THE MANCHESTER UNITY OF ODDFELLOWS.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 10059, 29 July 1895, Page 4

THE MANCHESTER UNITY OF ODDFELLOWS.

The half-yearly distinct meeting of the above Order was held at the lodge-room of the Danevhke Lodge on Friday last at 2 p.m. There were present the Provincial Grand Master Bro. J. O'Laary, Prov. Dep. 3.M. Bro. J. Wolstenholme, and Prov. C.S. Bro. J. B. Fielder, and the following delegates -.—Napier Lodge, Bros. T. Krogb, J. S. Jones, A. S. L. Jarman, and | A. E. Renonf ; Meanee Lodge, Bro. W. Howard ; Abbotsford Lodge, Bros. G. Abrahams, M. Callett, W. Shanaban, . and.W.. N. PMhlone ; Clive Lodge, Bro, ff. Mlllier ; Hastings Loage,"Brof. A. A. George, G. Love, and T. W, Llversey ; Tavietock Lodge, Bro. Whittaker; Woodvllle Lodge, Bro. R. Ferinell ; Rnnhine Lodge, Bro. R. E. Parkinson ; Furesb Rome Lodge, Bro. T. W. Kifslroa ; Friendship Lodge, Bro. C. N. Wllkle; Danevlrke Lodge, Bros. N. Drinkwnter and R Hislnpj Maraekakoho Lodge, Bro. W. M'Kinnon. Bro. D. M'lntyre acted as tyler. An apology was nccppted from the Victoria Lodge. The Prov. ' G.M. opened tho. meeting with an eloquent nddreea relative to tho ' Order, after which tho report from the district officers was read. Inter alia it stated that] on the lab January, 1895, the 'membership of the Unity comprised — adult subscribing members, 739.449 ; widows subscribing for iunrral benefits, 10,183 : javenlle members, 9(5.453 ; or a total of 556.980. The increase of subscribing members daring the year was 16,724 ; and during the post 15 years 205,929. Dating the past nine years the juvenile membership had increased from i 560 to 1619. Branches: Membership, from 30 600 to 96.453 ; and the capital from £31,515 to £104 696. The increase during tbe year 1894 was 6396. It was mentioned that on tbe Ist January, 1894, the Manchester Unity In New Zealand Dnmbered v 11,658, witb accumulated funds £282,174, showing an increase during the yaar oi £14,546. The earn paid for sick pay and medical attendance during the year was £24,362 j the total amount paid by all registered societies in this colony during the year was £57.747- These figures show the thrift) and self-reliant policy of members oi friendly societies. Referring to the Hawke's Bay district, it stated that on the 30th Jaue last the membership was 962, with a capital at oredit ot th« sick and funeral funds of £16,531. £762 had been paid for Blck pay and medical attendance during | the past six months. Reference was also made to tbe presentation of a handsome marble clock us a testimonial lo Prov. C.S. Bro. J, B. Fielder on his retirement as lodge book examiner ot the district ; also to the very satisfactory results of tbe valuation of the lodges in the district to 31st December, 1894, by Mr Edmund Mason, Registrar of Friendly Societies and Actuary, which showed the surpluses of lodges as follows : — Napier £2691, or abonb £12 11s par member ; Abbotsford £1491, or £6 13a per member ; Cllve £246, or £8 15* per member ; Hastings £445, or £3 10j per member ; Victoria £205, or £14 12i per member ; Tavlstock £233, or £5 6* per member ; Woodville £293, or £8 per member ; Ruahine £138 or £3 15a per member; Forest Home £7, or 5i per member ; Friendship £122, or £2 5s per member. The Danevirke and Maraekaknho lodges having only been lately established showed £1 and £9 deficiencies on tbeir total funds, or 3Jd and 6< 8d per member respectively. The Meaneo Lodge, owing to an exceptional araonnt of sickness and investment of fnnds on nonpro'lnctive intereal earning eecurltv, showed a deficiency of £45, or about 19s per member. As showing the inadvisableness of the establishment of female lodges nntil proper tables of contributions for the benefits promised had been compiled by competent actuaries it was stated tbat a female branch of the order hud been established, and the rate of contributions charged for benefits promised, showed a deficiency of £2 per member of the age 18, and £9 of age 35. Prov. Dep. G.M. Bro J. Wolstenholme was nominated for the office of G.M., and Bros. Love, F. W. Robjohns, B. B. Creagb. janr., and W. G. Martin were nominated for the office of Dep. G.M. The property belonging to tbe District was ordered io be insured sgainab fire. Correspondence from several districts on the question of clearances, and a uniform graduated scile of contributions and benefits for the whole colony was considered, and the principle approved, with the minimum rate of sick pay to be 10a per week. Tbe meeting approved of the holding of a Conference to settle the matters to enable uniformity to exist throughout tbe colony. Bros. J. B. Fielder and A. E. Jail were appointed delegates to represent this district, and suggested Wellington as the place of meeting. It was resolved to ask the actuary whether the contributions by members in this district would allow an increase In the rate of sick pay after six months' continuous sickness? and if so, how mnch ? A vote of condolence was passed to the relatives of the late Bro, Edwin Scbofield; Grand Secretary of tbe New South Wales district, and also to the District. The lodges in this district were instructed to go into mourning for six months in momory of Past Grand Master Bro. James J. Holmes, of South London district, and late one of the Unity directors, and Bro, E. Sehofield, late G.C.S. New South Wales district. The reports of the lodge book examiner and nommltbee re revision of the District Rules were read and adopted. Tbe next district meeting was ordered to be held at Walpawa. Votes of thanks were accorded to Mr E. Mason, nctuary for valuation report ; to Bro. George for acting aa minute secretary, and to members of tbe Danevirke Lodge for the use of their lodge room. A Parple Lecture was held after the close of the meeting ; several brothers attended, and had that degree conferred npon them. In the evening a social was held in the new hall of the Danevirke Lodge, at which n very large assembly ot brethren of the Order and other societies attended. Some vary good vnp*l selections were given during the evening, and the meeting terminated about midnight, all present hiving thoroughly enjoyed their social evening.