The coming-of-age of the Higham Ferrers Co-operative Boot and Shoe Productive Society Ltd. was celebrated on Tuesday in a fitting manner. The course of the society, during the twenty-one years of its existence, is an excellent object lesson on co-partnership. In the year 1892 Mr. S. Upton, who is now the president of the society, sent round the town crier, calling a meeting to form a co-operative boot and shoe manufacturing society. About a dozen people responded to the invitation, and to show their interest in the affair they subscribed a shilling each towards the effort. These pioneers began to collect their capital in 1892, but they were very cautious men, and it was not until 1894 that they commenced manufacturing. With a capital of £200 they started, in February 1894, the production of boots and shoes. From time to time our columns have given ample evidence of the growth of the society and of the success which has awarded the efforts of the promoters. The society has made a thoroughly good boot - the "Ivy" brand - which has sold well. The share capital amounts to £4,200, and the loan capital is about £1,000. Forty-four distributive societies and seventy-two workers own about £3,800 of the combined capital, the rest being investments mainly of local co-operators.

We learn that all adult employees in the society's factory are members of the Rushden and Higham Ferrers branch of the Boot and Shoe Operatives' Union. The recognised trade union week of fifty-two and a half hours is being worked. We understand that several of those who attended the preliminary meeting and subscribed their shilling are still working in the factory. Mr. Frank Walker, the secretary, joined the society in 1897. For two years he acted as auditor, and in January 1899, he was elected to the office of secretary, a position he has filled ever since. The trade of the society for the year 1898 was £5,322, and the total profits made during the first five years of trading were only £344, so that in its early days the society had a keen struggle for existence. We are informed that since 1898 the trade has multiplied nearly four times, being nearly £20,000 for the year 1912. The profits since 1898 have totalled £6,994. This amount has been returned to working men, either in the form of dividend on purchases, bonus on share capital, or bonus on labour. The society has an excellent record and splendid prospects.