CONFERENCE OF FORESTERS.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 177, 26 July 1907, Page 3

CONFERENCE OF FORESTERS.

' (From Our Own Correspondent.) *: THAMES, Thursday. The half-yearly meeting of the delegates from the Auckland Courts of the Ancient Order of Foresters was held at Thames today. The following were present: —Court City of Auckland, Bros. J. Audln, J. Carlaw, jun., J. Robinson, I- I. D. Lloyu; Court Pride of I'arnell, Bros. J. W. Poulgraln and Dr. Henderson: Court Zealaudia, Bros. W. M. Neuinegen and J. Cole; Court Pride of Onehunga, Bros. J. Shaldrick and F. C. Marks; Court Pride of the North, Bros. W. Taylor and T. Hayes; Court Northern Wairoa, Bro. B. Biydeu; Court Pride of Newmarket, Bro. A. Smith; Court Nd Desperondum. Bros. C. Andrews, S. G. Lee, H. E. McEnteer; Court Star of Helensville, Bros. Rev. J. V. Bathgate; Court Victoria, Bros. W. M. A. Timewell, A. Hoverd. and A. A. Piesse; Court Queen of the North, Bro. W. J. .Dell; Court Chisman, Sister J. Fell; Court "Waihi, Bros. G. C. Munro. P. Cooney, B. Ascott; Court Pride of Waltekanrl, Bro. H. Harding: Court Birkenhead, Bros. W: Wallace and F. Queenin; C.urt Pride of Awanui, Bro. S. Oldlield; Court Taumarunnl, Bro. A. J. Langmuir.

Bros. A. E. tireenslade, D.C.R.. R. A. Kent, D.S.C.R., J. Stlchbury, D.T., D. J. Wright. D.S., and A. Lowrie, D.B. (members of the executive), submitted their report for the half year, showins that since the last meeting at Maungaturoto, £304 13/7 had been passed into the district funeral fund. The sum of £120 had been paid in fulfilment of funeral claims. Reference was made to the successful opening of a court at Taumarunui on Wednesday, May lst, and to the proposal that a subsidiary high court be established in New Zealand. The Jamaica district officers had forwarded an appeal for assistance. Feeling had been very high amongst the members of Court Star pf the South. 6692. owing to the court's unsatisfactory position. The executive hoped that the actuaries' reports would be carefully considered, and their suggestions taken to heart. No stone 6hould be left unturned to improve the society's financial position. Reference was made "to the last occasion on which a conference had taken place at Thames, that being in 1882. The funds at that time amounted to £1036 1/7s, with a total membership of 552. At the present day the funds amounted to £9930 15/6. with a membership o£ 2300. The accounts for the half year showed that the receipts totalled £8785 11/5, including a balance of £8460 17/10. The expenditure left a credit balance of £5665 11/5. The investment account showed that mortgages amounted to £8976 10/. The whole financial position was in a highly satisfactory state. Bro. Alex. Harris had been presented at the district meeting with full honours as P.D.C.R. of the Auckland District, and also with a souvenir of ofhee. Bro. S. C. Muir had been awarded a Foresters' jewel for his valuable services in connection with the opening of Court Taumarunni. The report and balance-sheet were adopted;

It was decided to hold the annual meeting in January at Helensville. The sum of £.5 was voted to the relief for the Jamaica Foresters. It was also decided to support the movement for the establishment of a subsidiary high court for the North Island, should the South Island Foresters' decline to assist in the formation of one for the colony.

Bro. A. Piesse was re-elected auditor. The following nominations for officers were received:—District chief ranger. Bro. R. A Kent: district sub-chief ranger. Bro. Ales. Lowrie: district treasurer, Bros. C. P. Andrews and B. J. Osborne: district secretary, Bro. D. J. Wright; district beadle, Bro. Geo. Fell: book examiner. Bro. A. Piesse.

Votes" of thanks were passed to the Thames Courts for • hospitality extended to the visiting members.