ODDFELLOWS MEET.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 59, 11 March 1926, Page 11

ODDFELLOWS MEET.

THE ANNUAL CONFERENCE.

A RECORD GATHERING.

The annual conference of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows Auckland district, was held in the Manchester Unity Hall, Cooke Street, when there were in attendance Bros. W. <T. Edwards. District Grand Master; W. J. Best, D.D.G.M.; J. McLeod, D. Sec; J. Clark, D. Treas.; F. Busbell, D. Warden, and deputies representing various lodges. Grand Master's Address. In opening his address the Grand Master said that it gave him pleasure to report another record in membership for the year ending November 30, 1925, the net increase to the society in the Auckland district being 707, making the total membership at the end of the year, 5980.

Two new lodges had been opened during the year, Loyal St. Hellier's, at St. Helier's Bay, and Loyal Netherton, at Uetherton, and the progress made Iby these lodges had amply justified the steps taken. He was disappointed that they were not able to open at least two more lodges, but he lad every reason to believe they will be opened in the near future. . He congratulated the Loyal Thames Lodge upon winning the Membership Shield this year, with, a percentage of 10.5 increase for lodges over 200. He also congratulated the Good Intent Lodge for their splendid performance in gaining second place with a percentage of 8.7, which. i 3 the largest increase in the history of this lodge. To the Loyal Pupuke Lodge he tendered his congratulations upon their winning, for the second time in succession, the shield for lodges under. 200, with a percentage of 10.6 increase. Matters in connection with the erection of their proposed new building were now in a satisfactory position, and it was anticipated that tenders would be called for within the next few days. Financial Statement. In the financial statement which was hdopted tie total funds of the district 3as shown at £131,042, as against £126,----357 last year. The district investments on freehold property amounted to £98,----024. District property was valued at £17,136 and cash in bank f9920. The membership as at December 31, 1925, was 5980, an increase of 707, which constitutes a record for the district. There •were now 52 lodges in the district, which extends from Hokianga in the north, to Owhanga in the King Country. With the steady increase since the close of the records for the .year, the membership iras now over 6000. Auditors' Report. In their report, the auditors stated that the district was holding a large number of securities, handed over by lodges in compliance with the consolidation rule. These securities were, however, still in the . names .of the several lodge trustees. They considered the position most unsatisfactory, and recommended that these securities (which were long overdue) be called in', the mortgagor being given the option of taking out a new mortgage to the district trustees' under the hbusing -scheme.' It was satisfactory to notice that the consolidated sick fund had-. increased during the year by £9051 14/5. The management fund at the close of the year had a debit balance of £333 4/7. The fund had, however, a debit 'balance at the end of the previous year of - £24 7/3, and the sum of £220 19/5 had been transferred to the war reserve fund \at' the request of the Registrar of Friendly Societies, who had agreed that the question of the transfer of the war reserve fund be again considered after the result of the 1925 valuation had- been received; : ~ This left an - excess of expenditure over income on the year's working of £87 17/11. The cause of this (excess was that during the last two years nine new lodges had been opened. Second Day. The conference was continued to-day. Considerable interest was evinced in the Membership Shield competition. It was decided that the lodge winning the Shield three times be presented with a framed photograph of the same, as a permanent recognition of such success. It was mentioned that the shield for lodges with ever 200 members had been won by the Gisborne Lodge four times,* and the shield for lodges with under 200 members Izy' the Pupuke (Takapuna) and Matamata lodges twice each. , '.