FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 19 February 1907, Page 1

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

THE DKb'IDS BIENNIAL CONFERENCE 01'' DELEGATES The Biennial Ccnfurcnce of delegates of the District Grand Lodge of the North Island of New Zealand U.A.O.D. commence.! at the Druids Hall yesterday morning, tho Grar.d President, Bro Blomh'eld (Aucklad) presiding. Other officers preseni were: Orand Vice-President, Br" Gilbert, New Plymouth : Grand Guardian, Bro Eluntjr, Aujkland: Grand Treapuror, Bro Grant, Wellington: Grand Socrotary. Bro Mnclcay, Wellington : Junior Fast President, tiro Fletcher, Wellington; ntid the following delegates: B-os Nicol, Musterton ; Flotche', Auckland; Mansfield, Cartorton ; Willis, Wangnuui ; K'nsh, I'almoistoi Nortb ; Thmus in, UlanhHim; Walo, Gisborne; Bald, Wellington; Chris ronson, l'atea ; Stafford, Marton ; Johnson, Wellington; Gardner, Ijivin; Bills,. Otaki; Allon, Johnajaville; Walker, Nelson; Muir, llawera; Newburn, Auckland ; Ninol, P.ieroa; Harvey, Now Plymouth; Robinson, Wailii; Mullins, IVone; Wild, Waikeno; Dickson, Auek'nnd: Morrison, Pabiutua; Hood, Wellington; McLean, Karnngnhapo ; Smith, Danceviike; Vickers, Shannon; Hughes, Uppor Ilutt; Spurdle, Ioglowood; Jankson, Eketahuna; Robiason, Okato; Mulbolland, Devenport; Verguson, Greymoutb ; Davy, Te Aroha; Liddle, Dunalley; Jjhuson, Trafalgar; Rivera, Reefton; Cormui, Nelson Creek; Dr Dunn, Westpott; A Thomson, Auckland ; Mayo, Motupiko ; Seagor, Lower Hutt; Morrow, Eden Millerton ; Feek, Uamilton ; Buddon, Motueka ; Kobinson, Fcihlinc ; Langridge, Takaka; Bannin, Gieytown North: Lepper, Wellingtao. Tbe Grand President, in an able speech, welcomed tho delegates to the Conference, and trusted that tbe proceedings would be conducted in a true Druidic spirit. Among correspondent recaivad was an important letter from the Grand Lodge of Victoria, stating!' that tbey intended to recommend ' their Grand Lodge the granting of a i charter enabling them to be called a Grand Lodge instead of as at preijnt, a District Grand Lodge. The nomination of officers was then proceeded with, when tbe following were nominated: D.G.F, Bro II J fiilbeit, New Plymouth; G.V.P, lira W Hunter, Auckland; Grand Secretaries. Bros Grant, Hunter, Jennings' land Willis; Grand Treasurer, Bros Jennings and Fletoher; G.G, Bros, ; Dickson, Wade, Ksid and Hughes;, i Trustee (2), Bros Mack-ay, A. Thomson, Allen, Garduer acd I) 100 infield; <j Appeal Committee: Bros I Ncilson, Allen,Johnson, Mackay and Mullius. I The balance-sheet and Auditors' 'repoit were read, and. nfter some 'discussion, adopted, general eatisfac jtion being expressed at the large increase (£2180) in tbo runds for the I year. The assets of the Grand Lidge ' cow stand at £9370, with liabilities practically nil. i The report of tho Board of Management was read. The Executive congratulated the Order on another year's progress, ton Lodges having boon added to tbo roll. Thoy were still advancing,apd hoped the coining year would nlso-sbow good progress. Tho Revision Committee set up at tho last Biennial meeting hail nn'i several times, and appointed P. D.P Bro Jonnin;:a and G.S Bro Mnckay to go through tho Rules, and those, as amended, would bo submitted to fie Lodges, and no doubt the result, together with the consideration of tho further amendments sent in by Lodgos would be of benefit to the Order. Tho balance-sheet should prove satisfactory to tho brothrcn. They had added £2180 2a 5d to their funds, nod the £10,<;00 mark should be easily reached next year. 'Jheir membership at the ond cf tbe Novumbor quarter showed a total of Oil", an increase of \\i% members. The total incroas3 lu LoJge f.inds had not yet been ascertained, but it , was expectsd to be something like j£O3OO. It was iilrto gratifying to know t'int every Lodgo ruturo fjr the i November quarter h id been seut in,

Which showed thnt secretaries had n fr.isp of their dutrs. Thespeciil ivy was still a soucess, and little, f aay, difficulty was. . exppri-encd n c. Meeting it. -There was a sum cf £S.SO los lld to tho crudit .of this laid, wbich meant they could ri n tirce nil levies. With tbeir prose t membership it meant that one in ■ very threo levies would bo free. Thoy wore of opinion that tbo amount of tbe levy, sixpence per head, should ,bo continued. Kegret was expressed that tho ' Manakau L?dgfl No. 21, had - ceased tn exist, fio chief reason being thnt tho cortributiaos to tho doctor and chomist ibsorbod more money than was bein; subscribed. Reference was.mr.de to the lotter from tne Urand Lodge * of Victoria (referred to above )iu which regret was expressed that the charter would not be one for tbo wholo Colony. Efforts had 'been made. to get two other Districts to join tbem, but without sucoess, and they would have to be con toot with a fiiand Lodge charter embracing Nelson, Marlborough, and Westland. They recommended tbat tbo system under which the District President must sign all balance-sheets ahould bi continued, as it bad be6Q productive of much good. The Board thought, the time had arrived when the Grand Secretary should be permanent, and dovote his whole time to the alfaira of the District. The report coneluded by trusting that their deliberations wculd be guided by n spi tit if fairness, brotherly lovo, charity, aid kindness, and that tho fundamental principles of tbe Order woulj bo strictly adhered to. After some considerable discussion, tbe delegates, by a large majority, confirmed tbe principle of biennial 1 meatingsjasjagainst annual mooting?. it was pointed ont that tho Socioty was prospering undor existing condiI tions, and even if delegates met j monthly tbat prosperity could not increase more. An amendment to form n Board to Wjrk witb the Board of Managoment .vas defeated. {^'Consideration of tbe amendments :j rules was proceeded with until 6 p.m, when the Conference adjourned. Un resuming at 7.30 the consideration of tbe amendonts to rule3 waa continued, and occupied the whole of tbe orcuiug. Tbo delogates will sit a:rain ti day aad to-night will be entertained at :'. banquet by the Maitai Lodge.