ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Press, Volume LV, Issue 10013, 18 April 1898, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ASHLEY DISTRICT.

The annual meeting of the Ashley p*st nct » 1.0.0.F..M.U. was held at the Oddfellows' Hall, Rangiora, at 10 o'clock on Saturday. There were * present—Prov. G.M. Wngbt (presiding), D.P.G.M. McLean, Prov. C.S. Jennings ; P.G. Gulliver, tyler ; delegates— Rangiora Lodge, P.P-G.M. Marshall, P. Grands Smith, Skudder and Bell; Nil Uesperandum (East Oxford), P.P.G.M. Morris and P.G. Baxter; Leithfield, P.Gs. Fitzpatrick and Traill; Cust, P.G. Webster; Woodend, P.G. Horrell; Ohoka, P.Gs. Bockman and Kelcher: Oxford. P.G. Frampton; Araberiey, P.P.G.M. Wornali and P.G. Holmes; Waikari, P.P.G.M. Sellars. The Loyal Cheviot Lodge was excused from being represented. The Pro. Grand Master, in opening the meeting, said that the membership of the lodsjes totalled 842, an increase of 34 for the year, and the value of funds £13,516 8s bjd, an increase of £813 18s 9d. The G.M. was thanked for 1 his address, and it waa ordered to be printed with the report. P.P.G.M. Kest, who was heartily welcomed, offered an apology for the nonattendance of the P.G. Master of the North Canterbury District. The balance-sheet, which was adopted, showed the District Funeral Fund credit balance to be £657 3s 7d, the Distress Fund £30 14s, the Management Fund £6 8s 10d, the Banner Fund £8 8s sd, and other assets to the value of £81 10s, making a total credit of £834 4s 10d. On the motion of P.G. Frampton it was resolved that, in view of the Funeral Fund having reached £657 3s 7d, the levy for the second six months of the year be not collected from the Lodges. 'The report of the, book inspector (P.P.G.M. Marshall) was adopted, being on the whole satisfactory. „ The question of granting assistance from the distressed fund to pay the contributions of members in poor circumstances was discussed, and it was resolved that the action of the District officers in refusing such assistance applied for in the past be endorsed, and adhered to in the future. A motion was adopted expressing thanks to the Committee of the Friendly Societies' Mutual Fidelity Guarantee Association for the efficient way in which the affairs of the Association had been conducted.

On the motion of P.G. Baxter, seconded by P.P.G.M. Marshall, the Secretary was instructed to write "to all the Oddfellows' Districts ia the colony asking them to request their Parliamentary representatives to support the Old Age Pension Bill. It was resolved—That this meeting view 3 with pleasure the result of the efforts of the committee appointed by the Wellington Conference to get the opinion of Ac several districts in the colony with reference to establishing a Board of Directors in the colony ; and that this District still adheres to its former decision to support the establishment of a central body. The Loyal Waikari Lodge was empowered to appoint Deputy N. Grands and V. Grands to conduct the monthly meetings of the Lodge held at Culverden. After lunch at Bro. Siddons's, a telegram was received conveying fraternal greetings from the Lyttelton district, which were reciprocated. D.P. G. M. McLean was elected Pro. G. Master, and P. G. Gillespie as Deputy, each without opposition. P.P.G. M. YVilson was re-elected treasurer, and P.G. Buesell auditor. The officers were installed by P.P.G.M. Kent.

On the motion of P.P.G.M. Worwall, P.P.G.M. Wright was given a vote of thanks and the usual honorarium of £5, and it was decided that his name should be placed on the Merit Board, and that he receive the Past P.G.M.'s degree and jewel. The half-yearly meeting was fixed to be beheld in Rangiora. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to P.P.G.M. Kent for hie presence at the meeting ; and the secretary was instructed to write to the North Canterbury District officers urging that step 3ba again taken to endeavour to get Bro. Kent's portrait placed in the " Oddfellows' Magazine."