MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 21005, 20 January 1932, Page 2

MANCHESTER UNITY

The first meeting of the year of the Loyal Caversham Lodge, held m the Oddfellows’ Hall, Forbnry Corner, was well attended by members; N.G. Bro. J. H. Smith presiding. After a lapse of four weeks there was a heavy correspondence list dealt with. An interesting letter was read from an old member now residing in London, Bro. John Gibson, who sent greetings to his old lodge. The Prov. C. sec. wrote notifying that the half-yearly purple lecture and past officers’ degree meeting would be held at Port Chalmers on January 30. The question of appointing an arbitration committee to deal with an appeal by a member was held over until next meeting. Nominations were received for the position of treasurer, and the appointment will be made at the adjourned summoned meeting. The social side of the evening was devoted to a “ question box,” each member present contributing. The subjects under discussion ranged from lodge matters to current world problems, and some of the efforts were very creditable. After a pleasant hour the meeting resumed, members of the Loyal Albion Lodge acknowledging the toast of visiting brethren. During the evening one candidate was initiated. There was a very satisfactory attendance of members and visiting brethren af the Loyal Albion Lodge, when the meetings were resumed after the Christmas vacation. The N.G. IBro. L. R. Huntley) presided,* and extended a welcome to P.G. Bro. G. H. Winter, an old member of close on fifty years standing. The secretary of the Loyal Albion Juvenile Lodge wrote stating that the lodge would resume on January 20, when the Management Committee would hold its annual meeting. One candidate was initiated. A motion of condolence with Bro. A. Fibbes on the death of his wife was carried. The annual summoned meeting was reopened, and the annual report and balance-sheet was received. In moving the adoption of this P.P.G.M. Bro. P. W. Stabb reviewed the position of the lodge, which, ho said, was undoubtedly in a sound position. The report disclosed the sick and funeral fund to stand at £26,548—an. increase on the previous year’s figures of £1,417, as compared with a headway of £1,520 for 1930. The decrease in headway of £lO3 as between the two years is accounted for by the large increase in sick pay. This amounted to £6BB as against £485 for the previous year. _ This year’s sick experience was the highest on record,' being 30s per member. It was gratifying to note, despite the present bad times, a slight increase of contributions. The mortality experience, however, was light, the amount of claims paid being £BO. The management Fund showed an increase of £lO4, now standing at £922. The auditor, commented favourably on the economical control of the lodge, and paid a tribute to the careful and conscientious work of the permanent secretary, Bro. A. G. Monk. During the period under review the membership increased by nine, and was now 453. P.G. Bro. A. J. Smith (senior trustee) stated that the trustees had inspected all the lodge properties, and they were in first-class condition. It was gratifying that out of total investments of £27,684 only £32 interest was outstanding. The report was adopted. In acknowledging the welcome extended to him, Bro. Winter, who now resides in Invercarfiil, referred to the pleasure it gave im to renew old acquaintances in the lodge, and he congratulated members on the very fine progress which had been made" A number of visiting brethren from sister lodges _ also responded. Before the meeting closed sympathetic reference was made to the illness of P.P.G.M. Bro. R. S. Black, and it was resolved to forward a letter conveying best wishes for his speedy recovery.

The N.G., Bro. R. J. George, presided at the meeting of the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge, at which there was a good attendance of members. _ Some time ago the lodge extended invitations to the South Otago lodges to pay a return official visit during February, and it was decided, in order to record the lodge’s appreciation of having one of iW members, P.P.G.M. Bro. T. P. Michelle, associated with the District Executive for the past three years, to invite members of the executive and city and suburban lodges to join with the South Otago brethren in a combined function on February 6. A committee of officers was set up to make the necessary arrangements, and though the visit will take place during members’ busy period, it is anticipated there will bo a large gathering of members of the order to do honour to. Bro. Michelle.

The Loyal Centenary Lodge met in the Wesley Street Hall, when there was a fair muster of officers and members. The N.G., Bro. J. Moore, presided. It being the first meeting after the installation of officers in December, a fair amount of business and correspondence was i dealt with. One candidate was initiated. The syllabus for the evening was “ Elective Officers’ Night.” At the close of business the officers entertained members and visitors, the function taking the form of a card tournament. _ Prize-winners were as follow: ■ —Ladies, Sister Riddell and Hill; men, Bros. Jones and Moore.