FORESTERS’ LODGE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 112, 24 April 1936, Page 8

FORESTERS’ LODGE

Annual District Meeting Held in Napier SUCCESSFUL YEAR The annual meeting of delegates of Courts in the Hawke’s Bay district, was held in the Foresters’ Hall, Napier, on Wednesday, D.C.R. Bro. J. A. Nodwell presiding over the following representatives—lP.D.C.R. Bro. S. McNab; D.S.C.R. Bro. W. Kemsley, D. Treas; P.D.C.R. Bro. L. T. Bisson; D.S.W., Bro. E. B. Spriggs; D.J.W. Bro. F. K. Logan; D.B. Bro W. G. J oil; D.See., Bro F. B. Redpath, and District Trustee F.D.C.B. Bro E. G. Dowrick; also the following delegates representing: Court Sir Charles Napier, Bros. F. A. Foote and K. McArtney; Court Captain Cook, Bros. P. J. Bear auud F. J. Frude; Court Lord Clyde, Bro. E. M. Allison; Court Sir Henry Havelock, Bros. J. S. Joll and R. A. Slade; Court Robin Hood, Bros. W. A. Wilkie and B. McCoombc; Court Ruahine, Bros. J. Cochrane and N. W. Taylor; Court Waitangi, Bros. C. J. Cushing and C. W. Tucker; Court Littlejohn, Bros. J. It. Corskie and R. H. Moss; Court Heretaunga, Bros. A. W. Apporley and D. Little; Court Rising Sun Bros. L. G. Schmidt and C. F. Mollgaard; Court Redclyffe, Bros. C. K. Burr and F. Adams.

This being the first meeting since the death of our late King, the D.C.R. Bro. J. A. Nodwell, after referring to the sterling character of his late Majesty, requested the delegates to stand in silence as a mark of respect.

The D.C.R., in an eloquent address, cordially welcomed the delegates and referred to the satisfaction they all must feel at the very substantial progress made during the past year both in membership and financially, and urged on the delegates the necessity of continuing their enthusiasm and helping to build up a membership sufficient to still further extend their usefulness in the community. The outgoing executive’s report disclosed that the past year had been ■very successful, and that great enthusiasm was being shown in the majority of Courts. Seven of the 11 Courts iu the District had increased their membership, a total of 124 members having joined the various Courts during the year by initiation and clearance.

Sick pay amounting to £1983 had been paid to sick members, and funeral benefits amounting to £365. Despite these payments the accumulated sick and funeral fund had increased by over £7OOO for the year, and now stood at £45,207. The small savings branch of the Order had also been very successful, having increased by over £lOOO during the year, and now stood at over £5OOO, thus showing that more prosperous times were being felt by Brethren.

The auditor congratulated the district on the promptitude of the Courts in sending in their books for audit, thus materially assisting in compiling the district accounts. He also referred to the satisfactory manner in which the executive was administering the assets of the district aud referred to the outstanding interest being less than the previous year.

A general discussion took place as to the best method of distributing the quinquennial surplus for 1933, it being suggested that the various Courts bo circularised asking for their opinions. It was decided to defer action uutil next year.

With the idea of assisting country Courts it was decided to revert to the original rule of holding the annual meetings in different centres.

The retiring D.C.R. Bro. Nodwell presented the District Shield for gaining the highest percentage of membership to Court Littlejohn, this Court having increased by 120 per cent, for the year, Bro. H. T. Tuohy of this Court also winning the district trophy for proposing the largest number nf members in the district.

At the request of the D.C.R., Bro. L. T. Bisson, F.D.C.B. invested the retiring I.P.D.C.R. Bro. S. McNabb with the P.D.C.R. Collar and presented him with a framed certificate, expressing in a few well-chosen words the appreciation of his fellow officers of the splendid work be had performed during his term of office. The election of district officers resulted as follows:—D.C.R., Bro. W. Kerns ley, of Court Waitangi; D.S.C.R., Bro E. R. Spriggs, of Court Sir Charles Napier; D. Treas. P.D.C.R. Bro L. T. Bisson, of Court Captain Cook; D.S.W., Bro. F. R. Logan, of Court Ruahine; D.J.W., Bro. W. G. Joll, of Court Henry Havelock, and D. B. Bro. C. J. Cushing, of Court Waitangi. Messrs Dobson and Co., wee re-elected district auditors.

On the motion of Court Captain Cook it was unanimously decided to present tho retiring D.C.R. Bro. J. A. Nodwell, with a framed certificate find collar and that his name be inscribed on the Respect Board. It was also decided that his address be printed with the annual report.