U.A.O.D.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18016, 7 March 1924, Page 13

U.A.O.D.

GRAND LODGE OF CANTERBURY. A SATISFACTORY POSITION. v I The thirty-fourth annual session of the Grand Lodge of Cautorbury U.A.0.D., was opened in the Itidgcly Hall, Armagh street, yesterday, the Lodgo being called to order by the Grand President, Bro. E. Cameron. Eepresentatives Present. Grand Lodge officers and representatives word present as follows: —Executives: Bros. E. Cameron, Grand President; J. W. H. Francis, Grand VicePresident; J. Burgess, Grand Secretary; J. Jowsey, Grand Treasurer; J. T. Collins, Grand Guardian; Jv. Marsden, Immediate Past GraDd President. Pioneer Lodge, No. 1: W. J. W. Ncatc, P.G.P.; H. E. Smith, P.G.P.; L. A. Morrison, P.A. Hope of St. Albans, No. 2: E. J. Chapplo, P.A.; G. McKenzie, P.D.P. Mistletoe Lodge, No. 3: H. Hughes, P.A.; J. MeLay, F.D.P.; F. E. Talbot, P.G.P. Ethclbert No. 4: P. V. Bailey, P.D.P. Star of Anglcsca, No. 6: W. Barf ram, P.G.P. Perseverance, No. 7: W. TI. Jones, P.D.P.; G. Warburtou, P.D.P. Hope of Ambcrley, No. 8: A. Bailev, P.D.P. Anchor, No. 0: J. C. Hobson, P.D.P.; A. H. Jarvis, P.D.P.; A. E. Wright, P.A. Ohoka, No. 10: F. Pcarcc, P.D.P. Timam, No. 11: R. W. Simpson, P.G.P.; J. T. Collins, G.G* ft. J. Kirk, P.A. Trafalgar, No. 12: W. 11. Stark, P.A. Ivy of Linwood, No. 13: T. W. Burgess, P.A.; G., Bates, P.G.P.; H Luxtou, P.G.P. Star of Ashburton, No. 14: F. H. Steel, P.D.P.; TO. Parkin, P.A.; It. Clarke, P.D.P.; Oak of Sydenham, No. 15: J. Bet.tes, P.D.P.; J. H. Wear, P.A.; J. Puddle, P.A. Old Oak, No. 16; Jas. Hannah, D.P. Ellesmere, No. 17: H. Quartermaine, P.D.P. Olive Branch, No. 18: J. J. Keanc, P.D.P. Lilv of Richmond: R. H. Parker, P.D.P.; M. O'Donoghuc, D.P. Ivy, No. 19: It. W. Hutt, P.D.P.; Wm. Reid, P.A. Success of Ashburton, No. 20: Miss R. J. Crura, P.A. Bud •of Hope, No. 21; C. R. Thwaitea, P.D.P. Queen of the Oak: Miss A. Furncaux, P.A. Lily of Temuka: J. C. Alfrev, D.P. Senior Trustee, T. J. Gledhil'l, P.A.

Among the visitors announced wero the Grand President of Otago and Southland Grand Lodges, and the Grand Treasurer of tho North Island Grand Lodge. The Grand President requested Past Grand Presidents to escort the visitors into the meeting, where they were welcomed by the Grand Lodge with musical honours. Bro. A. Aitken. G.P., Otago and Southland Grand Lodge, and Bro. J. H. A. Laughton, G.T. North Island Grand Lodge, wero introduced to the Grand President, and re. quested to talce their seats on tho dais. Grand President's Address. The Grand President then welcomed the delegate's, and delivered his presiential address.

"While welcoming you to this the 34th annual session of tho Grand Lodge of Canterbury," he said, "please allow me to congratulate you on being elected by your fellow members to do that which you think best to further tho great work which falls on an organisation such as ours in the Friendly Society movement."

After referring to his visits to the Grand Lodge meetings of Otago and Southland at Mosgiel, and of the North Island at Pahnerston North, and to the Diamond Jubilee of the North Can. terbury District of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows, and the Jubilee of the St. Patrick's Branch of the Australasian Hibernian Society, ho went on to speak of tho various city and country lodgc'a, whjch he had visited, with other Grand Lodge officers, thanks to the kindness of Past Arch Bro. J. 11. Wear in placing his car at their disposal freo of cost.

"From personal knowledge, therefore," lie said, "I feel satisfied that all our lodges arc working most satis, factoriiy. Officers and members alike arc vicing with each other to make their individual lodgo a success, and you will agree witli inc that this splendid spirit has been reflected on our district by the success whHi hps been achieved during the past year both financially- and numerically. "At the combined meeting of the Ohoka and Trafalgar Lodges the question of their amalgamation was again brought, before us, and it is quite cvi* dent owing lo the difficulty (he members of the Ohcka Lodge have in procuring attendances at the meetings owing to the scattered nature of the district, it would be a wise procedure if the wishes of those who carry the burden as office bearers could be accomplished, as Kaiapoi would be the best centre from which the district could be satisfactorily worked, and cspccially so as the Secretary would only have one lodge to attend to. whereas he is doing the secretarial work of both lodges at present. After making feeling reference to tho death of the lato P.G. Secretary. Bro. T. Walker, he said: "The conduct of lodges and the ritual work especially where lodges arc in touch with Koyal Arch-chapeters has been a credit to all concerned, and having attended all the ritual competitions held under Xo. 1 Chapter. I feel no fear for the future of the lodges under its guidance, especiaJly if the Chapter receives the same support it has doac in the past and

which all who take part therein so richly deserve." Tho Grand President was thanked for his address, which was ordered to be printed in the Transactions of the Grand Lodge. The Board of Management's report was received and dealt with seriatim. Board of Management. The report of the Board of Management stated that the financial membership showed a very gratifying increase over tho figures of the previous year. Number of financial members at beginning of year .. • • - cM " Initiated ... •• 24e Made good .• • • • 83 # Joined by clearance ■ • 1(5 3281 Members returned unfinancial .. ..180 Eesigncd ■ •. .. 27 Left by clearance and transfer .. •• 8 Died .. • • 31 3035 Increase for year .. 99 The Lily of Temuka Lodge wa3 the successful competitor for the Ncate Challenge Shield, with an increase of 22. The efforts of the following lodges wero particularly praiseworthy: Ivy of Linwood 23, Oak of Sydenham 15, Pioneer 14, Olive Branch 10, Star of Ashburton 8, Anchor 8, Ellesmere 7, Perseverance 7.

Lodge funds increased during the year by £3696 0s sd, the figures on January Ist, 1923, being £61,731 13s lOd, and at December 31st £65,427 14s 3d. The total interest earned by lodges during the year was £3626 4"s 7d, lodges paid out in sick pay £3760 4s 9d, £IOO 17s 6d more than the previous vear, and in doctors', chemists', and hospital fees £4657 19s Id, £430 15s 9d more than last year. The Grand Lodge Funeral Fund increased by £863 9s, from £17,563 15s 9d to £18,727 4s 9d. Interest received was £1056 Ss 3d, an increase of £1 17s 7d. Funeral allowance paid out totalled £ll2O, an increase of £250 over the previous year. The Grand Lodge Incidental Fund, which stood at £3 lis at the commencement of the year, was now £126 9s Id. Of this increase £3 lis 5d was occasioned by the transfer of the balance previously standing to the Active Service Fund. The total funds of the Order in Canterbury now stood at £86,009 Ss sd.

The Superannuation Fond showed a credit balance of £BBB. There -were now 116 participants. Allowances totalling £ll4O were paid out on account of the National Provident Fund, representing 190 claims. The special sick fund would in the very near future require assistance. Tho whole of the levies of tho late Hearts of Oak members, which were spread over a period of two years, had been paid. At the commencement of the year the fund stood at £126 12s, and despite the fact that the sum of £4B 5s in levies and £9 in interest wa3 credited to the fund, it now stood at £l3O 13s. During the year £l2O 18s 4d was paid out iu°siek pay. The contribution income was £96 0s Bd.

P.G.P. Bro. K. W". Simpson attended the English Grand Lodge meeting held at Portsmouth in Juno last, not only as tho hon. representative of the Grand Lodge of Canterbury, but also as a representative of the other New Zealand Grand Lodges. P.G.P. Bro. Simpson met with a most cordial reception, and the best thanks of the Grand Lodge of Canterbury were due to tho brother for his ablo and efficient representation of New Zealand Druidism at the English Grand Lodge meeting. Following the instructions of tho last Grand Lodge meeting tho Grand President, Bro. E. Cameron, and Grand Secretary Bro. J. Burgess in March last

interviewed the Eegistrar and Actuary regarding the registration of new lodges. After considerable discussion the Actuary stated that he would sign the necessary certificate if a number two superannuation account were opened for members of new lodges, and new entrants between the ages of 35 and 40 years paid an extra levy of sixpence per quarter. This assurance was given by the Board of Management, and the registration of the Lily of Temuka Lodge duly effected. The badges sanctioned by the last Grand Lodge meeting had been procured and a fair number disposed of to members. The Grand Lodge of Otago and Southland had obtained samples, and it was hoped that a uniform badge would be available for members in both Canterbury and Otago and Southland. The Board of Management hailed with pleasure tho fact that the Grand Lodge of the North Island had approached the Grand Lodge on the matter of a uniform password. It was pointed ont that the Grand Lodge of Canterbury got the.English password, and that it consisted of one word and was changed quarterly. The Grand Secretary of the North Island refused to issue it to the lodges under that jurisdiction because it consisted of one word only. The Board thought the Grand Lodge of the North Island had lost an excellent opportunity for uniformity in at least one important particular.

In accordance with instructions issued by the last Grand Lodge meeting a conference of the Chnstchurch lodges, consisting of two delegates from the lodges of the Nos. 1, 2, and 7 Districts, also the Olive Branch Lodge, was held. The meeting was called to see if it was at all possible to launch the movement. ' The lodges were instructed to send representatives likely to act a3 supervisors or superintendents, and as none was offering it was decided not to recommend the re-establishment of the movement principally on the ground that- the Order was' initiating members at the age of sixteen years. The Board of Management accepted the offer of the Grand Secretary as subagent of the Prudential Assurance Corapanv, and decided to instruct the Grand Lodge Trustees to insert a clause in alt new mortgages making insurance with this company obligatory. Lodges had been strongly advised to do likewise, and it was trusted that a fair measure of co-operation would be received from the trustees of all tho lodges in the jurisdiction.

GENERAL BUSINESS. A special meeting was then held to elect a trustee, vice Bro. J. W. Baty, P.G.P., who reared by effluxion of time. As Bro. Baty was the only nominee, he was declared elected. Bro. T. J. Gledhill, P.A., wis reelected senior trustee. The meeting resumed and several important motions relative to the Grand Jxxige Benefit Fund, all of which'were earrjed unanimously, were dealt with. The solitary vote recorded against the Grand Lodge* Benefit Scheme was withdrawn, and the Grand President had the pleasure of announcing that the Grand Lodge Benefit Fund had been carried unanimously.

The election of officers resulted as follows:—Grand President, Bro. J. W. ±t. Francis; Vice-Grand President, Bro. J. T. Collins: Grand Secretary, Bro. J. Burgess; Grand Treasurer. Bro. J. Jowsey; Grand Guardian, Bro. H. H. Parker: Board of Management, Bros. A. Bailey, J. JR. Bette, T. W. Burgess, A. H. Jarvis, W. H. Jones, J. J. Keanc, and G. McKenzie ; auditors, Bros. H. E. Smith, F. Talbot, and J. H. Wear; Judicial Appeal Committed, Bros. J. McKay, W. J". H. Ncate, G. Bates, F. George, and W. Bar tram..

A bonus of £lO 10s was passed to th*> Grand Secretary. An invitation from the Grand Lodgw of Otago and Southland to send a re-

preservative to their Grand -Lodgi* meeting was accepted, and G.P. Bro. J. W. H. Francis was appointed. A presentation of a camera and case was made to Bro. J. H. Wear for his many kindnesses to the' Grand Lodge officers in the matter of providing conveyance. Fraternal greetings were reoerre» from the District Secretary, Bro. 0. Jaeobsen, A.0.F., and were ordered to be reciprocated. The instillation of officers provided » bfilliarit and attractive ceremony, ana the visitors from sister Grand Lodges contributed greatly to the effectiveness of the ceremony. The G.P. of the Ota'go and Southland Grand Lodge, J3ro. A.vAitken, presented an inscribed case and Past Grand regalia to the retiring; Past Grand President, Bro. E. Cameron. The presentation was made in appropriate terms, and suitably acknowledged by the recipient. Hearty votes of thanks wore accorded to the distinguished visitors, and the replies of G.P. Bro. A, Aitken, of Otao-o and Southland' Grand Lodge, .ana Bro! J. H. A. Lawton, G.T., of the North Island Grand Lodge, were heartily and cordially received. It was decided to hold r the next Grand Lodge meeting at Chrisfchurch. The presentation of the Neafe Challenge Shield to the representative of the winning lodge, the Lily of Temuka, was made with accompanying applause.