At the meeting the chairman, Mr D. H. Gerrard, said the branch was up to date in every respect, and could be characterised as a modern bakery in every sense of these words, equipped with the latest and most improved means of production. It was an institution of which they need not be ashamed—indeed, he would say rather it was an institution of which they might be justifiably proud that they were the owners. They were exhorted in the Old Book that they should forget the things that were behind and press onward to the things that were before. In a general sense that advice was pretty good, especially when looking back might have a depressing effect on one’s spirits; but it might be helpful to take a retrospect of the past and look for a short time on the day of small things: the days of their weakness, and ponder over them. After paying a tribute to the work done for the Baking Society by Mr M‘Culloch, Mr Gerrard went on to suggest that the United Baking Society was one of the wonders of modern times, and was an eloquent testimony to the shrewdness and business qualifications of the working men who had managed it during the thirty-eight years of its existence. Referring to the branch, he stated that it had now capacity for a trade of 1,400 sacks per week, and pointed out that since Clydebank bakery was commenced, in 1902, the trade of the Society had increased by nearly 1,500 sacks per week. A DISASTROUS FIRE. The new premises had only been opened for a few months when, one Sunday morning in October, those responsible for carrying on the work of the branch were horrified to discover that fire had broken out. The fire was first discovered by one of the men employed in the stables, whose attention was attracted by the sound of breaking glass. He at once raised the alarm, and while the local fire brigade was being summoned the stablemen did their best to overcome the fire, but without success. By the time the local fire brigade arrived the fire had gained a firm hold, and assistance was telephoned for to Glasgow. The appliances of the local brigade were not of much use, and all that the Glasgow brigade were able to do when they arrived was to confine the fire to the upper floors, which, with their contents, were completely destroyed. Fortunately the lower floors were fireproof, and beyond damage by water there was little harm done.