Friendly Societies

Feilding Star, Volume IX, Issue 132, 7 June 1888, Page 2

Friendly Societies

The statistics of the progress of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, the wealthiest, and of the Ancient Order of Foresters, numerically the largest friendly society in the world, have just been completed for the past year, the former by Mr T. Collins, and the latter by Mr S. Showcross, the secretaries of the respective Orders. On January Ist, 1888, the Manchester Unity numbered 627,594 financial members, a net increase of 10,007 during last year. There were altogether 39.994 persons initiated into the Order, 87,652 in Great Britain, and 2343 in the colonies; but 23,415 had left the Unity, or been suspended and the deaths had numbered 7569. The Ancient Order of Foresters on January Ist, 1888, numbered 686,127 and 16,429 honorary members showing an increase during last year of 18,557 benefit and 777 honorary members. There were altogether 56,845 benefit members initiated during 1887, but the deaths numberd 6897, and 30,680 had from various causes left the Order. The Juvenile Foresters Society numbers 72,377 members with £36,542 capital, an increase during the year of 4874 members, and of £7324 in funds. The " A.M.C." or annual Parliament of the Manchester Unity of Odfellews, was this year, held at Gloucester during Whit week, and the High Court of the Foresters will bo held in August at Beading, where the High Court is now located.