FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9466, 15 July 1891, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

ANCIENT ORDER OP FORESTERS. The half-yearly meeting of the Canterbury United district was held at Ashburton on Thursday last, at 7 p.m., and tho hall being filled with the brethren of the local Court Ashburton showed that a considerable amount of interest was taken in the proceedings. The District Chief Ranger was supported by Bros S. B. Wathew, D.S.C.E., and George White, D. Beadle. Thc'District Treasurer, Bro H. Crooks, and the Permanent District Secretary, Bro Thomas Gapes, occupied their respective places when the Chairman asked the delegates from the branch Courts to present their credentials. The following brethren reported themselves: — From Court Star of Canterbury, Bros C. Samuels, P.D.C.8.; Joseph Swindell, P.C.R.; George Wade, P.C.R. Apologies were received from Bros Weakley and Watts. Court Queen of the Isles was unrepresented, but an apology was received from tho Court. Court Pride of Courtenay, Bro George Bedford, P.D.C.E.; Court Thistle cf the Forest, Bro W. D. Marks, P.D.C.R.; Court Woodford, Bro Simpson, P.C.R.Court Pride of Richmond, Bro A. Deusen, P.C.R,; Court Papauui, Bro Thomas Nunweek, P.C.R.; Court Star of Dunsandel, Bro John Lockhead, P.C.R.; Court Star of Belfast, Bro Henry Bartlett, P.C.R.; Court Ashburton, Bro W. H. Paget, P.C.R., and Court Queen of the Seas, Bro George Wilson, P.C.R. The minutes and correspondence having been road in reference to the matter of sick pay by English Courts, the D.S. re-’ ported that the officers signed the petition and forwarded it to the Otago District for the same purpose. The fines imposed on tho delegates at the last meeting were removed, on the motion of Bro Marks, seconded by Bro Bedford. A communication was received from the Registrar as to the valuation of the District and Courts, aud stating that, in order to equalise the number of valuations, ho proposed to take, some of these which are due m 1803, a year earlier, and asking to be informed if this District elects to have its next valuation made in the Government Office as at the end of 1891 instead of as at the end of 1892. Bro Marks moved—“ That the reply be left over till after tho next meeting m October, so as to allow the Courts to send in their decision in the matter.” This was seconded by Bro Bartlett and carried. Notice was received from the Government that it had decided to discontinue the present system of payment to public valuers for the quinquennial valuations required under “ The Friendly Societies Act, 1882,” but in order that this Society may continue to be relieved of the cost of valuation, it must have the valuation made by tho actuary attached to the office of the Registrar of Friendly Societies. ■ As to the expenses of District delegates, it was resolved—” That the actual travelling expenses by coach, rail or steamer he paid by the District, other expenses to be borne by tho Court sending such delegates.” Bro Bedford moved—“ That a Committee of three, viz., the Permanent Secretary, Bro T. Gapes, Bro Marks and Bro Crooks, D.T., be appointed to revise tho laws.” Carried. Bro Lockhead suggested that the Court rules should be attached, with the District laws in combination and . printed. Bro John Lockhead moved—“ That a prize be given for tho best code of draft rules, and that competition be invited amongst the members.” This was seconded by Bro Paget, and lost. Bro Lockhead then proposed—“ That the Committee draft: Court Rules together with the District Rules,” and this was carried. Bro- Marks moved, and Bro Densen seconded—" That suggestions from Courts • or members relative to the new rules be -sent in within six months from date.” Carried. Bro Nunweek proposed a notice of motion by Court Papauui to admit members at seventeen years of age. Carried. Bro* Crooks suggested the advisability of Courts giving, more attention to the Juvenile Societies. The D.S. reported the business in connection with the registry of Court Queen of the Seas, stating that he daily expected the certificate of registry. Bro Marks gave notice of motion—“ That a District relief fund be established, so as in case of necessity to assist members of a decayed Court, and that a levy of one penny per member be made throughout the District.” The half-yearly statement of the receipts and expenditure was read. The receipts of the funeral fund amounted to £221 Is Id for the half-year, and there has been paid away in donations on account of deaths of members and wives of members £l2O, and claims to the amouift of £SO extra will be paid in due coarse. The present value of this fund is £3483 9s Id ; £3247 is invested on mortgage. Management Fund—Receipts £9l 13s 2d, expenditure £69 18s 3d, and £lB 19a forwarded to the High Court for goods per order. The value of this fund is £42 las 6d, including payment per order. Total receipts for the half - year £312 15s Id; actual expenditure £lB9 18s 3d; profit £122 16s lOd. On the motion of Bro Samuels, seconded by Bro Wade, the balance-sheet was adopted. Ero Swindell proposed next meeting be held at Sydenham.” This was seconded by Bro Lockhead and carried. Previous to the meeting the brethren, by invitation, inspected the Ashburton Woollen Factory and the Working Men’s Club. In the evening, after business,' tho District officers and delegates were entertained at a social given by the brethren of Court Ashburton. Tho quarterly meeting of the Court Queen of the Seas, New Brighton, wss held on Thursday evening'last, Bro Wyatt, C.R., in the chair. A. large amount of business was transacted. The election of officers then took place, resulting as follows C.R., Bro G. Barker; S.C.R., BroL.Frost; S.W.,BroW.Walker; J.W., Bro T. Frost; 5.8.. Bro A. H.* Wyatt; J. 8., Bro Snelling; Bro Sefton, Secretary; and Bro G. Wilson, Treasurer (re-elected). It was decided to shortly hold a social. The Lodge was then closed by the newlyelected C.E., Bro G. Barker. —ym mw»f THE ODDFELLOWS. The half-yearly meeting of the Lyttelton District, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was heid at the Public Library, Waimate, on Saturday, July 11; present—P.G.M, R, W. Marshall, D.P.G.M. E. Scott, P.G.S. G. Dimond; Tyler, J. Vinning. Lodges were represented as follows:—City of Norwich, P.G.’s W. Toomey, J. L. Carrell, and J. Eames; Timaru. P.P.G.M.’s J. J. Grandi and A. Mills* P.G.’s J. Rothwell, J. Hilton, and F. Cullman ; Heart of Friendship, P.G.’s D. Watts and F. Gauers; Perseverance, P.G. T. Evans; Hand or Friendship, P.G. E. It. Harris; Good Intent, P.G. H. Watts. The P.G.M., in his opening address, congratulated tho brethren on the prosperity of the District during the past yeau Tiie-meabejwhiSk

had increased twenty-eight, making a total of 740. Tho receipts in sick and funeral funds from all sources were £2665; expenditure—sick pay £550, funeral donations £l4O, and funerallevies £l3O, leaving a balance to credit of £13,830, an increase for the year of £1845. The sickness experience had been very favourable, the average for the District being 13s 9d a member. The juvenile branches were in a flourishing state, and steps would be taken to open others during the recess. The best thanks of the Order were due to those brethren who made these necessary adjuncts their special hobby. In New Zealand the Order held the premier position with a membership of 10,384, and funds to the ambunt of £239,328. The valuation of the District had been delayed, but all returns would be in the valuer’s hands in another week. After dealing with minor matters, the P.G;M. expressed his pleasure at again meeting hia Committee, and trusted that every attention would bo given to business. He then declared the meeting open, A considerable amount of correspondence, inwards and outwards, was dealt with. An application from Loyal Timaru Lodge, to reinstate a member, was granted. A recommendation from Loyal City of Norwich Lodge to amend a District rule was lost. Tho question of appointing a delegate to the conference at Nelson was left over to the annual meeting. The balance-sheet, showing the funds of tho District to be very satisfactory, was rtceived and adopted, the Auditors testifying to the excellent manner in which the books were kept by the Prov. C.S. Accounts to the amount of £l3O were passed for payment, after which the nomination of officers was proceeded with as follows:—For Prov. G.M., D. Prov. G. E. Scott; D. Prov. G.M., P.G.’s W.. Toomey, J. L. Carrell, E. M. Griffiths and H. Watts. A fine recorded against Heart of Friendship Lodge was rescinded. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the brethren in Waimate for their kindness to the delegates, and to the Trustees of the Public Library for the use of the room. The Purple lecture was given to P.G. Cullman, after which the meeting closed. THE DRUIDS. A meeting of • the Trafalgar Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held at Kaiapoi on Thursday evening, Bro J. Ross, A.D., in the chair. After the ordinary business had been disposed of, the balance-sheet was read and adopted. It was shown that the lodge was progressing favourably, after allowing for an unusually large amount of sickness during the past half year. The Auditors’ reported that the books were correctly kept. The election of officers was then proceeded with, with the following result:—A.D., Bro E. Miles; 1.P.A., Bro J. Ross; V.A., Bro W. Burgess; Secretary, Bro W. Robb; Treasurer, Bro A. Pearce ; LG., Bro W. Weston; 0.G., Bro B. Knight; A.D.B,’s, Bros F. Pearce and E. Ross; V.A.B.’s, Bros S. Hewson and B. Packwood; Auditor, Bro Hi F. Featherstone. It was resolved to hold a “ social ” at an early date, and a Committee was appointed to make necessary arrangements.