ODDFELLOWS CONFER

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 63, 17 March 1925, Page 6

ODDFELLOWS CONFER

MEMBERSHIP AND FUNDS . . . ' . INCREASED.

(BT TELEGRAPH.—MtKSS ASSOCIATION.) WHANGAREI, This Day. The biennial conference of the Independent Order of Oddfellows'of New Zealand opened to-day. There are about thirty delegates, including Bros. M. J. Hooper, Grand Master, and the follow, ing members of the executive:—Bros. D. R. Cooper F. Wilkinson, Xi. Deans Ritchie (Dunedin), C. J Talbot (Canterbury), W. F. Crooke (Dominion supervisor). A notable absentee was Bro. William Reid, consulting Grand Secretary; who was unable to attend the conference for the first tiros in fifty .years. ■ .-.,... The visitors were accorded a civic reception by the Mayor . The Grand Master's report stated that the progress during the last two years had_ been greater than in any other similar period during a half-century. Twenty-six new lodges had been established, including ten ladies' branches, making a total 165 lodges extending from Kaitaia in the north to the Bluff in the south. The total membership was 13,228, making a net gain of 1000 members.'The Dominion supervisor had done excellent work in instructing secretaries and inculcating enthusiasm and establishing the Order in Nelson. Marlborough, and Central Otago. There was a splendid benefit.fund, which now exceeded £192,----831, which was now consolidated for the whole Dominion. The Grand Trustees reported that these funds had earned'an average interest of 5.6 per cent., or £10,000 in the year. This exceeded the whole of the sick and funeral payments for the Dominion by £1296. Payment* from the old members' dues funds were £223; and from the benevolent funds th» payments exceeded £1000, which was paid to dependants of members in dimtress, irrespective o£, sick and funeral benefits. Consideration would be given this session to extending sick and funeral benefits and other important matters. " ;

The Grand Master urged continuation, of the policy of introducing membership of quality rather than greater numbers, taking as the motto, " Service before Self.' 1 '

A motion of sympathy was carried with the relations of the late Bro. Urquhart, Dannevirke, who had given hi» life in an attempt to save another recently.