FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVII, Issue 9762, 27 June 1892, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

CONFERENCE OP DELEGATES.^ A conference of delegates, representing the Friendly Societies of Christchurch.' was held on Friday night, in the Foresters*! Hall, at which there were present—Mr CJ H. Witmy (1.0.0. F., M.XJ.), Chairman ji Messrs G. Straw, W. Darlow, J. Fisher, J, C. Cusack and T. Smith (1F.A.0.D.); J. Gun t rip, J. A. Clarke, H. E. Morgan and R. Man'ka (1.0.0. F., M.U.); S. B. Wathew, H. Crooks, E. Watt, and P. E. Bowen (A.0.P.) ; G. Duncan, J. Caygill and E. Baker (Sons of Temperance); A. Bleach and J. Middleton (Protestant Alliance) ; G. J. Sellars (Hibernians) ; and C-Foster (1.0.0. F., M.U.), Secretary. The Chairman reported that witlrsegkrd; to the complaints laid against an officer of Snnnyside Asylum, and the inquiry proposed to be held into the charges; the Committee appointed for the purpose hod failed to obtain the necessary evidence to warrant the inquiry, which had therefore fallen through. The Secretary also stated that fifteen replies had been received from the Lodges and Courts interested, ten of which were against the inquiry, four in favour and one was conditional. The sub-committee appointed to effect terms with the various Lodge surgeons reported that it had not been successful; it had held an interview with the Christchurch branch of the Medical Association, when the question of a redaction, of surgeons’ fees was refused. The branch, however, approved the formation of a' Friendly Societies’ Dispensary, and promised it its support. The members of the branch offered to accept 14s per member per annum for attendance and prescription, but could not reduce the mileage fees above the radios below 10s for the first and 5s for each subsequent mile. In connection with this a report from the sub-committee,, in conjunction with the Friendly Societies in Otago, was read. This recommended the establishment of a Medical Institute after the plan of the Bendigo one, where the charge for medical fees was 15b per annum per member, 7s of which was tor the dispensary, and 9s of which went to the medical fund. This warranted 1 the appointment of two medical men at jBdOO each, who were not permitted 1 to conduct private practice. Mr Sellars moved the adoption of the report, and strongly urged the establishmeat of a dispensary. Mr Bleach seconded the motion, which • was carried. Mr Sellars moved—" That this Conference is of opinion that a scheme, in regard to medical attendance, somewhat on the lines of the Bendigo Institute,, should be adopted, and that a Committee be appointed to draw up recommendations on the question.” Mr Foster seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously, and the Committee was requested to submit its recommendations to the various Lodges for approval or otherwise, prior to bringing 1 them before another conference. • A Parliamentary Vigilance Committee wae elected consisting of Messrs Winny, Sellars, Bowen, Fisher, Cusack, Caygill, Duncan, Wathew, Middleton, Bleach and Foster. Messrs Duncan and Caygill were elected members of the General Committee. The Chairman referred to the fact of Messrs Marks and Bowen having interviewed the Eon the Minister for Education in respect to amendments of the Friendly Societies Act, He deprecated individual: members of Lodges interviewing mem-; bers of Parliament, as such representations should be brought before the Conference, and better results would follow. Mr Clarke stated that he had spoken to Mr Sandford, M.H.R., who had undertaken to bring before the Government the name: of any member of a Friendly Society who was suggested by the Conference as an Official Visitor to the Asylum. He moved, “That the Chairman be recommended for appointment as Official "Visitor to the Asylum, and that Mr Sandford be asked to transmit his name to the Government.” This was agreed to, and the meeting adjourned till July 6.