ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIX, Issue 11556, 18 April 1898, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ASHLEY DISTRICT. The annual meeting of the Ashley District 1.0.0. P., M.U. was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Rangiora, at ten o’clock on Saturday. There were present Prov. G.M. Wright (in the chair), D.P., G.M. M’Lean, Prov. C.S. Jennings, P.G. Gulliver, Tyler; delegates—Rangiora Lodge,P.P.G.M. Marshall, P. Grands Smith, Skudder and Beil; Nil Disperaudum (East Oxford), P.P.G.M. Morris and P.G. Baxter; Leithfield, P.G.’s Fitzpatrick and Traill; Gust, P.G. Webster; Woodend, P.G. Horrell; Qhoka, P.G.’s Bookman and Kelcher; Oxford, P. G. Frampton; Amberley, P.P.G.M. Wornall and P.G. Holmes; Waikari, P.P.G.M. Sellars. The Loyal Cheviot Lodge was excused from being represented. The Prov. Grand Master opened the meeting with an address, in the course of which ho reviewed the numerical strength of the district. The financial condition was satisfactory tho membership being 842, an increase of 34 for the year; and the value of funds .£13,516 8s 63d, an increase of .£Bl3 18s 9d. The G.M. was thanked for his address, and it was ordered to be printed -with the report. P.P.G.M, Kent offered an apology for the non-attendance of the Prov. G. Master of the North Canterbury District. A hearty welcome was extended to Bro Kent, and he was invited to take part in the discussions. The report of the auditors was satisfactory. The balance-sheet preented and adopted showed the District funeral fund credit balance to be £657 3s 7d, the distress fund £BO 14s, the management fund £6 8s lOd, the banner fund £8 8s sd, and other assets to the value of £Bl 10s, making a total credit of £834 4s lOd. On the motion of P.G. Frampton, it was resolved that in view of the funeral fund having reached £657 3s 7(3, the levy for the second six months of the year be not collected from the Lodges. The report of the Book Inspector, P.P.G.M. Marshall, was adopted, being on the whole satisfactory. The question of granting assistance from tho distress fund to pay the contributions of members in poor circumstances was discussed, and it was resolved that the action of the District officers in refusing such assistance in the past should be endorsed, and should be adhered to in the future. A motion was adopted expressing thanks to the committee of the Friendly Societies’ Mutual Fidelity Guarantee Association for the efficient way in which the affairs of the Association had been conducted. On the motion of P.G. Baxter, seconded by P.P.G.M. Marshall, the secretary was instructed towrite to all the Oddfellows Districts in the colony asking them to request their Parliamentary representatives to support the Old Age Pension Bill. It was resolved: “That this meeting views with pleasure the result of the efforts of the committee appointed by the Wellington Conference to get the opinion of the several Districts in the colony with reference to establishing a Board of Directors in the colony; and that this District still adheres to its former decision to support the establishment of a central body.” The Loyal Waikari Lodge was empowered to appoint Deputy N. Grands and V. Grands to conduct the monthly meetings of tho Lodge held at Culverden. A telegram was received conveying the fraternal greetings of the Lyttelton District, and the secretary was ordered to acknowledge its receipt with thanks. P.P.G.M. M’Leau was elected Pro. G. Master and P.G. Gillespie as deputy, eacli without opposition. P.P.G.M. Wilson was re-elected treasurer and P.G. Bussell auditor. Tho officers were installed by P.P.G.M. Kent. On the motion of P.P.G.M. Wornall, it was resolved that P.P.G.M. Wright should receive an honorarium of £5; also that his name he placed on the merit board, and that he should receive the Past P.G.M.’s degree and jewel. Tho half-yearly meeting was fixed to he held in Rangiora. A cordial vote of thanks was accorded to P.P.G.M. Kent for his presence at this meeting, and the Secretary was instructed to write to the North Canterbury District officers, urging that steps should again bo taken to endeavour to get Bro Kent’s portrait placed in the Oddfellows’ Magazine. The meeting was then closed.

The annual meeting of the Loyal Huia Lodge of P. Grands was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Leithfield, on Thursday evening, P.P.G.M. Bro. G. A. Wornall presiding. Two candidates were certified as fit and proper persons to he initiated into the Purple Degree. Tho Purple Lecture was then given by the President, and they were, initiated. It was decided to let tho election of officers stand over until the September meeting. A lengthy discussion took place on the Old Age Pension Bill, and it was considered that tho matter was one which would materially affect the Order, and the following resolution was, proposed That this meeting of P.G.’s considers that the Old Age Pension is a matter which should he discussed at tho district meeting, as it would if passed materially affect the members of Friendly Societies, as a number of members in the district are suffering from senile decay.”