RECHABITE CHIEFS.

Auckland Star, Volume LIII, Issue 74, 28 March 1922, Page 7

RECHABITE CHIEFS.

VISIT TO DOMINION. WELCOME AT AUCKLAND. The two highest officers of the Independent Order of Rechabites, Bro. Amos Tomlinson, High Chief Ruler, from 6outhport, England, and Bro. J. H. Lear Caton, from Birmingham, who are touring New Zealand and Australia as a deputation to the Rechabite districts in this part of the world, arrived in Auckland this morning by the express train. They were welcomed at the railway station by members of the local executive of the Order and subsequently attended the annual district council of the Order at the Y.M.C-A. social hall. At an interval during the moTiiing the Mayor of Auckland, Mr. J. H. Uunson, attended the meeting and extended a welcome, on 'behalf of Auckland citizens, to the English visitors, and to Bro. E. Harding (Chief Ruler New Zealand Central District) and Bro. R. Farrant (Deputy Ruler New Zealand Central District), who are accompanying their chiefs in the New Zealand tour. His WoTship heartily welcomed the two chiefs of the Rechabite Order to this city, in recognition of the important work the Order had carried on for many years and was still carrying on. Mr. Tomlinson had a great personal record of Rechabite work, having entered on it fifty years ago, and he also had a record of service in municipal affairs in his home town of Southport. Congratulations were extended him on his jubilee in the Order, because the work of the Order stood for things that were of the utmost value to citizenship. His Worship noted that during Mr. Tomlinson's connection with the executive, the juvenile branch of the Order had grown from a membership of 1261 to 13,000, while the world memibership of juveniles had grown to half a million. The welcome was also extended to Mr. Caton as one who had ibeen connected with many municipal and other activities of part of an Empire of which New Zealandcrs were proud and loyal citizens. Mr. (irason remarked that no doubt the object of the visit was to inspire local branches of the Order, and he felt that no doubt that this visit of men distinguished in other branches of imperial work would help to bind us more closely together, I especially as the ideals and objects of j the movement were such as would promote good citizenship. He congratulated the local 'branch on the progress indicated by an increase in the juvenile branch of 330 members and in the funds of £'2079, remarking that he. was glad to observe that not only the boys, but j also a nearly equal nuniber of girls,, were being trained in activities and i ideals that would make them useful citizens. He assured the visitor* of the cordial welcome of New Zealanders, and of the deep feeling of regard held by present-day citizens, only two or. three generations away from the pioneer stage of the country, for the Old Land, represented 'by the guests of the present occasion, the land whence came the pioneers of this country. After reference to the forthcoming tour, he j declared that he was sure that the visitors would meet a cordial welcome, throughout and would enjoy their visit to the Dominion. Messrs. Tomlinson and Caton ex- ] pressed appreciation of the cordial wel- j come from the citizen's representative, i and assured his Worship that through the Rechabite Order a ring of loyalty, numbering a million and a quarter mem. 3>ers. had been formed throughout the English-speaking world. The visitors were subsequently entertained at lunch by the Auckland District Council members. To-morrow they will proceed to Rotorua. accompanied byMessrs. Robert Wilson, G. Day. D. M. ißodley and A. Jenkin. of the Auckland Council, en route to the Wellington .I\:foi1»e Conference, which opens to-day, j In Wellington they will be joined by Mr. John Vale, the Victorian district secretary, and will separately visit various districts of Ihe two Islands, to meet again in Wellington on April 19, for the purpose of an Australian tour.