ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Press, Volume LXVII, Issue 13986, 8 March 1911, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ASHLEY DISTRICT

The thirty-first annual meeting of the Ashley District, M.U.. 1.0.0.F... w» s held at Rangiora on .Saturday. J-'" officers present were: — Pro. G.M. Bro. B. J. Archer, D.P.G.M. CR. Holton, .Pro v. C.B. U i. Jennings I>l'-'" L'- u - Jones, delegates: Rangiora Lodge. Bro. James Marshall. C. \V. Bell, R. JThompson. T. Hills, and W. J. Doggett; Nil Dcspci-anduni, Bros. J. Morris, G. Smith, and C. Zimmerman ; Oxford. Bros. J. H. Youngman and h. C. Barnes; Cost, Bros. H. Tall.tt and F. W. Early; Olioka, Bros. AY. A. Kolchor and G. A. BeM: W... -h-<\-\ H ~>*- A. Bramley and C. Hewitt. Amberley, Bros. G. A. Wot nail. J.J. i.ii'-i H. Martin; Waiau, Bro. H. C. Octtli; Leithfield Bros G. A. McLean and l). Palmer; Waikari Bro. ('. W. Sellnrs. Tit_ Grand Master, in hi- .jurning address, referred to tho centenary or the Order, and the jubilee of the'Rangiora Lodge celebrated in October last; also to the satisfactory financial condition ot the Ashley District, and to the prosperity of the Order in general. A hearty welcome was extended to iho delegate from Waiau, this being tho first occasion on which the lodge had been represented at a district meet in... P.G.M. Bro. Marshall referred to tho death of P.P.G.M7 Kent, of the North Canterbury District, who had been a regular and welcome visitor at the Ashley District meeting for many years, and moved that regret be recorded at his death, and appreciation of his long and valuable services to the Order in Canterbury. The motion was seconded by P.P.G.M. Barnes, and was carried by the deputies standing. The C.S. wrote that the Central Finance Fund had been inaugurated as from January Ist. The centenary celebration balancesheet was read, showing receipts £to Bs, and expenditure £'f>4 12s 2d. leaving a deficiency of £4 4s 2d, which had been paid out of tho District Management Fund. Reports were received from'tho Kanfurly, Huia, and Excelsior Lodges of Past Grands, to the effect that duri: ,r * tho past year the purple degree bad been conferred on twenty-three Past Grands. ' Tho "balance-sheet of the district showed the Funeral Fund to have a credit balance of £1308 8s 2d, Distress Fund £lfio 13s 9d, Management Fund £33 19s od, and value of goods, etc., £58. making a total of £1561 Is 4d, of which £1144 was invested and bearing interest. The payments for funeral benefits during tho year amounted to £210. The Book Inspector (P.G.M. Marshall) reported that the books of the various lodges liad ou the whole been kept Tery satisfactorily, and lie was pleased to say that several of the lodges were writing down the value of their halls. P.P.G.M.'s AY. A. Kilcher, IT. Tallott. G. A. McLean, and P. G. Hills were reelected to act on tho District Management Committee with the officers. The next district meeting was fixed to-be held at Rangiora on March 3rd, 191.2. It was resolved to take certain steps to improve the. condition of the Wai-kari-Lodge, of which D.P.G.M. Holton was appointed secretary. The position of the Cheviot Lodge was then discussed, and it being inadvisable to attempt to carry it on any longer, tlio District Management Committee was instructed to take steps to close the Lodge, clearing tho members into other lodges, the district to take the liability of sick benefit for-a year. It was resolved to strike a lovy of Is per member to meet the expeases of the Biennial Movable Committee meeting, to be held in Christchurch at the invitation of the Ashley District in Easter. 1912: and Bros. W. A. "Kelcher, C. W. Bell, H. Tallott. G. W. Sellars, H. C. Wilson, and J. Calder were appointed to act with the district officers as a committee to carry out arrangements in connection with the meeting. It was resolved to' placo-on record an expression of appreciation of thoi efficient and valuable services rendered to the district by Bro. C. I. Jennings as provincial corresponding secretary during a period of twenty-five years. An increase of salary was also voted to Bro. Jennings. A hearty vote of thanks was also passed to P.P.G.M. Bell for tho great interest he took in the carrying out of tho centenary celebration.

It was resolved to nominate D.G.M. Bro. Clark (Auckland) for the office of Grand Master of the New Zealand Branch, and P.P.G.M. Sellars (Ashley district) for the office of Deputy Grand Master; also P.P.G.M. McLean for the office of Director of the Order* D.P.G.M. Holton (Amberley) was elected Prov. Grand Master, and P.G. I). "VV. L. Mehrtens (Rangiora) Deputy Grand Master, P.P.G.M. Wilson treasurer, and P.G.M. Marshall auditor and hook examiner. The retiring Grand Master received a vote of thanks for his services, accompanied by an honorarium of £5 and a Past Master's jewel. It was also resolved to olace his name on the merit board, and Tecoramend him for the Past Master's degree.