ODDFELLOWSHIP

Press, Volume LXX, Issue 21116, 17 March 1934, Page 6

ODDFELLOWSHIP

♦ ANNUAL CONFERENCE REPORTS RECEIVED The seventy-first annual conference of the North Canterbury District, M.U., 1.0.0. F., opened yesterday morning in the Oddfellows' Chambers. The District Grand Master, Brother S. J. Geary, presided. Officers and deputies attending were:—District Deputy Grand Master, Brother F. Cole. District Secretary Brother T. J. Archbold, G.M. (New Zealand branch), District Treasurer Brother J. R. Merriman. P.P.G.M. Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge—Brothers T. Wood, C. Wood, J. Brocker, B. M. Sharp, N. Carson, C. J. Chivers, P.G.'s, O. P. Anderson, 1.P.N.G., and N. Sutton, N.G. Loyal Kniapoi Lodge—Brothers A. E. Brown, P.D.G.M., L. Edmonds and R. Driscoll, P.G.'s. Loyal Volunteer LodgeBrothers J. R. Merriman, P.P.G.M., F. G. Barnes, P.G., R. D. Smith, P.G.,. and C. G. R. O'Halloran I.P.N.G. Loyal Benevolent Lodge—Brothers W. B. Browne, H. P. le Page and A. C. Foster, P.G.'s. Loyal Perseverance Lodge— Brothers C. J. Holsey. 1.P.D.G.M., T. Lane, and J. Gatehouse, P.G.'s. Loyal Malvern Lodge—Brothers W. E. Rodgers and C. J. H. Henderson, P.G.'s. Loyal Phillipstown Lodge—Brothers A. France, P.D.G.M., W. J. Baillie, and W. Paton, P.G.'s. Loyal Leeston Lodge—Brothers I. G. Hampton, P.N.G, R. J. Newton, 1.P.N.G., and K. D. Ridden, N.G. Loyal Papanui Lodge—Brothers H. E. Morgan, P.P.G.M., B. C. Miles, and H. Stockdale, P.G.'s. Loyal Addington Lodge —Brothers H. W. Gourlay. P.D.G.M., A. Gow, J. McGuiness, W. G. Wigglesworth, P.G.'s. Loyal Coleridge Lodge —Brothers E. Hunt, J. Mitchell, and W. J. Teale, P.G.'s. Loyal Heart of Oak Lodge—Brothers R. E. Clark, W. D. Sabiston, P.G.'s, and E. O. Smith, N.G. Loyal Riccarton Lodge—Brothers G. J. Cullen, P.D.G.M., and C. E. T. Hill, and B. Bucknell, P.G.'s. Loyal Jubilee Lodge—Brothers E. G. Walker and L. A. Gallagher, P.G.'s. Loyal Sister Pearce Lodge—Sisters W. C. Carnie, M. J. Lucas, and H. G. Taylor, P.G.'s. Loyal Progress Lodge—Brothers H. W. E. Parsons and W. R. Bullard, P.G.'s. Minute secretary— Brother A. F. W. James, P.DGM Tyler—Brother A. Dixon (Loyal Papanui Lodge). In welcoming the deputies. Brother Geary said that a careful study of the balance-sheet would show that the various funds were well invested, and expenditure had been very carefully controlled. The membership at the end of the year was 2875. u The . membership unfortunately showed a loss of 34, but regrettable as it was the loss through arrears represented a large number who had been assisted by the lodges last year to retain their membership. Despite repeated assistance, however, they had allowed their membership to lapse When compared with other districts" and considering the difficult times oassinf £ h, , ch , the district had **£ passing, its position was not as bad as it would first appear . Reporting on district activities during the year. Brother Geary said that on the-occasion of the presentation to the Loyal Leeston Lodge of the shield and gavels. P!G. Brother A. Gow had offered to give a trophy to be awarded to the lodge showing the most improvement in working. On behalf of the district he had accepted Brother Gow s offer and suggested that he should be lhanked bv the conference for his gift. Value of Sports Club Brother Geary said that the sports club had justified its formation, and its first year had been successful. A cricket pitch had been secured in Linwood Park, and regular practices and matches had been held there. Several members had already been secured to the lodges as a result of th.- sports club and as the deputies would realise the great handicap in car.ying on such useful activities withf limited lunds, he hoped the conference would see its way to make a monetary grant *?. assist this necessary adjunct to the distract propaganda work.

The juvenile movement was a very live one in the district, and he could not speak too highly of the splendid*- "» work for Oddfellowship that some of* the senior members were doing in the juvenile lodges. Committee's Report The report of the committee of management stated that the official handbook had been issued under the editorship of P.G. Bro. A. Gow, who was Ito be congratulated on the result. It was recommended that 1000 copies should be printed and circulated to lodges as usual. Subject to the approval of the conference. Bro. W. B. Browne, P.G., had been appointed editor for the ensuing year. A suggestion had been made by Past Grands' Lodge, No. 2, and considered by the committee, that a part of the whole of the 1934 surplus be used to raise sick pay from 5s a week to 10s a week for continued sickness. This recommendation would be placed before the conference by a remit on the agenda paper. Benevolent Fond The committee appointed by the last conference to consider the question of establishing a district benevolent fund had reported the result of its deliberations to the committee of management. A deputation had been sent to Wellington to confer with the Registrar of Friendly Societies and the actuary about lodges retaining the surplus from the Society Funeral Fund. This could not be allowed according to general rules. The deputation had also received the necessary consent to appropriate £IOOO from the District Benefit Fund to the District Benevolent Fund to assist members to retain their membership. The transfer had taken place on November 30. The committee of management had since decided that a sum equal to 5s a member on the basl* of the 1933 returns should be distributed to lodges, to be used only for payment of distressed members' contributions. This amount was to be kept in a separate account by each lodge. The report of the committee of management was received. It was resolved that the Grand Master's gavels be known in future as the A. L. Gourlay Memorial Gavels. The annual balance-sheet was adopted. Bro. F. Cole, District Deputy-Grand Master, being the only nominee, was unanimously elected District Grand Master for the ensuing year. Bro. A. Gow, Addington Lodge, was elected District Deputy-Grand Master, and Bros. F. G. Barnes, C. Miles, W. B. Browne, and W. Teale were elected to the committee of management. Bros. Morgan, Winter, and Hill were reelected book examiners. Presentation The District Grand Master presented PP.G.M. Bro. H. E. Morgan with a Jewel of Merit for having served as secretary to the Loyal Papanui Lodge for 50 years. Bro. T. J. Archbold, Grand Master of New Zealand Branch, PP.G.M. Bro. J. A. Clarke* Bro. C. Foster, District Secretary. Lyttelton District, and P.P.G.M. Bro. JR. Merriman, spoke of the good work of Bro. Morgan. The presentation was made with the honours of the order. A membership jewel was presented to Bro. W. R. Bullard, secretary of Loyal Progress Lodge, for introducing 20 members into the lodge. A bar, the first given by the district, was presented to N.G. Sister J. ton for introducing the second 20 bers to the order. The committee of management's recommendation that the district secretary's salary be increased by the sum of £26 a year was carried, and an amendment that the salary be £2 a week and Id a member a quarter wa* | lost. , At the conclusion of the conference Bro. T. J. Archbold, Grand Master. New Zealand branch, installed J»* officers elect. Bros. H. W. Gourlay and A. E. Brown acted as conductors. The District Grand Master, Bra E. Cole, and the pewly-elected officers thanked the deputies for the Coo fi * dence and support accorded twoVotes of thanks were accorded the *•! tiring Grand Master, officers, &° a scrutineers for their services. . ' Bro. Geary thanked the lodge W* members for the support w*7 accorded him during the vcar, especj' ally mentioning the services °*,sjs. deputy. Bro. .Cole, and the JJEUICaiI Boo.aaispm —.-.