ODDFELLOWS CONFER

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 55, Issue 139, 25 March 1935, Page 7

ODDFELLOWS CONFER

THE MANCHESTER UNITY. ASHBURTON DISTRICT PROGRESS The annual conference of the Ashburton district M.U.1.0.0.F. was held on Saturday evening being the 60th gathering, owing to the fact that in the early days several bi-annual conferences took place. The D.G.M. (Bro. J. A. England) presided over an attendance of 24 delegates representing all the lodges in the district. The district officers present were: Bros. J. D. H. Donaldson, D.D.G.M.; A. C. Hardy, D.S.; F. Pritchard, Trustee, and C. M. Innes, I.P.D.G.M. With visitors, the attendance was 42. Prior to the transaction of business the conference carried in silence a tribute to the late Bros. V. Ellen and W. T. (Soal, Past Provincial Grand Masters.The Grand Master, in his address, reporting on the official visits to lodges, expressed pleasure at the keen, healthy interest shown by officers and members, with consequent progress financially, numerically and socially. The increase of 50 in the membership was the more pleasing as some other districts were showing decreases. It would be an easy task to increase the membership even more if each member would do his or her best to induce at least one person to join. The Grand Master also expressed the hope that the combined lodge syllabus would be enlarged and improved to become more of an official hand-book. On Friday, March 15, he had the pleasure of attending the North Canterbury district conference, where he received a warm fraternal greeting. The Committee's Report. The District Management Committee reported as follow: The committee has pleasure in reporting that the improvement in the general economic conditions noted last year has been continued with benefit to the Order in the district. We regret having to record the passing of Brothers V. Ellen and W. T. Soal, P.P.G.M., both having rendered valuable seryice to the district, the latter being District Trustees for 15 years. Tire District Officers and Management Committee paid official visits to the various lodges in the district, and it is gratifying to find that each has made good progress, the officers showing a keenness that should inspire their successors. It is most encouraging that, in spite of the purging of the registers, the membership increased by 50, now being 1233. The greatest increase is in that of Hinds, which'gained 16 and lost none—a position on which the members are to be heartily congratulated. Their enthusiasm in obtaining candidates and effecting improvement in lodge matters generally is to be commended. The trustees have efficiently carried out their work, testimony to which is the fact that the revenue from interest amounted to £1231, despite the reduction in interest rates operating over the whole period. The revenue in the previous year from this source was £1166, in 1932 it was £1216, and in 1931 £1193. The management levy this year was 2s 3d for males and Is for females and in spite of the increase of 3d it is considered remarkably low compared with that in other districts.. The Management Committee met on five occasions during the year, at which the District Officers were present, the attendance of other members being as follow: Bros. H. C.> Patterson, E. F. Perrin, E. H. Clulds, B Frampton, five each; G. E. Blee, F Anderson, D. S. Glassey, four each. Durin* the year, Bro. W. S. Brady removed from the district to Palmerston North, and the vacancy was not filled. The Purple Degree lectures were given during the year. Eleven mem bers took the degree at Mayfield and two at Tinwald, making a total of 13. A movement of note has been the issue of a joint syllabus for the whole district, and there is no doubt the innovation will meet with the hearty approval of members. The question of a ritual competition has occupied the attention of the committee, a, siibcommittee consisting of the District Officers, P.G. Bros. R- H. Biggar, J. H. Stevens, and P.D.G.M. Bro. E. H. Childs being appointed to draw up a suitable scheme, but unfortunately it has not yet been able to prepare a report. The financial, numerical, and fraternal position of the district generally reveals gratifying advance, with promise of still greater progress in the future if members collectively and individually remain true to the principles of friendship, loye and truth.

Funds and Membership. The statement of funds for the year ended December 31 last showed that the consolidated sick and funeral fund totalled £24,677 4s sd. Receipts amounted to £3456 19s 9d,/including contributions £2lOl 2s 4d and interest £1125 17s 4d. The expenditure was £2129 4s sd, including sick pay £1467 6s 9d and funeral benefits £230. The increase in the value of the fund during the year was £1327 15s 3d. Other funds stood as follow:—Management, £22 13s; distress, £l9l 19s lid; Rakaia trust £lO4 15s 7d; management trust fund, £1420 3s; distress fund No. 2, £519 9s 6d. Of the total assets of £26,936 5s sd, the sum of £16,225 was invested on first mortgage of freehold property and £B4OO in local body deThe auditors' and book examiners' report showed that the books generally had been kept in good order. ' The membership of the various lodges was shown as follows, with the figures fur the previous year in parenthesis : Ashburton, 459 (445); Methven, 195 (183); Tinwald, 139 (143); Mayheld, 102 (102); AVaterton, 101 (102); Pioneer,'9s (91); Hinds, 87 (71); Rakaia, 55 (46). Election of Officers. The election of officers resulted:— D.G.M., Bro. J. D. H. Donaldson; D.D.G.M., Bro. H. C. Patterson; District Trustee, Bro. J. L. goal; Management Committee, Bro. F. A. Anderson (Methven), R. H. Biggar (Ashburton), E. H. Childs (Ashburton), W. B. Frampton (Hinds). D. S. Glassey (Mayfield), T. J. Gaylor ;(Rakaia), J. W. Lowery (Tinwald) and E. F. Perrm (Pioneer); relieving officer, Bro. O. R. Johnston; auditors and book examiners, Bros. S. Culverhouse, H. D. Gunn and R. H. Loy. The secretary (Bro.

A. C. Hardy) and treasurer (P.M. Bro. F. W. Watt) remain in office during the pleasure of the conference. P.M. Bro, F. Pritchard and P.D.G.M. Bro. H. D. Gunn were elected delegates to the Biennial Movable Conference to be held at Christchurc'h commencing on Easter Monday. The agenda for the Biennial Conference was considered at length, and the delegates instructed as to the wishes of the district. It was decided to support the North Canterbury remit to the Dominion Friendly Societies' Council that the Government be asked to restore the concessions formerly granted to Friendly Society patients at Hanmer Springs and other Government institutions.

The newlv-elected officers were installed by P.D.G.M. Bro. O. M. Innes, assisted by P.D.G.M. Bro. J. S. Donaldson and P.O. Bro. E. A. Fitzgibbon as conductors.

It was resolved that Bro. England be recommended for the P.D.G.M.'s degree, and Ins name placed on the district merit board.

Bro. England was presented with a PD.G.M.'s jewel, the presentation being made bv P.D.G.M. Bro. E. H. Childs.

At a suitable interval those present partook of supper at Sutherland's tearooms.