U.A.O.D.

Press, Volume LVIII, Issue 17394, 3 March 1922, Page 4

U.A.O.D.

CANTERBURY GRAND LODGE, The thirtv-second annual meeting of <&<> Gnu* Lodge of Canterbury, U.A.O. Druid*, was opened yesterday' morning- in the Eidgley Hall. The grand president, Bro. J. H Bestall (Lincoln), was supported by Bro. H B Luxton, J.P.G.P., Bro. J. Burgess, G.S., Bro. J. Jowsey/ G.T., Bro. B. Marsden ' 0.V.P., an d Bro. E. Cameron, G.G. Bro' P George, P.G.P., wag appointed minute secretary. Representative* were present from all' over the province. _ The grand president, in welcoming the visitors/trusted they would.hare a pleasant and profitable stay in, the Gordon City, and stated that the interchange of visits from the sister grand lodges was in the best interests of all concerned. Dealing with the work of the year, he said that the finances were a matter for congratulation. He understood that the increase in the Grand Lodges funeral fund-£IOBO Is ad-was a, record. The increase of 5 3949 9s 3d in the- funds of the Canterbury Grand / Lodge and subordinate lodges was also gratifying. The membership showed only a slight increase. It was to be hoped that greater efforts, would be shown to increase the membership in the ooimng year. He congratulated the lodges who were successful in the No. 1 Royal Arch Chapter competitions, and believed that work done by this chapter, in the direction of improving the ritual work, was of great benefit to the Order. , , . . The report of the hoard of management stated that the membership was 8483, the net increase for the year being 13. The Ohoka Lodge was the successful competitor for the competition shield with an increase of five members. The Mistletoe, Ivy of Linwocvl, and Lily of RichmondLodges each increased their membership by six. The lodge funds had increased during the year by £2869 8s Id. the figures on January lit, 1921, being £55,840 Is 2d, end on December 31st £58,709 9s 3d. The sum of £3446 14s lOd Juvd been paid out in sick pay, and £4069 2s in doctors', chemists', and hospital feea. The Grand Lodge funeral fund inoreascd by £IOBO Is 2d—from £16,877 Ss 2d to £17,957 4b 4d. The interest received was £864 9b 6d, an increase of £23. Tho average rate of interest was now 6i per cent. Funeral allowances paid out totalled £855, a decrease over the preoeding year of £145. The total funds of the Order now stood at £76,666 13s 7d. Allowances totalling £1268 were paid out on account of the National Provident Fund. The Lyttelton Hearts of Oak hodgt, which had occasioned much discussion and thought, had been ■ absorbed by the Ivy of Linwood Lodge on. condition that the rules outlined on_the order paper were passed at this session." The board were of the opinion that the solution of this difficult problem was now assured. The thanks of tho Order were due to P.D.P. Bro. J. B. Betts for his work in "connexion with the Lyttelton Hearts of Oak. The action of the Government in increasing the charges* to Friendly Society patients from £1 per week tq_ £2 10s called for a protest from the board, and assistance had_ been asked from the United Friendly Societies' Council in the direction of pressing for greater consideration Worn the Government to needy invalid Friendly Society patients. . Correspondence was received from the Friendly, Societies' Departnien.t advising the Grand Lodge that the. Government had decided to amalgamate the Friendly Societies' Department with the Government Insurance Department, arid that Mr E. E. Hayes, the Registrar,' would be taking up his new appointment in the Trejaury. It was decided to give notice of motion to deal" with, the matter later in the meeting. Mr R. E. Hayes wrote, thanking the society for the manner ia which its work hati. been 'conducted.

A few question* regarding the BoaTd oif Management's report \vere asked, and it was eventually, adopted as printed. Proposals, to give the Board of Management power in tho supervision of tha finances of lodges, which showed indications of going.back, or gave of any mismanagement, were discussed. It was decided, by a., large majority, to give tho Board supervision also over tho investment of tho furids of unfinancial) lodges. The addition of an amount of 2d asked for in the Grind Lodge incidental', fvind was agreed to by » largo majority. Tho time remits were required to be in the hands of tho Grand Secretary was altered from the last Wednesday in December to the third Thursday. Tho retiring! trustee, Bro. T. J. Gledhill, was re-elected and appointed senior trustee; It was deoided to place in the'rule book special jesolufibna dealing with tho special sick fund and tho Lytteltan Hearts of Oak Lodge. The suggested rules' were usnimously adopted, thus guaranteeing, the sick pay. of the Lyttelton, members by a levy over the whole district.

Proposals submitted by the Anchor' Lodge relative to .the superannuation fund were rilled out of order on account of inadequate, provision! for contributions aa certified by the Government Actuary. ' > . ;A proposal from the Ivy Lodge regarding the alteration of the payment of expenses' of representatives was lost. Another'proposal from the Ivy Lodge regarding the status of an Arch and qualifications of a Past Arch/ was ugreed to.

A lemit, in the name of the Oak of Sydenham Lodge, giving district presidents the privilege of attending the meetings of the Board of Management, was carried by a large majority. .

A motion by the Oak of Sydenham Lodge —"That the Grand Lodge consider the advisability of reducing the representation of lodges at (Jrand Lodge meeting?, and, it necessary, instruct the *)oard of Management to bring down a Teport on the question at the next Grand Lodge meeting, was adopted.

A motion regarding the nationalisation, of doctors-was lost by a large faajority. A motion of protest, against the'transfer of tha Friendly Societies' Department to the Government Life Insurance, and the loss of Mr Hayes sis Registrar, and respectfully suggeetipg that the Friendly Societies' Department be transferred to the Treasury, was agreed to on (Be voices, A motion of appreciation »f the services rendered tp Friendly Societies by Mr E. E. Hayes during his many years as Registrar, was carried unanimouslv.

The foil-owing Grand Lodge officers were elected:—Grand President, Bro. E. Marsden; Grßnd Vice-President, Bro. E. Camerpn; Grand Secretary, Bro. J. Burgess: Grand Treasurer, Bro. J. Jowsey; Grand Guardian, Bro. J. W. H. Francis; Board of Management, Bros. A. H. Jarvin, McKenzie, Barnes, Pfirker, Collins, Philrpott, and Dickinson; Judicial and Anneal Committee, Bros. W. J. W. Keate, Furueaux, O'Donoghue, Bartram, and F. George; auditors, Bros. T. Walker, H. Smith, and J. W. Francis.

R-?uai-ding the method of allotment of the Shield, the Lily .of . Richmond considered that the Shield should have been allotted on the basis of initiation's. Ultimately thr objection was withdrawn, and the congratulations were tendered to tho Ohoka Lodge as the successful competitor.

It was. decided that the Grp.nd Secretary be asked to represent the Grand Lodge at the Otago and Southland's Grand Lodge meeting.

It was wsohed to protest ayinst the increase ir. the Government chr.rges at the Sanitorium at Eotcnia. from £1 to £2 10s. It_ was agreed that the next Grand Lodge seEsion. bo held in ChtU'tchurch. Prior 'o the installation of tho officers 3ro. :R. P. Flanagan.* J.P.G.P., of the North Island Grand Lodcre, and Bro. C. W. .Tocobnon, G.P., of the Otsgo and Southland Grand Lodge, received a hearty vote of thanks for their attendance. and interest. The visiting brethren suitably responded. The officers were -then installed in their respective Positions bv the -nVitinsr brethren. The respective officer* returned thanks, and the session terminated.