ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVIII, Issue 18351, 8 March 1920, Page 9

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ASHLEY DISTRICT. The fortieth annual meeting of the Ashley District, if-U., 1.0.0. F., was held at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Rangiora, <sn Saturday. There were present—District Grand Master M. Barrell, Deputy Grand Master E. W. Cooper, District Secretary C I. Jennings, Tyler P.G. J. AV. Doggett, and the following delegates:—Rangiora Lodge—Brothers J. Marshall, C. W. Bell, C. R. Golding, T. Hills and AY. Butters; Nil Dospexandum Lodger-Brothers G. Smith, A. J. T. Wotherspoon nnd C. Zimmerman; Oxford Lodge— Brothers E. Baines and H. B. Nelson; Oust Lodger—Brothers G. K. Crysoll and J. Mackenzie; Ohoka Lodge Brother H. Diokhofi; Woodend Lodge—Brothers A. Lovegrovo nnd. M O. Derbidge; Littlefield Lodge—Brothers W. Flotchor nnd D. Palmer; AmberloyLodge —Brothers Holton and H. B. Dalziel. The AVainu and Waikari Lodges were excused from representation. P.P.G.M. Scott, of the Lyttelton district, was present as a visitor, ond was accorded a hearty welcome.

The Grand Master, in his opening address, referred to the need that existed for taking some steps to improve the attendance at lodge meetings. Referring to tho war, he eta-tod that the district Roll of Honour would oontain the names of 160 brethren, who had served their country, forty-nine of whom had' made tho supreme sacrifice, while the whole of the remainder had returned to tho Dominion. Ho referred to the proposal to establish an after-discharge sickness account, but ho questioned whether such was required in the Ashley distriot, the after-war eicknees of returned soldier members having been insignificant up to- the present. Tho district had contributed £SGO 11s as a gift from surplus funds to the war members’ roliof fund, and a levy of £93 Ss to the fund for tho relief of deficiency lodges. He concluded by expressing the hope that during tho present year a determined and united effort would be mado to instil more enthusiasm and energy) into tho work undertaken foT the welfare of the society, and that highly beneficial results would accrue. Tho Grand Master was thanked for his address, and it was decided to include it ini the records of tho meeting. A motion was carried in, silence expressing! deep regret at the passing away during the •year of Past Distriot Grand Masters T. J. Nottingham, G A. Worn-all and G. W. Crompton. The balance-sheet and auditor’s report were adopted. The former showed the receipts of the funeral fund to have been £llß9 Bs. and expenditure £1137 18s - 6d, including £G2O paid in funeral benefit. Thirty-two maternity bonuses of £4 each had been received from tho National Provident Fitfid and disbursed to members’ wivos. The district distress fund showed a credit balance of £240 12s Bd, the soldier members’ account a credit of £2lO 10s 6d, and the management fund la debit of £2 17s Id.

Tho questions of the consolidation of the sick and financial funds of the lodges of the district was disoussed. and it was. resolved that it ho loft to tho district officers to draft a rule providing for consolidation, to bo submitted to lodges for consideration in view of adoption or otherwise at tho next district meeting. It was resolved to have a record of the names of soldier members prepared, to be hung in .tho Rangiora Hall. The delay in tho actuarial work in tho office of tho registrar of friendlv societies wao commented upon, and it was decided to make a strong protest concerning the same at tho B.M.C. meeting at Auckland, and to urge that tho staff bo increased. Tho unsatisfactory attendance at the meetings of some of tho lodges was discussed. The Grand Master offered to givo a gold medal to the brother who proposes the largest number of members in any lodge during the next twelve months.

After tho lunch adjournment P.P.G.M. W. It. Gahagan, of the North Canterbury District, a director of tho New Zealand branch, attended and was given a cordial welcome. Ho conveyed the fraternal greetings of .Grand Master Watt, and tho officers of the North. Canterbury district. A proposal from the North Canterbury district to establish two scholarships of tho value of £SO per annum each for children of members of tho order, as an Oddfellows' war memorial for Canterbury, wae discussed, and the district officers were instructed to attend any conferenco convened by tho North Canterbury district officers to consider the matter.

Tho election of officers was then proceedod with. Brother E. W. Cooper, of the Gust Lodge, was elected District Grand Master: Brother M. C. Derbidgc, of the Woodond Lodge, Doputy Grand Master; Brother W. T, Wilson. Treasurer: Brother J. Marshall’, Book Examiner; Brother T. Hills, Auditor; and Brothers G. R. Holton, G. It. Crysoll. G. Smith and T. Hills, tho Committee of Management; Brothers C. I. Jennings and J. Marshall yrere elected deputies to the B.M.Ci. to be held in Auckland at Easter. Tho officers wore installed by Director Gnhagan and P.G.M. J. Marshall. A hearty voto of thanks was passed to tho retiring District Grand Master, Brother Burrell, and it was resolved to inscribe his name on tho merit board, to recommend him for tho purple degree, to present him with the usual honorarium of £5 and the past master’s jewel. The thanks of the meeting wore also accorded Director Brother Gahagan for his attendance.