FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22063, 20 March 1935, Page 14

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

DISTRICT MEETINGS THE MEDICAL INSTITUTE ACTIVITIES OF ORDERS The district council meeting of the Independent Order of Rechabites was held in the Methodist school room, Oncliungn., last week, the district chief ruler, Bro. L. S. Francis, presiding. Representatives were present from all tents in the district. The various reports showed the order to be in a very satisfactory condition and doing good work. Several important remits were discussed. The election of district officers for 19315-19-36 resulted District chief ruler, Bro. H. I. Gardner; district deputy ruler, Bro. R. H. Wilson; district secretary, Bro. D. M. A. Bodley; district treasurer, Bro. A. Jenkin; district levite, Bro. A. Beer; district guard, Bro. J. McPherson; D.S.J. I•» Bro. H. Campling; executive, Bros. McGroucott, Owen and Patrick; auditors, Bros. H. A. Yockney and A. Sinclair. Bro. J. Day was elected one of tho trustees; P.D.C.R., Bro. L. S. Francis. The officers were then installed by Bros. B. Gardner and L. Francis. The retiring P.D.C.It., Bro. B. Gardner, was presented with a framed diploma and P.D.C.R.'s collar. During the day the representatives were the guejts of tho Gordon Tent at dinner, tea and supper. Tho annual meeting of the general committee of the Auckland United Friendly Societies' Medical Institute was attended by a large number of delegates from the various lodges. The president, Bro. J. A. Govan, in his report mentioned the very small number of complaints received during the year, proving that the service was operating satisfactorily.' The total membership at December 31 was 2698, an increase of 196 over the previous year. Three now lodges had affiliated and the United Brothers Lodge, N.1.0.0.F., were welcomed back into full membership. During the meeting it was decided that a surplus that had accumulated by careful management over tho past 30 years should be distributed among the affiliated lodges as a donation to their benevolent funds based on the amount of management levies paid during the past 18 months, the amount involved being approximately £ll6- The .following officers were elected: —President, Bro. W. C. McCombia; vice-president, Sister A. G. Hallam; treasurer, Bro. F. Flanagan; secretary, Bro. W. H. McCombie; trustee, Bro. J. A. Govan; auditor, Bro. W T . G. Pitcher; board of management, Bros. W. G. Caddy, F. T. Harding, E. S. Lhing, W. G. Pitcher, J. T. Rutlcdge. The most successful meeting of members of the Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. F., in the Bay of Plenty was held at Awakeri, the occasion being the first anniversary of the T~.oyal "Whakat-ane Lodge. Among the 150 present were the district grand master, Bro. J. Alien, Bro. F. Hard, 1.P.D.G.M., Bro. C. Tonkin, P.G., group officer, and members from Loval Otorohanga, Rotorua, Tauranga, Paeroa, Otakiri and Rangitaiki Lodges. A lengthy toast list was honoured, while at 10.45 p.m. the candle on the birthday cake was lit, arid Bro. Hand proposed the toast of the Loyal Whakatane Lodge. Mrs. Quaile," wife of the noble grand, cut the cake, after which Bro. Quaile, N.G., replied. After thanking the various speakers for their good wishes, he referred to tho splendid work of the secretary, P.G. Bro. Butt, in building up Odd Fellowship in the district. During the evening the district officers opened another new lodge for Rangitaiki, this having sprung from, but being independent of, the Whakatane Lodge. The Enterprise Lodge, No. 80, 1.0. G.T., met on Thursday evening, but owing to the very unpleasant weather conditions, only a small number of adults were present. This was counter-balanced by tho large number of juveniles who had remained after their own meeting iti order to entertain the parent lodge. Sister G. Barnett, C.T., welcomed the young people, and then the superintendent of the temple, Sister E. Cant, took charge. A very enjoyable programme was given by the children, who were afterwards entertained at supper.

The quarterly meeting of Loyal Remuera Lodge, M.U.1.0.0:F., was held on Wednesday last, when there was an unusually large attendance of members and friends. Among the visitors were Bro. J. Allen, D.G.M., Bro. J. Mackay, P.G., group officer, and members from Loyal Avon, Franklin and Hawera Lodges. These all received a hearty 'welcome from the noble grand, Bro. V. Sell wood. After lodge closed, those present joined jn dancing. During the supper interval, Bro. J. A. Grhy, financial secretary, on behalf of the members, thanked. Sister W. M. Palmer, P.G., and Bro. W. G. Mace, P.G., for their regular attendance and great assistance during their terms of membership, and asked them to accept a clock as a token of goodwill and appreciation from the members, with every good wish on their approaching marriage. In connection with the district council meetings of the 1.0. R., a church parade was held in the Methodist Church, Onehunga. Over 100 members were present in regalia and the service was conducted by Rev. E. S. Harkness, who gave a forceful and suitable address.