MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17529, 12 July 1917, Page 6

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The half-yearly meeting and installation of officers of tho Ridgley Ledge, J.0.0.F. (N.Z.), was held in Ridglty Hall on Wednesday. Brother G Rickard, N.G.. presided over a go’)d attendance. Four new members wero initiated. The following officers were installed by Brother A. Ballinger, D.D.G.M.. and other visiting officers:—N.G., Brother 11. IVithell: V.G., Brctlicr R. Jougliin; R.S. to N.G., Brother II Luscombo; L.S. to N.G., Brother C. Joughin; warden, Brother M G. Thorne: secretary, Bro.her E. Eldridge; financial secretary, Brother IV. Hunter; treasurer, Brolhev L. P. White; to V.G.. Brother H. Jackson; L.S. to Y.G., Brother S. Stewart; R.S.S.. Brother Milne; L.S.S., Brother H. Garrard; chaplain. Bro.her W. S. E.,/ fi-reouslp.de; 1.G., Brother It E. Joughin. The half-yearly meeting' of tho Loyal City of Norwich Juvenile Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held on .Monday, N.G. Brother L. Toomey presiding. D.P.G.M. Brother C. F. Bell was present. P.G. Brother Williams, one of the executive officers of the lodge, having resigned his position on account of going into camp, spoko encouraging words to the brethren and wished die ledge every success. A vote of thanks was recorded or. tho minutes of the lodgo for tho good work done by Brother Williams during his four ycar s of office. Tho balance-sheet for tho half-year, which was adopted, showed tho lodge to be in a very good position. D.P.G.M. Tivother C. F. Bell installed tho following officers: (LM., Brother S. Tcomcy; N.G., Brother .1. M’Cormick; V.G., Brother L. Gilmorce E.S., Brother \V. Herdniau, warden. Brother A. Sullivan; conductor -Brother-Gailivan; librarian, Bro.her 0. Day; LG., Brother W. Taylor; 0.G., Brother A. Rich; L.S. to N.G . Brother W. W(install; R,S., to N.G., Brother E. Hobbs; LS. to Y.G., Brother Cain: ,-li.S. to V.G., Brother E. Day.

The Loyal Benevolent Lodge, 1.0.0. h.., -.x.u., me. op Aiouuay uiglii. »> .u. J3ro.no. vt'. jj. o.oivne oecup.c.i wo cnair, aua weio ivtus a good atteuaauce. moOier G. Jj. i non a, Loyal star or ivuenau.o Loa K e, Souw.auu,’ was present and waa ueuruiy .leaXniKQ. Resolutions ot sympatUy' wore imssea v.-i.n tile nuuny ot the ni.c nrotiier Vivbeuc, 8.U., and ateo to P.G. Brower a. Gamer and iamny in thetr recent Ueioaviuent. Umceis wero etec.od as lollow: —U.al., Brother W. jj. B.iowno; IN'.g., Brotlier Easteiorooit; V'.G., Broiher \V. J j. TempiCion; L.s., Brother. G. X. hliilsdon, P.g. Xhe iusuuuv.ion wa.3 held over. Accouuis were passed loi payment amounting to X2J 7s (id. Xho receipts ot tho evening were AUI ioa lid. Tho Mis.letoo Bodge, No. 3, U.A.U.u., me on Monday A.x». mower Vvi,.yamo presiding. bicit jmy amoun.uig to oc was passed lor puymeni. A ci.cuiar loitc. was received ironi the ecertMiry oi the (Jtttgo .United Fncndiy nocietie.v' Gouncii, asKing lor iho co-operation ot .he Muge in matters relating id tho trea.meut oi reluruod sOia»crs and reaervisis who ar« discharged Irom tno military camps. Xiie lol.owing resolutions were carrion umuunioiuiy: "As it is a matier ot gen era i luiow.edge that many members or mc-ndiy aocieiios, both reiiinred to.drcrs and men dis charged Irom the nnliuiy camps in rNow xeaiand, aro not rocervmg at tue hands or wo Government the treatment they, aie t*utiiled to for the pacntrcca they have made,

.his council desires to protest vigorous., against such errors of administration and errors in regu.a.ion as are ie.ponsioio lor tho undermentioned grievances and calls upon Government and Parliament io take imminlia.o action lor their rectification: Uoiumod soldiers aro kept waning unduly lor tho payment of wages and ailowanc.es; returned so.diers, especially those recove.nig from sickness or wounds, aro discharged from tho service too stxin and while still incapable of helping tiiemse.ves; discharged soldiers rfre kept waiting for the decisions of the Pensions Board, having in tho meantime no means of support, and the peiisi-ns granted are often inadequate; reservists, especially those called up by buir„., a.o passed as fit ar.d sent into camp; while undergoing training they _ a.re subjected to further medical examination and, if rejected an unfit, they are returned to civil life without any provision being made for their needs or compensation given for tjie losses sustained.” It was further resolved that toe matter should be referred to tho Canterbury Friendly Societies' Council, and a suggestion made that it should convene a meeting for the purpose of conferring with the local xuauiberfl qC Parliament 021 the subject.