ODDFELLOWS CONFER.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 61, 13 March 1929, Page 8

ODDFELLOWS CONFER.

RECORD OF PROGRESS. FINANCES SATISFACTORY. DEFICIENCY BECOMES SURPLUS. Numerically and financially the Auckland district of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows has ruade great progress. This was shown this morning when one hundred delegates, representing 00 lodges with a total membership of 7131. tang the "Lodge Opening Ode" and sat dowto at the annual conference. Delegates were present from all the main centres in an area stretching from Hokiauga iu the north to Owanga in the south, and fiieborne in the east to Onehunga in the west.

In welcoming delegates, the District Grand Master. Bro. Walter ljubb, said he hoped the deliberations of the delegates would be characterised by such wisdom as, to jiive cause to rejoice that the operations of .Manchester Unity OddfeHows in the Auckland district would fully sustain the reputation of the society for a prudent and vigorous administration, which had established it as the leading friendly society throughout the world. The'valuations of the society in the district showed a surplus of £;>OO, and, taken in conjunction with the war reserves fund of £0414, this made, a. total surplus of £6944. This spoke well for the administration of the nuances, when it was remembered that at the time of the consolidation in lftlli there was a deficiency of £ 14,000. The membership of the district disclosed a net increase of 344 for the past year, which was gratifying, for a period of financial stress had been passed through, bringing about a great deal of unemployment. At the end of the year the membership was 7131. At the conclusion of the war in November, 1918. the membership was only 2979, so that in ten years the membership had increased bv 4bt2, —over 139 per cent.

Distributions Total £25,030. The following sums were paid bv the district during the year 1928:—Sick pay. £ 10.702; medical benefits, £8410; hospital benefits, £3227; benevolence, £74; Ntate maternity allowances. £2610. The total amount distributed was £2u,030. The total value of the funds of the Auckland district as shown in the la<t return of the Registrar of Friendlv Societies was £l«8..0S0, said the Grand Master. That sum did not include the value of the share of the Auckland district in the funds of the New Zealand branch M.U.1.0.0.F.. which had a capital value exceeding £120,000. The Grand Master was pleased to say that the prospects for the future were much brighter than when he took office, and he felt confident that the district would attain its objective in recording the 10.000 mark in ite membership in the near future. The shield competitions (in connection with membership), had evinced a keenness among the members, and the president congratulated the winners on tlieir splendid efforts. TJie figures disclosed a creditable percentage of increase. For lodges of over 200 members, Hamilton headed the list with an increase of 15.4 per cent, thereby winning the shield for lodges of over 200 members. Chevalier with an increase of 32.4 per cent won the ehield for iod<n?e of under 200 members. The Otorohanga lodge was re-opened during the year. and was making progress, with a benefit membership of 33. A new lodge was opened at Waiuku, and at the end of the year had a benefit membership of 29. These lodges were situated iu progressive districts, and the Grand Master felt confident they would prove strong children of the parent fa mil v.

The Grand Master said the Gmiid Master's jewel, donated by the society during the term of office of Pa»t Grand Master Thoma.-* Aitken as Grand Maeter for New Zealand, for the member who introduced the most members into any lodge throughout Xew Zealand had been won by P.O. Brother J. A. Gray, fliiunri.il secretary of the Loyal Kemuera. Lu.'-e The Grand blaster felt sure delegates would join with him in extending the congratulations of the Auckland district on the good work done by their esteemed brother in the advancement of his district in particular and the order in general. At the beginning of 1027 Bro. John McLeod, district "secretary, promised a brooch to the lady member introducing most juvenlies into Auckland district in any Mrs. (iubb had been successful in winning the first brooch presented.

SISTER SOCIETIES' COMPLIMENTS.

A deputation representing the Auckland United Friendly Societies Conference was received. Mr. F. \Y. Pace, whose remarks concerning the extension of benefits are reported in another column, offered congratulations as president of the United Societies Conference. Mr. D. M. A. Bodley. vice-presi-dent, and Mr. H. J. Adams'of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, al*.. congratulated the conference on the success of the Manchester Unity. (Proceeding.)