NORTH ISLAND DRUIDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LX, Issue 18354, 21 March 1923, Page 10

NORTH ISLAND DRUIDS.

BIENNIAL CONFERENCE,

FINANCIAL STATEMENT, [BX telegraph,-— jjw&lubwJ.:-'', PAIiME&STON NORTH, ToNfa. The biennial coniorenoe of the North Wand Grand Lodge of the United At*«tS, Order of Druids opened! last night, ' Ik grand president, Mr. W. L Martin, preaiding. Over 100 delegates „ wars present, and also representatives of Otago, South-" land, and Canterbury Grand Lodges. A. ' civic reception was tendered the visilora by the Mayor? Mr. J. A Nash. "7 The report stated that the consolidated sick (una had been to operation for tiro ' years; The total Grand Lodge fund prior iV : ' ; .; to consolidation was £45,179. The amount received from branch lodges was £16Lj175, making a total of £207,054. Revenue re- ' ceived totalled £45,006, and a sum of , £4130 was paid out for sick- benefits. The total fund to-day was £247,830. The ; , total contributions received for insurance! K\ were £32,134, the claims paid £14,548, '- - leaving a balance of £30,972. The amount lent to members under the building , > scheme was £25,524. /During the -pa»||||f year efforts had been made to hold a eon* ference of delegates from three grand lodges without imoce&s. '/We are, however," concluded! the president, "much nearer than we ever nave been J before, and I suggest that this Grand Lodge meeV|||| ing direct .incoming executive to'o»jKj|p| tinue its efforts to secure one Grand Lodge for the Dominion. Three new lodges opened during the past year. ; It* !|Sf financial membei-ship of the society st , the last meeting was 10,408, and the membership to-<£iy is 10,688, an increase - of 280." It was unanimously resolved to send a strong protest to the Government is -•';'/ connection with the delay in furnishing , the quinquennial valuation report .for;; ;£.* the period ended December, 1921. It was also resolved to request that the Govern- r^ ; !! ment should appoint an actuary, whose :'>' services should oe wholly devoted to f:;; friendly society work. The delay in fur- ' -/?'. nishing Valuations was seriously inte&, ||| ferine with financial arrangements of the.. society, and general regret was expressed' '" that the matter had been so long &",,£:; layed by the department.