FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5635, 8 December 1879, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Amongst the latest additions to tho manifold organizations existing in Auckland of a benefit, religious, or general character, is tho order of the Loyal United Friends. The first lodge was opened abont a couple of months since, and its progress has been so rapid that a second lodge, named the Onward, was formed last week, with a membership of 20. The following officers were installed by Brother J. Cox, K.W.G.M., assisted by Brother G. Warburton, D. (i. W. M., Brother J. M. Petrie, P.R.W.0.M., and Brother Christmas, G.S.: — W.M., Brother Clifford; D.M., Brother North ; secretary. Brother S. Worms ; treasurer, Brother Jackson ; S.S. Brother W. Doyle; D.S., Brother J. Davis ; J.G., Brother P. Drummond ; 0.T., Brother Procton ; P.M. Brother Cox ; S.P.M., Brother S. Brooking. The new aprons, viz :— Satio, lithographed with the emblems of the order at the Herald

office, were on view at the installation, ami were the subject of general ndmiration. The lithographed work represents in the foreground a tesselated psvement, flanked by Corinthian columns, M'ith the symbol of Deity above—the eye—while extending in a circle round the device appears the standing password of the order. The insinguratioa of a new ledge of 1.0.0. F., M.U., the Loyal Ponsonby Lodge, took placo on November 24, in the Sundayschool room of All Saints' Church, Pon3onby. The lodge was opened in due form a little before S o'clock, the Provincial G.M , 0. Mahon, in the N.G."s chair ; W. G. Allen, Provincial D.G.M.. in the V.G.'s; K. J. Smith, Provincial C.S., in the secretary's ; andP.P.G.M. Leahy acting as G.M. About twelve new members were initiated, and the following were the officers elected to fill the chairs of the new lodce for the ensuing terra : —N T .G., Mr. Charles'Langsford ; V.G., Mr. S. E. Hughes, jun. ; secretary, Mr. Herrics; treasurer, Mr. F. A. Jones. These officer elect were instilled in their respective office? by P.G. Akers and P.G. McEvoy. The new lodge starts with fifteen members, under the most favourable ausp : ces, and will meet fortnightly. At tho next meeting, Monday, December S, there will be an election for a Burgeon for the lodgeThU is the 14th lodge of the 1.0.0. F., M.U., in the district of Auckland, and the entire membership of tho order on the 31st October, 1579, was 1138. The second annual report of the Friendly Benefit Societies has just been issued. It contains Bome interesting information regarding the Oddfellows' Manchester Unity Society. There are 64 lndaes in the colony The i.0.0 F. of New Zealand has 15: the Foresters, 14 ; Shepherds, 1; Kechabites, 3 ; S?onB and Daughters of Temperance, 4 ; Hibernian, 7 ; miscellaneous, 6. The wives of members registered amount to 5G per cent of the whole number, the Ttechabites having the smallest proportion, which is attributed by the Registrar to the fact that the taking of the total abstinence pledge by t^e wives of members is a condition of the registration. The average of the ajgregate funds per member is highest among the Oddfellow, and the lowe3t among the Eechabites. The highest rate of sickness is among the Oddfellows, and the lowest among the Fore3ters. The average sickness among all the societies taken together is a little over five days uer man, and the sick payment averages £5 Ch 31 per sick member per annum. The Hibernian Society ia the most costly in management, and the Foresters is the most economical.