A.O.F. DISTRICT MEETING.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7389, 15 February 1902, Page 3

A.O.F. DISTRICT MEETING.

At New Plymouth, on Tuesday last, the annual district meeting was held, Bro. H. N. Goldwater, D.5.C.8., in the absence of D.C.8., Bro. B. A. Gillespie, presiding. Delegates' were present from Courts Taranaki, Waireka, Patea, Inglewood, Raleigh, Egmont, Stratford, Optmake, and Pride of New Plymouth. The district officers' report, signed by Bros. B. A. Gillespie, H. N. Goldwater, H. B. Cattley, and C. Tunbridge, stated that the Courtß in the distriot visited by one or more of the Executive, during the year had been found in a most satisfactory state, though the attendanoe on quarter night's was mostly below what it should have been. Sickness daring the year had been greater than for many years, and amounted to 1228 weeks four days, as against 827 weeks in 1900, sick pay being £1004 7s 2d, an increase of £800 over 1900. The sum of £165 was paid in funeral money, being six members and one member's wife funeral allowance. The' numerical and financial position of the membership in she distriot on Ist January, 1901, was 953; admitted, 86; total, 1039. Left by arrears, 24; clearance, 1 ; death, 6 ; resigned, 3 ; 84; total, 1001. Juvenile Court, 30; honorary (male) 8, (female) 2, 40; total in Court, 1045 ; an iacreaae of. 92 being 46 members above last year's increase. Sick and funeral funds— Value of funds Ist January, 1901 : £11,401 2s 10|d ; receipts during the year £2083 4s Bd, expenditure do. £1431 4s lid, £651 19s 9d ; £13,053 2s 7£d, being an increase of £651 19s 9d during the year, and a decrease" of £427 0s 4d on the previous year's increase, attributed to the extra sick pay. The total worth of funds was as follows:—Sick and funeral, £13,053 2s 7fd; management, £227 7s 2Jd; distriot, £447 17s Id; Juvenile Court, £285 15s sd ; hall, £319 6s lOd ; total, £14,833 9s 2d ; or an increase of £1258 2s B£d (including Court Opunake, £454 19s sd, who joined the district during the year.) This increase in funds and members was very satisfactory. Attention was drawn to circulars from North Queensland and Hawke's Bay distriots re the formation of a subsidiary High Court. The balance-sheets of Court Bobin Hood and district, and the auditors' report, were read and adopted. It was decided to form a subsidiary High Court, and that the district officers be instructed to oall a tweeting of delegates from various Courts in New Zea- ; land, to be held at New Plymouth. The following officers were duly elected and installed:— D.0.8. Bro. H. N. Goldwater; D.S.C.R. Bro. F. Williamson; D.8.,8r0. J. D. Murray.