ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Press, Volume LXII, Issue 18680, 1 May 1926, Page 9

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING. The half-yearly meeting of tho Canterbury United District of tho A.G.P. was lield on Thursday is tho Belfast Public Hall, at the invitation of the local Court. Tho officers and delegates from the fourteen Courts gathered in the morning, and wore warmly received by Bro. W. Miller, C.R., and the local members who acted as hosts to the assembly throughout the day. The D.C.R., Bro. R. Stephens, having recently met with a serious accident which had disabled him, was absent, and after the meeting had been opened in due form by his predecessor, Bro. Roberton, the first business was to pass a vote of regret and sympathy with the D.C.R. Those presont were: From Court Star of Canterbury, Bros. Weakloy (2), Wathew, and Tanner; from Court Qucon of the Isles, Bros. Coleman and Cummings; from Thistle of the Forest, Bros. Hoddinott and James; from Pride of Courtenay, Bro. Belgrave; from Court Woodford, Bros. Heney, Clarke, »nd Oram; from Court Papanui, Bros. Smith and Hockey; from Court Star of Belfast, ' Bros.. Halligan and Thomas; from Court Ashburton,: Bros. Fhaup, Sumner, and Robinson ; from Court Star of Rakaia, Bro. Dunstan; from' Court Star of Dunsandel, Bro. Sheat; from Court Pride of Rangiora (late Loburn), Bro. Brady; and from Court Richard Stephens, Bro. Dean. In addition the two female Court Victoria and Queen of Canterbury wero represented by Sisters Colman, Gagliardi, and Pratt. The officers, Bro. Jacobsen, D. Secretary, Bro. Marks, Treasurer, Bro. ,Macarthur, D.5.0.R., and Bro. Rattigen, D.8., filled their respective positions. The secretary read the annual balance-sheet showing an increase of 86 members during the past year, and an increase of about £7OO in the funds, although funeral donations had been unusually numerous. In the discussion which followed, attention was drawn to the accumulating funds of various Courts: Court Star of Canterbury £17,000, Woodford, Kaiapoi, £9000; Ashburton £6OOO. Whilst tho meeting declined to sanction a remit from the former regarding an extension of time for claims, an intimation was given that the question of increasing the donations would be raised. The balance-sheet was regarded as highly satisfactory, and was adopted on tho motion of Bro. Coleman, seconded by Bro. Brady. The report of the executive was also well received. • , 1 The correspondence, which was varied nua voluminous, was dealt with in detail, and raised several question of some importance. The lack of a uniform system of transfers or clearances, partly in regard to new arrivals of middle-sgfl' led to an animated discussion, as they found the scales of contributors in the Dominion much higher than British rates, and also partly on the undeniable leakage from the Order to which it was urged that the A.O.F. was by no means alone or exceptional in this respect, it being common to all Friendly Societies. Further, this fact was offset by two prizes awarded during the meeting to two. members, one of whom, during the year, had introduced 23 new members, and the other 20. Regarding the clearances, a draft proposal was received from the A.O.F. central office in London for consideration, but a proposition lor acceptance was lost, and the matter ""ally remitted to the Foresters' Council, shortly meeting in Wellington. The election of officers for the ensuing jear was then proceeded with, Bro. MacarUiur being unanimously appointed as 0.K., /> ro- ! Rathgen 5.0.R.. and Bro. Cummings, in a ballet, chosen as District Bead e by an abBO--1 lute majority from four candidates. ! The new president was impressively in stalled by Bro. Sheat in hls position, "J in turn installed the junior officers, and returned a ready and telling JP eec £ °' thanks. Bros. Cooper, Tanner, and Rudkm were appointed auditors. Bro. Jacobsen, D T calling attention to the eleven years of service on district matters rendered by Bro Coleman, moved that the latter be ap pointed to a position as ritual supervisor, he having made the subject of a dignified ritual peculiarly his own, and it was approved with many encomiums on Bro. Coleman a efforts in the oast. Complimentary votes were also passed to Bros. Marks and Jacobsen for their services, the hospital visitors were applauded and confirmed in their work. The fraternal courtesy of the Order of Druids at their late (unction was generously acknowledged, and before closing a resolution directing that the sympathies of tho D.M. in his severe illncss should be forwarded to Bro. G Blackwell, of Kaiapoi, a valued P.D.C.R. of the ol At r 'the subsequent social meeting Bro. Thompson, the last surviving foundation member of the local Court (which was established in 1883) received a great ovation from those assembled.