FORESTERS’ MEETING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 20 August 1924, Page 3

FORESTERS’ MEETING.

♦ ■ASSEMBLAGE AT ELTHAAI. D.C. R. Bro. C. Harvey presided at the half-yearly meeting of delegate s held at Eltham on Tuesday. Also present: S.D.C'.R. Bro. Kivell, D‘.B. Bro. Blews. Delegates—P.C.R. Bro. E. Oirtssnian (Tngiewood), P.C.R. s Bios. J. Cliff and C. J. Fre win (Court Wairoka. New Plymouth). P.C.R. Bro. H. W. .James (Stratford), P.C.R. Bro. A. 11. Andrews (Eltham). P.D.C.R. Bio. A.,.J. Way (Court Taranaki. New Plymouth), P.D.C.R. Bro. J. D. Murray (Opunake), P.C.R. Bro. E. Alerter (Patea), P.C.R 1 . Bro. W. Rudge (Hawera), P.C.R. Sis. A. Revell (New Plymouth), P.D.C.R. Bro. F. Coleman, P.C.R.’s Bro. Hamerton (Patea), J. F’owle (Eltham), Sis. E. Mrnray (Stratford).

The district officer's report stated that in reviewing the work of Forestry in the district, the executive would like to state that the work of the officers of the various courts have keen carried out in a most satisfactory manner and to the entire satisfaction of the district officers. The whole of the cpieries received from the Registrar of Friendly Societies in connection with the annual returns have been answered by the courts concerned. The total value of the district and Court lands at December 31, 1924, was £49,739 2s, an increase over the previous year of £2193 Is 4d. The Court amounts were Waireka, £17,437; Taranaki, £7768; Inglewood, £7502; Egmont, £4404; Stratford, £2905; Raleigh, '£2450; Patea. £2117; Pride of New Plymouth, £1499; Robin Hood (juveniles), £700; Pride of Eltham, £616; Opunake, £sl ; Taranaki district. £1823. The total membership' stood at 1633, an increase of 89 over last year. The highest number of members stood to the credit of Court Wairoka with 605, Inglewood 255. Stratford 180, and Raleigh 174. Various benevolent grants had been made durthe year, including £2 2s for the Foresters’ Cot at Lord Treloar’s Cripples Hospital and £220 paid for funeral benefits. The valuation returns had been held up through shortage of staff in the actuarial department. Deep regret was expressed at the death of the late district auditor, Bro. C. F. Foote. Deceased was a devoted member to the district and court ivith which he was associated. He joined in 1876, elected secretary to Court Robin Hood in 1884. and district treasurer in 1886, and was appointed district- auditor in 1891. being auditor for 33 years. During the past six months several courts had been visited by the district officers, and their thanks are clue for the hospitality and consideration extended.

P.C.R). Bro. A. H. Andrews stated he notified the management fund ha® decreased somewUat during the past year, and wondered if the fund could not be improved without increasing the levy. He noticed the benevolent fund .stood well in funds, and lie thought a grant from this fund should he made. The secretary (P.D.C.R-. Bro. A. J. Tunbridge) said'a- fair amount of extra printing had been secured, and this accounted for nearly £3O, «o the position was really good. Besides, it was not the desire of the district to have too large a surplus fund here. Bro. Andrews then consideved the levy for benevolent purposes might- he suspended or reduced for a period. The district was building up a sum that he -thought was hardly desirable. P.C.R. Bro. .Crossman thought the districts were very drastic in their methods of controlling this fund. He believed in having a strong fund, hut from his own knowledge it had been hard to obtain grants. S.D.C.R. Bro. Kivell rather resented the imputation of Bro. Crossman. The districts wore ever ready to give .sympathetic consideration for every ease brought under their notice. Regarding Bro. Andrews’ remarks, he said it wa s no charitable gift, but what members were entitled to if in need.

D.G. Bro. H. Cattley stated that in 1913 there yvere no levies; 1914 the war occurred, and in 1915 the credit account had been eaten up, and v.oav. h.V sheer ludc. the funds Avere growing again. No one knew Avhai: the future- held for members. It- Avas a small leA'y—(id per year—and the court Avere only too pleased there were no members in need of it. 'There Avas no charity about it; members paid for it and Avere entitled to same. Old age, sickness, etc., may bring down any member. It Avas the duty of all secretaries to notify any member desiring assistance.

P.D.C.R-. Bro. Murray regretted the controversy. It occurred at almost every delegate meeting. Delegates should take into consideration that all applications Avere considered in aFfair and impartial manner. The- district secretary (Bro. Tunbridge) said the benevolent- fund could not be absolved Avithout notice of motion. In regard* to a certain brother cited by Bro. Crossman, that member had received over £4O, and they Avere still helping him along. He agreed to the suggestion of P.D.C.R. Bro. Way that the benevolent fund r °P bolmv

P.C.R. Bro. Mercer (Patea) agreed to the continuance of the le\ 7 y. The A r arious reports and auditor’s report Avere adopted. Apologies for inability to attend were accepted from DAY. Bro. S late and the Court Raleigh delegate. : ” a , rdln rt the .suggested joining up Avith the Dominion Council of Fo,-. esters. Bros. Cro.ssman and Wav were not keen on joining up. whilst Bros. Murray stated that the information was very vague. So far Taranaki and Blenheim had held off. and he thought it jiist as Avell. He could not see Artiore the -benfits Avere to come in, and did not k iioav lioav they Avere to be pviecl. Tf the council Avere goino- +o meet only once in three years lioav Avas the business going to' he transacted. He agreed with a- ritual and regalia lor the whole of New Zealand. He had some experience Avith the Subsidiary High Court, and once bitten ■ aa ice shy and lie wanted more intonnation before joining. Bro. Crossman moved: “That -his meeting or delegates is against joining an Avith the Dominion Council ’ Seconded by Bro. Andrews. D.S. Bro. Tunbridge thouolit thp finest,on shnuhl be held in abeyance and rhe matter or joining up left to the 7t- G difference between the •Subsidiary High Court and the council was that the High Court was out for consolidation of funds. He thought only right- that it would be a fine thug to nave it represented ; Bros Mmy and Murray proposed- . That the matter of joining up he left m abeyance in the meantime ” After Bro. Tunbridge’s explanation Bro Crossman withdrew his motion.' Bio. Kn-ell thought there was nothing to fear in the mater The ' vere kcc » on looking after the interests of the members' and thought it safe to leave the mart

ter in abeyance, and Bros. Way and Murray s motion was carried. It was resolved that the next, halfyearly meeting he held at- Stratford, and a hearty vote of thanks was atom dm l t°. f p'H't Pride of kltham for the hospitality extended to members that day. P.D.C.R. Bro. Coleman and P.C'.R.'s Bros. AV. Hamerton (Patea) and Sis. Murray (Stratford) and Bro. Fowler (kltham) returned thanks for the k, y> (l| y wishes for their welfare. The following office-bearers were nominated: P.C.R,. Bro. R. F J Kivell; D.S.C.It.. Bro. Tate; D.W.'. Bro Hews; TUB., Bro. Henderson (Inglewood), F, T. Mercer (Patea). C. •J. I'rewin (New Plymouth). The meeting then adjourned.