1882.

THE MONTHLY RECORD IDLE CAPITAL IN AN ACTIVE STOREPROFITABLE SUGGESTIVENESS-DRAPERY AND CLOTHING CLUBS DEVISED-RAPIDITY OF RESTORATION-FRIENDLY MILLERS-A SPLENDID PROCESSION-CAREER OF A DRAYMAN-EFFECT OF THE DEMONSTRATION-PARTICIPATION WITH INDUSTRY STILL IN THE AIR.

TH

HE Monthly Record of the Society, edited by Mr. J. W. Fawcett (begun 1878), has now become an established official organ of the Society. Further mention of it appears elsewhere. Its continuous issue is evidence of the tireless energy of the general secretary.

The corner stone of the Rothwell Store was laid by Mr. J. W. Fawcett, when the members presented him with a gold watch and guard, and Mrs. Fawcett with a handsome gold brooch, as tokens of regard.

Mr. Fawcett notified to the directors that more than £31,000 had been unproductive for the last six months, viz., land at Rothwell, £430; land at Carlton Hill, £600; money paid on the new grain warehouse, £11,033 (exclusive of the old mill land, £2,000); paid on account of new machinery, £8,543; investments in Carlton Iron Company, £2,000; Leeds Woollen Cloth Company, £2,000; Heckmondwike Manufacturing Company, £2,200. These facts received attention. Twenty-nine applications were received and accepted for advances under the building rules, amounting to £4,870. Many were from Yeadon, where a large plot of land had been purchased. Eventually the houses made one of the handsomest terraces in Yeadon.

Mr. Hunn, manager of the coal department, who thought about the business as well as executed it, suggested that it might be profitable to bring the grain from Hull and Goole by boats of the Society instead of by rail. It was decided to

alter one of the coal boats into a grain boat, and the boat "Tabbern" was sent to Hull on the 20th February, 1882. She brought back 350 quarters of wheat, which was a great

Then another boat was
Then a new boat was

saving in cost of carriage alone. prepared, and called the "Goodall." built specially for the carriage of grain. She was called "Baxter." She cost £530, and would carry 500 quarters of wheat, which proved a further saving, and was better accommodation for the mill than it heretofore had. Another instance that thought means gain, which members who oppose educational grants are beginning to understand.

At the suggestion of Mr. L'Amie, the manager of the ready-made outfitting department, the directors were induced to establish drapery and clothing Clubs. By this means the members were enabled to save a considerable amount of money. The payments were 6d. and upwards per week. One club, commenced in March and finished in August, bought to the extent of £1,204. Another, commenced in September and finished in February following, made purchases of £2,470. The total sales to these two clubs were £3,674 in one year. No doubt a large portion of this money would not have been spent with the Society but for these clubs. Another instance showing that thought makes money without hand labour.

All concerned with the work of the Society displayed such energy that the erection of the mill and filling it with the best machinery that money could buy was accomplished within eleven months, and the Society was again grinding its own

corn.

Mr. Wilberforce acknowledged that thanks were due to the millers of Leeds for the friendliness with which they offered to supply the Society with flour. Thirty years before, when the main shaft of the mill was broken, the millers would do nothing of the kind.

When completed, the opening of the new mill was celebrated by a demonstration such as had never been seen in Leeds before. A procession took place of all the horses, carts, and wagons, fitted up in a picturesque manner, showing the various branches of business the Society was engaged in. One wagon was fitted up as a grocer's shop, with assistants weighing up tea, sugar, and other things. Drapery and outfitting operations. were displayed on another wagon. The shoe manufactory was represented by shoemakers at work. The corn mill had two wagons-one filled with corn and sheaves of corn on the top, another with flour. The bakery wagon had men in their

snow-white uniforms in the act of making up bread, and surrounded by huge loaves of plain and spice bread and massive meat pies. The Baildon Brass Band, the Adel Reformatory Brass Band, Handbell Ringers, the Leeds Engineers' Band, the Rothwell Old Band, and the Cleckheaton Victoria Prize Band, making the air resound, accompanied the procession. Good music was heard in the streets, as prizes were won at the Crystal Palace Festival by the Leeds

musicians.

The procession visited the mills, stores, and covered all Leeds in its march. A great meeting followed. The speakers announced by placards were His Worship the Mayor (Alderman Tatham), Lloyd Jones, William Nuttall, E. O. Greening, William Bell (late president), and Mr. T. Wilberforce in the chair.

The reader will see adjoining the portrait of Mr. Dumbleton, who entered the Society in 1855, and was one of the first draymen. There is an element of confidence and looking forwardness in his honest face. Yet, when he drove the first co-operative dray, he could not have foreseen this brilliant procession in which he may be said to have been a moving figure. He is still in the employ of the Society as cartman, and has helped to marshal still greater processions.

The effect of the demonstration was to awaken an interest in the people of Leeds, transcending anything the Society had effected before, and a great acquisition of members followedas many as 1,055 before the end of December. The wealth of the Society, the variety, completeness, and attractiveness of its departments, when brought visibly before the eyes of spectators, impressed many as no arguments could. Refreshments were to be obtained at the Horticultural Gardens, at cocoa-house prices.

The share capital was increased by £8,594 this half year. The turnover and profits grew in proportion.

In response to many applications from members the loan account, which had been closed for some time, was re-opened, and 3 per cent was paid for all moneys so invested.

With a view, it was stated, to introduce the principle of participation in profit among the employés, the Grocery Committee, of which Mr. Swale was a member, passed a resolution to recommend to the Board that 1 per cent of the

net profits be given to the employés of the stores to be divided according to wages paid to each. By this means the least boy in the stores, as in the case at the Woolwich Arsenal Store,

would have an incentive to use his best endeavours to not only be more careful of the goods, but to be more attentive to the customers. But the recommendation was not successful.

1883.

THE LAW OF CIRCUMSPECTION-A TRIBUTE TO MR. TABBERNSUCCESS OF THE MILL-A NEW KEEL ON THE WATERTHE LEEDS OLD POST OFFICE BOUGHT.

TH

HIS was a year marked by gratitude and growth. A valued servant received graceful recognition, and new proposals were considered with circumspection. By too much hesitation profitable opportunities are let pass, but circumspection is a good rule to follow provided it does not lose sight of action, which alone gives it virtue. Circumspection, when it degenerates into indecision, is mere fastidious foolishness.

A proposal was made to commence a separate Wholesale Society in Leeds. Mr. Maundrill read a paper in favour of it, and Mr. Swale read one in favour of joining the Wholesale Federation. A committee of inquiry was appointed.

The health of Mr. Tabbern unfortunately obliged him to resign his office. An illuminated resolution was presented to him, recording "That the Board accepted with deep regret and sympathy the resignation of Mr. Richard Tabbern, clerk to the Board, necessitated by failing health. During many years Mr. Tabbern had faithfully served the Society in various capacities as president, director, and clerk to the Board, and the directors record this expression of their appreciation of the value of the services he has rendered, and sincerely hope that by God's good blessing he may be completely restored to health and be a comfort to his wife and family.-(Signed) T. Wilberforce, president, John W. Fawcett, secretary."

The new mill has now been working for twelve months with a general absence of complaints and a largely increased demand for flour, proving the great superiority of the roller method over grinding by stones.

A question was raised as to the legality of making grants to the library, and no vote was made. The directors took legal advice, which justified them in making grants in the future.

The share capital at the end of June, 1883, had increased more than £11,500, and then stood at more than £203,000, and the net profits amounted to £22,746.