ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 12775, 27 January 1905, Page 6

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

The annual meeting of the Ancient Order of Foresters of the Auckland district was hold in the Foresters' Hall, Karangahajie Road, last night. The District Chief Banger, Brother It. F. 0. Hoiking, presided, and was supported by his executive officers, Brothers W. L. Rowland, D.S.C.R.; A. Harris, D.8.; Jas. Stichbury, D.T.; and D. J. Wright, D.S. Past District Chief Rangers, S. C. Schofield and A. (1. Baddiiey occupied seats on the dais. The following delegates were present:—Brothers J. Sime, J. Anderson,'C.'Shcppard, E. Jones, .1. Fairweather (City of Auckland), D. Henderson, S. C. Muir (Pride of Parboil, Thames), J. Wcbley, 0. 11. Meek (Zcalandia), J. Shaldrick, C. McFarquhar (Pride of Onehunga), IT. Konnerley (Pride of the North, Thames), J. Rawhnson (Robin Hood, Panmure), S. Dell (Northern Wairoa), A. Smith (Pride of Newmarket), ■: S. G. Lee. C. F. Andrews, A. E. Greonslado (Nil Dcsperaßdum), J. Copeland (Royal' Oak, Tauranga),. A. McCarhish (Star of the South, Otahuhu), H. ■L. Thompson (Scar of Helensville), Kent, E. J. Osborne (Victoria, Dcvonnort), C. J. Davics (Queen of the North, Maun^aturoto), D. J. Morgan, 11. A. McCarthny (Waihi), C. G. Farrelly (Prido of Waitekatiri), J. Carlaw (To Aroha), J. Brook (Birkenhead), .las. Weir (Star of the North, Hohoura), Jas. Robinson (Pride of Awanui), and Sister L. S. I Uarratt (Court Chisman). There were a number of brethren also present. The report of the executive stated: — That the past year hart been a favourable one for the society, there having been si considerable increase in membership and funds, whilst two new courts had been added to the district. Court Nil Dcsperandum showed the largest increase of funds, viz., £21)5 5s lid, whilst Court Waihi showed an increase of 2*l In members and £157 !)s 5d in funds. The balance-sheet showed that the levy for the pist quarter was struck on 207-1 members, being an increase of -JIG members during the past five years, •whilst the funds showed an increase of £1147 8s s.'d for the, same period. During, the past quarter the sum of £40 had been paid on account of funeral claim?, malting £330 for the 12 months, which was £270 less than for the preceding year. The guarantee fund was still progressing," now standing at £51!) 7s 3d, an increase of £29 tis for the year. During the past 12 months the sum of £"437 4s Hd had Tieen collected as interest on investments, which now numbered over 30. All interest is being regularly paid, there being no arrears. The district had now 22 branches, with a membership of 2165. The accumulated funds of 18 courts totalled £2-1,075, which, with the £!tloo belonging to the district, made a total of £33.175 as the capital of the society. Fourteen members and six wives died during the year. A very large sum had been disbursed . by . ■ courts on account of sick pay, Court Pride of l'amell having paid the exceedingly large amount of £420 10s during the year, with a membership of only 115. Other courts had paid goodly sums, but nothing approaching that amount in comparison with the number of members. Tim. funeral fund showed a credit of £SIS2 0s 3d, and the management fund £3CS Us yd. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Tito sum of £10 was voted towards the reerection of Court Birkenhead's hall, which was recently destroyed by fire. ■ The holding of a united Foresters' gala was deferred for a year, as ho- Thames Foresters' Courts and Courts Chisman and Victoria (AiKikland) were each holding picnics this season. .... The committee set up to go into the matter of placing all members' wives on the district funeral register reported that .a thorough investigation was proceeding, and good progress was being made. A communication was received from tho Friendly Societies' Conference, pointing out that it had been proposed to wind up tlio . conference, and suggesting ways and means J for the continuance; of the conference. No action was taken. In connection with the proposal to formulate- a scheme for the payment of Foresters' hospital fees, Bro. S. G. Lee reported that the matter was in abeyance for the present, as (he Hospital Board were not in a position to consider terms until after they had finally considered the report of the Royal Commission. A number of amendments to laws were carried, the principal providing for halfyearly movable district meetings, instead of quarterly held in Auckland. Tho following officers were elected:—District Chief Ranger, Bro. W._ L. Rowland; Sub Chief Ranger, Bro. A. Harris; District Beadle, Bro. A. E. -Greenslade; District Secretary. Bro. D. J. Wright; District Treasurer, Bro. Jas. Stichbury; District Book Examiner, Bro. S. G. Lee; auditor, Bro. A. E. Greonslado. The nowly-elocted executive officers wore duly installed. Bros. C. Shcppard and S. G. Lee, P.D.C.R.'s. acting as presenting officers. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the outgoing officers, and Bro. Hosking, the retiring District Chief Ranger, was presented with a souvenir of office and a P.D.C.R.'s neck ribbon. It was decided to hold the next district meeting at Waihi in' July. The meeting, which opened at two o'clock in the afternoon, lasted till twenty minutes to one a.m. . ,