LODGE MEETINGS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7359, 11 July 1889, Page 3

LODGE MEETINGS.

The half-yearly summoned meeting of the Druids was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Lincoln road, Addington, on Monday evening. There was a large number of members preseut, A. D. Bro. Gerry presiding. D.P. Bro. Hobson and P. A. Bro. Manhire, of the Oak of Sydenham, were also in attendance. An invitation from the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak to attend the presentation of V.D.T. collar to Bro. Davis was accepted. Bros. Harris, Lloyd, J. W. Harrapand Olliver were appointed delegates to represent the Lodge on the next annual Gala Committee. Votes of thanks were accorded to the respective Lodges in Nos. 13 and 20 who voted sums in aid of a sick brother. The election of officers resulted as follows :— A.D., Bro. W. Lloyd; V.A., Bro. F. Harrap; R.A.D.8., Bro. W. Harris; L.A.D.8., Bro. P. B. Petrie ; U.V.A.D.8., Bro. J. W. Schroder; L. V.A.D.8., Bro. J. Freeman ; Treasurer. Bro. J. Tv\ Harrap; F. Secretary, Bro. \V. H. Butterworth ; Minute Secretary, Bro. J. L. Freeman ; Inner Guard, Bro. A. Manhire; Outer Guard, Bro. H. Holt. Bro. Gerry took his chair as Junior Past Arch. The balancesheet was read and adopted, the Senior Auditor, Bro. Lloyd, giving a very favorable report on the same and the manner in which the books had been kept. It was resolved that Bro. Butterworth receive his certificate of service as Past Arch, and that he be accorded a vote of thanks for the manner in which he had conducted the business of the lodge during his term of office; also, that he be presented with a framed Past Arch diploma. Three brothers wei-e appointed a Committee to arrange with District Presideht'as to presentation of Past District Presidents' diplomas (which had been received from Melbourne). Votes of thanks were passed to A.D. Bro. Gerry for his services as A.D. The District President, assisted by Bro. Manhire, then installed the newly elected officers. Votes of thanks were accorded to Bros. Hobson and Manhire for their attendance and services, and the newly installed A.D. closed;one of the most successful and enjoyable of Lodge nights in the usual manner.

The Pioneer Lodge, A10.D., held its halfyearly meeting on Monday, July Bfch, in the Druids' Hall. The balance-sheet and auditors' report were read, the latter showing the funds to be steadily on the increase, the profit on the half-year being £172 Is 3d. The credit balance amounted to £1820 10s, the greater parts-of which is profitably invested. The following officers were elected:—Arch Druid, Bro. J. R. Tulley; Vice Arch, Bro. T. Marriott; Secretary, Bro. Swinnerton, P.D.P.; Treasurer, Bro. J. Stewart, P.D.P.; A.D. Bards, Bros. H. W. Smidt; and; G; F. Straw; V. A. Bards/Bros. L. , Cohen and 1 J. D. Phillips; Inside Guard, Bro. W. B. Pratt; Outside Guard, Bro. D. Mclntosh ; Minute Secretary, Bro. C. 'K. 'Chase. It was resolved that the installation be a public" one, when several Past District Presidents will be presented with' diplomas recently forwarded by the Grand Lodge of Australia. The delegates for the Boxing Day fete were .elected. The Lodge decided that they could <iiot take part as requested on Anniversary Day. The Lodge was.closed by the! Acting A.D., Bro. F. R. Tulley, who presided in the unavoidable absence of the A.D., J. C. Wilson. >; .'.■/■ :

At a large gathering of Oddfellows, held at Ashburton last week, the District Grand Master, Bro. Caleb Tucker, spoke at considerable length with reference to the recent Government report on Friendlyj Societies. His remarks were listened to with great: Attention, and lie was frequently applauded. Bro. Tucker prefaced his remarks by referring to a lecture recently delivered in Ashburton by the Rev. W. Morley on his recent visit to England. He then went on to show that the Manchester Unity oC Oddfellows stood above any other Friendly Society in New Zealand. During the eleven years reported on by. the Registrar of Friendly Societies he found that the amount disbursed by all the Friendly Societies in New Zealand was £341,319, and of this sum the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows had disbursed no less than £163,882. Thus a veryjlarge amount of relief*had been afforded, sickness alleviated, and poverty prevented. Nobly as the Order had borne its part in the past, she was in a position, and prepared to meet any liabilities or responsibilities in the future. He quoted the numerical strength and. financial position of the leading Societies in the colony, showing fchatput of a total of 24,928 members and a sum of £38£,10 l the Oddfellows had' a membership of 9995 and a fund of £218,663, or an average. Of £2117s 6d per member. These figures had been taken, not from the' calculations of an enthusiastic Oddfellow, but .from the actual returns of the Government Registrar, and couldnot, therefore, be gainsaid. -The Actuary had told them with great impartiality that some of their Lodges were not in too good a position, but t>y their experience knowledge had been acquired. The experience had been dearly bought in Rome cases, bat it-hsd been the means of placing- their noble institution irithe proud position of being, the premier Friendly Society in the' world. The sums paid away couldinot in the least be regarded in the light of charitable donations, but the payment of Just claims, and an honestly earned reward of the members'prudence and forethought. The Oddfellows, also showed up to great advantage in regard < to the expenses of management, these being only 7s 3£d per member. At the adjourned meeting of the City of Christchurch Lodge, 1.0.0.F..M.U., held on Monday evening, the following were elected and duly installed into their respective offices, the district officers assisting in the ceremony:—Bro. B. B. Wilkinson, N.G.; Bro. H. G. Goodman, V.G.; and Bro. W. Thomas, E.S. Bros. H. E. Robins and R. Winter were voted framed; certificates of merit. Bros. E. Cox and W. T. Jane were elected members of Hall Committee. It was resolved to celebrate the thirty-sixth anniversary of the Lodge with a ball, to he held probably on.the Bth of next month. ..

A meeting of the Trafalgar Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held at Kaiapoi on "Wednesday. A circular from the Royal Arch Chapter was read, asking the Lodge to assist them by signing the circular in favor of petitioning the Grand Lodge of Victoria to grant a charter for a District Grand Lodge for Canterbury. After a lengthy discussion, Bro. Croft proposed, and Bro. Holland seconded—"That the Lodge sign the certificate." Bro. Pearce proposed an amendment that the circular re Grand Lodge lie on the table to be considered at a , future date. The amendment was carried by a large majority. The following Bros, were •6hen elected:—A.D., Bro; Holland; V. A., Bro. R. Ross,; Secretary, Bro. Kobb, re-elected ; Treasurer, Bro. A. Pearce, reelected; 1.G., Bro. Weston: 0.G., Bro. Burbery; A.D.8., Bros. J. Boss, F. Pearce; V.A.8,, Bros. Taylor and C. Packwood; Trustees, Bros. Forrest, Brigbtiapr,and Holland; Medical Officers, Drs. Murray and Parsons, . The various. officers were installed by Bro. Croft in an impressive manner, and the meeting closed. - i