ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Evening Post, Volume XLV, Issue 33, 9 February 1893, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING OF THE M.U. The annual district mooting of the Manchoster Unity Oddfellows was opened at the Chamber of Commerce this afternoon . There were present— Provincial Grand Master Bro. J. Smith, jun. (presiding) ; Deputy Provincial Grand Master, Bro. S. R. Johnson; Corresponding Secretary, Bro. J. Korahaw, P.P.G.M. ; and the following delegates: — Britannia Lodge— Bros. T. M'Kenzio, C. Godber, G. E. Godber, and S. Waters ; Antipodean Lodge— Bros. O. Daly, J. Avory, A. Guise, and J. Martin ; Rose of the Valley Lodge— Bros. C. W. Brown, J. Cudby, and W. Lawton ; St. Goorgo Lodgo — Bro. I\ A. Death ; Rose of Sharon Lodgo — Bro. G. J. M'Whinney; Petone Lodgo— Bros. C. W. Johnston and W. Hill ; Greytown Lodgo— Bro. D. P. Loasby ; Heart of Oak Lodge— Bro. R. Butler; Combination Lodge— Bro. F. Westbury; Unity Lodge — Bro. M. B. Tait ; Ekotahuna Lodgo— Bro. C. Nordoll. Tho Provincial Grand Ma3ter, in his address, accorded tho delegates a hearty welcome on this, tho occasion of the Jubilee of tho Order in this district. It was also his tldrd term of office as Grand Master. He complimented the Order upon its continned prosperity, and oxplained that tho reason the delegatos had met in town, instead of at the Lower Hutt, as intonded, was owing to tho hall of the Loyal Rose of tho Valley Lodge having been destroyed by fire. Referring to tho rapid strides which had boen mado by tho Order, ho pointed out that tho memborship on tho Ist January, 1892, was 695,087, an increase sinco 1891 of 22,(514 membors. Tho total capital amounted to £7 ,800,000. The juvenile branch of the Order was also progressing favourably, and was a source of strength to the parent Society. Tho total number of juvenile members on tho Ist of January, 1892, was 73,816, and the lodges possessed a capital of ,£76,921). Tho numerical increase was 6896, and tho financial increase .£BOl2. During tho year 4632 juvenile membors had been transferred to the parent lodges, an increase of 563 as compared with the previous year. Tho valuation reports showed that tho lodges generally woro making progress, but there was room for still further improvement. The meeting would be asked to take into consideration tho best means of improving the position of those lodges showing a deficiency. Tho District Officers had visited most of tho lodges during the year just closed, and were pleased to report that, with one or two exceptions, tho lodges had improved thoir position, both financially and numerically, and were working satisfactorily. As tar as tho Wellington district was concorned, the total number of members of the Order was 1140, an increase of 56 since last year, and tho total worth of tho funds was .£23,956, an increase of £iS3. This he regarded as being very satisfactory. The death roll for the year was 9 members and 5 members' wives. A new lodge had boen opened at Martinborough, and there was reason to believe it would prove a sound one. praise was duo to P.G. Bro." Tait, of the Unity Lodge, and P.P.G.M. Bro. D P. Loasby, of Groytown Lodge, for their efforts on bohalf of tho Order in that district. Thanks were also due to the District Management Committee for their services. After referring to the welcome accorded by tho Friendly Societies to Lord Glasgow, tho Grand Master concluded his address by expressing his thanks to all those with whom he had been associated in office — particularly tho Corresponding Secretary, Bro. J. Kershaw — for their kindly assistance. The meeting was proeooding at tho timo of going to press.