Two-thirds of Rushden’s population has registered with the Industrial Co-operative Society for butter, bacon and sugar, according to the society’s quarterly report, which was received at a meeting of the members on Tuesday.

Three candidates were to have competed for the presidency at this meeting, but Mr. Albert Knight withdrew his nomination on medical advice. Councillor E. A. Sugars, J.P., was re-elected, and Mr. J. E. Dulks, the unsuccessful candidate, congratulated him on his victory. In returning thanks Mr. Sugars mentioned that he had now served three years as president and was in his eighteenth year as a committee member.

Mr. Knight also withdrew from membership of the committee, his letter stating that he had been advised to give up some of his activities.

In the quarterly election of committee members Councillor J. H. J. Paragreen and Mr. Dulks retained their seats against opposition from Messrs. J. H. R. Bailey and D. Nicholson. A special election followed for the purpose of filling the seat vacated by Mr. Knight, and in this Mr. Bailey was successful, defeating Mr. D. Nicholson and Mr. W. Stock.

Messrs. D. Nicholson, E. E. Barley, J. T. Richardson and H. Waring were nominated for the next committee election.

Following the president’s announcement that Mr. T. E. Wigginton had on Wednesday completed 25 years’ service as secretary of the society and 40 in the society’s service, some cordial tributes to the secretary were paid by the president, Mr. J. Hornsby (one of those who interviewed Mr. Wigginton 40 years ago), Mr. D. Nicholson, Mr. F. Berrill, Councillor W. J. Sawford (a servant for 35 years) and Mr. T. H. Beesley. Some of the speakers referred sympathetically to Mrs. Wigginton’s illness, and Mr. Wigginton acknowledged the various compliments.

The committee announced that sales for the quarter totalled £62,368, an increase of £9,560 compared with the corresponding period of 1938. Twenty-five years ago, it was noted, the trade for the whole year was £62,108, and 50 years ago it was £8,324.

A donation of 50 guineas to the British Red Cross Society (Rushden quota) was unanimously agreed upon, and the chairman announced that the town had now subscribed over £430.

Mr. Tompkins reported on the C.W.S. quarterly meeting, and Mr. F. Berrill was appointed to attend the next one in company with Mr. Paragreen, from the committee. Messrs. A. Drage (committee) and C. T. Smith (member) were deputed to attend the Glasgow Congress in Whit Week.

Mrs. Brumwell and Mr. C. T. Smith were re-elected to the Educational Committee.