FORESTERS' LODGE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XLV, Issue 10386, 4 May 1925, Page 7

FORESTERS' LODGE.

CANTERBURY UNITED DISTRICT 62nd ANNUAL MEETING.

The sixty-second annual meeting of the Canterbury United District, A.O.F, was held in the Orange Hall, Greendale, on Thursday. Delegates from Christchurch and country Courts were in attendance. Bro. F. Robertson, P.D.C.1?., opened the District Court meeting. He was

supported by Bro. W. Kerr, I.P.D.C.R. ami his executive officers. Court Ashburton was represented by Bros. W. H. Robinson, P.D.C.R., F. G. Sumner, and J. Pinup, P.D.C.R. The executive officers reported as follows:—We are pleased to note that the membership of the Order at the close of the year shows a net gain of 107 members. During the year 180 members joined the Order. Since our last meeting the new ritual has come into

I force, and it is generally admitted that a marked improvement in the work of the Courts has been effected. We have to advise the introduction of female members into Courts Rakaia and Papanui. Several of our Courts propose dealing with their valuation surpluses in the direction of helping our aged members when they will most require such assistance. The financial statement showed that the funds had increased during the year by £2735 15s, the figures on January 1, 1924, being £62,032 lis Id, and at December 31, 1924, £64,768 6s Id. The amount paid out by Courts was £IBO6 lis lOd, being £32 19s less than last year. Funeral allowances were £535 Is 9d, being £l5O less than last year. National Provident Fund allowances totalling £596 were paid out, representing 100 claims. The district funeral fund stood at £12,942 Bs, an increase of £458 17s 9d for the year. At the last valuation, the surplus of the Courts in the district totalled £15,618, district surplus £2039, total surplus £17,657. The degree of solvency of all the Courts was 24s in the £l.

Bro. J. Phaup, P.D.C.R., in speaking to the motion for the adoption of the report, dealt with the financial position and the need of continued vigilance in the management of both the district and Courts' finances. He congratulated the D.C.R, on his able address, and moved that it be printed, with the report of the meeting. The motion was carried. The meoting awarded the prizes for obtaining most new members during the year. First prize was awarded Bro Broadley (Court Woodford) and a prize each to Bros. P. Choak (Court Ashburton) and J. W. Munro (Court Papaiiui). An application from Court Lohurn to change the Court's name to Court Pride of Rangiora was granted 1 . The election of district officers resulted as follows:—D.C.R., Bro. Richard Stephens; D.5.0.R.. Bro D.. O. McArthur; D. 8., Bro. E. Rathkin; district auditor, Bro. W. A. Turner, PC.R.; committee, Bros. F Walklm Cooper, W. A. Smith, T. G. Blackwell, A. Brown, F. T. Eldndge F Lid, F. Cullon, E. Rathgen, G. P. T. Brady, G. T Robertson and W. Hastie. . Bro. F. Robertson, D.O.R-, assisted bv P.D.C.R.'s G. Sheat and W. H. ±tobinson, installed his successor Bro. H. Stephens, who then installed his subordinate officers. . ~ The question of discontinuing the half-yearly meetings was referred back to the executive. Bro. Heney, P.C.R.. moved a vote of sympathy to Mr Massey and referred to his many good qualities. Bro. k Roberton seconded the motion ,which wa<? carried unanimously. It was decided to hold the next meeting at Dunsa-ndel.