Working Men's Co-operative Society.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4670, 14 June 1893, Page 1

Working Men's Co-opera-tive Society.

The members of the Chrifltchurch Working Men's Co-operative Society celebrated their third anniversary by. a soiree and concert in the Tnam street theatre yesterday evening. The decorations were very effective. The Btage was adorned with evergreens and pot plants, and emblems of a number of trades were hung at each pillar in the galtery.. Six tables, extending nearly the whole length of the theatre, were presided over by.about thirty ladies, and shortly after five o'clock the members of the Society, with their families and friends, began to pour into the theatre. Before half-past five about one thousand persons were either seated at the tables or in the gallery waiting for their tea. The arrangements were very complete, and between half-past five and half-past seven over eighteen hundred persons were seated at the tableß. Shortly before eight-o'clock the tables were cleared, and a^few minutes afterwards the President (Mr TvA. Bullock), Secretary (Mr J; A. Efford)i and Messrs E. Sandford and W.W.. Tanner, M.H.E.'s, took their seats on the platform. A selection was. played by Mr Corriok's orchestra* after which the President delivered a short address. He congratulated the members oa the steady progress the Sooiefcy had made during the past twelve moathß. It was v<wy gratifying to see such a large attendance at the Society's anupal soiree, which had turned out a great success. (Applause.) This year a bsob, and shoe department had heen added t<* the Societj'a. business, and; he hoped* next year to see another branch established. (Applause.). The takings in the grocery department during the.] first quarter of the present year had amounted to aJbout £Z& a week, and djising the l&Bt quartsr had increased to about J250 a week. This BhpwQd the steady progress the Society was making. (Applause.) The Secretary, Mr J. A. Efford, gave a brief account of tba rise and progress of tbe. Society, which waa Btarted in 1889. The first annual report showed 55 membors holding 223 shares. Tbe Becond showed 252 members, 691 Bharss, and salea £224Q 10a 63; tbe third, 438 members, 1493 shares, and saleß .£6586, 7s 7d ; and the fourth, 722 members, 23Q,« shores, and sales £18,125 11?. The third year's saleß averaged 5s 9d per member per week, and the fourth year's sales G3 Wper^mber. Th.c profit B since

tbo Society had been in existence had aadunted to Jei967 16s sd. The nnmW of members at the last quarterly nfeefcine waa 779, with a share capital patf u6 amounting to £1694, 18s Id on 2530 eharaa. Since that meeting 92 members and" s2l Bhareshadbeen added to the Society. There wore at present 868 members, holding 2842 shares. (Applause.) Meaßrs Sandford and Tanner delivered brief addresses on the advantages to be derived from cooperation. Daring- the intervals between the Breeches, a verjf good programme of vocal and instrumental music was gone through. Songs were satig by Mrs Corriek. Misjcs Fuller and Crtrick, Mesßrs 0. Byorp, Vaugban and Ettpeon j duets by Mra and Misa Corrick, Mrs and Miss Kinsman^ Mr P. Seelen played a flute Bold: Miss Spring gave an excellent recitation t and Mr Millar danced a sailor's hornpipe. After the concert the theatre waß cleared for dancing, which was entered* into hy« large number. Hearty votes of thankswere passed to the ladieß and gentlemen who had assisted in carrying out the arrangements for the eoire*e and concert.