RECHABITES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXX, Issue 14916, 11 February 1909, Page 10

RECHABITES.

[Per Press Association.] *■'. MASTERTON, February 9. 1 The thirty-seventh meeting of representatives of the Independent Order of Rechabites opened this morning. Tho Chief Ruler of the district, Brother J. >M. CaJder, Nelson, presided. The following officers were present:—Brother J. Wesney, Invercargill District, Deputy Ruler; Brother S. F. Sherwood, Dunedin District, Past Chief Ruler; Brother F. Fraser,. Wellington District, .-secretary; Brother T. W. Leslie, Wellington District, treasurer ; Brother F. Fathers, District Superintendent of juvenile branches. About fifty delegates were present. Tli© District Chief Ruler moved a resolution in regard to the carrying of no-license in Masterton, making a- few remarks thereon, chiefly congratulatory to the work of the local Tent in the carrying of no-license. He stated that it was the first Rechabite Conference held in a no-license town. The resolution read as follows:—“That it is with great pleasure the meeting of delegates representative of the New Zealand Central District of the Independent Order of Rechabites congratulates most heartily this electorate upon the result of the recent licensing poll, and furthermore congratulates tho Masterton Tent upon being now situated within a no-liceuse area, and also wishes to express the gratification of the delegates at thus being enabled to hold their biennial meeting in a district that has taken such a decided step on: behalf of tho temperance cause.” The motion was seconded by Brother iWesney (Deputy Ruler), and carried. A motion of sympathy was carried with the relatives of brethren who had died during the past year. • was resolved that Brothers Gaudin, Snodgrass, Cooper and Grayson should be a Finance and Levies Committee. The District Superintendent of Juvenile Branches presented his report, which stated that the returns from the various branches, with the exception Df Christchurch and Wellington, showed decreases in membership. Nelson had done solid work. The membership at last return was 366, new members admitted ;114, total 480, transferred to adult tents 36, members suspended 170, present membership 274 Reference was made to tho decrease In juvenile membership. The followinomotion was proposed by Brother Frederick, and seconded by Brother Cooper, carried without the delegates present at this meeting pledge themseives to bring, before their respective tents the claims of juvenile membership, and in those places where juvenile tents exist endeavour to increase the membership, and in those places where no tents exist endeavour to nave juvenile touts formed ” The. District Deputy Ruler brought up the question of membership of tho XSm t 1 ! e , St f t6d that the' Christchurch Tent had increased by over 100 mV, utmost to advance tho Order pi o o osc< t amend iacn ts to the rules were considered, and minor , ments were made. amend-

At * to-day. the elec tion of officers resulted :-D&tricfc chief ruler, Brother J. Wosney (Invorear ffILH): district deputy ruler, Brother R'. It. Taylor (Christchurch); district treasurer, Brother T. W. Leslie (Wellington); district secretary, Brother F. EL Fraser (Wellington); district euper-

intendent of juvenile branches, Brother R. M’Creath (Invercargill); auditor, Brother A. J. Lancaster (Wellington). Brother F. H. Fraser, who had been secretary for tliirty-eigbt years, resigned, and Brother Fakers (Wellington) was appointed. The next conference will be held at Napier.