Huddersfield Daily Chronicle (28/Oct/1879) - Huddersfield Equitable Permanent Benefit Building Society
Huddersfield Equitable Permanent Benefit Building Society.
On Saturday evening last the 15th annual meeting in connection with the above society was held in Wellington Hall, Queen Street. The attendance of the members was not so great as on the previous occasion. The chair was occupied by the President, Mr. Councillor Joseph Hirst (Almondbury), who was supported by Mr. Wm. Mallinson (one of the trustees), and Messrs. Charles Vickerman, J.H. Stuttard, J. Goodwin, G. Slater, and A. Huddleston (directors), Mr. Craven (of Messrs. Craven and Sunderland, solicitors), Mr. James S. Kirk (of Messrs. John Kirk and Sons, surveyors), and Mr. W.E. Thomas, one of the auditors.
After a few introductory remarks, the Chairman called upon the secretary, Mr. Henry Kaye, to read the report, which, considering the severe commercial depression which has prevailed for some time, cannot but be regarded as highly satisfactory.
The Chairman, on rising to move the adoption of the report, dwelt at great length on the figures contained therein, and compared the items contained in cash and stock accounts with those of the previous year. The income from shares during the year was £46,613 18s. 6d., which shows an increase of £4,003 1s. 4d. on the previous year's receipts. The amount withdrawn has been £14,752 2s. 5d. The amount deposited has been £11,045 l1s. 0d., whilst the amount withdrawn has been £9,592 5s. 2d. He observed that building societies were amongst the most excellent methods for encouraging habits of thrift, and the above figures illustrate how highly this society is appreciated by the industrious and careful in making a provision for hard times like the present. Mr. Hirst then spoke of the large sum of £33,569 which the directors had been enabled to lend during the year, and during the society's 15 years' operations advances had been made to the extent of £217,283 14s. without any loss having been incurred. He concluded his remarks by moving the adoption of the report, and that for the sixth time a bonus of 10 per cent on the interest for the past year be declared, in which borrowers share equally with investors.
This motion was seconded by Mr. Henry Holland, and carried unanimously.
Mr. J.T. Barbas moved the re-election of the retiring directors (Messrs. Slater, Hirst, Crosland, and Vickerman), which was seconded by Mr. J. Mellor, and carried with applause.
Mr. C. Hirst proposed the re-election of Messrs. Thomas and Sykes as auditors for the ensuing year, which was seconded by Mr. J. Mellor, and on being put to the meeting was carried unanimously.
Mr. C.C. Sykes, in a neat and appropriate speech, proposed a vote of thanks to the trustees and directors for their valuable services during the past year, and that the sum of twenty guineas be presented to them to spend in such way as they thought fit. — This resolution was seconded by Mr. Broughton, and carried unanimously.
Mr. Mallinson returned thanks on behalf of himself and co-trustee (Mr. Mellor), and after making one or two practical suggestions, remarked that he had every confidence in the society, and congratulated the directors on the successful manner in which they had conducted the business of the society, and also upon their being able during times like the present to place before the members so highly satisfactory a report. He also complimented the solicitors, surveyors, and secretary, for the way they discharged their duties ; and thought the day had arrived when the directors ought to look out for more suitable premises than those now occupied by the society.
Mr. Chas. Vickerman, who has been a director nearly from the commencement of the society, returned thanks on behalf of the directors ; and after giving several appropriate quotations from Ruskin's and Carlyle's works, proceeded in his usual common-sense style with some good practical advice, which, if only acted upon, a great deal of the poverty which at present exists would be considerably diminished.
Mr. Craven, in eulogistic terms, proposed a vote of thanks to the chairman, not only for the manner he had presided that evening, but for the interest he bad manifested as president of the society since its formation.
This was seconded by Mr. Kirk ; and on being put to the meeting, was carried with acclamation.
Mr. Hirst acknowledged the compliment in suitable terms, and concluded by making a strong appeal for the members to assist in obtaining borrowers, for in this way they could render the best service to the society, and trusted that the next year's report would show that this appeal had been nobly responded to.
The proceedings then terminated.