ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume xxi, Issue 6077, 25 September 1903, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Ashburton District Meeting.

The half yearly meeting of the Ashburton District, M U., 1.0.0. F., was held yesterday afternoon in the Oddfellows' Chambers. The Prov. G.M. Bro. Jas. Paterson, presided, and an apology was received from the Deputy Prov. G.M, who was unable to attend, the District Treasurer, Bro. Charles Eeid, acting in his stead. The Prov. C.S, Bro. John S^anson, was alsi present. The Corresponding Secretary of the lately formed New Zealand Branch, P.P.G.Bf, Bro, John Kershaw, Wellington, was present at the meeting, having been invited by the District Officers to assist in business connected with the registration of this District as a branch of the New Zealand Society. The following delegates were present:— Loyal Ashburton Lodge — P.P.G.M/*, A. Pateraon, and T. Norgan, and P.G. James Nicholas; Loyal Bakaia—P.P.G.M. C. Tucker; Loyal Waterton—P.P.G.M. Walter Soal and N.G. R. Mugford; Loyal Tinwald —P.P.G.M. Thos. Williams; Loyal Pioneer —P.G.s W. Hood and J. Fittock; Loyal Methven —P.G'a W. Going and J. Trumper; Loyal Mayfield—E S., C. Whiting; Loyal Ivy—N.G Sister F. Tucker. The Prov. G.M, in declaring the meeting opened, extended a hearty welcome to the C.S of the Order in New Zealand, and invited him to take a seat at the table.

The balance sheet for the half year ending June 30th was presented. The district; Funeral Fund showed an increase, after lh i payment of £60 in claims; the other District Funds were also shown to be in a healthy condition. The chief business of tb?e meeting was the discussion on the complete amendment of rules for the District and Lodges. Therules which had been adopted at the last District meeting, and which had been handed over to a Committee to complete and have registered, had passed between \\)9 Registrar's*bffice'and the Prov. C S, Bro. Swarison, several times, and had been considerably amended. A. copy of rules, as now finally approved by the Bevising ! Barrister, the Kegis, tear, and th.c O.S of th<* New Zealand Order, wa3 laid befojM the meeting, A full disou-sion ensued on the rule 3, and the C,S, Bro. Kershaw, gave a full explana- ! tion as to any addition, alteration, etc, which had been made to them in Wellington. •fhe rules, as received q,t- the meeting, were then adopted* It was yesolyed that any Lodge in the district wishing to v proou-e calendars for next year, could send thnr order through the PCS. of the District. The nomination of officers was then taken and the following nominations were made: —Prov. G.M,-B,rp Jesse Spal, D.P.G.M.; Deputy Prov. G.M.-^P.G.'s James., A. C, Hardy, W, J, Leggetfc (Loyal Ashburton), Houlten (Watertou), W. Hood (Pioneer), I. P.Gr. Trumper (Metbven); Prov. Cor. Seoretary—P.GK A, C. Hardy. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the C.S. Bro. Kershaw.for the time and attention he had Vfstowed on the District rules/and for his attendance aid"as3istance at this $p |j ng. •_ sro. Kershaw thanked the delegates for the vote and thanks, and said that the results of the day's meeting amply repaid him for the labour he had expended. The minutes were then road and confirmed, and the Grand Master declared the meeting closed. - Thte'delegates were entertained at lunch at P.Gv Bro, Charles Beech's. :i In the evening the C.S., Bro. Kershaw, was entertained at a social, nt which there Wss a la^ge gathering, representing many ftfsftirf' Uocfges, The Erov. G.M., Bro. James P.atersou; oeoupiedf the chair, and was supported on his right by C.S. Bro. ]£ersha^ and on h;is left by P,.P,.G;M. Bro. 4fthur ' P.a't^rson', a member of the N.Z. qf TJirector^. After the good things provided had \s.en done ample justice to, the chairman proposed tqe toast of the King, which was loyally received. | The other toasts honoured were:—"The Grand Master and Board of Directors N.Z. Branch," proposed by the Prov. (S.M., and responded- to by O.S. Bro. Kershaw, who gaje members a good idea of the aims and objects off $je N.Sj. Board. Ha, paid a high tribute to the Grand Master of trie Ordar for New Zealand, Bro'. McLeqd qf Auckland, who, ho said wa3 a very busy man, being a member pf fch_e Auckland City Council and of the Hospital Board, besides being engaged in other minor offices. Notwithstanding this, Bro. Kershaw said the Grand Master was a whole-hearted and most energetic syorkgi* £# the gause gf Qddfellowship, and he felt sure that;, under his oareful guidance, and with his wide experience and ab,}|.ity ? Oddfejlg w§h.ip ,in tye colony would maintain the position it ftol<?s. atuong3t Frieudl^-Societies an 4 itsQOndttion would be still further auTar.eed.

Bro Kershaw, reviewing the personnel of the Bonrd, said the Grand Master was well assisted by his Deputy and Directors, who were men of long" standing and wide experience in the Society, Director Bro. A. Paterson also Briefly responded. " Ladies Lodge" was proposed by P.O. John Turton, and responded to by P.G. Sister McKernon. "The Ashburton District," proposed by C.S. Bro. l£ershaw, wss responded to by P.P.G.M. B'roNorgan. "Members of Other' Districts," proposed by P.Gr. Bro Jame3 Nicholas, was responded to by P.G.s 0. Johnston and Cotton. "Country Lodges in the Ashburton j District," proposed by P.C.S. Bro John Bwanson, response 3 to by P.G. Trumper (Methven), N.G. Mu^ford (Wafcnrton), P. G. W. Hood (Pioneer), E.S. Whiting (Mayfielci}. . At this stage % resolution was passed asking Bro Kershaw to convey to Uro. G. Leslie, Registrar of Friendly Societies, Wellington, the thanks of the members ot this District for fche time and assistance given by him in revising the rules of this District." "THe Press," proposed by P.P.G.M. A Paterson, and responded to by Bco II Braddell, closed the toast list, During the evening aonga were contributed by Bros. Wm James Thimpson, C. B. Thomas, Cotton, J. Kershaw, George Rumsey. _________^__