FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20480, 4 February 1930, Page 9

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

PROGRESS OF LODGES, j

AUCKLAND CONFERENCE MEETS*

The last of the great annual conferences of Friendly Societies for the year in Great Britain was held at Lowestoft. Remarkable figures were placed before tho members showing that the movement has a wonderful hold on the people. In 17 years an increase of 1,500,000 in the membership had been recorded, and .now attached to the N.ational Conference are 78 societies, representing 'a voluntary membership of 8,349,403, and jijtate membership of 4,659,645, with volifftlary fundß of £84,585.090. This is a fine achieve- . # rnent for the promotion of self-help. A total of £6,105,597 was paid out in benefits last year. The Star of Avondale Lodge, No. 63, 1.0.0.F, met last week. Four new members were given initiatory instruction in. the mysteries of Oddfellowship. This was the first initiation ceremony given by the present team under the N.G., Bro. W. Willoughby, and the work was very creditably performed. During the even- ' ing it was announced that D.D.G.M. Bro. A. Blomeley, had defeated Bro. J. Howe in the singles bowling championship, and was now undisputed champion of tho lodge. Tho winner has been playing wonderfully well. This sport of indoor bowling has obtained a grejit hold in this lodge, and an attempt will bo made to lift some of the trophies offered during the coming season. The annual meeting of tho Auckland United Friendly Societies Conference was held last week in the Manchester Unify Buildings, Ilobson Street. The president, Bro. F. C. Pace, presided over a good attendance. Prior to the meeting a photograph was taken of the members assembled. Correspondence was read from Bio. Shrimpton, grand secretary of the M.U., expressing disappointment at the decision of Cabinet not to alter the position in regard to economic pensions of soldier members. An invitation to a church parade of the united societies was received from the llev. F. E. Leadley, of Onehunga, and conference decided to suggest April 13 as the most suitable date. Tho matter of doctors' charges was referred to tho Medical Institute. Tho president reported attending a meeting of tho Cancer Campaign Committee. Ho urged the delegates to ask as many of their members as possible to attend tho public meeting on February 6 in the Town Hall. Bro. Pace welcomed to the meeting new delegates, Bro. C. Johnson, 1.0.0. F., and Bro. Voice, U.A.0.D.Both are well versed in friendly society matters. Bro. Voice, who recently camefrom Whangarei, was the founder of the North Auckland Friendly Societies Executive. Tho brethren briefly responded to the warm -welcome extended. The annual balance-sheet showed a credit balance of £l3 17s 7d, a position which was considered satisfactory in view of the fact ' that some societies have not forwarded any donation this year. The annual election of officers resulted as follows:—lmmediate past president, Bro. Pace; president for Bro. D. Bodley; vice-presi- . dent, Bro. E. Leyden; secretary, Bro.

McMillan; treasurer, Bro. T.< Battersby; auditors, Bros. A. Jenkin and C. Westphal; press correspondent, Bro. Pace. The officers wcro installed in their chairs by Bro. A. J. Guy, past president, "who referred to the yeoman service rendered to the movement by tho incoming president and vice-president, both of whom are very well known in Auckland. Bro.Bodley is the district secretary of tho Independent Order of Rechabites, and Bro. E. Ley den a foundation member of - the Fountain of Friendship Lodge, and a I\G.M. of that; .order. These officers thanked* the conference., for tho honour, conferred upon iheni, and spoke of the great amount of good work accomplished by the retiring president. Bro. Pace also responded and thanked the officers and delegates for their courtesy and co-opera-tion during his term 'of office. An -interesting meeting, full of the fraternal spirit, came to a close about 10 p.m.

Tito Loyal Mount Albert Lodge; M.U.1.0.0.F., at its last meeting, was presided over by the N.G., Bro. R. C.Rhodes, Several notices of motion -were handed in for consideration on quarter night. A social evening was arranged for next lodge night. •At the close of the routine business, Bro. L. Davern .announced that ho had brought along a set of indoor bowls, kindly lent by a sister society. Several games were played and so much enjoyed that it.is probable a move will be made to obtain a set for the lodge. , [

The Recliabites district picnic at Swanson Pajk was much enjoyed by those present,' the beautiful grounds and glorious weather helping to make things as .pleasant as possible. All the smaller children received a gift, while scrambles for sweets were entered into with great zest. The races were well contested, and a cricket match between teams captained bv Bro. Simon, D.C.R., and Bro. Les Jenkin, C.R., No. 1 Tent, resulted in a win for the district chief's team by 111 runs. Special mention must be made of the good services rendered by the members of the St. John Ambulance who had a number of cases of minor injuries to deal with, and who did their work well. The picnic committee is to be congratulated on the success of the gathering.

The Lily of Devonpoi-fc Lodge, 1.0.0. F., had a large attendance at its meeting last week, when the D.G.M., Sister Boles, and D.G.C. Sister Bee, introduced to the members Sister Newbold, N.G., with her officers and members of Mizpah Lodge Sister Beavon, N.G., and officers and members of Maungarei Lodge, and Sister Guiin, N.G., with officers ana members of Haeata Lodge. • The L.D.D.G.M., Sister Ncwbold, attended officially for the purpose of conducting the installation ceremony of officers for the ensuing term. The following were impressively installed: —Treasurer, Bro. Christian, P.G.; R.S.V.G., Sister Brown; chaplain, Sister Polke; R.A.S., Sister Laing. After the ceremony an. initiation was held, and Sister Whitley was received into the Rebekali degree. lhe L.D.D.G.M. warmly congratulated the lodge on its work, and the visitors conveyed fraternal greetings. At the conclusion of the . business the visitors and members sat down to a repast. .

Waitemata Encampment, 1.0.0. F., held its first meeting of the new year on January 22, a largo attendance being present. CP. Bio. C. Johnson, who for {he last year has presided over the meetings of tho Encampment, was raised to the higher rank of past chief patriarch, after which Pat. M. J. Hooper, P.D.D.G. Sire, acting as special deputy for Grand Sire Bro. Deans Ritchie, proceeded in a most dignified and impressive manner to install tho officers for the new term. These are as follows Chief patriarch, Pat. A. J. Guy; H.P., Bro. G. Whale; S.W., Bro. J. Barker; scribe, P-U.r. Bro. F. S., Newbold; tec. secretary and preceptor, Bro. P. Cooper, P.C.P.; treasurer, Bro. M. J. Hooper; J.W., Bro. Harding. Tho installing officers' suite of assistants was composed of members.ol Franklin Encampment No. 7, and to work was most ably earned out. Hooper briefly addressed tho newofficerS, and conveyed many messages of & ke( j lation to them. Bro Guy, his brethren for the at j, 0 would upon him, assuring them strive to do his best at all times