Benefit Societies.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2925, 15 June 1888, Page 2

Benefit 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. Shawcross, the secretaries of the respective orders. The Manchester Unity numbered ou the Ist January, 1888, 627,594 financial members, a net increase of 10,007 during last year. There were altogether 89,994 persons initiated into the Order, 37,652 in Great Britain, and 2343 in the Colonies; but 23,145 had loft the Unity, or been suspended, and the deaths had numbered 7569. The Ancient Order of Foresters on January Ist 1888, numbered 686,127, and 10,429 lionarary members showing an increase during last year of 18,557 benefit, and 777 honorarymembers. There were altogether 56,845 benefit members initiated during 1887 but the deaths numbered 6897, and 80,680 had from various causes left the Order. The Juvenile Foresters Society numbers 72,377 members with £36,543 capital, an increase during the year of 4874 members, and of £7234 in funds. The " A.M.C." or annual parliament of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, was this year held at Gloucester during Whit week, and the High Court of the Foresters will be held in August at Beading, where the High Court is now located.