DISTRICT GRAND LODGE I.O.O.F., M.U.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVIII, Issue 6147, 30 July 1881, Page 5

DISTRICT GRAND LODGE 1.0.0. F., M.U.

The annual meeting was held last night at the Cook-street Hall. The following representatives were present : —Fountain of Friendship Lodge : Brothers P.P.G.M.'s Leahy, Mahon, and C. Wright; Brothers P.G.'s McNab and Connelly. Good Intent Lodge : Brother P.P.G.M. Cole, P.G.'s Saunders and Whelan, and G.M. Gow. Parnell Lodge: Brothers P.G.'s Turner and MoEvby. Howick : Brothers P.G.'s White, Charles Bruce, Trays, and PS. Ross. Porisonby : Brother G.M. Langsford. There was a very large amount of business. The following were elected principal officers for the ensuing term :—D.G.II. Bro. John McConnell; D.D.G.M., Brother W. G. Connelly ; Brother Mills, Warden; Brother 0. Mahon, special auditor. It was decided, on petition, to open a new lodge at Otahuhu, on Wednesday next, to be called the Franklin Lodge. i It transpired from a statement submitted I that the total value of property, &c, owned by the fifteen lodges in the Auckland District was £19,634 3s 6d ; value of district [ funds, £3516 18s lid; number of members, 1093. After the business had been disposed of, which was not until a late I hour, the brethren adjourned to a [banquet at the United Service Hotel, where an excellent spread was provided by Host Abbott, and about 40 sat down. Mri Allen, the retiring G.M., presided, supported on the right and left by the two principal- officers. Masters Saunders and Sheehan, the former at'-the piano, and the latter with the flute, played not only the appropriate music for the toasts and accompaniments to the songs, but Master Sheehan played some very good flute selections. The .toasts of the..'• Queen and Royal Family " and "His Excellency the Governor," were successively proposed from the chair. Brother P.P.G.M. Cole proposed the " Mayor and Corporation," and Brothers Waddeland Fleming responded. The toast of the "Army, Navy,. and Volunteers " was proposed by Mr. Saunders, and responded to by.Captain Mahon. Brother P.P.G.M. Leahy thea proposed the " Manchester Unity," and gave the following table of statistics:— On January 1, 1881, the Manchester Unity consisted of 466 districts, comprising 4176 lodges, and having 533,520 members. The value of lodges' sick fund waa £4,610,859 9s 4d; the value of districts' funeral fund was £98,249 0s 7d, making the total value of the Unity £4,709,108 9s lid; contribution to 'sick fund during theyear, £549,992 2sj. interest received, from investment, £176,002 6s sd; entrance fees from new members, £13,573 7s 4d, making a total of £758,56715 a 9d. The expenditure was : Payment to members in sickness, £416,574 19s sd; on account of deaths, £185,809 10s 2d; total expenditure, £602,354 9s 7d, showing a gain durine 1879 of £156,183 6s 2d: total,' £758,567 -15s 9d.—Brother P.P.D.G.M. Wright responded. Brother G.M. Langsford propoued "The Auckland District, to which* tL D.G.. officers responded. The toasts of "Tb.B Guests," "The Ladies," "The Press," and "The Host" followed. A considerable number of songs were sung, and a very pleasant night was passed by the brethren present. . ..., ■