ORDER OF FORESTERS

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIII, Issue 63, 10 February 1933, Page 12

ORDER OF FORESTERS

WELLINGTON DISTRICT MEETING WELLINGTON, Feb. 10. The 61st annual meeting of the Ancient Order of For&sters, Wellington District, was held on Wednesday. D.C.R. Bro. F. Ward presided. Thirty delegates were present, Bros. 0. Edwards and P. V. Burns being present from Palmerston North. Before welcoming the delegates, District Chief Ranger Bro. F. Ward extended a hearty welcome to the Registrar of Friendly Societies, Mr Witherford, and the Government Actuary, Mr Gostleow.

The registrar congratulated the delegates pn the excellent financial position of the district, pointing out that since the last quinquennial valuation the sum of £24,100 had been made available from surplus funds, and used to assist the various benevolent funds in the courts. In a review of affairs affecting the district and friendly society work, the registrar urged the delegates to keep steadfast. Above all, he impressed on the gathering the necessity of not losing a sense of proportion, and maintaining the high ideals of the early settlers in New Zealand, Mr Gostelow, in reply, gave much information of value. He paid a tribute to the district trustees for the manner in which the district funds had been invested.

Among the brethren present was P.D.C.R. Bro G. W. Key, the oldest Forester in the Wellington district. Bro. Key. who has long been an outstanding figure in friendly society •work, is past the eighty years mark, but maintains a keen interest in the work of the order.

D.C.R. Bro. Ward, in his address to delegates, traversed the annual report, stressing the value of the order, with its benefits to tho working men and the unemployed. He gave instances of how .unemployed members might be relieved of certain charges until their financial positions improved. A vote of condojenco was passed to the widow and relatives of the late P.D.C.R. Bro. W. Clark. Attention was drawn to the existence of the "Jubilee Commemoration Fund,” whereby the children of members or deceased members may receive assistance on the case or cases being submitted to the board of management. The senior trustee, Bro. E - Stoupe, gave a resume ol the district investments, and, with his co-trustees, Bros. Gilchrist and Platt, was thanked for his valued work. The election of officers resulted as follows:—l.P.D.C.R., Bro. F. Ward; D.C.R., Bro. W. F. Ingram; D.S.C.R., Bro. F. B. Hoy; D.S.W., Bro. T. Bedding; D.J.W., Bro. C. Edwards; D. 5.8., Bro. W. V. Sanvig; D.J.8., Bro. H. Boniface; district secretary, Bro. A. W. O. Travers; district treasurer Bro. T. Mark: district trustee, Bros.’ E. Stoupo, T. Platt and D. Gilchrist. .. The Smithson Shield was won by Court Rangitaua, Tailiape.