FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 88, 15 April 1931, Page 11

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

RECHABITES' BIENNIAL > report; v \r• . ; ■ SOCIALS AND INTER-LODGE VISITS. ALL ORDERS ACTIVE. The biennial report of the Independent Order of Rechabites, which was presented to the recent district council meeting, has just been issued to tents and gives some interesting information. During the period under review, an increase of 117 members is recorded, 101 transferred from juvenile tents to senior membership, which now totals 1298 for the district, 1127 males and 171 females. The juvenile roll contains the names of 744 boys and 439 girls, a total of 1183. One new adult tent was opened at Morrinsville, and two juvenile tents at Avondale and Roskill. The Government Actuary's report showed a surplus of £16,354, of which sum £14,030 has been apportioned by the district executive for the benefit of the members. Among the amounts paid out for the period are: Sickness £2975 12/2, funeral £GO3, medical £2714, maternity £540, benevolent £884 12/2. The total worth of the district funds is £537,666, averaging £41 8/6 per member, an increase in two years of 16/10 per member. Past Grands' night, on Tuesday, April 7, at the Loyal Dominion Lodge, M.U.1.6.0.F., attracted a large number of Past Grands of the lodge, members and visitors. The sitting officers vacated their chairs for this evening, and their places were taken by Past Grands of the lodge, P.G. Sis. Todd acting as Noble Grand, arid P.G. Bro. J. Parry as Viceorand. At the conclusion of the business portion of the lodge, the Past Grands took charge and provided the entertainment for the evening, the programme consisting of dancing, a competition, and vocal and elocutionary items.

The Endeavour Lodge,, 1.0. G.T., met on Wednesday evening in the Druids' Hall, Newton, Bro. E. R. Hodgkinson, C.T., presiding over a much smaller attendance than usual, many members being still'on holiday.' A motion of sympathy was carried with Bro. R. Wilson and Sis. Wilson, on the death of Mr. J. Wilson, a brother of the Lodge Deputy. Greetings were received from Bro.. Watts, H.M.s. Diomede, and the Star of Wellington and Melrose lodges. Keen discussion took place on several matters relating to the work of the lodge and local affairs, certain decisions being arrived at. Bro. Williams, lodge treasurer, has been seriously indisposed for some time, and it was reported by the C.T. that he had visited that day Bro. Williams and regretted to say that he found the worthy brother not nearly so well as before. The presence of Bro. Williams, with his cheerfulness and useful advice is greatly missed, and he has the fullest sympathy of the members in this time of trial and weakness. The Epsom Lodge No. 88,1.0.0. F., h Vhl its fortnightly meeting on Tuesday last in the Royal Oak Hall, the N.G., Bro. Sinclair presiding. The routine business was quickly disposed of and preparations inade for the installation of officers. The Epsom Lodge had the honour of being the first lodge to have its officers installed by the new D.D.G.M;, Bro. C. A. Johnson, who carried out the ceremony in a most impressive manner, being assisted by the following officers,, P.D.D.G.M. Bro. . F. . .Ncwbold, D*il. Bro. Dennis, . D.D.M. Bro. McNamara, P.G. Bro. Montgomery, and T.G. Bro. Bellchamber. The new occupants of the various chairs are as follows:-— NG., Bro. I. Whale; V.G., Bro. Coop; rec. secretary, Bro. H. -Jessop; financial secretarv, Bro. A. Eastman; treasurer, Bro.'J. Whale; warden, Bro. N. Whale; conductor, Bro. Kennedy; chaplain, Bro. Potter; R.S.N.G., Bro. Hooper; L.S.N.G., Bro. Mulholland; R.S.V.G., Bro. Pawley; L.S.V.G., Bro. Pratt; RS.S., Bro. Gnbble; L.S.S., Bro. R. Whale; 1.G., Bro. Boundout. The newly appointed Noble Grand is the youngest member to gain the highest office of the lodge. Joining at the 1 a°-e of 16 years he has shown marked ability whilst passing through the coordinate chairs and his elevation to tie chief chair has given great satisfaction to all. His father, a,charter member of the lodge, has held the position of treasurer for many years. The D.D.G.M. in his address congratulated the lodgei in having so many young members showing a, keen interest in the working , of the lodge and filling so many of the chair?. He stated that whilst in his present position as D.D.G.M. he intended to foster the fraternal spirit by encourag.ng more inter-lodge visitation and also advocated the shortening of VM+ors sneechfis. At the close of the business supper was served and the remainder of the evening spent in pleasant games of indoor bowls. tt a on Tin* The Devonport Lodge, U.A.0.D., has had a busy time during the past two weeks The first outing was a visit m Monday, March 23 to the Mr of Devonport Rebekah Lodge, 1.0.0. F., where the ladies soon made their giwte feel at home. The reason for the visit was to play off for the Friendly Societies Euchre Cup and some " ltere ®^ g vi^t S Court Virtoria A.o.F.,. wlere itSed Sown to play with their hosts. Sapper wa^M^d sW U4 these visits appreciated that the Dr ''d s Sfhoping to'have the pleasure of -m* s ss SSSsS « been dejUt were placed to position contested game. *,f " b °^! P S e at Papatoetoe lodge,.MiO., r n O F held a grand social evening on h /" w when about 250. members Ind S fr a iends including representatives of most of the surrounding lodges, we present. The haU was gaily decorated dancS?*' Games * were Leach and Thomas, with Bros. M. TTaddock and W. Jones, caused great amusement. Other . items ' WP II received violin solos by Master SS J and songs by Sister Thomas. During the evening the P.D.D.G.M., Bro Pitcher was called upon to present Sisters J. and M. Leach, E. Harris and Thomas with silver seryiette rings,which had been won at the recent' sports, whilst Bro. Harper-received a-gold medal as

winner of the 100 yards M.U. championship. An inter-lodge competition resulted in a tie between Manurewa, Richmond and Papakura. A very nice supper was served, whilst at a later hour ices were handed round. The evening proved v a great success, and was thoroughly enjoyed by all present. The Gordon Tent, 1.0. R., met at Onehunga on Tuesday last, Sister M. Campling presiding over a good attendance. Feeling reference was made to the deaths of Sister Jenkin, wife of the district treasurer and Mr. T. Dunn, father of Bro. Dunn, a motion of sympathy with the bereaved being carried in silence. This tent intends carrying out a programme of visitations this winter, and details are to be discussed next lodge night. The routine business was of a light nature, and was soon dealt with, the members then spending the remainder of the evening playing, bowls. A well-attended meeting of the Loyal Remuera Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0. F., was held on Wednesday last, the N.G., Bro. Prendergast, presiding. Visitors were present from Loyal Papatoetoe, Waihi, Dominion and Ranfurly Lodges. These were welcomed by the N.G. and suit: ably responded to. Arrangements were made for holding the aninial dance and reunion on June 4. At the close of the routine business the sisters of the lodge took charge of the programme. Dancing, games and competitions were -all much enjoyed, the winners of the latter being Sister W. Palmer arid Bro.' F. Pitt, P.G. The serving of supper brought a very pleasant evening to a close.