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Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 7, Issue 370, 19 November 1863, Page 1

There is a vast deal of sound and valuable matter in Parliamentary reports, but I have seldom stumbled upon a more interesting' Parliamentary document than Mr. Tidd Pratt’s report upon co-operative societies. I have long had my eye upon these institutions, and watched them with deep interest. My opinion, indeed, is. that in these cooperative societies we have the germ of a very wonderful social and commercial revolution. But, not to moralise upon them, let me give your readers a few facts. There are now in existence in England and Wales, 332 of these societies, and they are nearly all in a flourishing condition. The total amount paid in 1862 for goods and clothing was ,£2,067,807. The amount received for goods was ,£2,331,650. The total expence, including everything was £135,588, and the net profit considerably over £IOO,000. At Rochdale there is a* co-operative cotton mill ; and when the dearth of cotton set in I trembled for the co operative cotton manufacturers; but the report tells us that I the mill continues to work full time, and the society is now fitting a second with machinery. Now, let your readers think of this subject. Co-operative societies are no longer doubtful speculations, but successes. Who can tell, then, whereunto this thing will grow 1 I sometimes dream that here lies a principle which, steadily worked out, may wonderfully mitigate, if not entirely cure, some of our most distressing social anomalies.— lllustrated Times. We have so often laughed at the Order of Foresters on their gala days, when they appear in all the questionable splendour of buff boots and Lincoln green—the costume of Robin Hood has appeared so singularly inappropriate to our dingy thoroughfares—that some of us may have lost sight of the solid virtues of prudence and economy which certainly adorn that incongruous body. They have long been notable for the regularity with which their funds are admiuistered. Lack of work, ill health, death, and other contingencies of life, all are provided for by their society. 'But'it now meditates a bolder flight, and, if successful, its leaders will have the satisfaction of inaugurating one of the most beneficial movements ever attempted by working men. An asylum is to be formed, to which every member of - the order who attains the age of sixty is to have entrance as a right. If a member be married, his wife is to reside there with him ; and if he becomes thoroughly incapacitated for work by ill health, lie shall, at any age be admitted as if he were' sixty. There is to be no election, with its attendant evils of vote-canvassing ; no acceptance of a charitable each Forester paying an extra subscription of two shillings a year, will purchase a deferred annuity of six shillings a week and a home for, his old age. Already some fifteen thousand names have been sent in as accepting this proposal; and my only doubt is, can the promised advantages be given for the money ? many lives will fall in before sixty—many subscribers who attain that age will not need an asylum ; but still, will the directors be able to afford light, fire, rent, and six shillings a week to even the limited number of members who will claim them 1 The advisers of the Order say they will; and, as its collective wealth is considerable, I suppose, at the worst, the general monies would be trenched ou if any deficiency arose in the special fund. It is an actuary’s question purely ; but the horns and ribbons, and properties figuring at the Crystal Palace, last Tuesday, assumed to me a weightier significance thau they have ever done before. Granted, that they were, as usual, a little tawdry and somewhat theatrical, still they symbolised to the thousands wearing them the homely, practical virtues of self-denial, forethought, and thrift; and I don’t know that even the sombre garments and white cravat of Brother Dolorosus express much more.— lbid. To Kill Lice on Young Chickens or Turkeys. —Take of any oil that one happens to have on hand three parts anti one part kerosene oil—shake well together; apply as follows:—Take the young chickens or turkeys then about 24 to 48 hours old — jast at night is the best time ; hold the chicken in one hand, while the oil is applied with a finger of the other hand to the- head of the chicken, being careful not to get the oil into the eye, although it would do no further harm than to make the chicken feel a little uncomfortable for a few minutes. The application at the above-mentioned age, and again if needed at about one month old, will prevent lice troubling the chickens. To tell whether a chicken is lousy, observe whether it is more fond, than usual, of being brooded by the hen, whether its wings drop or seem to grow faster than its body. These . are sure sigus that lice are eating away the , life of the chicken, and it will die in a few days unless attended to at once. Should the nests were hens incubate become infected with lice take kerosene oil and an old brush or a bit of cloth, and apply the oil freely to the woodwork of the nests. There will be no . lice alive about.those nests again for weeks, f If hens get very lousy, kerosene oil reduced one-half may be applied to the head, neck, . and rump of the fowl; two applications one i week apart will kill all; but if fine loam , three parts and ashes one part are kept where . ihe liens can wallow in it, tl ey will not be it troubled again with lice, although the heni* house should not be renovated with whin - i) wash oftener than once a year. The fr- e use of kerosene oil in a lienery will,prevent all trouble from lice, as they will not stay where its pungent odour is.