FORESTERS’ DISTRICT MEETING

Evening Star, Issue 17319, 6 April 1920, Page 2

FORESTERS’ DISTRICT MEETING

-The delegates, numbering about 60 men and women, were cordially welcomed'to Baiclutha by the Mayor (Mr H. Simpson). Early on Friday evening the Juvenile | Council met. One new court has been \ opened, this making a total of nine ■ juvenile courts, not including a girls’ I juvenile court which had been opened in Invercargill since the close of the financial j year. The juvenile membership totalled I 279, with funds amounting'to £428 19s 6d. 1 The officers elected to the Juvenile Council for the ensuing year were Bros. T. Scolla-y (presidents 'H. Simpson (vice--1 president), J. Benfeil (treasurer), and J. K. Macfie (secretary). Later in the evening the main district meeting was opened, and the annual report (previously published) was dealt with. Courts Royal Oak and King Edward’s Pride were congratulated on becoming mixed male and female courts. The proposal for an annual memorial service for fallen soldier brethren was approved. It was resolved to thank the Government for increasing they maternity bonus; also resolved to continue the members* war levy for about 18 months longer, in order to wipe out a debit balance. In reference to the Rational Provident Fund, the following motion was lost by seven votes, the female delegates voting solidly against it: "That this annual district meeting of the United Otago District, representing the Foresters of Otago and Southland, urge the Government to so amend the National Provident Fund pension scheme (clause E, rule 19), that on the death of a, contributor receiving the pension his widow may continue to draw the pension, an amendment in this direction being necessary in order to render the pension scheme a practical proposition t-o wage earners.” The annual report was adopted, and the executive were instructed to have it printed. The balance-sheet and the auditors’• _ which showed a sound financial position and substantial progress for six years, were also adopted. " The trustees’ report endorsed the position .disclosed by the previous reports, and a vote of appreciation of the district trustees’ expeditions and capable handling of their work was recorded’. The District Executive were complimented on the comprehensiveuess of the annual report, and in responding the District Chief Ranger (Bro. \V. P. Miller) said the executive had met on 69 occasions during the year in connection with carrying out their executive duties. NOTICES OF MOTION. By District Executive: “The District Executive shall consist of six officers (whoso respective titles shall be District Chief Banger, Immediate Past District Chief Ranger, District Sub-chief Ranger, District Treasu or, District Secretary, and District Beadle) and the Senior District trustee for the time being. The I-P;D.C.R. shall continue a member of the D.ij. for 12 months following his retirernent from the • IHce of D.C.R. The Disli.ict Trustee shall rot be eligible for higner honors while holding the position of District Trustee: rules to be altered accordingly. —Resolved that instead of the Senior Trustee acting as suggested an additional junior officer bo added to the executive. ( This rule” to end of rule and insert (Members of female and mixed courts ma\ visit mixed courts, and female members of Jinxed courts may visit female courts.”—Carried. That, in order to more suitably perpetuate the memory of the late District Secretary, this district meeting resolve to found an annual scholarship prize, to be known as The James Macfie Memorial Prize, for competition amongst juvenile Foresters and children of Foresters in the Otago and Southland education districts respectively, upon the lines laid down in the. annexed report.”—The report showed thnt_ the prize was to go to the pupils obtaining the highest marks in the junior scholarship examination.—Carried. Report on Subsidiary High Court of New Zealand, fa) Consideration of the advisability of affiliating 0 r otherwise—Bro. C. W. Patton (Court Star of the South! moved that the time was not opportune to affiliate with the Subsidisin’ High Court. He gave his reasons, concluding with the statement that there was no reason whatevor for affiliating at present.—Bro. R. C. i!-'on (Court Little John) moved as an amendment that, in view of the action already taken by the U.O.P. in connection v.stn the S.H.C., this distinct do now affiliate with the said Subsidiary High Court. He held there was a moral obligation to affiliate, although there was m h'gal obligation to do so.—An animated discussion ensued.—The amendment was lost and the motion carried by a majority of 3 to 1.

“That the salary nf the District Secre tc.rv be increased £llOO per annum. ’’ —-Car vied.

By Court St. Andrews: “That on a 'vale member of this district attaining the age of 65 years and a female member attaining'the age of 60” years they cease to nay contributions to tfie sick and funeral ■and of the district. The '-ontrihutior,.of such members shall be paid from the list-net surplus fund.’’—Carried. Another remit from Court St. Andrews •’i respect to increased benefits was withIrav.’n, and the District Executive asked io_ report on the patter after the Inst quinquennial valuation conies to hand. By Court Molyneux: “That rule 271 he amended to read as follows:—‘An honorary member may discuss any onestion in the court, and shall be entitled to propose or second any resolution and vote on any question. He shall be eligible for anv office.’ ” —Xot carried. The juvenile annual report was adopted and £2l voted to the Juvenile district. The annual meeting nest year, it was decided, should be held at Heriot. The -election of officers for the ensuing term resulted:—D.C.R, Bro. C. C. RobertTson; D.S.C.R., Bro. T. M'Ahan; D.T., Bro. .J. Hope; D.8., Bro. E. Parker (Court Southern Star); District Trustee. Bro. R l C. Wilson; District Auditors Bros. W. F. Morrison and G. I>. Hav. ’

Hie hospitality extended to the visiting deleaves made the stay in Balclutha verypleasant. On Saturday there was a social in the Foresters’ Hall. ‘ The church parade to the* Presbyterian Church on Sunday was vej-y successful, and the Rev. 8. \V. Currie’s sermon was declared by the delegates to be the most appropriate thev had heard on any- similar occasion. On" Sunday afternoon there was a sacred band concert on the show ground, followed in the evening by a sacred vocal concert in the Foresters' Hall. To-day there was a picnic at Glenomaru, with a social in the Oddfellows’ Hall in the evening. The (Reception Committee were Sisters Tosh and M'Xaughton, with Bros. J, M'Xaughton, P/. H. Weldcy, and E. Craig, assisted byother members of the local courts. The visitors expressed their pleased appreciation.