RECHABITE CONFERENCE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXXI, Issue 41, 18 February 1911, Page 9

RECHABITE CONFERENCE.

PROCEEDINGS AT NAPIER. After attending divine servico in Wellington on Sunday, 4th January, tho southern delegates, together with tho Wellington representatives, left Thorndon station for Napier, calling at Dannevirke on the way. Here a successful public meeting, at which tho Mayor presided, was lield. After tho mooting fourteen names were handed in (including the Mayor) for membership. On Tuesday morning the delegates continued their journey to Napier, arriving at 2.30 p.m. They were met by tho local brethren, who conducted them to various hostels. At 3 p.m. the confere*c© commenced its sittings, which concluded at 11.45 p.m. on Thursday. The conference will be memorable on account of the very important alterations made in the district laws and tho final setting-up of tile sub-districts. The Now Zealand central district wa& divided into eight sub-districts — viz. : No. 1, Southland provincial district; No. 2, Otago ; No. 3, Canterbury ; No. 4, ! Nelson ; No. S, Wellington ; No. 6, Palmerston North ; No. 7, Hawkes Bay ; No. 8, Taranaki. One important alteration provided for tent representation on the District Council. In future each tent will have one representative only, instead of on© to every 50 members up to 150. The district contingent levy was fixed at Is 2 j per member, being £d less than at present, and tho saving on the reduced representation at the District Council will more than pay the expenses of the sub-districts. Sister Smith was appointed D.5.F.8., and will have a seat on the District Executive. The D.C.X and D.S. (Bro. T. Fathers) were appointed to represent the district at the Melbourne conference at which H.C.H. Bro. Phillipson and P.H.C.R. Bro. Churchill will bo present from- England. The Auckland district is to be again approached with a view to amalgamation. Several proposed alterations in tho way of giving increased benefits were ruled out of order. As no provision was made to meet the increased charge oil the sick funds, a resolution urging the remaining twelve tents to centralise their sick funds was carried unanimously, this method of dealing with the funds being highly commended by the Government Actuary. Other alterations to the rules were: Reduction of entrance-money for females, and honorary members' entrance-fee to Is ; and printing of cheques by the district. It was resolved that the challenge shield competition be decided on a percentage basis, points to count as follows: Hon. members, 1 point; half or full benefit members, 3 points. Bro. Fatherß announced that Bro. Phillipson, H.C.R., and Bro. Churchill, P.H.C.R., would arrive from England at the Bluff on 3rd April, and suggested that all tents send telegrams of welcome on that day. Bro. 14. Taylor is to meet them at the Bluff and accompany the visitors to Christchurch. An itinerary was agreed upon, as follows : Bro. Churchill, P.H.C.R.— Bluff, 3rd April; Dunedin, 4th April; Timaru, sth April (morning); Ashburton, sth April (afternoon) ; Christchurch, 6th April ; Wellington, Bth and 9th April; Palmerston North, 10th' April; Wanganui, 11th April ; Now Plymouth. 12th April. Bro. Phillipson, H.C.R.— Bluff, 3rd April; Wellington, 6th April; Nelson, 6th April; Blenheim, 7th April; Wellington, Bfch and 9th April; Masterton, 10th April; Napier, 11th April; Palmerston North, 12th April. It was decided to put the insurance scheme into operation. The election of officers resulted as follows :—D.C.R., Bro. J. J. Wesnoy; D.D.R., Bro. R. H. Taylor; D.5.J.8., Bro. R. M'Creath: D.T., Bro. T. W. Leslie; D.S., Bro. T. Fathers. The members of the Napier Tent entertained the delegates at a banquet at which the Mayor of Napier, city councillors, members of the legal profession, ministers of religion, and representativesof friendly societies wero present. The district officers 5 report showed that the funds of the order amount to £42,958 7s lid. The membership at the end of the year amounted to 3258, an increase of 1076.