182G.] Remarks on Friendltf Societies. 391 



suggest any reason for their existence- Our limits will not permit us to 

 entei- on the subject of Friendly Societies in France, indeed the informa- 

 tion we have is not sufficient. 



We shall now offer a few remarks on the County Friendly Society, 

 and the meai^s by which it may be promoted to hasten and ensure 

 the great results which it is calculated to produce, if the exertions 

 of the community are in proportion to the magnitude of the un- 

 dertaking. 



" Any person, wliether Male or Female, between the ages of ten and fifty, being 

 of respectable cliaractei- and in good health, may, if residing in the county of Hants, 

 become a Ciindidate for admission. 



" The Honorary Members voluntarily superintend the management of this institu- 

 tion, and the a])i)lication of the funds, and enrich the establishment with their dona- 

 tions and subscriptions; but do not receive iiny cmolinnent in return. 



" The benefactions already received exceed Four Thousand Founds, and tho 

 annual subscriptions exceed Two Hundred Pounds. 



" The Ordinary Members, as joint pro])rietors, arc, by Act of Parliament and by 

 llules, entitled to all the advantages arising from the contributions, which are vested 

 in the trustees, ' to be deposited by them in the Bank of England for the use and 

 benefit of the institution, and of the several depositors therein, their respective execu- 

 tors or administrators, according to their respective (claims and interests.' 



" Shoidd the Funds accumulate, so as to admit of a Division, the Surplus is to be 

 apportioned by the trustees among the contributors, under the advice of two profes- 

 sional actuaries, or persons skilled in calculation, who have been approved by tlie 

 justices in quarter sessions assembled ; and who are to certify, that the interests of all 

 the contributors to tlie institution, and of all persons having claims tliereon, eitlier in 

 possession or expectancy, have been fairly dealt with and secured. 



" The superior board of management will hold its meeting at the Grand Jury 

 Chamber, in Winchester, on the first Monday in every month, at the hour of one in 

 the afternoon ; and will be atljoumed, from time to time, as business may require. 



" Local Committees will be appointed in every considerable town or district for 

 conducting the concerns of tlie institution. These committees will be fully empowered 

 to accept proposals of candidates, to contract for assurances, to receive single and 

 monthly contributions, and to make all pajmcnts and allowances due to the members 

 resident in their respective districts. 



" An Anniversary Meeting of the honorary and the ordinary members will be con- 

 vened in every district containing fifty members. At tliis meeting a Report shall be 

 made, exliibiting the state of the funds ; and the ordinaiy members shall recommend 

 as Stewards, one or more of tlieir number, not exceeding four ; who, when approved 

 by the Committee, are to transact such business as may occur, and will be entitled 

 to ten shillmgs each, yearly, for the performance of their duty. 



" Auditors are appointed to examine the accounts, and to present, annually, a 

 Report containing a statement of the funds. 



" The Treasurer has given a bond, with sureties, for one thousand pounds, as a 

 seciu'ity for all money, and other things entrusted to his care or custody. The 

 Secretary is bound also with sureties in the sum of five hundred pounds, and every 

 Agent in the sum of two hundred pounds under similar obligations. No balances are 

 to be retained in their hands, except such as may be deemed necessary to satisfy the 

 current demands upon the society. 



" Honorary Physicians will be nominated, if possible, in every district ; to whom 

 references may be made in cases of emergency. 



" Sitfgeons will be provided to officiate in every district ; and every member, 

 assuring any allowance in sickness, and residing within five miles of the office of the 

 Agent, upon whose book the assurer's name is entered, shall, in addition to such 

 allowance, be entitled at all times to require and receive from the surgeon, at the 

 expense of the institution, Medical Attendance, Advice, and Medicine. 



" Every Payment, due from the institution to the members, will be made by the 

 agents in the different districts, according to such arrangements, as shall be found best 

 adapted to promote general accommodation. 



" The Members are di\dded into ten classes, as will appear from the rules of classi- 

 fication, and the tables of calculations. 



" The Bed-lying Pay of tlie first class is two shillings per week ; and is due, so long 

 as a member shall be confined by sickness or infirmity to the bed or bedchamber ; and 



