ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14929, 29 February 1912, Page 5

ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE

A MAYORAL WELCOME.

BUSINESS SESSION OPENED.

A Matobal reception was accorded to the me -hers of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows (whose annual conference has now opened) by the Mayor (Mr. C. J. Parr) -at the Town Hall at noon yesterday.

Mr. Parr, who is a member of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge, 1.0.0. F., welcomed the delegates in his official capacity, and also expressed his pleasure as a brother Oddfellow at seeing them. Oddfcllowship, lie- said, tended to make Bitter citizens by reason of the fact that it made for independence in its members. We were too prone nowadays in public life to place the burden on " the other fellow." Mr. Parr wished the brethern every success in their deliberations at the Conference, and concluded by a eulogistic reference to the new Town Hall. On behalf of the delegates Brother Perry, P.G.M., thanked the Mayor for his reception of them. It spoke volumes for a Friendly -Society that numbered amongst its members His Excellency the Governor (Lord Islington] and His Worship the Mayor of Auckland. CONFERENCE PROCEEDINGS. INCREASE OF LODGES AND FUNDS. After the Mayoral reception, the delegates assembled in conference in the Cook-street Hall. The provincial grandmaster's address was submitted, reference being made to the loss, by death, of P.P.G.M. McConneU. It was stated in the address that three new lodges had been opened during the year, namely, "Selwyn" at Putaruru, "Ponsonby," and " Waitoa," each of which had increased in membership. An 'application had also been received to open a lodge at Patutahi, near Gisborne. The South Auckland Past Grands' Lodge had been successfully opened at Hamilton. A majority of the lodges had received visits from tho district officers. The management of the city and suburban lodges was up to the usual excellent standard. In view of unsatisfactory reports of some, lodges, it was decided that the corresponding secretary should visit them, which was done, and he trusted that ultimate success would result from the efforts put forth. The secretary had also visited Te Puke, with a view to opening a lodge in that district, and early next month he hoped that a lodge would be opened. Country lodges had sent forward during the year a sum of £732 for investment by the district trustees, making a total of £5918 in that connection. Investments now held by district trustees show a grand total of £24,560, an increase of £3255 for | the year, inclusive of the sum of £1885 3s , lid paid to the central body for the levies | due by the district under the consolidated scheme inaugurated at the beginning of

The membership of the district at December 31, 1911, was 3967, an increaso of 113 for the year. In addition, there are 90 widows subscribing to the general fund, and others for medical benefit. The sick and funeral funds now exceed £72,500, an increase of over £-1000. Contributions of members totalled £7516 ss, and rent and interest on investments £3485 8s 2d: Sick benefits to the extent of £5568 were disbursed during the year, and £3265 disbursed by lodges tor medical benefits. Funeral donations for the -year amounted to £700. Management fund's of lodges now aggregate a sum of £6822, and are very sound. The district management fund is also in a healthy condition. The district hospital fund showed thai', the trustees had loaned out £3255 in 12 investments at five per cent, and 5{ per cent. The aggregate funds of the lodjtus amount to £100,819, showing an increaso of £3800. P.G.M. Simmonds moved that the grandmaster be thanked for his address, and that it be published in the handbook. An application for the opening of a new lodge at Patutahij near Gisborne, was supported by the Gisborne deputies, and granted. The Sick Funds. P.P.G.M. E. Lcydon (Fountain of Friendship) spoke at some length on the motion, of the Parnell Lodge, " That the sick funds of the whole of the lodges in the Dominion bo consolidated," and moved, '' That the delegates to the biennial movable conference be instructed to vote against the .proposed consolidation of funds." Bro. Ambridgo (Gisborne) seconded the motion. After considerable discussion, an amendment was moved by P.P.G.M. Chappell,, seconded by P.P.G.M. Shaw, "That the delegates to tho biennial movable conference move at that meeting, ' That the matter stand over till tho next meeting of the biennial i movable conference, and that the delegates obtain all the information on the subject obtainable.' " The amendment was put and lost, and the resolution on being put was also lost. Election of Officers. Tho following officers were elected: — Management Committee: Bros. Aitken, Simmonds, Thomas, Saunders, Pople, W. J. White, Battersby, Wilkinson, McMillan. Prow G.M. : Bro, H. A. Whitaker/'Ttrov. D.G.M. Prov. D.G.M.: Bro. W. Dean, P.G. Prov. U.S.: Bro. John McLeod, P.G.M. District warden: Bro. C. G. Tyke, P.G. Treasurer: Bro. Thomas. Trustee: Bro. A. H. Chappell; P.G. Auditor: Bro. W. McMillan, P.G. Arbitration Committee: Bros. F. J. Wheatley, T. Aitken, W. Thomas, L. H. White, E. Leydon, S. H. Matthews, C. Huge, A. J. Pople, Clout, F. A. Smith, Dilly, W. McMillan. Picnic Committee : Management .committee, with power to add. Special Auditors : Messrs. S. H. Matthews, for Auckland district W. Simmonds and H. ; W. Briggs, for Whangarei district and John Warren, for Gisborne district.

The newly-elected officers were installed. A P.M.G's. certificate and jewel were presented to the retiring grandmaster, Bro. Perry, who suitably returned thanks. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the handbook editors, Bros. John McLeod and Thomas, who were re-elected. Nominations for 1913-14 : P.G.M., Bro. Dean; D.P.G.M., Bro. John Warren, Bro. A. J. l 3 ople, Bro. A. E. Wilkinson, Bro. J. Nodwellj P.C.S., Bro. John McLeod; D.W., Bro. Tyke. Miscellaneous Items. A notice of motion from Warkworth Pioneer Lodge, " That the rules be amended to enable females to bo initiated into lodges in country districts where titers is no female lodge established," was, after a vigorous debate, carried by 32 to 27. The following were nominated to serve on the Movable Committee for 1912 :—• Bros. T. Aitken. W. Dean, John McLeod, S. H. Matthews, W. Perry, D. G. Saunders. W. Thomas, F. Shaw, F. A. Smith, W. Simmonds, 11. A. Whitakcr. Upon a ballot being taken, Messrs. Aitken, Deau, McLeod, W. Perry, D. G. Saunders, W. Thomas, W. Simmonds, and H. A. Whitakcr were elected. It was decided to offer two shields for competition between lodges, ono for lodges up to 200 members, and one for , lodges with a membership of over 200, the ! shioJds to go to the lodges making tho> highest percentage of increase in membership. It was decided to recommend to tho Movable Committee that one blackball in seven excludes, and that in all other mattors the committee have a free hand. I