THE MANCHESTER UNION'S GENERAL BOARD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1651, 21 October 1903, Page 77 (Supplement)

THE MANCHESTER UNION'S GENERAL BOARD.

The Grand Master and Board of Directors of the N-elw Zealand Branch of the above society held their half-yearly meeting at the Oddfellows- 5 Hall, Lambton quay on Friday morning. Present—Bros. John McLeod (Auckland), Grand Master for New Zealand); D. P. Loasby (Greytown), Deputy Grand Master; J. Kershaw (Wellington), Corresponding Secretary; G. E. Godber, (Wellington), Treasurer ; and Bros. A. N. Batchelor (Nelson), C. El Bellringer (New Plymouth), J. Clark (Auckland), J. B. Fielder (Napier). J. Marshall (Rangiora), and A. Paterson (Ashburton). The report of the executive, which was adopted, contained special reference to the death of Bro. Richmond H. Hursthouse (Parliamentary Agent of the Society), and several speakers referred to the many estimable qualities of the deceased gentleman. It was resolved that an "In Memoriam 5 ’ notice should be insertserted in the reports of the society. The balance-sheet, which showed the society to be in a healthy financial state, was adopted. _ It was reported that new lodge® had been opened at Mataki (Nelson), Hamilton and Te Awamutu (Auckland), and Ashburton, the latter a female lodge, and that the vaiious lodges connected with the society are in a flourishing 1 condition. 1 The vainer having reported favourably on the application of the Britannia and Antipodean Lodges to appropriate surplus capital, it was resolved by the Conference that sanction be given to the Britannia Lodge to allocate the sum of ,£2OOO as follows: —<£1850 to reduction of. members 5 contributions, <£loo to Management Fund, and <£so to the Distress Fund. In regard to the Antipodean Lodge-, sanction was given to appropriate <£3oo0 —<£2938 15s in shares of 25s each, no member to be credited! with more than ten shares; the balance of <£6l 5s to be applied to the Distress Fund. Members are to have the option of accepting an increased funeral benefit or a redaction in contributions. . • • _' • The Public Trustee had applied to ope of the lodges for the unexpended amount of funeral money of a member who had died intestate and without representatives, and, the question being referred to the Board of Directors, it was decided to interview the Government on the subject'. On an application from th© Wellington district for a ruling as to the appropriation of the surplus standing to a member’s credit for payment of contributions of brethren in distressed circumstances, the directors decided that the amount, available as an increased funeral benefit could be applied in payment of sick and funeral contributions only, but no surplus allocated for the reduction of members 5 future contributions can be operated

Correspondence was r.ead from -the correispondiing secretary of the Order in Manchester (England) .expressing the hope that those districts which, have not yet consented to join the New Zealand branch would a.t an early date see their way to throw in their lot with the colonial; body. ■ \ ..>•• An application was received from thie Nelson District requesting the Board of Di rectors to apply to the .Government for assistance in appointing a resident medical man at Murchison, Central Butler and forwarding a guarantee from the Mataki Lodge of .£l5O per annum towards the salary of such medical man. This received the hearty support of the Board, and with several other important matters wa« referred to a committee which is taking the necessary steps to place requests before th© Government. Bro. G. E. Godber, Treasurer of the society, presented to Bro. John McLeod (Grand* Master) for himseUf and his successors a gold chain of office bearing a suitable inscription of the appointment of the first Grand Master for New Zealand, with spaces for the insertion of names of succeeding Grand Masters. Bro. McLeod returned thanks on behalf of himself and th© Board. A resolution was passed by the directors thanking Bro. Godber for his valuable and unexpected gift. It was resolved •to alitor the holding the movable committee meeting in Auckland from the second Tuesday in May to the first Wednesday in April, 1904. Resolved —"That the levy for the current year be 4dj per member on all members good on the books at the 31st December 19Q2. 55 The meeting then adjourned.