RECHABITES

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11177, 5 April 1922, Page 3

RECHABITES

JUBILEE COUNCIL MEETING ASSISTANCE TO CARRY PROHIBITION URGED. VARIOUS REHITS PRESENTED. At the Wellington Town Hall yesterday ‘morning was opened the first session of ‘the jubilee council meeting of the Independent Order of Rechabites. The District Chief Ruler, Brother E. Harding, presided, and opened the proceedings according to ritual. The district officers present were O.R. Brother B. Harding tWoodville), D.R. Brother R. Earrant (Dunedin), District Secretary Brother T. Fathers (Wellington), District Treasurer Brother T. Leslie (Wellington), District J. Supt. Brother H. Heywood (Redone), Past District C.R. Brother J. S. Munro (Palmerston), District Supt. Women Members Sister E. Kennedy (Ashburton). Representatives were present from 47 tents in the district. The District Chief delivered' a telling and inspirational opening address on the progress and hopes of the order. DISTRICT SECRETARY’S REPORT. The first business was the setting up of a strong committee to deal with the finance of the district. The district secretary presented a most comprehensive report from the executive. The report contained a reverent tribute to the founders of the order, who are now serving in the Tent on High. A new branch was reported to have been opened at Green Island (Dunedin/. The increase in membership since last council was stated to be 384, thus malting the membershin for the district 3333. * -.. The purchase and renovation of a property in Wellington, together with the tenancy and income of same, was reported. The arrival of world’s high officers from the Old Land was referred to, and a note of thanks sounded for their safe arrival on these shores. The Philipson Tent (Christchurch) was declared the winner of the District Shield, also Sister Kennedy’s 'banner for increased membership, the total members gained for the competition period being 75. The balance-sheet and report were received and discussed at length. During a short adjournment from debate, Sister Gladys Fathers gave a graphio descriptive aocount of her visit to England and her impressions of the High Movable Conference (the highest court of the Order). The report was received with thanks to Sister Fathers. SECOND SESSION. The second session opened at 1.30 p.m. After roll-call, greetings were received from the following:—Sister Smith (Invercargill), Bros. Sherwood and Royes (Nelson), the Queensland District Secretary, Hope- of Dunedin Tent, Bro. Mclndoe (Dunedin), Mas- ! torton Friendly Societies, and Masterton Tent, also a letter of congratulation and greeting from the Auckland District.

It was decided to send greetings to the Oddfellows now sitting in conference in Christchurch. Discussion of the report and balancesheet was resumed, and after a lengthy disoussiou the report .and balancesheet were adopted. Greetings were received from , the high officers en route to Wellington and from the executive of 84 District. The D.S.F.M., Sister Kennedy, read bed' report, which included an increase .of 150 women members. The juvenile superintendent, Bro. Heyward, presented his report, which stated that three new juvenile, Tent 3 had been instituted, and the increase of membership for the period was 226. The report was received and adopted after a good discussion. A letter was read from G. C. Sage, one of the throe surviving members who were present at the first district meeting in 1872. An invitation was received to send two delegates to the functions to be held in Brisbane during the present visit of the high officers. It was decided to thank Queensland for the invitation, hut owing to the abnormal expense of travel to refraim-ffbm sending a delegation. MOTIONS CARRIED. The District Secretary moved:— “That the New Zealand Central District gratefully records its hearty appreciation of the action of the High Movable Conference in appointing the High Chief Ruler, Bro. Amos Tomlinson, and the Past High Chief Ruler, Bro. J. H. Lear-Caton, as representatives of the Order to visit New Zealand on the occasion of tho Jubilee of the No. 86 District, 1.0. R.” The District Deputy seconded the motion, which was carried. The District Secretary moved: “That (a), a special jubilee levy of two shillings be made upon all members, such levy to be used to defray expenses of the jubilee celebrations; (b) all moneys already received by the district- as contributions to the jubilee entertainment fund be credited to the contributing tents as payment on account of the jubilee levy. Seconded by 1 the D.S.J.T.—Carried. ■ ' It was decided to set up a committee to bring down a report on the representation question. At 5 p.m. the session adjourned until 8 p.m. THIRD SESSION. After roll-call a motion was carried that the D.C.R., D.D.R., and D. Secretary be appointed to prepare a resolution expressing the loyalty of the Order to the Empire. Bro. Hassall moved that in view of the licensing vote to be taken this year this conference urges all members by vote and influence to use every endeavour to assist in carrying prohibition. Seconded by Bro. Martin, and carried. The convener of the representation committee reported that no decision had been arrived at up to time of resuming. It was decided that (this committee go into further session and come to hnality on the questions at issue. The finance committee made its report, which was received and deferred. VARIOUS REMITS. A motion to sell Rechabite property at Marton was carried. iA remit by Tent 52 re tho age of representatives was ruled out of order. A remit by Tent No. 1, .“That hon. members shall not bo eligible as representatives to district meetings, - ’ was lost. r . A remit by Tent 19, “That dates relative to District Council bo altered,” was carried. A remit by Tent 19 re establishing a social fund was carried. A remit by Tent 52, “That each district officer nominate hiß own proxy,” was carried. At 10.6 p.m. the meeting adjourned. TO-DAY’S CIVIC RECEPTION. The Mayor (Mr R. A. Wright, M.P.), will tender a civic reception to

the overseas delegates in the concert chamber of the Town Hall, at 4 o’clock this afternoon; and at 8 p.m., in the Taranaki street Methodist Schoolroom, a conversazione will he held, presided over by D.C.R. E. Harding. The high officers, ‘together with the Australian and Auckland representatives, arrive by the Main Trunk express this afternoon.