ODDFELLOWSHIP

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21732, 14 March 1936, Page 15

ODDFELLOWSHIP

V' . NORTH CANTERBURY J DISTRICT ANNUAL CONFERENCE HELD Steady improvement in the affairs of the lodge was stressed toy the District Grand Master, Bro. A* Gow, ip his . address to the annual conference of the North Canterbury district of the Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows (New Zealand branch), which opened yesterday* Grand Master’s Address . Steady progress had been made, both financially and numerically, in the North Canterbury district, said the District Grand Master in his address. The membership now stood at 2866, a again of 47 over the previous year. During the, year the lodge funds had increased by £2928, the tot&l being £94,689. The district funds totalled £29,835, making a grand total of the combined funds of £124,525. Although the gain was pot as large as might be wished, ■ it clearly showed that r they had definitely arrested the loSS6s of the two previous years* Sick pay chiring the year amounted to £4654, funeral benefits 'to £lo4o* and maternity claims to £770. Three purple degree lectures had been held during the year, 21 candidates presenting themselves and receiving ttie^egree. During the last year, or two, investigations had had to be made, Which revealed that those important matters should be carefully gone into, and the workmen ducted by members of the society who had the necessary qualifications. The. district benefit hind now stood at £28,650, and the dis-i trict investment fund had grown to more than £26,848, and was increasing annually. The trustees of i the lodges appeared to be using that fund .instead of investing in property on behalf of the Ibdge.That tneant increased work for the district trustees and secretary, and a very careful check by the auditors. To-day the dis- : trict held investments for more than £45,00.0, representing individual mortgages. It behoved members to see that their interests were properly safeguarded by the appointment' of suitable persons/ as auditors and examiners. Some years ago an auditing class .was suggested, but the matter was allowed to drop. The question might now be, recommended. Also, it might be advisable to re-establish conferences of secretaries similar to those convened by the district in the past. The Grand Master, was thanked for his address, and it was decided that the address be printed.and.read in open lodges. Management Committee’s Report The committee of management, reported that the official handbook had been issued and the committee recommended that 1000 copies be; printed lor circulation to lodges. Ten lodges, bad competed in the efficiency competition, the winner of the shield and the A. L. Gourlay Memorial Gayels being the Loyal Leeston Lodge; the Loyal Malvern Lodge had won the Gow Cup. With refeience to the district benevolent fund, it was decided that the sum of 2s 6d a male member, and. Is 3d a female member be rebated to. lodges, that being the final distribution. After a short discussion it was resolved that the report of the committee did not contain adequate information as to its activities during the year. In his report on. the funds of the district for the last year, the secretary . reported that the management fund had received £62 as expenses for collection of interest, while total commissions for the year amounted to £6B ■l9s lid. Tfee levy on lodges was .3d a member less than usual. Lodges had shown their appreciation of the investment fund by investing £1738 additional capital. The benefit, fund, being " one of the most important of the funds, it was pleasing to note that the balance increased by £730 Ss, that being partly due to the interest earned , being hr excess - of the actuary’s estimate, and when valued should show a surplus, which, together with the 1984 surplus, would help to carry out the proposal to increase the third rate of sickness benefit from 5s to 10s a week. At present the fidelity guarantee on the district sectary was only £SO, and he suggested that the amount be increased tc £SOO. The report was adopted. ■ Bro. F. G. Barnes, of the Volunteer Lodge, being the only, nominee for District Grand Master, he was elected to that office for 1938. Bro. W. J Teale, rf the Loyal Coleridge Lodge was elected as Deputy-District Grand Master. The remit, that in future all candidates for past officers’ degrees be responsible lor the production of certificates for receiving them and that the degree should not be conferred,- if thal certificate was not presented, was carried. . .... .... . , Committee Elected The following were elected to the district management committee:-—Bros F. A. Iggo (Addington),, H* D. Smith (Volunteer), C. J. Holmes (Riccarton) and Sister H. G. Taylor ■ . % Bros. N. E. Taylor (Christchurch) W. R. Bullard (Progress), and W. H Larcombe (Addington) were/-elected as book examiners; Bro. W, H. Larcombe was appointed district auditor. .■ ...... . Bros. W. Wrigglesworth and S. J Geary were ■ nominated for the position ot District Publicity Officer, and on a ballot bSing taken, Bro. Gearj was declared elected* The duties o: this officer, it was agreed, shall be t( report for publication the proceeding! of lodges in the North Canterbury dis trict . .. It was decided that the be increased by £52 per annum on thejunderstanding .that he be classet a? time officer. ’ The Grand Master, Bro. F. G Barnes, was installed in office, . ant Bro. W. J. Teale as Deputy Districi Grand Master. Bro. A. Gow, the retir ing Grand Master gave the charges Bro. Gow was thanked for his work for the order during, his term of office Other officers were given their insignia of office by the newly instaUet Grand Master.