DISTRICT INTELLIGENCE.
PETERSFIELD.]—ODDFELLOWSHIP.—At a meeting of the loyal ‟Pride of the Valley” lodge Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, held in this town, on Tuesday evening, the following members were chosen to fill the various offices for the ensuing year:— N.G., E. Durman; V.G., R. Pocock; Elective Secretary, J. A. Head; Auditor, P.G. W Bailey. J. F. Hunnard, Esq., manager of the London and County Bank, was initiated a honorary member. We hope to give some very interesting extracts of the progress and experience of this flourishing lodge after the audit, which will take place in a few days. This lodge is in the Godalming district, and at the next district meeting (Jan. 1st, 1866) we hear that business of considerable importance is to be brought forward. It appears that the Manchester Unity have been at considerable trouble and expense in obtaining and publishing the returns of sickness and mortality for many years past, and on the basis of this information have adopted a new scale of contributions for members according to age. We therefore hope that every attention will be paid by the delegates to this very important question. It appears the new rates of contributions which will be paid by new members only have been prepared by an eminent actuary. From past experience it therefore seems to us to be sound policy. We have often heard it said that benefit societies cannot live much over forty years. In the case of the old clubs it is, we fear, too true, but to show the superiority of societies like the Manchester Unity over them, we have only to refer to the loyal Brunswick Lodge held at Brighton, the members of which celebrated their 43rd anniversary a few days ago, and at the meeting it was stated they have increased their funds upwards of £300 during the last year. They have altogether nearly £3,000.