at the Bristol A.M.C., Mr. Rourke moved a resolution, which was adopted, and which forms the principle of what still remains a portion of the general law of the Order. This law invests districts with the power of fixing the rate of contributions and benefits to be paid within their jurisdiction. The amendments or antagonistic propositions were that lodges should retain the power they formerly possessed, and that the Glasgow resolutions by which the unity fixed the rate, should be adhered to. These facts of themselves proclaim much more than mere verbiage, however eloquent, the great interest which Mr. Rourke has taken in the prosperity of our institution, and the further development of its principles. At the annual committees he has taken a very active and useful part in all discussions of importance. That his efforts have largely met with the approbation of his colleagues is shown by the many times he has received important official distinction, and by the selection of his portrait by the Bolton A.M.C. for the embellishment of the present number of the Magazine. Mr. Rourke has, with great and praiseworthy diligence, during many years, devoted a portion of his time and attention to the collection of records, historical and statistical, which throw light upon the past operations of the Order. His collection now includes all the official minutes of the Unity from 1814 to the present time; the whole of the proceedings of the Grand Lodge of the Order in the United States of America from its establishment in 1821; and numerous important and interesting documents in connection with the society's early history. Mr. Rourke was for several years in the habit of regularly corresponding with the late Past Grand Sire Wildey, the founder of the Order in America. From this gentleman he gathered much valuable information respecting the operations of the society-its struggles and difficulties in the earlier portion of its career. We hope we shall be enabled from time to time to obtain from Mr. Rourke's valuable collection interesting matter for insertion in the pages of the ODD-FELLOWS' MAGAZINE. Friendly Society Intelligence, Statistics, Etc. IMPORTANT TO FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.-In the Judges' Chambers, London, in July last, before Mr. Justice Willes, an application was made by Mr. C. Pollock, for a writ of prohibition to restrain further proceedings in the case of "Dixon and another v. Chadwick and others." The case originally came before the Judge of the Manchester County Court. The action was brought by the plaintiffs as trustees of the Steam Engine Makers' Friendly Society to recover the sum of £81 12s. 1d. received by the defendants as trustees of a branch society, but appropriated by them to the use of a rival society, called the Amalgamated Engineers' Society. The judge of the Manchester County Court gave judgment for the plaintiff for £70, allowing the defendants, at their own request, a month to pay. Before the expiration of the month the defendants obtained from Mr. Justice Willes a summons calling upon the plaintiffs to show cause why a writ of prohibition should not issue to stop execution. The summons was accordingly answered on Friday. Mr. Leresche opposed the Country application. The learned judge, on an undertaking from the plaintiff that the execution should not issue until the 7th of November, refused a writ of prohibition. The costs will abide the event.-Manchester Examiner. STATISTICS OF THE MANCHESTER UNITY.-An Analysis (by a member of the Albert Lodge, Wigton District) of the "List of Lodges for 1862;" showing the Number of Districts, Lodges, and Members, and also the number of Lodges with their Members, in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the Colonies. Number of No of Lodges consisting of the undermentioned No. of Members. 14 4 1 1 Colonies 33 197 13,891 172 Total... 448 3433 335,175 22 26 167 197 263 254 1186 1017 222 59 SUMMARY OF THE NUMBER OF DISTRICTS IN THE UNITY, WITH THEIR RESPECTIVE NUMBER OF LOD ES. 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 Number of Lodges 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 to to to to to to to Total. in a District. 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 1 448 No. of Districts. 52 52 49 47 45 29 28 21 1575 23 6 2 3 Highest No. of Members in a District, 8,698. "North London." 5,,, 1,124," Ld. Melbourne," Dudley Dis. STATISTICS OF DRUNKENNESS.-In the summary proceedings before magistrates in England last year, 82,196 persons were charged with being drunk, or drunk and disorderly; but large as the number is, it is 7 per cent. less than in 1860, and there was a small decrease in that year also. Juries on coroners' inquests found 199 verdicts last year of death from excessive drinking, but that was nearly 30 per cent. fewer than in 1860. PROGRESS OF THE POST-OFFICE SAVINGS BANKS.-Although the Post-office authorities preserve a silence which is only broken at rare intervals with respect to these admirable institutions, some particulars of their progress occasionally transpire, and show that in spite of the general depression of trade, and the distressed condition of particular districts, the post-office banks are rapidly attaining a business of enormous magnitude. For instance, the acknowledgments for deposits, which are sent from the General Post-office to the depositors, are printed with consecutive numbers, and we have recently seen acknowledgments the numbers on which showed that there have already been more than 360,000 deposits in the post-office banks, although those binks have only been in full operation for little more than five months. The number of depositors in them must also be very considerable.—Advertiser. FIRE INSURANCE.-The following table, compiled from the official returns, exhibits at a glance the increase of duty paid to the government by the different insurance offices, metropolitan and provincial, during the year 1861: 6 Queen 7 Law 2,312 29 Church of England..... 229 8 Globe ................ 2,288 30 Kent........ 194 2,026 31 Birmingham 161 32 Nottingham and Derby...... 142 33 United Kingdom Provident 149 11 West of England 1,635 34 Essex and Suffolk METROPOLITAN BENEFIT SOCIETIES' ASYLUM.-A tea meeting was held on Wednesday, July 23rd, at the Metropolitan Tabernacle, Newington, in aid of the funds of the Metropolitan Benefit Societies' Asylum, Ball's Pond, Islington. Mr. Sheriff Cockerell presided, and in opening the proceedings, said the asylum was established in 1829 for the reception of aged persons of both sexes, members of any friendly or benefit societies, who were provided with a free residence, coals, candles, and medical attendance. The main building was erected in 1836-7, and with the ground, cost £5,000. The wing was added in 1853-4, at a cost of upwards of £2,000. Up to the present time 147 persons had been admitted to the benefits of the institution, of whom 26 now remained inmates of the main build 38 Salop ...... 39 Birmingham District...... 40 London Union 59 54 52 41 Emperor 39 ... 42 Shropshire and North Wales 26 43 Norwich Equitable......................... 25 44 Preserver....... 21 45 District 6 ing. The society had lately been favoured with a bequest by the late Mrs. Mackenzie, expected to amount to a net sum of £9,000, out of which it is proposed to pay the residue of the mortgage, £1,750, and by additional exertions to form a sufficient endowment fund for maintaining the inmates of the whole of the rooms in the asylum. Lord Ebury, the Rev. C. H. Spurgeon, Mr. Henry Campkin, Mr. Joseph Payne, the Recorder, and Mr. Tidd Pratt, addressed the meeting, and strongly urged the claim of the asylum upon the attention of benefit societies, and dwelt upon its usefulness, recommending working-men to join benefit societies. The proceedings terminated with the National Anthem, which was given with great effect by the large company assembled. Odd-Fellowship, Anniversaries, Presentations, &c. ALSTON.-On Saturday evening, April 26th, the members and friends of the Loyal Tyne Lodge, Haltwhistle, gave a farewell supper to their worthy hostess, Mrs. Sarah Saul, of the Crown Inn, previous to her leaving the town of Haltwhistle and retiring into private life. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts, &c., the chairman, P.P.G.M. W. Routledge, late of the Durham district, gave the health and future prosperity of Mrs. Saul in a highly complimentary ard feeling manner, which was most enthusiastically drunk by the whole company assembled, fully showing the high respect they entertain for their worthy hostess of nineteen years' standing. The rest of the evening was devoted to songs, recitations, &c. BAGILLT.-PRESENTATION.-The members of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of the Cambrian Lodge, No. 2566, met recently to make a presentation to an old and meritorious officer, Mr. James D. Morgan, P.G., who has long filled the very important office of treasurer to the above lodge, The testimonial was a handsome silver lever watch, which bore the following inscription :-" Presented to James D. Morgan, P.G., by the Loyal Cambrian Lodge, Independent Order of Odd-fellows, Manchester Unity, for his efficient services as treasurer for 14 years. Bagillt, 1862." The chairman addressed the meeting upon the occasion which had called them together, and said that it was a most pleasing duty to present the watch on the part of the members of the Loyal Cambrian Lodge as a small token of their respect and esteem. Mr. Morgan, in reply, acknowledged their kindness in presenting him with so valuable a testimonial, accepting it with a full determination to do his duty honestly. He should remember and appreciate their kindness as long as he lived, and it would be his greatest pleasure to further the interests of the lodge, and promote its prosperity in every possible way. BABBADOES.-On Thursday evening, 29th May last, the members and friends of the St. Michael's Lodge celebrated its 22nd anniversary. The lodge-room was most tastefully decorated. Among the banners was one of white silk, with the inscription, "Welcome, ten thousand wel. comes," which was carried in the procession on the arrival of H.R.H. Prince Alfred at Barbadoes, on the memorable 22nd of February, 1861. Prov. G.M. J. H. Nightingale took the chair, and the vice-chair was occupied by N.G. Phillips. The chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts. In proposing "The Manchester Unity," the chairman spoke at some length on the extent of the Order and its general usefulness, giving a statistical account of districts, lodges, and members in connection with the Unity. The toast was ably and eloquently responded to by P.P.G.M. Barclay. In proposing "The G.M. and Board of Directors," Prov. C.S. Cordle said, he being the medium of commu nication between the Board of Directors and the Barbadoes District was, no doubt, the cause of the toast being put into his hand. He trusted that although those gentlemen who composed the board of directors were personally unknown to the brethren of the Order in the Island of Barbadoes, yet he knew that their health would be readily, cheerfully, and heartily drunk. All knew what was due to men of great minds-of expansive ideas. After making honourable mention of the late Mr. James Roe (which tribute of respect was well received), and of some living distinguished Odd-Fellows, and speaking of the advantages Odd-Fellowship holds out to young men of the working classes, and of its working in the mother country, he concluded by calling upon the press of those islands to lend their valuable aid in disseminating the views, objects, and principles of the Order. Other toasts followed, and the company separated at a seasonable hour, highly delighted and gratified. BIRKENHEAD.-At the meeting of the Britannia Lodge, held on Thursday evening, Aug. 15th, the members presented to Prov. G.M. Joseph Seddon a valuable timepiece, purchased by the voluntary subscriptions of the members, and bearing the following insciption:-" Presented by the members of the Britannia Lodge, No. 1834, I.O. of O.F., M.U., to Prov. G.M. Joseph Seddon, as an acknowledgment of his valuable services, Aug. 14, 1862." Prov. C.S. William Sykes, in making the presentation, dwelt at considerable length upon the services rendered by Mr. Seddon to the lodge during the past 16 years, showing that through his indomitable perseverance and earnest attention to its interests, he had, with a few others, contributed to place the lodge in its present respectable position, and prevent its failing, at a time when the depression of trade was such in Birkenhead that nothing but decay stared them in the face. Prov. G.M. Seddon responded, thanking the members most cordially for the kind manner in which they had marked their appreciation of his services. The lodge was attended by a large number of visiting officers and members from Liverpool, several of whom addressed the meeting upon the business of the evening and the principles of Odd-fellowship. BIRKENHEAD. The members of the Lodge "Perseverance" celebrated their twenty-fourth anniversary on Monday. At a quarter past seven o'clock, the members, together with their Liverpool brethern and friends, sat down to an excellent dinner in the lodge-room, at Host Gilbertson's, George and Dragon Inn, Grange-lane. On the cloth being removed, the chair was taken by Prov. C.S. W. Sykes. After the usual loyal toasts, etc., the Chairman said he had been connected with the lodge for 20 years, and when he first joined them they mustered but 117 members, whereas they now numbered 230 good paying members. In 1842 they had but £150 in the treasurer's hand, they now had £700; all these facts tended to show the prosperous manner in which the lodge is getting on. They had during the last 12 months paid 12s. per week to all sick members, and in instances of the death of a brother, his widow would receive £15 to enable her to give him a decent interment; in no case did the relict of a brother receive less than £10. (Applause.) The meeting was likewise attended by several officers and members of the Liverpool district, who take a warm interest in the prosperity of their offspring. BOLTON.-On Wednesday evening, August 27th, 1862, the members of the Loyal Settle's Pride Lodge presented a beautiful silver snuff-box, suitably inscribed, to their respected treasurer, Mr. Charles Woods, P.P:G.M., who had discharged the duties of his office with integrity and faithfulness for upwards of twelve years. P.G. Samuel Openshaw, on whom the pleasing duty of making the presentation devolved, delivered an appropriate address, remarking that the success of the institution depended largely upon the honesty, zeal, and urbanity of those to whose care the interests of its members are confided. In the person of Mr. Woods, the lodge had found a faithful and indefatigable servant, a staunch |