MANCHESTER UNITY LODGES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21733, 16 March 1936, Page 4

MANCHESTER UNITY LODGES

ASHLEY DISTRICT CONFERENCE ANNUAL GATHERING HELD AT RANGIORA The fifty-sixth annual conference of the Asnley District, M.U.1.0.0.F., was held in Rangiora on Saturday, and all lodges in the district were represented. District Grand Master Bro. W. Coles presided, and there were also present: D.D.G.M., Bro. B. A. Fitzpatrick; D.S., Bro. C. L Jennings; minute secretary, Bro., J. A. Ivory, P.D.G.M.; Tyler, Bro. A. H. Miles, P.G. Lodges were represented by the following deputies: Loyal Rangiora, Bros. C. R. Golding, W. Gardner, and E. H. Trollope, P.D.G.M.*s, J. L. Blake and J. A. Miles, P.G.’s, and S. F. Mihchington, N.G; Loyal Amberley, Bros. J, D. Boyce, P.D.G.M., S. D Boyce and L. w. Taylor, P.G.’s: Loyal CUst, Bros. G. K. Crysell, P.D.G.M., and T. B. Lock, F.S.; Loyal Leithfield, Bros. W. Fletcher, P.D.G.M., D. Palmer and G. D. Robertson, P.G.’s: Loyal Nil Desperandum, Bros. G. Smith, P.D.G.M., D. J. Grant. P.G., and E. A. Jordan, F.S.; Loyal Oxford, Bros. H. B. Nelson and L. E. Cecil, P.G.’s, and C. H. Dohrman, F.S.; Loyal Ohoka, Bros. F. Heald, P.G., and W. L. Orchard, F.S.; Loyal Omihi, Bros. L. M. Baxter, P.G., and A..W. Stackhouse, F.S.; Loyal Woodend, Bros. B. J, Archer and G. Gibling, P.D.G.M.’s, and D. Morris, P.G.; Loyal Waiau, Bros. G. C. O’M&lley and W. E. Barnett, P.G.’s; Loyal waikari, Bro. E. R. Anderson, P.G.; Loyal Cheviot, Bros. M. Bailey, P.G., and W. J. Barnett, F. : -S -

In his address at the openin'? ol the conference, the District Grande Master referred: to the death of King. George, who, with other members of the Royal Family, had always shown great interest in the friendly society movement and the Manchester Unity in particular. At his request, members stood in silence as a mark of respect to King George’s memory. The Grand Master said that all lodges in the district had been visited, and the interest and enthusiasm of members had been a revelation. The younger members were taking a particularly active part in the management of the lodges, although the attendances in some cases were not all that could be desired.

The membership had increased by 43. during the year, and was now 1567, which was. highly satisfactory. The exceptional number of 25 members had been, lost by death, and 20 had been lost through other causes. Assistance had been given to several members from the benevolent fund. He referred to the held in Christchurch last year, and to the visit of the Grand Master of New Zealand (Bro. A. C. .Blair), who officially visited the district on the occasion of the .jubilee. social tendered to the district secretary. Visits to and from lodges in other districts had been made, and promoted the social side of the order. Referring to the Government’s intention . to establish. a compulsory health insurance scheme, he said that While he agreed that some provision

should be made for thoSe whose health would not permit them to join a friendly society, members Should watch that the society, which had been established for 125 years, was not undermined. He thanked the officers and members for their support during his term of office. Finances of the District The finances cf the district were dealt with in the report of the district committee of management. There was a substantial increase in .the interest receipts, the figures being £2241 15s lOd, compared with £2035 153 Sd in 1934. The district held 89: mortgage securities and four lots of Government and local body debentures;’ to a total amount of £46,148 10s. .The consolidated sick and funeral'' fund totalled £48,130 Is 7d. an increase -of £1127 9s Id for the year. The funeral benefit expenditure amounted to 1 £640; and this sum had been exceeded only' once shice the abnormal war period. The' district benevolent fund showed a credit balance of £517 Is 3d, after* relief to the amount of £74 16s 9d had been granted to members in distress. A sum of £3BB maternity allowances had been disbursed, and this was £BO less than in the previous year. Lodges received contributions to their sick and funeral funds to the aggregate amount of £2604 4s Id during thfe year, and expended £2943 10s 2d sick pay, this sum being £lO 14s 2d in excess of that for 1934. The total value of the district and lodge funds at the end of December was £62,476 4s 10d, of which £57,956 15s- 6d 'was earning interest. The membership of the district was 1567, only 20 members having been struck off Owing to non-pay-ment of dues. Officers were elected as follows; District Grand Master, Bro. B. A. Fitzpatrick; Deputy-District ‘ Grand Master, Bro. D. J. Grant (Nil Deaperandum Lodge); committee of -management, Bros. B. J; Archer, W. Gardner, G. Gibling, and J, D. Boyce; book examiners, Bros. C. R. Golding and B. Archer; auditor, Bro, J. Cooke. It was resolved to nominate Bro. «L A. Ivory for a seat oh'the board of directors of the New Zealand branch; and to make application for the hold* 12 s P-5-&M. degree meeting In the Ashley district. - • ' The question of holding a district ritual competition was discussed, and it was resolved that the committee of management should fully consider the matter when the revised rituals were received. Ib was agreed to liold the next annuaL conference in Rangiora on March lOfr 1937* The newly-elected officers were installed by the District Secretary (Bro. C. L Jennings). The retiring Grand Master (Bro. W. Coles) was thanked for his services to the district, and he was presented with the usual honorarium and a past master’s'jewel. « was agreed that his name should be placed on the merit board,'and that be recommended for the P.D.G.M. degree.