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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XVI, Issue 218, 13 September 1881, Page 4

The Annual Movable Committee of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, consisting of delegates representing tho various districts of the Order, on Whit Morday assembled for the transaction of the business of the Unity, in the Cambridge Hall, Southport, under the presidency of the Grand Master, Lieutenant Pownall, E.A., ; over 450 delegates attended. The Grand Master said that the capital of the Unity. Ist January, 1880, amounted to £4,709,108, a net increase during the year of £232,160. During the last sixteen years the increase had been £2,013,485, or nearly a million sterling for each quinquennial period. The expenditure for 1879 was £531,044— £416,574 for sick, and £114,470 for funeral benefits, whilst during the last sixteen years these payments had been £4,851,365 sick, and £1,600,516 funeral benefits, making a total of £6,451, 884, or an average annual payment of £403,242. He did not consider the wealth and magnitude or the immense income and expenditure of the Unity that makes it great, but the spirit of self-denial which actuates the members,* and the advantage which the Unity is to the country. He congratulated the A.M.C., on the progress of the Unity, which on the first of January 1881, numbered 543,485 members, showing during the last year an increase of 9965 members, the largest for several years past. On Wednesday, Mr Barnum, the American showman, attended the meeting and delivered a characteristic speech. After some personal allusions, he said that ever since his first visit to this country with General Tom Thumb he became deeply attached to England He had preached England to the Americans, and had told them he would rather live here than in any other part of the world. Having so many roots settled in America, he thought he could not settle elsewhere, and so he came to Southport, took a little English lass under his arm, and thus carried England to America, (Laughter and applause). This was an annexation he could thoroughly recommend. He trusted that the good feeling which happily prevailed between England and America would always continue to exist. Just before the meeting adjourned, Sir R. A. Cross appeared upon the platform, and, on being introduced by the Grand Master, was received with vociferous cheering. Sir Richard said it afforded him extreme pleasure to be present, knowing the good that Oddfellowship had done. In the evening a banquet was given in the skating rink of the Aquarium. Sir R. Asheton Cross, M.P., presided, and was supported by J the Mayor, Col. Hesketh, and other persons of influence in the town and neighbourhood.