MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 21632, 30 January 1934, Page 14

MANCHESTER UNITY

At the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Albion Lodge, held on Thursday evening, there was a good attendance of members and visiting brethren, the latter including the P.G.M., Bro. 11. S. Jack, representing the District Executive. N.G. Bro. C. A. Vareoe presided. t Correspondence from the provincial secretary notified that the annual meeting of District Committee would be held at Port Chalmers on March 10. The matter of arranging a cricket match with Loyal Hand and Heart and a debate with Loyal Valley Lodge was left in the bauds of the N.G. Under the adjourned summoned meeting members dealt with the annual report and balance-sheet, which was adopted after an interesting discussion on friendly society finance. During the year the lodge had a heavy sickness experience, the amount paid under this heading being £866, un increase over the previous year of £36. This is the highest yet recorded, averaging just under £2 per member. The interest earned on investments (£1,312), however, more than covers the amount disbursed in sick pay. The management fund stands at £1,082, being an increase of £76 for the year. It was explained that two factors which probably contributed to the rather heavy sick pay were the fact chat the lodge has now many elderly members, and also that the experience of friendly societies was that during times of economic depression the sickness experienced was invariably higher than in normal times. The outstanding interest on investments was stated to be very small, and P.G. Bro. A. J. Smith (senior trustee) said that the trustees were quite satisfied with the sound state of the investments and funds. It was interesting to note that twenty-five members over the age of sixty-five do not contribute to the sick and funeral fund, provision having been made for this by means of an appropriation of a sum from the district surplus some years ago. In his report the auditor expressed appreciation of the excellent work of the lodge secretary' (Bro. A. G. Monk), and this was endorsed by the various speakers on the balance-sheet. The lodge will celebrate its seventieth anniversary' during October, and some discussion took place regarding the question of suitably celebrating this occasion, thematter being finally deferred until the June summoned meeting. The first meeting of the year of the Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge was held at Port Chalmers on Wednesday evening, when N.G. Bro. H. Williamson presided over a fair attendance of members. After the consideration of correspondence a recommendation from the Social Committee setting out a tentative programme for the forthcoming jubilee celebrations was before the meeting and after discussion was agreed to. A strong committee was then appointed to finalise and carry out the nrogramme, which, judging by the enthusiasm of all concerned, should be successful. The syllabus for the evenng was * Holiday Experiences,’ and members listened with interest to some ■'xperiences related by members, those ■if P.G.s Bros Cable and Johnston being outstanding. During the evening Bro. J. Osborn, who was unavoidably absent from the official installation at the half-yearly meeting, was installed •is warden, the P-.G.M., Bro. R. S. lack, conducting the ceremony. The Loyal Caversham Lodge held its "ortnightly meeting in the Lodge hall, Forbury corner, on Wednesday eveiing, when there was a large attendance if members, P.G. Bro. W. Mownt presiding. The principal business was dealt with under the summoned meet:ng. when the annual balance-sheet and auditor’s 1 report were before the lodge. V notable feature of the year’s working is the large increase in the amount of sick pay. the increase over the previous year being £241, the total disbursed under _ this heading being €1,052. The sick and funeral funds, however, showed an increase of £298 for the year, and now stands at £20,555. The management fund showed a very' satisfactory' increase. The membership stands at 425. The report was adopted, as was also the report of the Hall Committee. The following officebearers were elected for the Juvenile Management Committee : —President, P.G; Bro. J. Miller; vice-president, Bro. J. Adam; secretary, P.G. Bro. J. W. Lunam; treasurer, P.G. Bro. G. Jackson. _ The meeting expressed its appreciation of P.G. Bro. C. Isaac’s services as president during the past two years. Three new members were initiated, these including two ex-juvenile members. The Social Committee has in hand arrangements for tire first official visit for the current year, which will be held in the lodge hall next lodge night. The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Princess Mary Lodge was held in the Oddfellows’. Hall, Forbury corner, on Tuesday evening, when N.G. Sister Parker presided over a fair muster of members. Under the ordinary meeting correspondence was received and two new members initiated. The summoned meeting was reopened, the main business being the consideration of the auditors’ report and balancesheet. This was discussed very fully and favourably commented upon by the auditors. It was later adopted and a vote of thanks accorded the auditors for their services. Following the conclusion of the summoned meeting, the lodge was adjourned to carry out the programme, which was “ sing, say, or pay,” several of the sisters and visiting brethren contributing items to the programme It was decided to hold a “ hard-up ” dance next lodge night. Before closing the meeting a numhei; of visiting members acknowledged the toast of “The Visitors.” o