U.A.O.D.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8794, 9 February 1909, Page 6

U.A.O.D.

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE

MAYORAL RECEPTION

The Grand Lodge officers and delegates attending the biennial conference of Iflie North island Grand Lodge, U.A.0.D., which commenced last night, were accorded a reception yesterday afternoon by the Mayor (Bro. J. A. Nash) at the Borough Council Chambers. Over 70 delegates, including representatives from the Canterbury and Otago Grand Lodges of the same Order, Avere present. Mr D. Buiek, M.P., and a number of townspeople were also in attendance. In .welcoming the delegates, the Mayor expressed the pleasure he had in presiding over the gathering, esjjecially as he was a member of the Order. He explained that the gathering was a very representative one, representing as it did the whole of the North Island, Marlborough, Nelson and the West Coast. He stated that the members of the local Lodge fully appreciated the honour that had been conferred on them by the holding of the meeting in Palmerston North, mentioning that this - was the second occasion that the Grand Lodge had assembled here. He trusted that during their stay in town the delegates would mako it their business to visit the various beauty spots in the town, and would go away with a good opinion of the district and people in it. He also referred to the great pleasure it gave him to see so many old personal friends in the gathering, making special mention of Eros. Harry Gilbert, Grand President, who had been a resident of Palmerston North for a number of years prior to his removal to New. Plymouth. In conclusion, the Mayor expressed a wish that the meeting would be a good one, and do lasting benefit to the Order throughout its districts. Bro. D. Buick, M.P., was the next speaker, and on behalf of the electorate extended a hearty welcome to -the delegates. Ee spoke of the many advantages of belonging to a Friendly Society, and, in conclusion, he trusted that the delegates would enjoy themselves during their stay in Palmerston, and hoped that this would be the fore-runner of mazjy such gatherings here. The Grand President, Bro. H. J. Gilbert, thanked the two previous speakers for the cordial reception that tho delegates had received. He also spoke of the great strides being made by Druidism since its constitution as a separate Grand Lodge in 1596, when it started with 11 Lodges and 500 members. To-day the Lodges numbered 74, with, a membership of 8500. He also congratulated the Mayor on the progress made in Palmerston during tre last few years, and trusted that the'town would still continue to grow in size and importance. He concluded his remarks by returning thanks to the local Lodge tor the complete arrangements made /or the vjsiting delegates and officers. Bro. W. Jennings, M.P., and a P.G. President of the Order, also thanked the Mayor for his kindness in according the delegates a public reception, and referred to the good work done by the Order, with which lie had been connected for over 30

years. Bro. Blomfield, P.G.P., replied on belialf of the Auckland delegates, and P.G.P. Bro. R. Fletcher for Wellington. The meeting then closed with cheers for the Mayor and Mr Buick. FOURTEENTH ANNUAL MEETING. The fourteenth annual meeting of the Grand Lodge, N. 1., N.Z., U.A.0.D., was commenced at the Oddfellows' Hall, Cuba street, last night, the following Grand Lodge officers answering the roll —P.G.V.P. Bro. Blomiiekl (Auckland), G.P. Bro. H. J. Gilbert (New Plymouth), G.V.P. Bro. W. Hunter (Auckland), G. Secretary Bro. J. N. Grant (Wellington), G. Treasurer Bro. R. Fletcher (Wellington), G. Guardian Bro. A. Wade (Gisborne), Grand Lodge Solicitor Bro. McGrath (Wellington), P.G.P. Bro. Jennings. Representatives: Stonehenge, Bro. D. A. Pickering; Auckland, 13ro. H. Fletcher; Bishop, Bro. R. Smith; Oroua, Bro. F. Jackson; Mistletoe, Bro. Simpson; Pacific, Bro. Bold; Star of Egmont, Bro. A. Christensen; Morgan, Bro. R. K. Carey; Excelsior, Bro. J. Johnston; Horowhenua, Bro. S. Chaplin; Otaki, Bro. J. 11. Bills; Holly, Bro. E. Allen; Matai, Bro. R. Aiton; Hawera, Bro. T. Muir; Star of Paeroa, .Bro. W. Nicol: Motorun, Bro. Jas. Harvey; Pride of Waihi, Bro. J. Malicohnson; fPoneke, Bro. B. G. Davis; Victoria, Bro. H. Field; Albion, Bro. G. Tudehope; Star of Newmarket, Bro. F. Gregson; Coronation, Bro. J. Laughton; Ruahine, Bro. J. Read; Ponsonby, Bro. A. Mewburn; Shannon, Bro. T. Lind; Mungaroa, Bro. A. Chote; Ingle-

wood, Bro. F. Spurdle; Eltham, Bro. Whiteford; Devonport, Bro. H. J. Mullhollancl; Star of the West, Bro. J. Verguson; Trafalgar, Bro. F. A. Kinzett; Reefton, Bro. P. Lloyd; Buller, Bro. C. Craig; Waitcmata, Bro. 'A. Thompson: Shcdwood, Bro. jS. Wadswortli; Star of New Zealand, Bro. A. Scager; Eden, B2'o. G. Martin; Millerton, Bro. F. A. Smith; Takaka, Bro. J. J. Langridgo; Fern Leaf. Bro. E. Lcppor; Pride of tlie 'West. Bro. W. Kennedy; Blackball, Bro. C. Algie; Aramoho. Bro. BoneJiekl; Grey Lynn, Bro. J. Me 1 ntosh; .Brunner. 33r<>. A. Magcc; lOuroka. Bro. G. H. ]}ro-,vn; Mofroso. iJro. M! Clifford; Eastboi'rne, Bro. T\". Lcpper; Cliftou, Bro. G. Bird; Dominion Lodc;s. W. Feek.

The following Lodges vrere represented, but their delegates could not take their places owing to failure to comply with rule 10, relating to the payment of all dues, etc.. on Dece-nbVr 31, 1903 : — Pahititua, Bro. Morrison; Myrtle, Bro. E. Jackson; Star of Te Aroha, Bro. E. Dover; Pride of Hamilton, Bro. W. H. P. Russell; Makino. Bro. G. H. Garrett: Stratford, Bro. L. Lotz; Island , t Bay, Bro. Jy'AV. Collins: Totara, Bro. Mansfield. Seven Lodges were not represented. Representatives were present from the Otago and Canterbury Grand Lodges.

11l pcMrfssing the meeting, the Grand President referred to the great losS-the Order Imd sustained through the death of the late Grand Secretary, Bro. James Mackoy, uiiich had occurred since the last Grand Ifodge meeting, and referred in feclto the great work done foirthe Order by the deceased member He also congratulated the meot-ino-'on being raised a stop in the X>ruidic world, being hot entitled -to vank as a Grand Lodge. The 'next business taken was the rending of the Executive s report, which was as follows: — •. -Brethren — Your . Executive hns Treasure in submitting their foniteenth annual report, and xre feel isure that- it will be so received, as

the past year has been one of great success. New Lodges.—-The following Lodges have opened in the past year:—Eastbourne, No. 68, Rona Bay, Wellington; Clifton, No. 69, Waitara; Dominion, No. 70, Thames; Karamea, No. 71, Karamea; AVairoa, No. 72, Wairoa; Manawatu, No. 73, Foxton; Okotuku, No. 74, Waverley; making the total number of Lodges now under the jurisdiction of this Grand Lodge, 74. The steady increase of Lodges speaks for itself as to the satisfactory and public opinion of the Society. The Executive feel confident by the next Grand Lodge meeting that we will ■■have at least 100 Lodges. Your -Executive would like Lodges to send in their returns and balance-sheets up to date so that the numerical and financial strength of the- Order can be published regularly in the report. In future Lodges and secretaries who do not comply with Rules 40 and (53, the fines in accordance will be strictly enforced. Finance. —The total worth of the funds are £13,356 14s Bd, of which the following funds are credited with:—Funeral, £12,750 19s 8d; management, £176 2s 6d; special death levy, £429 12s 6d. The value of assets are £14,260 6s sd. Tho Grand Secretary during the past year visited every Lodge on the West Coast of the South Island, several of which it was the first visit from G.L. officer. The Lodges as a whole were found to be working in tho best cause of Druidism; at the same time in most cases the G.S. found the method of keeping books far from the correct way, but it is to be hoped that the instructions imparted will boar fruit. Bro. Power, secretary of the Millerton Lodge, must be complimented >on tho excellent and clear way in which his books were kept. The G.S. was received everywhere in a true Druidical style, which wns much appreciated by him, seeing that it was his first trip to tho homo of the New Zealand gold and coalfields. It is with regret that you Executive had heard of the death of Bro. Geo. E. R-ichels, Grand Secretary in England, who died in Hull on the 24th of November, and of our much-esteemed D.P. Bro. 11. J. Lepper, of No. 2 District. Bro. Lepper

was attending one. of the Lodges i: his position as D.P., when he sud denly took ill, and died two day afterwards. Bro. Lepper was a youn : man (30 years of age), but wns ; Druid of some years standing, whos footsteps it would well repay to fol low. We extend to the relatives cu deepest sympathy, and may the Grea Giver of all good strengthen am comfort them. The Executive hav seen fit to bring down some ne\ amendments to the rules, especial!; the rules dealing with the financia questions or rules. The Executive earnestly appeal to delegates to givi their amendments their due and bes consideration, which they hope thi delegates will sec fit to pass. Durin< tho past sitting of Parliament tin Government brought in a new Friend ly Societies Bill, with two very ob jectionable clauses, which your Ex ecutive, assisted by the G.L. of Can terbury and Otago, and several pri vate members, showed strong objec tion to. The Government referrec the Bill to a select committee to re port on. The evidence was circulated by tho Registrar of Friendly So cieties. In the dying hours of Parliament, Government dropped th( Bill, but from what we can lean: they propose to bring the Bill ir again this year, when your Executive feel confident that they will be able to bring enough pressure to bcai that 'Sections 15 and 16 will not become law. The death roll during the year was 32 members and 19 wives. To all the brethren, 'especially the secretaries of Lodges, we wish tc tender our thanks for their support during the past year, and we trust tliat the year 1909 will be one oi great progress to our b-eloved order. The nomination of Grand Lodge officers resulted : —Grand President, Bro. Yv". Hunter; Grand Vice-Preai-dent, Bro. A. Wade; Grand Treasurer, Bro. 11. Fletcher; Grand Guardian. Bros. C. S. Rush, E. Bold, A. McHvburn, J. Johnston, D. Pickering, A. Thompson, J. Vcrgusson. Appeal Committee to sit in Wellington,' Bros. J. Mullins, E. Allen, E. Bold, J. Johnston, J. Laughton, Scager. Clifford.

The balance-sheet! and auditor's report which showed that the various funds of the Grand Lodge were in a very satisfactory condition. The principal iten'.s on it were: —Receipts: Funeral £4054 15s, management £1394 10s sd, special funeral levy fund £3756 18s 6d. Expenditure: Funeral £3740 18s sd, management £1218 7s lid. special funeral levy fund £3227 (3d. The balances in the various funds standing as jfo-llows:—'Funeral 'fund £12750 19s Bd, management fund £176 2s 6d, special funeral fund £529 12s 6d; total worth of funds £13,456 14s 8d; total assets £14,360 6s sd. The amount of funds invested amounted to £11,435, the balance being shown in current account, goods, regalia, furniture, etc.

After the Grand Secretary had answered several questions in connection with the balance-sheet it was adopted.

The auditors' report with the exception of two clauses, which were postponed till to-day, was also adopted.

After arranging about the taking of the minutes the conference adjourned till to-day..