LODGE MEETINGS.

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7362, 15 July 1889, Page 6

LODGE MEETINGS.

CANTERBURY UNITED DISTRICT, A.O.F.

The half-yearly meeting of the Canterbury United District, A.0.F., was held at the hall, Sydenham, on Thursday evening, in honor of the D.C.R. and D.S.C.R., Bros. ¥. E. Bowen and VV. D. Marks, being members of the local Court Thistle of the Forest. Bros. H. Crooks, D.T., Thomas Gapes, D.S., H. Hofmeister, D.8., and F. P. Luce, D. Trustee, were present. There was a large attendance of visiting brethren from the country and the local Courts. The credentials from the following delegates were passed in :—P.C.R.'s, Bros. C. Samuels, J. R. Davidson, J. Gapes, jun., E. Watts, vice J. S. Williams and W. Weakley, representing Court Star of Cauterbury, Christchurch ; Bro. W. Gibbons, P.C.R., Court Queen of the Isles,Lyttelton; Bro. G. Bedford, P.D.C.R., Court Pride of Courtenay; Bro. H. Hodd, S.C.R., Court Thistle of the Forest, Sydenham ; Bro. W. Simpson, P.C.R., Court Woodford, Kaiapoi; Bro. S. B. Wathen, Secretary, Court Pride of Richmond ; Bro. W. Were, P.C.R., Court Papanui; ;Bro. J. Lockhead, P.0.H., Court Star of Duneandel; Bro. W. Rigan, P.C.R., Court Star of Belfast; Bro. A. J. Kelly, Treasurer, Court Ashburton; Bro. G. H. Nankivell, C.R., Court Queen of the Seas, New Brighton. Bro. Bedford moved, in accordance with the notice of motion standing in his. name: —"That provision be made in the District rules; for the trying of cases of appeal from this District by the Committee appointed by the Otago District." Carried. The matter of detail was deferred till next meeting to allow the officers to procure a copy of the Otago rules on the subject. The District Secretary reported the sale of certain property of the district since the last meeting. The statement was considered satisfactory, and £10 was passed in payment of commission letting previously on sale, the amount to be equally divided between the D.S. and colleague. A letter from Bro. Samuel Shawcross, Permanent Secretary of the Order for the world, stated that he intended to resign his office to which he was elected in the year 1843, giving as his reasons for so doing the advance of age arid failing health, added to a wish to be freed from the duties of his position. Proposed by Bro. Marks, D.S.C.R.—" That the District Secretary acknowledge the receipt of the letter, and state that this District expresses its deep regret at the loss to the order caused by the well-earned retirement of the Permanent Secretary and his son (assistant), and to thank him for past services and kindness." The motion was seconded by Bro. Samuels and carried. Oa the valuation of Friendly Societies and the Registrar's report being discussed, it was moved that fifty copies of last Valuation Report of the District be printed. The motion was lost. Bro. Simpson gave notice of motion—ThatDistrictLaw 41 be altered by deleting sum £20 and inserting £40. The D.C.R. mentoned that an endeavor was being made to get a reduction made in fires for ofii ers and delegates travelling on business. It was decided that the district officers communicate with other societies to wait on the Railway Commissioners with a view of obtaining the reduction in fares. The half-yearly balance sheet was read, and showed the receipts to the funeral fund for six months to be £194 13s Id; expenditure in funeral donations, £40; management fund, receipts £97 12t Id, expenditure £52 7s 10d, and £33 11s 6d in payment of order for goods from High Court; value of funeral fund, £2794 2s 9d. Management fund, cash £14 3s ad, exclusive ot goods in stock. £2671 Us 7d is invested at interest from 7 to 8 per cent. The protit for the half-year was £164 os 10d. It was resolved that the next meeting be held at Belfast. After closing the meeting the Brethren took refreshments at the invitation of the Brethren of Court Thistle of the Forest. Bro. Tacon occupied the chair, and toasts and songs enlivened the evening. PROVINCIAL GRAND L0DGE.1.0.0.F., M.U.. LYTI ELTON DISTRICT. The half-yearly meeting of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., Provincial Grand Lodge, Lyttelton district, was held at Tirnaru on Saturday night. P.G.M. Bro. Bruce presided, and the Loderes represented were Lyttelton, Akaroa, | Timaru, Wairaate, and Pigeon Bay. In j opening, the Grand Master congratulated ■ the members on the continued prosperity of the Order throughout the district. After the routine business was transacted, ; Bro. Taylor, Waimate Lodge, gave the financial account, from which it was shown that the Lodge has now got over its difficulties, and is very flourishing. The time of meeting of the Hand and Heart Lodge was altered from 8 p.m. to 7 p.m. during the winter months. The delegates passed a resolution agreeing to the proposal of the Wellington Lodge to have the Friendly Societies Act amended by adding a clause to section 15, that the properties of all friendly or benefit societies shall not be subject to local or genera] taxation. The "Waimate Lodge « as allowed in future to meet fortnightly instead of monthly. Respecting a display oi the Order at Dunedin Exhibition, delegates agreed to devote two guineas towards the expenses. The following officers were then nominated as follows :—P.G.M., Bro. Diamond; D.P.M.M., Bro. W. Marshall. Degrees were then conferred — V.G.M.G. and purple degree on Bro. P.S. and V.G. on Bro. Trussolet. In the evening the delegates were entertained at a banquet at the Queen's Hotel by the local Lodges. The Raugiora Loyal Orange Lodge, No. 27, celebrated the anniversary of the 12th of July by a social in the Oddfellows' Hall on Friday evening. There were fortyfive couples present, and dancing and music were indulged in. Master EL Kountree presided at the piano. Readings were given by Bros. Searles, Kennedy, Gillespie, and Frizzle, and songs by Messrs Nicholls, Rayner. Jones, and Johnston. Miss M. Kennedy also assisted in duets. Mr S. Coates and Mr Purvis also assisted. At ten o'clock all present sat down to an excellent supper, and the whole terminated with the National Anthem.