Page:Engines and men- the history of the Associated Society of Locomotive Engineers and Firemen. A survey of organisation of railways and railway locomotive men (IA enginesmenhistor00rayniala).pdf/86

 and during 1880 these towns augment their numbers. June 13th of 1881 sees Gloucester joining up its battalion of 41 members, and another big consignment from Neath, Leeds and Liverpool. Llanelly appears on July 22nd, 1861, with seventeen entrants, and the original branches continue to augment their numbers. Exeter falls into line on October 2nd, 1882, with thirty members, considerably increased during 1883. Nottingham comes in with forty or more on April 20th of 1883, and Bristol presents a score on August 23rd of the same year. By October 1st Swansea is in the moving tide, and Nottingham presents a new contingent. January of 1884 has carried the call into the West and Plymouth enrols, whilst in the next month York and Paddington add their strength to the new organisation. Next Cardiff and New Swindon (April 1884) need a page of the register, and Oxford comes into view with thirty men (April 8th). Paddington gave the thousandth member, and Newport contributed nearly thirty in 1884.

So progressed the first five years, but to complete the picture of this starting period it is necessary to turn from the Register to the Minute Book. The Committee resolved, in January of 1882, to buy a fireproof safe to keep valuables in, and to have a small stamp for the Society, "to consist of engine with name of Society round it." Auditors were appointed from Sheffield, Pontypool, and Liverpool South End according to rule, to examine accounts at head office. In the following month it was resolved that the secretary give up his present employment as engine driver, and devote his time to the interests of the Society, also that he be paid £50 for his services in the first year, and Mr. Rushworth £30 for his assistance. In July of 1882 it was resolved that £1,000 of executive funds be transferred to the Investment Department at the bank, and that receipt books be ordered for sums of money paid in benefits.

Then we come to the first little rift within the lute, reference to an unpleasant episode which continued for some months. The brief records are as follow:—

September 17th, 1882. "The whole of the evening spent in