FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume LI, Issue 199, 24 July 1931, Page 11

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

MANCHESTER UNITY, 1.0.0. F. WANGANUI DISTRICT. The half-yearly meeting of the management committee of the Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. F., Wanganui district, was held in the Coronation Hall, Marton, on Thursday, there being present:—Bros. W J. Fowler, D.G.M. (Marton); E. A. Miller, D.D.G.M. (Wanganui); I. Salek, D.S., and W. Harris, D.T. (Wanganui); W.M. Keeping, trustee (Wanganui); G. Wilson (Wanganui), S. J. Watson (Manawatu) E. A. Garlick (Manchester), G. H. Watkins (Raetihi), J. Thompson (Marton), T.. Fowoll (Apiti). The Grand Master extended a welcome to the representatives, and reported upon visits he had made to several lodges. The presentation of a district jewel to Bro. S. J. Watson for introducing the most members for the year endl ing February, 1931, was made by the Grand Master, who referred to the efforts by the recipient on behalf of the order. The presentation was duly acknowledged. The district balance-sheet was read and adopted. Bros. Chapman (Kiinbolton) and Forbes (Bulls) were welcomed to the meeting by the Grand Master, also Bros. Dawkin and Mahoney (Mangaweka). The lodge balance-sheets were read and an outline of the funds and membership was dealt with, showing a slight increase in the membership for the half-year. Bro. Miller proposed and Bro. Fowell seconded: That an application be made to the registrar of friendly societies in anticipation of the surpluses for an amount not exceeding five per cent, to bo advanced for the purpose of the establishment of a district benevolent fund to assist members in distress to keep financial.— Carried. On the motion of Bros. Keesing and Miller, it was decided that all correspondence in connection with the relief of members be confidential. Bro. Keesing moved: That all negotiable securities such as bonds, debentures, etc., be deposited with a bank, and that all odges be notified accordingly. Seconded by Bro. Harris, the motion was carried.

An application was made for permission by the Loyal Kimbolton Lodge to purchase a hall, and on the motion of Bros. Harris and Keesing the meeting decided to inform the lodge that, as hall investments' were not remunerative, it could not agree to the request. On the motion of Bros. Wilson and Miller, it was decided to leave the question of the earthquake levy being a charge on the sick and funeral fund, as requested by one of the lodges, in the hands of the district secretary. Bro. Garlick moved and Bro. Fowell seconded: That the meeting was not in favour of the new form for funeral benefit as submitted.—Carried. Bro. Wilson moved: That Bro. Dawkins be given authority to confer degrees upon the officers entitled to receive same.—Seconded by Bro. Harris, the motion was carried. A report upon a visit to the Loyal Ohakune Lodge was given by the Grand Master. In view of the fact that Bro. J. Jones was resigning from the position of financial secretary of the Loyal Ohakune Lodge, the management committee approved of the appointment of Sister G. White.

A letter was received from tlie grand secretary, Bro. A. G. Shrimpton, in reference to the position of the membership of all lodges. Several suggestions were made for consideration. Bro. Watson moved : That the management committee is in favour of abandoning the 1932 district conference and also the 1932 movable conference of the society with a recommendation of a reduction of levies accordingly.—Seconded by Bro. Garlick and carried. Nominations for directors of the New Zealand branch were received as follow:—Bro. N. Bruce and H. Sliarman (Manawatu) and W. D. Harris (Wanganui). The election resulted in favour of Bro. Harris. On the motion of Bros. Fowler and Watson, the district secretary (after consultation with the district officers) is to be empowered to fix a date for the next management committee meeting. The question of the Salek Cup being for ritual competition only was discussed. Bro. Salek stated that the trophy had been given for various competitions, with the object of bringing the lodges together for enjoyable gatherings. To meet a solution of the position, Bro. Salek stated that he would donate a trophy for ritual work only. This was accepted with I acclamation. The first cup will be the Salek Sports Challenge Cup, and the second the Salek Ritual Cup. On the motion of Bro. Harris and Wilson, it was decided to obtain two cases for the cups, and a record book for the ritual competition. The present cup held by the Loyal Wanganui Lodge is to be the sports cup, and the ritual cup to be presented to the Ladies’ Victoria Lodge (as the youngest lodge in the district). The new district rules are to be printed on the motion of Bros. Iveesing and Wilson. A vote of thanks was accorded to the ladies for providing afternoon tea, on the motion of Bro. Fowlds.