VALLEY LODGES

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 119, 13 February 1935, Page 4

VALLEY LODGES

Manchester Unity Oddfellows There was an exceptionally large attendance at the Loyal Rose of the Valley Lodge (M.U.1.0.0.F.) meeting held recently. The district grand master, Bro. Gooding, and his officers were cordially received, the noble grand of the Rose of Valley Lodge extending the welcome on behalf of Loyal Petone, Loyal bloera, and 1 Loyal Rose of Sharon Lodges, this being an official visit from the district to all the Hutt Valley lodges.

A sister was initiated into the order and several visitors commented upon the high standard of the ritual work connected with this ceremony. The district grand master gave some facts relative to the financial stability of the order, saying that the New Zealand funds of the society totalled approximately f 1,700,000, of which £1,600,000 comprises the sick and funeral fund. The New Zealand branch membership is 34,000, and for the year ended December, 1933, the sum of £50,000 had been paid out as benefits. The M.U.1.0.0.K. has 34 per cent, of the total membership of all friendly benefit societies in New Zealand, and has approximately 37 per cent, of the total funds. in conclusion the D.G.JI. congratulated the lodges on their attendance and specially referred to the Loyal Petone Lodge having commenced a branch lodge at Moera. The district officers each addressed the meeting. The grand secretary for New Zealand, Bro. Shrimpton, also spoke, giving data concerning the operation of the national health insurance scheme. In reply to a question he touched upon the orphans’ fund in connection with the order at Home, explaining that this 'was a memorial fund brought into being after the w;.r, the children being maintained in their own homes or the homes of their guardians. The subscriptions to the fund were all voluntary, although the membership at Home was so large that to create any special fund it was only necessary to levy, say, a, halfpenny to obtain sufficient to endow an orphanage. Bro. Blair, the grand trustee and deputy-grand master, congratulated the lodges on the attendance, and thanked members for the warm welcome. At the conclusion of general business the visitors were entertained at a social hour.