Independent Order of Rechabites.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 41, 18 February 1901, Page 3

Independent Order of Rechabites.

THE GENERAL MEETING,

THIRD DAY’S SITTING,

The Council met at 8 o’clock on Saturday morning, District Chief Ruler Bro. W. J. Gaudin, presiding. The minutes of- the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Bro. Wesney, on behalf of Tent No. 27, Invercargill, brought forward a motion to increase the benefits of the Order.

Bro. Kissell, Invercargill, seconded the motion.

Bros. Piper, Uttley, and Palmer spoke against the motion, which was negatived. Bro. Kissell, of Invercargill, brought up e, motion to increase the time allowed

before a member could be placed out oi compliance: - ■- Bro. Johnston, Palmerston North, seconded the motion.

A large amount of opposition was shown to the motion. Bros. Palmer (Christchurch), Harding (Woodville), Whitaker (New Plymouth) and Youmans (Wellington) opposed the motion, while Bros. Wesney (Invercargill) and Barnard (Hawera) supported it. On being put, the motion was rejected. Tent No. 18, New Plymouth (Bro. Whitaker), moved that the striking of a levy on the death' of a member be abolished. The motion was seconded by Bro. Palmer, and supported by Bros. Easthope, Bell, and Jellyman, while Bros. Goer and Cone opposed. The motion was earned. The Finance Committee brought up their report on the finances of the district, and recommended that a levy of Is lid per quarter be struck for the next two years to cover the expenses of the district. The report was adopted. Bro. Wesney, on behalf of Invercargill Tent, moved an amendment to the law to allow one trustee to retire annually. Bro. Uttley seconded the motion, which, after considerable discussion, was carried.

Tent No. 31, Ormondville, moved to extend the time in which to issue summonses for a Tent meeting. The proposal was carried unanimously. Bro. Whitaker, New Plymouth, moved to abolish the fining of absent members at a summoned meeting. . . Bro. Palmer seconded the motion, and after some debate it was negatived.The Ormondville Tent-raised the question as to what constituted a week in re^ (Continued on fourth page.). . '

gard to sick payj aud it was resolved that six working days he the specified time. A motion to alter the initiation service was ruled out of order.

Tent No. 19, Wellington, moved a motion to allow any friendle.ss member placed in a lunatic asylum to receive full benefits, the whole amount to be paid to him when he'was discharged as cured. After discussion the motion was lost. The same Tent laid before the Council a table of contributions to provide for a superannuation fund. The suggestion was thrown out. .

The Ormondville Tent (Bro. Newling) moved in the direction of the district officers drawing up a table to enable aged Rechabites to cease paying contributions and still be entitled to sick pay. The proposal was received with. much favor, and carried unanimously. Tent No. 57, Brightwater, brought up the matter of old members who had paid constantly into the Tent, and when hardship came upon them they had perforce to cease membership. After discussion, it was resolved that a scheme be evolved by which any member who may have been in the Order twenty-five years, and bo unable to keep his payments up temporarily, may, on the recommendation of the Judicial Committee of his Tent, be offered such help as the Tent may decide. The Ormondville Tent urged the necessity of opening new Tents throughout the colony. The brethren expressed themselves of the opinion that this matter should be attended to, and the district officers were instructed to attend to the matter.

Another proposal from the Ormondville Tent was to amend the Friendly Societies Act, so that the rate of interest could be reduced below five per cent. The proposal was not considered, owing to necessary evidence not being at hand. A proposal from the Dunedin Tent to establish a Central Sick Fund was ruled out of order.

A report by the committee appointed to investigate the affairs relating to the dissolution of the Waipawa Tent was laid before the Council. After a large amount of discussion the following resolution was carried, the difficulty having arisen through the books not having been inspected by the district : “ That the report be received, and that it be an instruction to the district officers to inspect, all the books of each Tent once a year, and that all those Tents whose books have not been inspected by the district visitors or persons appointed by the district for the year be forwarded by parcel post each year to the district secretary, upon request, within fourteen days.” It was resolved that the district officers be authorised to sell the section at Waipawa. The Council then adjourned till 2 pan. The Council re-assembled at 2 p.m. A telegram was received stating that the condition of the District Secretary showed no improvement. The election of officers, resulted as follows : D.C.R., Bro. W. Stead (Invercargill) ; D.D.R., Bro. J. Whitaker (New Plymouth); D.S., Bro. F. H. Fraser (Wellington, re-elected); D.T., Bro. A. J. Bennett (Wellington, re-elected); D.S. of Juvenile Branches, Bro. T. Fathers (Nelson, re-elected); D.A., Bro. E. Kellow.

It was resolved that Bro. Bennett act as Secretary during the illness of Bro. Fraser. It was decided to hold the next District Meeting at Christchurch. It was decided to present collars to the Juvenile Tent at Invercargill, and also to the Gisborne Juvenile Tent.

The following resolutions in regard to official visitors for the various Tents were decided on:—“That the District be divided into four visiting districts, as follow : (1) The whole of the South Island south of the Hurunui; (2) The whole of the South Island north of the Hurunui; (3) That part of the North Island east of Palmerston ; (4) That part of the North Island west of, and including, Palmerston. (1) Bro. Stead; (2) Bro. Gaudin; (3) Bro. J. Whitaker; (4) Bro. T. Fathers.”

A petition in favor of prohibiting the importation of liquor into the King Country was presented, and met with a favorable reception. The brethren present signed the petition. An adjournment was made for a few minutes to allow Mr John Robb to talco a photo of the district officers and representatives.

On resuming a letter was read from the Victorian district recommending the formation of a High Court for Australia and New Zealand. The Secretary was instructed to congratulate the Australian brethren on the prospect of forming a High Court for Australia, but regretted that owing to the distance of the colony from Australia, the district could not see its way to send a delegate to the proposed Conference. It was decided to revise the laws to bring them .up-to-date, and to print a supply at an early date. The unwritten work of the Order was exemplified by P.D.C.R. Bro. Piper. Bro. Kissell (Invercargill) moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the Gisborne Tent for the excellent manner in which they had been entertained. Bro. Bennett asked that the names of Bros. Nasmith andGeorgeson be specially mentioned in the motion. The motion was then carried amidst cheers.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the local newspapers for the excellent reports furnished, it being stated that the District Meeting had never before been so fully reported. Special votes of thanks were also accorded, to Bros. Nasmith and Coles, who had furnished reports for the Times and Herald respectively. Votes of thanks were also accorded to Bro. Whitaker (Minute Secretary) and to Bro. Bennett (Acting Secretary). The newly-elected officers were then installed, and returned thanks. D.C.R. Bro. Stead presented P.D.C.R. Bro. Gaudin with a sash for the work he had undertaken as D.C.R. Bro. Gaudin returned thanks for the handsome present.

The District Chief Ruler called upon the members of the Gisborne Tent to step forward. He stated that he wished to make a presentation to the Tent on behalf of the representatives. The Tent had undertaken a big task in holding the district meeting in Gisborne, and he could say that they had never before been entertained in so handsome a manner. The Tent was a small one, and could show larger Tents how to entertain visitors. He asked the Tent’s acceptance of a purse of sovereigns. Three hearty cheers were then given for the Gisborne members.

Bro. M. Nasmith, C.R., on behalf of the Gisborne Tent, thanked the officers for their handsome gift. He stated that the Gisborne members highly appreciated the gift, and hoped that the delegates would go away having a good impression of Gisborne.

The meeting then closed with the usual ceremonies.

Yesterday morning the delegates attended St. Andrew’s Church in a body. An eloquent sermon was delivered by the Rev. J. G. Paterson, who made special reference to the principles of the Rechabites.

Last evening" the main body of the delegates left by the steamer for their homes in the south. The Chief Ruler, Mr Nasmith, and other local representatives, accompanied the visitors to the steamer in the Bay, and parting cheers and counter cheers were given, the visitors all being highly pleased with the way they haa beea treated.