WAKEFIELD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1746, 23 August 1905, Page 25

WAKEFIELD.

(from Out Own Correspondent.)

The half-yearly meeting of the Nelson District of 1.0.0. F., M.U., ,Tvas held, in the Mansion of Peace Lodge, Wakefield, on Friday, 11th inst. Provincial Grand Master Bro. J. E. Clear presiding, and Bro. A. Day, Deputy Provincial G.M. in the vice-chair and Provincial Correspondent Secretary Bro. A. R. Smart was also present. Delegate© were present from the following lodges: Nelson, Traveller©' Rest, Howard, Mansion of Peace, General Cameron* and Loyal Mataki. / Deep regret was expressed at the loss sustained hy the deaths of Bros. James Thomas, William Noriss, and Liddicombe. The Funeral Fund and the Widows and Fund both showed substantial increases. The success of the juvenile branch here brought forth expressions of pleasure. The balance-sheet was read and adopted.

The North Westland district wrote asking for opinion as to whether lodges having a surplus in sick and funeral funds, should not have power of d scretion given them in dispersing larger sum© than the Registrar at present permits. It was not thought wise to deviate from the present rate of distribution. The Hokitika District (Greymouth, Waimea and Albert) wrote suggesting amalgamation with the Nelson district. After discussion the matter was postponed pending further information. Bro. A.- Day, was nominated for the office P.S.M., and Bros. W. H. Robertson, P. Higgins, F. H. Cooke, E. S. Fairy, J. Bartlett, G. Hammond, F. Rutherford, and W. G. McGee for the P.D.G.M., and Bros. F. H. Hounsell, F. W. Smith, and P. Topliss as auditors; also Bros. Smart, Topliss, Harkness and Corder for lodge book exajn.ners.. Br>. A. N. Batchelor a© D.G.M. of the Unty at the M.C., and Bro. J. Marshall as D.G.M., and Bros. Smart, Harkness, I. T'unnicliffe, F. W. Smith a© directors of the M.C., and Bro. Hounsell as auditor. Bro. J. J. Ricketts, P.G., piesentecl the district with the apron worn by the late Bro. Watson at the first meeting of Oddfellows held in New Zealand (Nelson). It is. to be framed and hung in the Nelson Lodge Room, having inscription attached. Bro. E. Andrews gained the two gu.nea prize for having introduced most members during the year. Resolved that the February meeting take place- in Bright water. A vote of sympathy is to be sent to J. P. Cooke in ihis illness. The usual votes of thanks closed the gathering. Mr George Johnson, saddler, had the

misfortune to lose his infant son on Saturday.; The funeral t»k place today ; four young school girls acting as bearers, wh.le a number of children followed two deep. The Vicar performed the ceremony, and the little one was laid to rest in St. John's churchyard. Mr Albert Hunt was buried in St. John's cemetery last Friday, and a large attendance of settlers cam© fi'.om far and

near, there being - over ferty vehicles, besides bicycles, etc. The Hunts are wellknown as men of integrity and sound business, and the death of Mr Albert Hunt causes a loss to the whole district. He had a wide circle of fr.ends, who deeply sympathise with his mother, brothers and sisters.

The report from the Aniseed Valley Copper Mine last Saturday is most encouraging. It appears that the lode has been struck again - , this time in level No. 7, at a depth of 535 ft. proving that there is a very large quantity of ore to work' on. The full width will be known in a few day®. ~ We note that Lieut. R. Irvine of Rrightwater, at present at Bisley, tope the list in the Prince of Wales Match, and comes first in the selection for the

Kolapore Cup contest. . , The Farmers' Union met last week. Mr Peter Higgins, President, in the chair. Government schedules relating to small birds, their habits, insect-destroying capabilities, and breeding, were discussed. A vote of sympathy with the relatives of their late member, Mr Albert Hunt, was passed. It was resolved to request Mr F. Worley of Nelson, to deliver another lecture on - Agricultural Science, shortly. That Mr E. S. Hoult be auditor, and that an apology be sent Mr R. McKenzie, M.H.R. on account of his not having been informed of the departure of the Railway Extent ion Reputation until arrival in Wellington. - The weather has changed from sunshine and frosts to a fine mild rain. The willows are already showing a tinge of green and the mimosa are out in full bloom. The grass is growing and pastures are improving. Orchardists are very busy, spraying, pruning tilling, etc. The directors of the BrigEfcwater Butter Factory met and decided to get the factory and subsidiary creameries ready to commence work on Ist September. Mr Baigent, "Registrar” has removed, and is now established in the corner rooms of Mr, Painton's old store. ' It is a most central position. As a rule meteors shoot rapidly across the sky and either vanish, or burst, giving out some noise, but last Saturday evening about 7.30 a bright meteor slowly traversed, the eastern portion of the heavens in a westwardly direction, and finally burst into fragments, with no perceptible noise. It remained visible for nearly half a minute. _ At the Literary Society to-night, the President, the Rev O. R. _ Hewlett delivered an able and interesting lecture on "Charles Dickens, Novelist.” There was a large attendance and the members passed a hearty vote of thanks for the instructive and pleasant evening. Mr Cecil Hooper occupied the chair for the evening. After the close of the lecture Dr Hamilton, on behalf of the residents, presented Mr Allan Fanzeiow, cadet at the Wakefield railway station with a handsome travelling bag. ..Mr Fanzeiow has given great satisfaction here, and the public could not let him depart for Wellington without telling him how well satisfied they had been with him, and wishing him success in his new position. His place will be filled by Mr Norman Hooper, eldest son of Mr Frank Hooper.

The subject for debate next Tuesday evening is “Has the Female Franchise benefited the women of New Zealand ?" Mr I. Tunnicliffe maintains the affirmative, and Mr E. S. Hoult, the negative.