ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 9521, 14 September 1896, Page 6

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

The* half-yearly meeting of the North Canterbury District was held in the Oddfellows' Chambers, Lichfield street, on the 9th inst. Present—Bros. J. Gough, Prov. G.M..- 1 presiding; C. C. Smithson, Prov. D.G.M. ; Chas. Foster, Prov. C.S. ; and delegates from Lodges as follows:—Loyal City of Christchurch—Bros. Thos. Grantham, Wm. Woods, P.P.G.M.'s ; D. Kennedy, P. Prov. D.G.M. ; S. White, P.G. ; A. W. Amos, N.G. ; G. H. Woods, V.G. Loyal Volunteer—Bros. W. Fabian, P.G.; A. H. Paddy, P.S. ; F. Cole, V.G. Loyal Kaiapoi —Bros. A. T. Clark, P.P.G.M. ; S. Menneer, P.G. Loyal Benevolent—Bros. A. Palmer, P.P.G.M., W. H. Browne, E. Bradley, P.G.s; Loyal Perseverance—Bros. F. W. Sandford. P.P.G.M., Wm. Hartshorn, P.G., W. H. Yates, N.G.; Loyal Malvern—Bro. J. Jebson, P.G.; Loyal Phillipstown—Bro. J.Cleworth,P.P.G.M.; LoyalLeeston—Bros. D. Blyth, J. Car.ton, P.G.s; Loyal Papanui —Bro. T. Maindonald, P.G;; Loyal Addington, Bros. F. J. Caterer, E. Kiusman, P.G.s, J. O'Callaghan, G.M.; Loyal Riccarton— Bro. C. E. T. Hill, P.G.; and Loyal Jubilee Bro. J. Yarr, P.S.; Bro. J. _*. Houghton, P.G., Tyler. A large number of visitors, including the President and several Sisters of the Loyal Sister Pearce Lodge, and P.G. Bro. Maxton, of the Wellington District, were in attendance. Fines were recorded against the Loyal Coleridge and Loyal Heart of Oak Lodges for not being represented. A letter conveying fraternal greetings was received from the Prov. C.S. of the Lyttelton district. The auditors' report and balance-sheet were adopted, and outstanding accounts passed for payment. A report of the Conference held at Wellington last Eastertide was received, and ordered to be printed with the reports of the meeting. The proposal to establish a triennial movable Committee and Grand Master and Board of Directors for New Zealand elicited a long discussion, and it was resolved—" That in the opinion of this meeting the time is inopportune for the establishment of a T.M.C." It was resolved —"That friendly societies' properties should be exempt from charitable aid rates." The following resolution from the Riccarton Lodge was lo3t—"That any Lodge having an actual deficiency may periodically set aside any portion of their management fund contributions to form a supplementary sick fund, and the Actuary shall be empowered at each quinquennial valuation to take such additional contributions into account." An application from the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge to pay a funeral claim to a widow of a brothsr was granted. The action of the District Officers in opening a lodge at Kaiapoi composed of female members was approved. It was resolved that the next quinquennial valuation be made by the Registrar of Friendly Societies. Authority was given to the District officers to get a hand-book printed. The following candidates were nominated for District officers- — For Prov. G.M. — Bros. D." Kennealy, P.P.D.G.M, C. C. Smithson, Pro. D.G.M., and F. J. Caterer, P.G. For Prov. D.G.M. —Bros. D. Kennealy, P.P.D.G.M., C. F. King, C. T. Haynes, A. H. Paddy, F. J. Caterer, Wm. Fabain, E. Holmes" W. H. Browne, R. Billens, Thos. Hayward, D. Blyth, J. Yarr, J. Jebson and E. Bradley, P.Gs. It was resolved that this meeting is of opinion that halls owned by Friendly Societies should not be charged a license fee to exceed one guinea.

At the mid-day adjournment the delegates and visitors were entertained at a luncheon at the Clarendon Hotel by the Loyal City of Ohristcburch Lodge.

In tiie evening a Past Grands Lodge was held, and a large number of members took their respective degrees.