ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume XLII, Issue 7396, 24 February 1902, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT, 1.0.0. F., M.U. The annual meeting of the above was held on Thursday, Prov. G.M. Bro John Bennett presiding. Correspondence was read from the Opunake lodge re examination fees of candidates, and it was resolved that the account for the fees be paid. A letter was read from the C S. of the Manchester Unity, conveying his condolences on the loss the district had sustained by the death of the late Prov. C.S., Bro James Bellringer. The annual report of the District Officers stated that the order now extends right round the mountain. The concluding link was forged by the opening of the Loyal Opunake Lodge in August last. The lodges are working well, and the increased interest shown augurs well for the future. The books are carefully kept by the lodge secretaries, although in one lodge frequent changes have caused some little difficulty. The Loyal Opunake Lodge has made steady advancement. During the year. new halls have been erected at Eltham and Midhirst. The Midhirst brethren have paid more than half the cost of their hall out of the Management Fund and special efforts ; at Eltham the whole of the cost has been defrayed out of the Sick and Funeral Fund. The district now has ten branches, with a membership of 761, an increase of 81 for the year. One hundred and fortythreo members were admitted and 55 left and seven died. The sickness experienced waß 796 weeks and two days, of whioh 546 weeks two days was in the first six months' period, two weeks four days in the second, eight weeks one day in the third, and 239 weeks one day ohronic. Seven members and seven members' wives joined the great majority in 1901. Tbe lodges have responded well to the Benevolent Fund, £41 5s 7d being now in hand to tbe credit of the fund, making a very good nucleus. The Bum of £581 10a 5d was paid for sickness benefits, and £217 18s 6d for funeral benefits. Medical attendance and medicines cost £736 lQs 7d. The receipt were : Sick and Funeral Fund £1962 10s Hid; Management and Medical Fund, £1366 16s 9£d ; total, £8329 7s 9d. The expenditure was: Sick and Funeral Fund, £1173 17s Id; Medical and Management Fund, £1340 9s Id; total, £2514 6s 2d. The total value of the District and Lodge Funds combined amounts to the sum of £13,945 16s s*d. This shows an increase of £955 6s id. The election of officers resulted :— Prov G.M., Prov D.G.M. Bro E. Fitton ; i Prov D.G.M. , Bro Pepperell (Excelsior Lodge); District Warden, P.G. W. Hooker (re-elected) ; auditor, P.P.G.M. W. H. Free. Prov O.S. Bro O. E. Bellringer and P.P.G.M. Bro Ainsworth were appointed delegates to the A.M.C. at Wellington.. It was decided that 'the management levy be Is per member per quarter, and that a sum equal to 2d per member be credited to the Benevolent Fund. The report on the Siok and Funeral Fund was adopted, and it was resolved that one-half of the assessment be called up from lodges. An amended rule, dealing with the Benevolent Fund, and a new rule relating to the widows of deceased members were adopted. The action of the District Officers in delaying the printing of new rulea until after the meeting in Wellington was approved. The newly-elected officers were then installed. It was decided that the next meeting be held at Toko. A hearty vote of thanks wbb passed to the retiring Prov. G.M,, and it was resolved that his name be placed on the merit board, and that he receive a oer* tificate for tbe P.P.G.M. degree, and be presented with a suitably engraved jewel. One of the finest exhibitions of carpenters tools is now on show at Gibbon's Cash Warehouse, Princes street, and will' interest carpenters and amateurs. Every artiole is priced .with plain figures. Many new ideas. — Advt.