I.O.O.F., M.U.

Press, Volume XXIV, Issue 3215, 20 December 1875, Page 3

1.0.0. F., M.U.

The half-yearly meeting of the Lyttelton district branch was held at Akaroa on the 16th ; present, Brothers W. H. Turner, P.G.M.; J. Sowden, acting for W. Hillier, D.G.M., who was unavoidably absent ; J. S. Jenkins, C.S. ; and the following delegates : From City of Norwich Lodge—P.G. Hobbs, P.P.G.M. Sowden, P.G.C. Burns. From Good Intent Lodge—P.G. Duxbury, P.S. Whitfield. From Timaru Lodge—P.G. Simpson, P.G. Podgett. From Waimate Lodge—P.G. Silveria. From Hand of Friendship Lodge—Sec. G. Bishop. The Provincial Grand Master delivered the following address :—Worthy Deputy-Grand Master and Delegates,—l am glad that this half-yearly meeting is held in this place, as it is now some years since one has taken place in Akaroa. I will not detain you long. I daresay you have seen the report of the last annual moveable committee, which was held at Newport, South Wales; I learn from it that the Unity numbered on the Ist of last January 496,520 members. At the May meeting the Grand Master estimated that at the usual rate of increase there were more than half a million members. The receipts for 1574 were no less than £625,000, and tbe payments for sickness and funerals £396,C00. The estimated gain for the year was £229,368, while the total capital was estimated at £3,706,336. With such facts as these before them the Grand Master may well "have felt justified in saying the Manchester Unity continued to hold the first pltce not only in respect of numbers and funds, but also in promoting the policy for which it was intended. The principal busi- ' ness for you to consider is the division of the district and the opening of a new lodge at Pigeon Bay. I may mention the number of of lodges in the district and the number of members last autumn :—City of Norwich Lodge, 173; Good Intent (Akaroa), 51; Heart of Friendship (Waimate), 43; Hand of Friendship (Okain'e), 19; Timaru Lodge, 64 ; total, 350.

The minateJ* °' former meeting were L then read and u?nfirmed, ana the balancei sheet duly audited aJ* d received, and inward I and outward correspondence considered. \ [Delegate Duxbury here [ Resolved — ° That the application from i Pigeon Bay to open a lodge be acoeded to." i On the application to form a district I branch in South Canterbury being coni sidered, much desultory conversation took ! place, but the general feeling seemed to be I that there should only be one large district. I The matter was allowed to stand over for the - present. An application was received from the Loyal City of Norwich Lodge for refund of funeral money for late brother John Hobbs. Besolved—" That the same be paid." The following officers were nominated:— P.D.GrM. Hillier to be P.G.M. next tern; P.G. Podgett to be D.G.M.; Bro M'William to be auditor. Resolved—" That the delegates' fees be paid." Accounts were received from Heart of Friendship and Timara Lodges. Advantages was taken of the occasion of the district meeting being held in Akaroa by the Loyal Good Intent Lodge to present their Past Secretary Whitfield with a handsome timepiece, and the P.G.M. was asked to undertake the pleasing duty, which was done gracefully with a few appropriate remarks. Past Secretary Whitfield said, in accepting the gift, that he should endeavour to retain the confidence of his lodge, and use his best endeavours to promote its interest. The meeting then adjourned.