ORDER OP FORESTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 40, 17 February 1931, Page 16

ORDER OP FORESTERS

TRIENNIAL CONFERENCE The triennial conference of the Wellington district, Ancient Order of Foresters, was held in Wanganui last week. The following district officers were present: D.C.R., Bro. P. W. Greenfield; 1.P.D.C.R., Bro. A. S. Moulynox; D.S., Bro. A. W. O. Travers; D.S.C.K., Bro. F. L. Parsonage; D.S.W., Bro. F. W. AVard; D.5.8., Bro. F. S. Hoy; D.J.8., Bro. T. M. J. Bedding; district trustee, Bro. P. Platt. Courts were also represented as follows: 3118, Bro. W. V. C. P. Sanvig, P.C.8.; 4428, Bro. S. J. White, P.C.8.; 4528, Bio. H. C. Gronn, P.C.R.; 4926, Bro. C. D. Barford, P.C.R.; 5084, Bro. C. P. Worth, P.C.K.; 5501, Bro. A. W. Chapman, P.C.8.; 5533, Bro. 11. H. Armstrong, P.C.8.; 5655, Bro. C. Edwards, P.C.E.; 5768, Bro. Wilkinson, P.C.8.; 6388, Bro. C. Laing, P.C.8.; WOO, Bro. E. H. Giles, P.C.R.; 6730, Bro. R. P. Geldred, P.C.8.; 6947,. Bro. A. C. Marshall, secretary; 7313, Bro. W. B. Smith, P.C.R.; 7314, Bro. E. W. Mills, P.C.R.; 7609, Bro. G. 11. Carr, P.D.C.8.; 7610, Bro. E. J. Pink, P.C.8.; 7879, Bro. A. Anderson, P.C.R.; 8382, Bro. J. W. Billie, P.G.8.; 8779, Bro. B. W. Morris, P.C.8.; 8781, Bro. T. E. Hogarth, P.C.8.; 9866, Bro. P. H. Monk, secretary; 8260, Sister D. Watson, P.C.8.; 8261, Sister A. Tester, P.C.R.; 9209, Sister G. Underwood, secretary. P.C.R. Bro. Greenwood, on behalf of delegates, welcomed the Mayor (Mr. W. J. Rogers), who attended to open the conference.

In reply, the Mayor spoke in eulogistic terms of the good work performed by friendly societies. He considered that their influence in the community was of such growing importance that the Government is giving them greater«>reeogmtion as time goes on, and from time to time introduces legislation to protect and further their activities. He wished tlio conference success, and trusted that further benefits would accrue to the Order from discussion among members of such a representative gathering. . District Secretary Bro. A. \Y. 0. Travers* thanked tho Mayor for; his address.

D.C.R.' Bro. F. W. Greenfield then addressed the delegates and ■ welcomed them to the conference. He regretted that owing to pressure of business Mr. Rutherford, Registrar of Friendly Societies, and Mr. Costelo, Government Actuary, were unable to be present, fie pointed out that it was

gratifying to record there was a further incrcaso of membership throughout the district. He expressed pleasure at the social activity noticeable in courts throughout tho district, and considered every endeavour should be made to cultivate this side of Forestry. EARTHQUAKE VICTIMS. " At. this stage the following resolution relating to the earthquake disaster ..was unanimously carried by tho conference: "That this conference, representing the Wellington district of the,j Ancient Order of Foresters, oilers its sinccro sympathies to all those who have suffered through this terrible disaster and will co-operate in any manner possible in assisting to alleviate distress; further, tho courts of this district will be pleased to assist in reestablishing the finances oil tho Hawkes Bay district and to make grants to any fund that may be established to meet contributions of those members who, duo to circumstances caused by tho earthquake, are- unable to ..meet their obligations. With this object in view, tho executive is directed to write tho Government requesting that permission be granted societies and branches to mate payment from their benefit funds, to such amounts as may bo approved by tho Government Actuary, and that a clause be inserted in the Finance Act, 1931, validating any such payment.' Tho meeting also unanimously voted the sum of £100 from the district funds for this purpose. _ The presentation and adoption or tne district officers' and trustees' reports were then proceeded with. After tho reports had been discussed and adopted, D.S. Bro. A. W O. Travers gave an address on the proceedings of the meeting of. the First Dominion Friendly Societies' Council held in Wellington at the end of last year. This conference was chiefly convened for setting up the ways and means of facilitating tho friendly discussion of all matters for the common good of tho Friendly bociety movement in New Zealand. The question of unemployment among members of the courts was a serious une, and the D.C.R. urged that all courts should do their utmost to keep these unfortunat.o members financial so that they may stilfbe ablo to receive the benefits, especially at a time when they were most needed; and also to retain their membership. It was decided that the next Triennial Conference bo held at Pa-lmerston ' .North. SMITHSON SHIELD. Court Loyal Enterprise w;as successful in winning the Smithson. Shield,

which is competed for annually by all the courts in the Wellington District. D.C.R. Bro. F. W. Greenfield installed D.C.B. Bro. F. L. Parsonage, and congratulated him upon his elevation to tho presidency of the District Court. D.C.R. Bro. Parsonage then installed the following subordinate officers: —D.S". Bro. A. W. O. Travers; D.S.C.B. Bro. F. Ward; D.J.W. Bro. F. S. Hoy; D.S.B. Bro. T. M. J. Bedding. There were seven nominations for the position of D.J.8., and P.C.R. Bro. C. E. Edwards, of Court 5666, was elected and installed. P.C.R. Bro. Greenfield was presented with his P.D.C.R. neclc-ribbon, jewel, and certificate by Bro. A. W. O. Travers. A minute was recorded appreciating the sterling work carried on by the district executive and tho district secretary. * 1 Votes of thanks were tendered to P.C.R. Bro. C. D. Barford and Court Roderick Dhu, which brought the conference to an end.