ODDFELLOWSHIP

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1726, 29 March 1905, Page 54

ODDFELLOWSHIP

biennial communication . The biennial communication of tbe Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand (A.C.) opened in the Masonic Hall, Boulcott street, on the 21st instant. The following is the list of officers: P.G.M., Bro. James M. Aitken (Invercargill) ; G.M., Bro. D. M. Miller (Dunedin); G. Warden, Bro. T. Crawley (Invercargill); G. Secretary, Bro. William Reid (Dunedin); G. Treasurer, Bro. James Alexander (Dunedin). Jrf*®" gates: —Auckland: Bros. C. S. Holosworth, R. Anniger, and R. C Gray; Wellington North: Bro. J. Griggs; Wellington South: Bro. J. S. Rutter, •Canterbury North: Bros. J* McCullough and W. H. Simmons; Oanterbuiy South: Bro. R. Don; Otago North: Bros. John Vernon and D. Mahoney; Otago South: Bros. J. H. Hinton, L. Kemnitz, and James Pattison; Southland: Bros. J. Nash, James MdLauchlan, and William Smith. The visitors were welcomed by Bro. H. J. Williams, in the name of the Southern Cross Lodge. He said that Only seven or eight of the brethren who were on the roll of the Southern Cross Lodge when the communication was held in Wellington twenty-four years ago were still - in the lodge.' Concluding, the speaker said he felt convinced that friendly societies would wield a great influence on the future of the country, and young members of the Order were therefore inheriting great responsibilities. Bro. F. J. Evans then read and presented the following address, which had been artistically illuminated and framed: —“To the Grand Master, Bro. D. M. Miller, the Officers and Representatives of the Grand Lodge 1.0.0. F. of New Zealand—The members of Wellington South greet you in friendship, love, and truth, and offer a cordial and fraternal welcome on the occasion of your meeting once more in the Empire City of the colony in thirtysecond session. Twelve years have elapsed since Wellington South enjoyed the privilege of a communication of Grand Lodge being held in its midst, and we regret that in the mutation of time lodges that were then on the roll have now ceased to be, yet Southern Cross rejoices in still being vigorous in its manhood, and the welcome it now proffers to the rulers of the Order is as warm as that offered under the enthusiasm of its youth twenty-four years ago. We deeply deplore that the Scythe of the Grim Reaper has recently touched our dear Bro. Alexander Small, Grand Master —the head of our institution —and though his absence will be felt at your councils, the memory of his presence will ever linger near. We trust that the deliberations of your session will be crowned with every success, and that the result of your labours may conduce to the welfare of our glorious institution, and that, in the future, the recollection of your visit to Wellington South may be fraught with only the most pleasant reminiscences.—(Signed) J. S. Rutter, D.D.G.M., H. W. Preston, N.G., A. Leigh Hunt, V.G.. Fred. J. Evans, secretary. Grand Master Miller, in reply, expressed the hope that the order would open up branches in the districts in the North Island that were being developed. The Grand Lodge sitting was opened by the Grand Master. A letter of congratulation was received from Deputy-Grand Sire Bro. G. T. Clarke, of the Grand Lodge of Australasia, in which he referred to the splendid financial position occupied by the Grand Lodge of New Zealand. The death of the late G.M., Bro. Alexander Small, was referred to by G.M. Bro. Milieu, and the following resolution was moved by I-V.G.M. Bro. Aitken, and seconded by Grand Treasurer Bro. J. S. Alexander, —“That this Grand Lodge place on record its appreciation of the services to the order of the late G.M. Bro. A. Small, and deeply deplores his untimely death, and tenders its condolence to the widow and family/ 5 The motion was spoken to and supported by representatives from each district, and was carried by the lodge standing in reverent silence. A resolution of sympathy with G.W. Bro. Crawley (Invercargill), on the death of his son in the Wellington Hospital, under peculiarly sad circumstances, was carried in the same manner, after which the Grand Lodge adjourned till 9 o’clock next morning out of respect to the memory of the late G.M. In the afternoon the representatives attended the funeral of the Grand Warden’s son. THE SECRETARY’S REPORT. The Grand Secretary (Bro. William Reid) presented an exhaustive report upon the affairs of the Order. Ho again congratulated the representatives and the Order on the fair rate of progress, numerical and financial. During the year under review the funds of the Grand Lodge had increased by £1294 Os lOd. of which the funeral fund takes credit for £llBB 19s 2d. The rate of mortality was, however, gradually increasing, and would keep increasing with the increased average age of members. It had been pointed out that he m terest. on funeral fund more than paid the death claims, and the inference

drawn was that rates of contribui ion were too high. Actuarial investigation since the scales of dues were computed had not shown this to he the case. Good and quick investment of tbe funds and favourable experience of mortality had been given credit for it. in any case, until future valuations showed what effect the withdrawal of the payment of old members’ dues fund and the increased (£10) funeral donation had upon the surplus fund, it would be unwise to make any disturbance of the scales of contribution. “Personally,” added the secretary, “ for all the easement that the infinitesimal reduction of dues would make, I think it would be better, if found practicable, to increase the comforts of our aged members (who are in need of it) by an increased pension allowance. Extension of the order fupd has suffered a further diminution of £54 Os 10d. This is not to be deplored, as judicious expenditure under this head is amply justified as a rule by results/’ At the end of its financial year the Order had forty lodges, and another had since been opened. The past year opened with a membership of 3012, and during the year 422 had been added and 207 lost. The year’s contributions totalled £BIBS, the admission fees £l6B, interest and rents £1076,. and other sums £l6B. There was an expenditure for medical management expenses of £4117 15s 2d; relief (thirty-nine members), £149 12s 8d; sickness, £1825 11s lOd. The total assets of lodges at end of 1904 were £32,404 0s 4d ; total funds of Order £48,780 10s 7d. The sickness experience was again heavy, totalling £1825 11s lOd—an increase on the previous year of £139 11s lid. There were 1638 weeks 4 days of full pay, £1641 15s; 145 weeks 2 days reduced pay, £72 15s; and 570 weeks 2 days further reduced pay £lll. Juvenile lodges had evidently come to stay, there being now four lodges with 132 members, and a juvenile constitution was to be submitted during the present Grand Lodge session. Tlie report states: —“Although matters are looking bright all over the jurisdiction, and there has been a gain in lodges, while none have been dropped, there were at present more weak lodges than we have had for a number of years. Star of Napier, after a fitful and precarious existence, seems destined to flicker out, and this through no local neglect, but simply through causes which, have been beyond control of executive and the Gisborne brethren, through whose instrumentality it was opened. Otaki has also for a long time shown signs of decay, and unless some active measures are taken, is in parlous state. Britannia has been moribund for some time past. Steps will be taken to visit these lodges after the session, and, excepting Britannia, there is no reason why they should not be stimulated into active life again. There has been a good deal of discussion among other societies with regal'd to an amended Friendly Societies’ Act. So far as our society is concerned there seems to be no fault found with it generally, but we would welcome and support a clause on the lines of the act of New South "Wales, requiring that adequate scales of contributions, certified to by an actuary, should be submitted along with application to register.” The Grand Lodge I.O'.CKF. (A.C.) continued its session last Wednesday morning. Fraternal greetings were received from Star of Gisborne and Leith (Dunedin'* Lodges, North Otago District, and Wellington Friendly Societies’ Council. I.P.G.M. Bro. Aitken was appointed Chairman of Committee, and the Grand Lodge went into committee to consider reports and balance-sheets. The Grand Master’s, Grand Secretary’s, D.D.G.M/s. Grand Treasurer’s, and other reports were discussed and adopted. Progress having been reported, the lodge I'esumed, and time was spent in revising the constitution for juvenile lodges. In his annual report the Grand Master (Bro. D. M. Miller) said that the term had been fairly prosperous with the Order in New Zealand. “We regret to know that in the interior of the North Island, and in some instances in the South Island, a lack of vitality so necessary to the well-being is shown. It is gratifying to note that the increase in Otago and Southland entitled each of these districts to an extra representative at this session. The Order in Australasia is steadily improving in membership and funds. The annual report shows the sum of £26,906 15s 5d has been disbursed in sick and funeral benefits and relief. The financial position has improved by £17,111 6s Bd, and the aggregate funds of the Order in Australasia on the 31st December, 1903. was £208,394 3s Bd. There are seven Grand Lodges, two Grand Encampments, 320 Subordinate Lodges, 43 Rehekah Lodges, 28 Juvenile Lodges, 26,326 lodge members, 12 Subordinate Encampments, 2010 members of Rehekah Lodges, 967 juvenile members. To West Australia belongs the honour of laying the foundation-stone of the first Oddfellows’ Home in these colonies. The general condition of the Order is most gratifying. The secretary of the Sovereign Grand Lodge says that never lias the past history of the Order equalled or approached the advance of 1902

and 1903, while 1904 still further exceeded the previous ones, the gain m membership during the year being ever 81,500 male members and about 30,000 female members. The total annual income exceeds £2,000,000, while £900,000 is distributed in relief. We also maintain over thirty homes for the orphan and aged.”

The Grand Lodge continued its session on Thursday. The election of officers resulted as follows:—'Grand Master, Bro. D. M. Miller, Dunedin ; Deputy - Grand Master, Bro. r f. Orawley, Invercargill; Grand Warden, Bro. A. Anniger, Auckland; Grand Secretary, Bro. Win. Reid; Grand Treasurer, Bro. J. S. Alexander; Trustees, Bros. J. Braithwaite, P.G.M., J. Michie, and Geo. Springer. On the important question of centralisation of sick funds, a considerable amount of discussion took place, and the following resolution was carried:— “ That a committee, consisting of G.S. Bro. Reid, D.G.M. Bro. Crawley, P.G.S. Bro. H. J. Williams, and Representativos McLachlan, Hinton Kemnitz, and Downs, be appointed to formulate a scheme for establishing and working a Centralised Sick Fund, the details to be placed before the districts twelve months before next session.” A motion from the Star of Gisborne Lodge, containing a proposal to revise the rules relating to sick pay, was rejected by. a unanimous vote.