Protestent Alliance Friendly Society.

Thames Star, Volume X, Issue 3397, 11 November 1879, Page 2

Protestent Alliance Friendly Society.

The following report of the above was read at the Soiree, held last night at the Acudemy of Music :—

In bringing up this tho sixth annual report of fc'ne Prince ol Wales Lodge, No. 20, of the Protestant Alliance* Friendly Society of Australasia, 1 beg to premise my particulars of thia Lodge by a few general remarks as to the state of the Order aa a whole.

This Friendly Society baa been estab!ishr3 only a little over six yesrs, and ifc iB confined to the Colonies of Australasia. Itß benerits hare been extonded during that abort; time to seventy-three towns in these Colonies —that is, we havo nibeteen lodges lit Victoria, thirteen in Queensland, thirty-one in New South Walc3j nine in 3Tew Zealand, aad one iv Tasmania. As to this Lodge—At our laßt gathering, twelve months ngo, wo had a balance of £137 18s, our receipts for the year amounted to £415 12a lid, and cur expenditure to £233 14a 4d f leaving a present balance of £619 16s 7d ; of this sum we have £600 invested at intenat iv the Banks at the Thames. If it is taken into consideration thai our Lodge has only been in existence six years, that the number of benefit members has never been much above 120, and that the contribution ie a.trjflo over a shilling per week per member, I think it will be granted that the result is v gocd one. This largo amount at our command is only used for maintenance of membeu when aick. When any of the members or their wivea die we have a still lurger bank to draw the funeral donation of £25 or £i 5 from, namely—from our Grand Fund at Sydney, and the doctors are paid out of current receipts. These ■.facts I take it, ought to foster a confidence in would-be intending members, and bo a great sati'sfact on to the brethren. The benefits received by members of tun Society nro : —Doctor's ■ advice tind medicine for members and their wives and children. If a member is eiek and unable lo work, he claims and obtains a guinei a week ; if his wife dies a donation of £15 is paid, and when a member dita his widow or other heir receives £25, and a t>ound ertra for every 12 months ho baa belonged to the Order, md as it is acknowledged by everyone to

bo the duty of every man worthy the name, lo provioa agniust sickness ami death: co also in it ibe duly of every true woman to ccc to ir. that her husbdiid or sweetheart joins this or some kindred society at once, as tho easiest urn.l test way of performing that important duty.

William Smith, Secretary.