THE OLDEST SCOTTISH SOCIETY GOES UNDER.
Until the year 1908 the oldest Co-operative society in Scotland and probably in the world was located in Govan. Govan Old Victualling Society kept painted over its doors while in business the statement: “established 1777.” Doubtless, this statement was legendary and would be difficult to prove, but it is certainly worthy of acceptance in view of the fact that other Scottish societies are known to have existed at a very early date. However, the society had fallen on evil days, and in the beginning of 1907 sent a request to the directors of the U.C.B.S. that its shares should be placed on the transfer list. Towards the end of 1908 it was forced to go into liquidation, but an unsuccessful attempt was made to carry on the business, in order that the deficit of some £900 which the accounts showed might be cleared off. Thus the last remaining link with the Co-operators of the eighteenth century disappeared, after what was doubtless a very useful career of one hundred and thirty years.