ORDER OF FORESTERS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 33, 8 February 1930, Page 17

ORDER OF FORESTERS

ANNUAL MEETING

OFFICERS INSTALLED

Delegates from the Courts ,of the Wellington District of the Ancient Order of Foresters assembled at the Dominion Farmers' Institute this week for the fifty-seventh ■ annual meeting. The P. 0.8., Bro. A,iloulyhdx,'presided over some, thirty delegates, and extended a fraternal welcome to the'visitors. The annual report and, balance-sheet were read and approved. The report stated that the membership of the district now stands at-3869, the largest court having 404 'members."Several of the courts are open- to lady members in addition to male members, and during the past yjSar an improvement in. membership has been noticed, p these courts. The total value of the district funds is stated to be in' excess of £56,000, but this figure does not include funds of the. individual courts, some of which have funds almost equal to those of the district. During rthe past year £2690 was paid out in funeral allowances to: relatives of" deceased members, and ;£978 paid in' maternity bonus. The Funeral ■Fund now stands at £32,707.' '; ' ■ ,r ; In.his address to'delegates the Chief Banger spoke of the desirability of increasing the membership of the Order. .The; junior membership:; scheme, whereby Juniors are admitted to the adult court at a reduced fee, participating in slightly reduced privileges, was generally agreed to be one solution, he said. The quarterly fee is only 4s, apart from any payment, for doctor and 'medical.privileges. The trustees of the district have proved ..most capable in theirinvestments' of- "the.' district funds, and as a result the funds are continuing, to .: improve. ■' Twenty-two courts have had, the assistance of, th» district trustees in investing .. their funds during the. year. -~ ~ '•-' Among the. visitors to the,meeting were^Mr. Witherford, IRegi'strar of Friendly. , Societies,,,.- and .-:-.-. Gostelow, Government Actuary, who were extended a, hearty welcome by delegates. Both, gentlemen returned thanks and offered several valuable suggestions for the betterment of the Order. Many :ques« tions were asked "of the •Actuary, ancC his answers were most enlightening. A- copy. of the proposediameridmenW to be dealt with af the triennial meetmftto be held : at.Wanganui,.were also' submitted. ..■■■. - •_:;'.; -.9°"* Ponangina;won the Smithsoa Shield, for gaining the largest percentage of! new;members -. during..the" past year. Thu,:court;made : ;an .increase of; 13 per -cent.' .-,.;. '■■..'•■;■■-: The question of indoor bowls for Foreatery received earnest, consideration. Already .six courts, lave/ received seta and ; repor ; t,,-that *he inauguration has had a .brightening effect on the meetings, and; has .assisted .to increase the membership of the various" courts. ■ . Bro. Kershaw was appointed to represent the .Wellington district at tha High Court meeting to- be held iii-Enc-land. ■ -•■-!■:■■: ■ &. • The election of officers for "the ensuuig year resulted •->&£'•.-• follows:I.P.D.C.E.> Bro. A\S. >rdulynox| D.C E Bro. E. L. IW. Greenfield,' -b.S.C.E., Bro' F. Parsonage; D.S.W.; Bro. F. Ward^ D.J.W., Bro. W. F. Ingram f D.5.8., Bro', ■l" J ?° y' 5- Trustee; D-J-8.,' Bro. T. Beddmg; D.T., Bro. T. Mark; D.S., Bro. A; ;W. O.Travers. Bro. J. Dunne was the retiring I.P.D.C.E ' " P.D C.I?: . G. JScy,., the oldest Forester in the rWcllington District, was present,-this, particular gathering beinc his thirty-first, annual meeting. Bro Key joiriedthe Order on-3rd May, 1870* and he has therefore been" sixty years a Forester. .;;. .;;;'....; ■:"-/.-; ■ . A:donatioh <jf Va;,wHstlet. watch for competition- between menibefs of the city land suburban .courts' Avasireceivea. Bules bearing on the competition wer» presented : and.will be approved at * later date.- • ..;:; ...■.:■:' ' _ The installation of: officers.:was' carried out-in an, impressive, manner by the installing officer, P.D.C.E. Bro. <j' Key. I.P.i).G i E.-Bro: A: Moiilynox was presented iviththe; sash, jewel, and certificate of- District Chief Rangership. " '-..-.'