FORESTERS’ LODGE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLIX, 28 August 1929, Page 10

FORESTERS’ LODGE.

TARANAKI DISTRICT MEETING

The half-yearly meeting of the Taranaki District, A.0.F., was llcld at the Poresters ’ Hall, Waitara, on Tuesday when there were ipresent: District officers, D.C.R. Bro. J. C. Frewin, D.S.C.R. Bro. G. W. Were, D.W. Bro. A. J. Gyde, D.'B. Bro. H. E. Williams. D.T. Bro. A. J. Way, DjS. Bro. A. J. Tunbridge; and the following delegates: ;Court Taranaki, Bro. J. S. Lister, P.'C.R.; Court Waireka, Bros. ,T. G. Cameron and F. Steffenson, P.C.K.’s; Court Stratford, Bro. R. E. J. Kivell, ’ P.D.C.R.; Court Inglewood Forest, Bro. R. Fawcett and E. R. Penn (secretary); Court Raleigh, Bro. E. D. Tate, P.C.R.; Court Egmont, Bro. C. F. Chapeott, P.C.R.; Court Patea, Bro. B. W. Hamerton, P.D.C.8.; Court Pride of Eltham, Bro. D. Nees, P.C.R.; Court Opunake, Bro. J. D. Murray, P.D.C.R.; Court Pride of New Plymouth, Sister M. Tunbridge, P.C.R. The half-yearly balance-sheet of the District was read and found to be very satisfactory.

The half-yearly report stated, inter alia, that the district officers had strong evidence of good management bv the officers and members of the various courts in the district. The whole of the returns required by the Friendly Societies’ Department, with one exception, were furnished before due date, and it iwas pleasing to state that the few queries received had been answered. It had been suggested that the books and accounts of the various courts in the district should be inspected during the next six months and a report tabled. The total value of the district and .courts’ funds as at December 31, 1928, amounted to £64,055 7s Id, being an increase of £3199 13s 10d over the previous year, with a total of 2020 members, in which are included 89 members more than the previous year. From the benevolent fund contributions totalling £l3 182 s 5d were made for distressed members; also a donation of £1 Is. The total amount paid for funeral allowances for the past six months was £IOO, and the funeral fund now stood in credit to the extent of £1662 ss, being an amount accumulated since 1919. Most of the .courts were duly visited by one or more of the district officers, who were both well pleased with the reception they received and the general working of the courts. Bro. A. J. Way, district treasurer, who was appointed to attend a general meeting of Foresters in Wellington last May, gave an outline of the proceedings, .and stated that some districts were wishing to retain the present Foresters’ Dominion Council, while others were, of the opinion that the reestablishment of the subsidarv high court would be preferable. It was finally left in abeyance till the full set of districts were communicated with for the purpose of drafting rules, etc., satisfactory to all, and the name would then be decided on.

A hearty vote of appreciation was expressed at 'the attendance of the visitors. Responded to by -Bros. Bennett, Melton, Tate, Plows, Mercer, Gyde, and Locker. A hearty vote of thanks was carried on behalf of Court. Raleigh for the way the district officers and delegates were entertained. A resolution was passed authorising the revision of the Taranaki district rule book. A notice of motion was tabled by Court Egmont at the last half-yearlv delegate meeting with a view of raising the scale of charges by way of contribution to the district funeral fund, whereby the new scale would make the funeral fund fully supporting or, in other words, fully solvent in ease of a heavy death rate.

In moving the above notice of motion, Bro. iShapcott spoke on the advantages of the new scale, and he quoted many phrases from the actuary to the effect that it would be necessary to sooner or later make an increase in the levies, as on the present basis they were inadequate for the purpose. 'Bro. R-. E. Kivell, in seconding the motion, stated that he had gone into the matter fully and had found that the position would eventually come to a point where a new scale would become necessary. The district secretary, on being asked for his opinion, considered that the motion was not in accord with his lodge of 700 members, and 'he l considered it was a matter of consolidation, which course was not at all advisable. After the reply by Bro. 'Shapeott, a vote was taken and lost on the casting vote of the D.C.R.

Court Wairelca gave notice of motion that *‘each court in the Taranaki district taike over their own funeral fund. It was Tesolved that 150 copies of the minutes of the meeting be printed and circulated among courts. Officers were nominated as follow: D.-G.-R., Rro. G. W. Were; D.S.C.R., Bro. A. J. Gyde; D.W., Bro. 11. E. Williams; D. 8., Bro. J". iS. Bister, Bro. D. J. 'Gyde Bro. E. D. Tate. ' ’

The next half-yearly meeting i s to be held at Hew Plymouth.