LODGE JUBILEE

Dominion, Volume 29, Issue 207, 29 May 1936, Page 6

LODGE JUBILEE

Fiftieth Anniversary Of Court Epuni ORDER OF FORESTERS More than 300 members and representatives of kindred societies attended the jubilee dinner commemorating, the fiftieth anniversary of Court Epuni, Ancient Order of Foresters, Petoue, in the I’etone Working Men’s Club on Tuesday, evening. It was one of the largest gatherings held in Petone in recent years. Among, those present were the Mayor, Mr. A. Scholefield, and Mr. C. Gostelow, registrar ot friendlv societies. Apologies were . received from the Hon. W. Nash, Minister of Finance, and the Hon. W. .I- 16 ® r " tin, Minister in Charge of bnendly Societies. „ „ , , Bro M. G. Brooks, T.C.R., a foundation member, gave an interesting account of the foundation and early struggles, and paid tribute to the only other remaining foundation member, Bro. J. Leadbeater, who for forty-seven years carried out the duties of secretary, and to whom tne credit of the proud position of the court was due. Continued ill health prevented Mr. Leadbeater’s attendance at the important gathering. . , P.D.C.R. Bro. W. S. Smith, the present secretary, proposed the toast of ‘ Absent Members,” and from references to eany minutes gave an interesting account of the work done in former years by many old members who were unable to be present through ill health or absence from the district, members, being as far apart as the Bay of Islands and Invercargill* District secretary Bro.' Travers proposed the toast of “Court Epuni, and congratulated it on being the strongest numerically in the Wellington district, and - also on the excellent financial position, £20,000 being in funds, returning interest at 5.86 per cent. . Mr. Gostelow gave an address on tne affairs of Court Epuni and the Wellington district A.O.F. generally, and stated that Court Epuni in five years had dis-' tributed £BOOO in sickness, funerals and medical benefits. , PC.R Bro. G. L. Earney proposed a toast to “The Court Epuni Trustees,” to whom, he said, the court was indebted for the manner in which thdy looked after the interests of the members. A presentation would be made to the trustees at the forthcoming quarterly meeting, he said. • l P.D.C.R. Bro. W. M. Wilson proposed the toast “Kindred Societies,” and P.C.B. Bro. R. Ryder “The Female Court. Mr. Scholefield congratulated the court on the "excellent work it was doing for its members, and wished it continued prosperity. After the dinner, the members adjourned to the Oddfellows’ Hall, where the members’ wives and friends had assembled, and the jubilee ball was held. P.C.R. Bro. St. Clair, social secretary, efficiently carried out the duties of M.C. Then and To-day. The court was opened by the D.C.R., Wellington district, in Valentine’s Hall, Petone, on May 28, 1886, when eight new members were initiated, three joined on clearance from other courts, and one joined as an honorary member. The first officers were: C.R., Bro. John Davidson; S.C.R., Bro. Frank Upton; S.W., Bro. William Parrant; J.D., Bro. Charles Edmonds; 5.8., Bro. Michael Small; J. 8., Bro. Henry Brooke; treasurer, Edwin Rushton; secretary, Job Leadbetter; trustees, N. Valentine, J. Davidson, F. Upton; surgeon, Dr. Wilford. The first few years were strenuous. Other societies were in the field and competition for membership was keen, but at the end of 10 years the membership had increased to 154 and the value . of the funds amounted to £1202/S/2, while £493 1/8 had been paid to members for sickness and £6O for funeral benefits. Of the original members there remain only Bro. Henry Brooks, of Lower Hutt, who passed through all the chairs and filled many offices and that of auditor for many years, and Bro. J. Leadbetter, who resides in Petone. and had the distinction of holding the office of secretary for 47 years, and was reluctantly compelled to resign that office three years ago owing to illheiilth, when his past services were recognised by the court and members of the Wellington district executive. The total funds of the court to-day amount! to £21,171, the membership is 384, and 37 widows and 70 members of other branches are on the medical list. There is also a strong juvenile branch of 150 members. Some of the oldest members joined this branch, passing on to Court Epuni, and there are members of the third generation in the juvenile court.' The present officers of Court Epuni are: Trustees, P.D.C.R. Bro. F. Clark, PD.C.R. Bro. W. H. Wilson, P.D.C.R. Bro. F. W. Greenfield, I.P.C.R. Bro J. Campbell; C.R., W. M. Stephenson; S.C.R., Bro. S. Chesney; S.W., Bro. H. McLeod: J.W., Bro. H. J. Lay; 5.8., Bro. A. E. Key; J. 8., Bro. J. C. Kyle; minute and social secretary, Bro. L. W. St. Clair; treasurer, Bro. T. A. Armstrong; secretary, P.D.C.R. Bro. W* S. Smith.