CANTERBURY UNITED DISTRICT, A.O.F.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17756, 7 May 1923, Page 6

CANTERBURY UNITED DISTRICT, A.O.F.

* The half-yearly meeting of officers and delegates of the Canterbury United District of the Ancient Order of Foresters was held on Thursday afternoon at tho Orange Hall, Ashburtoh. With a single exception, there 'was a full attendance from ©very court in the district.

The chair was taken by the D.C.R., Bro. H. J. Home, supported by the -D.S.C.R., Bro. W. Kerr, audi P.D.C.R.'s- Bros. Coleman, Foote, and Weakley, and Bro. O. Jacobson, secretary, and Bro. W. D. Marks, district treasurer. The delegates present were:—Bros. Granford, Pepperil, Wwikley, and Wathew (Court Star of Canterbury), W. J. Crocker (Queen of the Isles), J. W. Bjlgrave (.Pride of Courtenay), C. A. C. James«nd Hoddinott (Thistle of the Forest), W. Clarke and W. Hart (Court Woodford), E. Rathgeu and C. G. Claridge Papanui), G. Sheat (Star of Dunsandel), D. C. Macarthur and C, G. Raynor (Star of Belfast), J. Fhaup and \V. R. Robinson (Star of Ashburton), G. P. T. Brady (Court Loburn), W. R. Dunstaadi (Star of Rakaia), Richard Stephens (Court GreendaJe), and Sisters Baker and Pratt (Court Queen of Canterbury). The report of the District Executive wua submitted, together with the annual balancesheet and auditor's roport, from which, it appeared that a small numerical increase of membership had taken place, Court Woodtford' of ICaiapoi heading the iist. Financially the district funds Bad reached a higher point than at any pievious date. The report was adopted, and the balance-sheet taken in con. junction with the auditor's report was also accepted. The cxecutivo introduced a report from w meeting of past officers regarding the future conduct of business, together with a recommendation that the district be subdivided into fcxir sub-districts for the furtherance of mutual aid. and co-opeiiation in matters of organisation and ritual, which was agreed to after some discussion.

The correspondence was unusually light, but it included a long and interesting letter from an officer of the A.O.F. in British 'Columbia, which commanded general attention.

A proposal to lease a central office as headquarters for the district etaff was favourably cnteiiained, the need for such having been met in the past by a large hall, but e more convenient position was preferred, and the necessary authority was given by the meeting.

Bro. Coleman Taisedi the question of revising the rules of the district, pointing out that certain weaknesses were obvious- during the years since the last revision, and k committee for tho T>uri>ose wa3 set up, consisting of Bros. Sheat, Tanner, Marks, Wathew, •thaup, Maca'rthur, Jaoobsen, and Colonan, all courts to be asked to forward suggestions of amendments as soon as possible. Tho election of officers- for the coming year •followed, Bro. R. F. Kerr as D.C.R. and) Bro. Koberton as D.S.C.R beinp chosen unanimously, and after several ballots Bro. R. Stephens was elected D.B. The new officers were duly installed, and the remaincleri of the evening was Rpent in a social gathering organised by the local members of the Order.