Deferred fee plan (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended
	Apr. 30, 2015	Oct. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2014
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense	$ 383,000
Dividends payable	2,018,000	2,046,000	2,077,000
Deferred Fee Plan [Member]
Deferred Compensation Arrangement with Individual, Excluding Share-based Payments and Postretirement Benefits [Line Items]
Trustee fee expense	375,000
Deferred trustee fees	383,000
Basis spread on any deferred fee (percentage)	1.50%
Term of distribution to participants	10 years
Shares issued	19,371
Dividends payable	$ 8,600