its benign influences. Mr. J. Wild, the secretary, read the report and balancesheet for the fourth quarter, the result of which had exceeded their most sanguine expectations. The number of members had risen from 23 to 58, being an increase of 35 during the twelve months, whilst the capital of the society had increased from £21 14s. 6d. to £183 16s. 84d., during the same period. Received for goods sold first quarter, £129 19s. 24d.; profits, £2 17s. 6d. Goods sold fourth quarter, £356 1s. 5d.; increase, £226 2s. 24d.; profits realized, £23 19s. 3d.; increase, £21 1s. 9d. On members' purchases a dividend of 1s. 8d. in the pound had been declared; on non-members purchases, 61d. in the pound. They had allowed 13 per cent. for depreciation of stock, and £4 3s. 11d. for reserve fund, by which the stability of the society was sought to be ensured. Speeches, recitations, songs, and glees now alternated, and the meeting separated`at a seasonable hour highly delighted with the evening's entertainment.

PENICUICK Co-OPERATIVE STORES.-The Gardeners' Hall was crowded on Thursday, Jan. 30th, to receive the sixth quarterly report of this society. Mr. J. M'Donald presided. All things went well. From the secretary's report we learn that a sum of £398 1s. 1d. had been taken for goods sold during the quarter, being an increase of £141 8s. 5d. over the previous quarter. To shareholders' purchases, 10d. in the pound is declared, after deducting all expenses of management, rent, interest on capital at 5 per cent. per annum, and £5 1s. 6d. to reserve fund. Profits, £21. New members enrolled during the year 17, representing an increased amount of shares of £55.

BRISTOL INDUSTRIAL AND PROVIDENT CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-This society held a special meeting at the Central Stores, Castle-street, on Thursday, the 30th of January, to take into consideration the increased business of the society, and to adopt a remedy to meet its general requirements. Mr. Williams presided, and there was a full attendance of members. It appears that the rapid growth of business at the Limekiln-lane branch had become so extensive as to render the present premises totally inadequate to the wants of the vicinity. It was proposed that, as no suitable premises could be taken near there, a piece of land should be bought, and suitable warehouse-premises erected, in which to carry on all the branches of business necessary to co-operative development. The proposition was carried by a large majority. The building, it is said, will cost £300 or £400.

ROCHDALE PIONEERS' SOCIETY.-The sixty-eighth quarterly report of this monster society, dated Dec. 17, 1861, represents business transactions to the enormous amount of £50,000. Received for goods sold during the quarter, £42,846 18s. 5d., being an increase over the receipts of goods sold the previous quarter of £324 2s. 2d. The dividend paid on each pound of purchase-money is 2s. 1d., from a realized profit of £4,512. The aggregate year's profit amounts to £18,028. In addition to a sick and burial society, building company, and a splended library, containing over 5,000 volumes, this society promotes and encourages the interchange of labour among its members, the effects of which are better felt than described. The following totals, in round numbers, of cooperative business in this town will be interesting :-Capital, £132,404; business done, £1,334,299; profits, £98,127.

THE EDINBURGH Co-OPERATIVE BUILDING COMPANY.-This society is adopting the proper course to establish its permanence and make its benefits felt, by holding district meetings. Since our last notice we are glad to learn that meetings have been held in the school-rooms of Holyrood, Fountainbridge, &c., when the principles of the company were duly and eloquently brough thefore large and attentive audiences by the Rev. Mr. Wilson (author of Moral Wastes," &c.), Mr. Colville, and several other gentlemen. It is proposed to continue these district meetings, and to open an office in connection with the ompany in Leith.

HULL. On Monday evening, January 29, at the Co-operative Stores, 26, Bridge-street, 500 loaves of bread were given away to the poor of Hull, in consequence of the deessed state of trade, in accordance with a resolution passed at a meeting of members of the society.

SHOTLEY BRIDGE.-Co-operation has made its advent here, and a well-attended meeting has been held in the Shotley Grove school-room by the preliminary committee. Mr. Johnson, foreman at the paper works, presided. A committee and secretary were appointed to prepare rules and make other necessary arrangements for the completion of the project, which excites considerable interest in the locality.

BATLEY CARR.-The seventh half-yearly report of this society has recently been issued, from which it appears the Batley Carr co-operators have much cause to congratulate themselves for their efforts. The society has purchased property and erected extensive premises thereon, much to the improvement of the town, and very considerable business is done at the establishment. A similar purchase has been made by the society at Earlsheaton, with the intent of opening a branch store. There is a constant increase of members, and the committee announce a dividend of 1s. 4d. in the pound, together with 5 per cent. on paid-up shares, after paying all expenses, and reducing the fixed stock £52 5s. 1d.

SOWERBY BRIDGE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.-This society held its annual meeting in the Town-hall, on Saturday, February 1, when there was a crowded assemblage, presided over by Mr. J. Sutcliffe. Mr. Wood, the secretary, read the half-yearly report, containing a brief history of the society's operations. Branch societies had been opened at Mill Bank and Warley Town, and the effect had been increased receipts at the parent society at Sowerby Bridge. The number of new members enrolled was 362, making the society 1,700 strong, with a paid-up capital of £4,325. The profit was £1,029 14s.; gross receipts, £11,000, from which £2,200 had to be deducted for flour, on which a bonus had already been paid, the £9,000 remaining being the amount of members' and public purchases. After paying £100 for interest on paid-up shares, the committee recommended a dividend of 2s. 2d. in the pound on members' purchases. Amount of cash in treasurer's hands, £1,019 13s. 1d.; contributions, &c., £906 15s.; sale of goods, £6,734 12s. 1d.; ditto branch stores, £4,288 15s. 2d.; other sources, £126 12s. 3d. Cash paid for goods, £10,640 8s. 61d.; wages, &c., £261 15s. 10d.; on account of new store, £332 5s. 1d.; for bonus and interest, £486 1s. 8d.; withdrawals, £146 9s. The report was adopted, and, after the election of officers, it was decided to connect a butchery with the new store on the vacant land adjoining, and also to open a branch store at Ripponden as soon as suitable premises could be purchased. During the evening the chairman, on behalf of the members, presented Mr. T. Holland with a valuable gold watch for his services as secretary during the formation of the society, which was appropriately acknowledged by that gentleman, and the meeting separated,

SOWERBY BRIDGE FLOUR SOCIETY.-The progress of this society has been fast and furious, carrying consolidation with its impetuosity. On Saturday, the 8th of February, the half-yearly meeting took place in the Town-hall, under the presidency of Mr. T. Baxendale. During the last half-year 536 packs of flour had been sold in excess of the previous half-year, and the business was continually increasing. Their mill was now complete, and doing its work admirably, and the flour had been improved in colour owing to the excellent machinery and method of cleaning. The total number of packs of flour sold was 17,133, and the total amount of profit received was £1,497 11s., or 1s. 9d. per pack on an average. 114 packs had been carted away from the mill each day. The receipts from the agents during the half-year were over £29,000, being at the rate of turning over £60,000 annually. There was a large attendanee, and the meeting separated amid the greatest enthusiasm.

REDDING COLLIERY CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-The initiatory meeting of this society was held in the Muirhead school-room, on Monday, January 27, when Mr. J. Russell, jun., occupied the chair. After a long and earnest appeal to his hearers on the advantages that would accrue from co-operation when wisely, honestly, and legitimately carried out, the sum of £216 3s. was collected to commence operations. Both Messrs. Russell and Salvisen are large employers, and have manifested the most liberal spirit towards their numerous workmen, and there is every indication of success attending the efforts of the colliers in and about Redding.

CO-OPERATIVE COAL SOCIETY.-A society has been formed for the supply of the best coals to London consumers, at 87, Cannon-street, City. The contributions are received, and new members enrolled, every Monday night, when the secretary and other officers, are in attendance from eight o'clock till ten. Good, cheap, and full-weighted coals, are an essential, and must prove a great boon to the poorer classes of the metropolis, who, we hope, will avail themselves of the advantages of this, and similar societies.

FINSBURY.-The third quarterly meeting of this society was held on Monday, the 15th ult., when it appeared from the balance-sheet that the society was steadily progressing. A dividend of 1s. in the pound was declared on members' purchases, and 6d. in the pound to non-members, besides 5 per cent. on paid up shares. The business of the society is now carried on at the new premises, 31, Bath Street, City Road, and members are enrolled every Monday evening. Shares, 10s. each, payable by weekly instalments. Members and business are gradually increasing, and, as it should be, solidarity is sought for by the committee. H. Hayes, Secretary.

SLAMANAN CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-This society continues its steady, flourishing condition, as the facts from the second quarterly report most plainly show. Good sold during the quarter amount to the sum of £1,003 18s. 11d., realizing a profit of £45 9s. 14d., which, although the goods were sold from 2 to 3 per cent. lower than the previous quarter, realized 11d. per pound on purchases, besides setting aside the various items for depreciation and redemption of fixed and dead stocks, educational furd, and other seserves. Members increase rapidly, and the management of the store is conducted with efficiency and the strictest economy.

BATH EQUITABLE CO-OPERATIVE AND INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.-This young society opened about eight or nine weeks since in this once-fashionable watering-place, and has issued its first report up to Jan. 7, which gives encouragement to co-operative efforts in this locality. The report declares a dividend of 1s. 6d. in the pound to members, and 9d. in the pound to non-members, on the purchases made at the stores. A premium of 5 per cent. has been paid on paid-up capital, and a depreciation made on fixed stock after the rate of 20 per cent. per annum. Number of members increasing, 86 having been enrolled since the opening of the stores.

THE QUEENSHEAD INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.-The proximity of this village to Halifax has not suffered from co-operative decay, but on the contrary, it numbers over 800 members, and is doing a business exceeding £41,000 annually. On members' purchases a dividend of 1s. in the pound has recently been declared.

HALIFAX CO-OPERATIVE INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY.-The report of this society is highly favourable to its progress, and shows an amount of business done for the three months ending Feb. 1, 1862, to exceed any other quarter's business done in the history of the society, being no less an amount than £18,082. The whole amount taken for the year ending Nov. 1, 1861, being £41,256, so that there is every probability of the current year's receipts exceeding £72,000. The capital has also increased during the last three months upwards of £3,000, and more than £5,000 have been paid to corn millers for flour, meal, &c., in

the same time, whilst the increase of members have been about 600. The central store is situate in Northgate, and have very considerable business premises. There are nine branches in different localities in connection therewith, and, altogether, the Halifax Co-operators have every reason to be exultant.

THE WEST LONDON TRADING COMPANY.-This society, which is registered under the Limited Liability Act, has opened an excellent shop, with very commodious premises, at 73, Great Titchfield-street, Oxford-street, and are progressing fast, if not furiously, towards success. The shares are £1 each, and can be paid up at once, or by weekly instalments of 1s. H. Edwards, Secretary. We have visited the premises of this company, and can add our testimony to the business-like selection of locality, &c., and call upon all friends of progress in this densely populated neighbourhood to visit and support these stores.]

ST. JAMES' (LONDON) CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-We have been favoured with a balance-sheet of this society for the quarter ending 28th Dec., 1861, which gives a considerable increase of business done over the previous quarter. The amount of cash received for goods sold is £331 15s. 10 d., which, after defraying the necessary expenses of management, the usual interest of 5 per cent. on all paid up shares, and allowing 5 per cent. for the depreciation of fixed stock, enables the committee to declare a dividend of 1s. 6d. in the pound to member purchasers,

HALIFAX FLOUR SOCIETY.-This flourishing society held its half-yearly meeting in the Odd Fellows' Hall, on Saturday, February 8, under the presidency of Mr. Clay. There was a crowded assemblage, and the secretary, Mr. Robertshaw, read the balance-sheet for the past six months, from which it appeared there had been a clear profit of £1,183 12s. on the sales effected during that period. This amount was about £300 less than the profit of the previous quarter, which was the result of reduced prices being charged to the purchasers.

CROYDON CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-Twelve months ago this society opened operations, doing a business after the rate of £50 per week to commence with. Gradually the takings were found to diminish, dissatisfaction grew up, until at last, at the end of six months, complaints were loud and frequent against the inactivity of the manager, in whom the committee had hitherto placed implicit confidence. Having the uncontrolled license of purchasing goods for the store, negligence and inferiority was added to the former complaint, as well as the complicated business habit of charging two prices for the same articles. At last the climax came, an audit was demanded, and the result was a profit deficit of £16 3s. 4d. against the shopman, who was discharged at a week's notice. Since the new manager, Mr. Baylis, has been with us, whose urbanity is unexceptionable, the takings over the counter have increased from £48 to £83 per week, notwithstanding the petty-minded ferocity of the shopocracy of the town. Everything is going on well, and members are rapidly increasing. We pay our shopman 25s. per week, with house rent, and 23 per cent. on all amounts taken over £40. He finds his own assistants. The society is returning to a healthy condition.

THE SHEFFIELD EQUITABLE AND INDUSTRIAL CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-On Tuesday, the 14th ult., this society held its third quarterly meeting in the Town-hall, Mr. Henry Turner presiding. The chairman delivered a long and impressive address to a crowded audience, in which he invoked his hearers to use more energy within themselves, so as to distribute the labour which now devolved on the few, the tendency of which would be to economise rent and multiply business. They had five shops, which were accessible at every point of the town for business to be done; and it was not enough for men to pay merely 1s. 3d. or 1s. 6d. into the society, and then allow the onus of development to fall on the few. The committee and the staff of management had

adopted principle for their guide, and, having already overcome many difficulties, they were sure of success by patience and energetic determination. The statement of accounts, though not properly audited, would show the amount of business done at the five stores during the past quarter to be £6,370. The profits arising therefrom amounted to £351, which enabled the committee to declare a dividend of 1s. 6d. in the pound to member purchasers, and of 9d. in the pound to non-member purchasers, reserving £100 to meet the cheques not yet brought in. The present number of members were 745, with a capital of £967. Mr. W. C. Nowlin having been elected daily secretary, Messrs. Priest, Beck, Auty, Robinson, Fenton, Warriner, Bennett, Cantrell (an old veteran reformer), Wolstenholm, and Taylor, addressed the meeting, each and all pointing out the benefits that must accrue to those who adopted the principle and practice of a true co-operation. A vote of thanks having been passed to the managerial staff for their past services, also to the chairman, the meeting separated. [Will our country friends be punctual in sending their reports as early as possible to us? This solicitation is meant to apply to all.]

EAST LONDON CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY.-This society has commenced selling drapery and other manufactured goods, and have had consignments from the Rochdale Manufacturing Company. It answers well, and the committee earnestly call upon all to deal at their stores in Ocean-street. The seventh quarterly report is before us, which gives the amount of cash received for sale of goods, grocery, drapery, and coals as £457 14s. 51d., giving a profit of £40 14s. 3d., and paying a dividend of 1s. 8d. in the pound, after deducting 21 per cent. for depreciation of fixed stock and educational purposes.

HULL CO-OPERATIVE AND MUTUAL ASSURANCE SOCIETY.-This society held its annual meeting on Wednesday, the 15th ult., when the following report was read by the secretary to an attentive and crowded audience :-Cash taken, first quarter, £275; second quarter, £561; third quarter, £797; and last quarter, ending 1861, it had grown to £938. Notwithstanding the great depression of trade in general, their sales had increased £140 during the last quarter, and 38 new members had been made. A dividend of 1s. 9d. in the pound had been declared on members' purchases, and 6d. in the pound on nonmembers' purchases. The committee had deducted £20 towards the fund for managerial expenses, and have a balance of £6 18s. 6d. in hand. The report was unanimously adopted, and, after the election of officers, the meeting terminated. [This report comes to us without the secretary's name. This, in future, we beg to have corrected.]

ASHTON-UNDER-LYNE CO-OPERATIVE STORE.-The committee and officers of this society have lately issued their report, by which may be seen the steady and healthy progress made by co-operative efforts in this locality. The report states the amount for goods sold for the quafter ending Dec. 25, 1861, to be £1,737 3s. 2dd., being an increase of £1,431 5s. 8d. over the corresponding quarter of the previous year. Although the very heavy sum of £232 19s. 4d. had been withdrawn during the year, the prosperity of the society was evident from the increased capital and the amount of business done. In Dec., 1860, the amount of capital was £125 Os. 11 d., £35 7s. 5d. of which was loan capital; while in December, 1861, the capital had swelled to £813 16s. 111⁄2d., the whole being share capital, which gives an increase for the year of £688 16s. society numbers 402 members, 352 of whom had been admitted during the past year, dividing profits amongst them amounting to a sum of £340 16s. 6d., besides paying all expenses of the society, and 5 per cent. on paid up shares. Extensive business premises had been opened in Welbeck-street, Henry-square, where it was expected to do double the amount of business at a slight increase of expenses. The branch store in Mill-lane was doing an increased business, although the times had indicated great depression in trade. A dividend of 1s. 4d. in the pound had been declared, besides reducing the fixed stock 10 per

The