, of Suffolk-street Boro, and a member of the master's association, has withdrawn the hour system, and accepted the com-promise of the men. Mr. W. has some heavy contracts on hand at Dover and Devenport as well as in the metropolis. Several new hands (masons) have been taken on, the non-socisty men remaining at work.