LODGES’ CONFERENCE

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 152, 24 March 1938, Page 2

LODGES’ CONFERENCE

Hawke’s Bay District, M.U. Oddfellows At the sixtieth annual conference of the Hawke's Bay district of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddlellows at Woodville the following officers were elected : District Grand Master, Bro. C H. 'White (Loyal Meeanee); Deputy Grand Master, Bro. J. Wharmby (Loyal Tavistock, Waipukurau) ; District Treasurer, Bro. G. C. Laws (Napier) ; district management committee, Director Bro A. J. McKay, P.D.G.M. (Abbotatord Maipawa), Bros. F. D. Mackie, i-D-Jj.M. (Woodville), G. Keg. Cook F.D.G.M. Tavistock), all former members of the committee; Bros. L. Prince (Napier) and E C Kingston (Abbotsford) ; auditors, Bros. L. A. P. Krogh, P.D.G.M. (Napier), re-elected, and D. F. Sturm (Hastings) ; lodge book examiners, Bros. 11. Bull and J. P. Williamson, P.D.G.M.’s (Napier), rp-plpctfid. Director Bro. N. J. McKay. P.D.G.M., was nominated as Deputy Grand Master of the order in New Zealand, and for. reelection as a director. Bro. P. J. Priest, P.D.G.M., wag also nominated for election as a director. For delegate to the next annual movable conference of the order to be held in Margate, England, Bro. W. A. Chambers, P.P.G.M. (1902). a member of Tavistock Lodge since September 8, 18S4, was appointed and presented with the required certificate. The installation ceremony was conducted by Bro. N. B. Bellringer, Deputy Grand Master of the order, and Director Bro. McKay, assisted by Bros. H. Bull and H. J. Newling, P.D.G.M.’s. Committee’s Report. The district management committee’s report showed that membership of the Hawke’s Bav district bad increased from 2581 in 1936 to 2650 (2426 males and 224 females). A further improvement in the finances of the district lodges was also reported, the total assets of the lodges having increased from £108,137 0/7 to £111,304/11/11. The sick and funeral funds total £56,780/10/3, an increase of £4346/18/7 for the year. At the dinner accorded delegates at the conclusion of the conference a presentation was made to Bro. J. P. Williamson, P.D.G.M., who was Provincial Grand Master in 1910 and District Treasurer from 1900 continuously till 1932, when he became District Secretary, as well as having been a district lodge book examiner for many years. The presentation took the form of a leather wallet, inscribed and filled with tokens of goodwill from the lodge members throughout the district. A further gift took the form of a silver tea and coffee service.