FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10571, 18 January 1896, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

The half-yearly meeting of. the Dunedin branch of the Hibernian Society was held on tbe 14-th iast., when the quarterly balance sheet wa3 read showing the total receipts for the quartar to be £91 12s 3d, and the total expenditure £48 3s 2d, leaving a profit of £4-3 9s Id on the quarter's transactions. The auditors handed in the following written report:—" We, the undersigned auditors of St. Joseph's branch, No. 73, beg ro.certify that we have carefully examined the books and vouchers of the branch, and find everything in first-class order, and testify to the careful and accurate manner in which the books are kept by the secretary. The accounts show a total profit on the quarter of £43 9s Id, certainly a very substantial sum, all the funds shaming a credit balance. The membership is also increasing—a very satisfactory sign." In the election of officers some of the positions were keenly contested—three being nominated for president, four for two auditors, and sis for two sick visitors. The following were elected : — President, Bro. J. O'Neill; vice-president, Bro. W. JSiilroouey; secretary, Bro. J. O'Connor (re-elected); treasurer, Bro. D. O'Matwney (re-elected); warden, Era. 6 Foster ; guardian, Bro. IVBuckley; sick visitors, Bros. Foster and Murphy ; auditors, Bro. Carr (re-elected) and Hahey. Br M'Keliar and the Friendly Societies' D':specsary were re-elected. 'Xhe doctor, giving general satisfaction, and it was also considered that ths tone of tha dispensary was much improved. Linden Lodge, 1.0.0 P., held their halfyearly reseating at tbe Oddfellows 3 Hall, Roislyn, oa Wednesday eveniug. There was a fair attendance of visitors and members. After the ordinary lodge business bad been disposed of, D.G.M. Bro. Higgins, G.S. Bro. Eeid, G.T. Bro. Alexander, and Acting G.M. Bro. Pattison, of the Grand Lodge, installed the following officers for the euauing torm :—J.P.G.. Bro. W. Smith ; N.G., Bro. L. Kemnit-z ; V.G , Bro. F. Wilkinson ; secretary, Bro. J. T. Higgins (l-e-electsd) ; treasurer. Bro. W. Nicolsou; conductor, Bro. J. L. Wilson; warden, Bro. J. A. Millar; 0.G., Bro. J. Rutherford; 1.G,, Bro. D. Henderson; supporters to N.G., Bros. H. Green and W. Beveridge ; supporters to V.G., Bros. W. Adams aud R. Wilkinson ; S. sup-poi-ter3, Bro. J. Broadley and Bro. G. Arthur; chaplain, Bro. J. Pattison. After Acting G.M. Bro Alexander and G.S. Bro. Reid had expressed their satisfaction ou behalf of the Grand Lodge ftt the favourable position of the lodge and at ths selection of officers, » hearty vote of tbanka to the Grand Lodge officers for their care and attention was carried by acclamation, which was responded to oa behalf of the Grand Lodge. Tbe uoual compliments to visiting lodges was responded to by Bros. Thotnsou, Swinton, and Aitchiaon on beh&lf of Leitb, Unity, and Pioneer lodges respectively. The receipts were £197 2s 4d.

Tba Loyal CaTersham Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. met at their lodge room on the 15th mat., N G. Bto Searle presiding. An official visit was received from tho district officers. P.P.G.M. Bro. Luke, in the absence of the G.M., presented P.G. Bro. Rendel with aa emblematical certificate, and in co doing referred to the satisfactory w.iy in which lie had carried out his duties daring his term of office. P.Q. Bro. Kendol suitably responded. P.G. Bro. Crouin presented tho auditors' report and balance sheet, which wera adopted. Information was received from the district stating that the naxt purple degree meeting would ba held on the 29th iuot. P.G. Bro. Green nud P.G. Bro. Campbell (of the Valley Lodge), I'.P.G M. Bro. Chapman (Loyal Ouuediu Lodge), and D.P.G.M. Bro. Clark (of tuo Hand and Heart Lodge) responded to the second toast of tha evening. P.G.M. Bro. Hopcraft responded, on bohalf oE tho district, to the third toast of the evening. Receipt, £22 4s 9ti

A pound night in connection with Enterprise Lodge, U.A.0.D., was hold on Thursday evening in the lodge room. Thcro was a large attcudanco of members and visitors. D.P. Bro. Kuox occupied the ohair. Opportunity wm taken of the occasion to present P.D.P. collars to Bros. J. A. Jackson and .1. Bond. The chairman, in making the presentation, referred to the able end enthusiastic ssrvices rendered to the otdpr by these two brethren. They bad occupied high positions, and had maintaiued with dignity the trust committed to thorn. The order had every reason to ba proud of them, and he hoped they would loug bo spared to wear their regalia and coniinno to take as active an interest in tbe affairs of Druidism «s they had done in the past. DP. Bio. Wyuu endorsed what had been so well paid by the chairman. P. D.P. Bro. J. A. Jacksou returned tbanka for his collar, and referred U> tbe many difficulties he h*d to contend with daring his two years of office. He urged the members, one and all, to tako an active interest in their lodge, and thus assist in makiDg it more successful by giving it the benefit of their advice and experience. P.D.P. Bro. J. Bond also returned thanks, and he hoped he would coutiuue to be as active a member as ever be was. A uumbur of toasts were proposed and responded to, unionist them being the Parliament of New Zealand, ooupled with the names of Bros. W, Karimhaw and A. Morrison. A largo number of songs were contributed during the evening, tho meeting closing shortly affcur 11 o'clock.

At the annual meeting of the New Zealand Friendly Societitw' Guarantee Association a satisfactory report was presented. Free policies have been agaiu issued to the lodges. Messrs S. Waters and J. Edwards wore reelected ohairmau and secretary respectively, .»ud, Mr Hi Clmiidbll treasurer.