FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10919, 28 September 1897, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

HALF-YEARLY MEETING OTAGO DIS'

TRICT, .SI.U J.P.O.S1

The half-yearly meeting of the above district was held at the lodge room of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, Lawrence, on Saturday last,'when about 50 delegates were present. P.Q.M. Bro. 8.-undell presided, the other district officers present being D.P.G.M. Bro. Harael, CS. Bro. Hopcraffc, aad P.P.G.M. Bro. Glarke. The following lodges were represented by delegates :— Hand and Heart—P.P.G.M. Bro. P. Miller, P G. Bro. W. H. Muaro, P.C.S. Bro. P. Black. V.G. Bro. \V. Bsadle, P.G. Bro. J. W. Watson, P.G. Bro. Alhn.

'Dunedin—P.F.G.M. Bro. W. Hawop, P G. Bro. Smeatou, P.G. Bro. Fulton, F.G. Bco. Bl'Dougall. Dalton—Per. See. Bro. J. Hogg, N.G. Bro. W. S. PemiTCOcfc, B.S. Bro. J?.mes Simpson. Albion-P.P.G.M. Bro. P. CMverb, Per. See. Bro. W. Pve.cl, P.G. Bro. J. C. Beiges. '= 'Xuapeka Pioneer—P.G. Bro. G. Jeffery, P.G. Bro. A. Hart. .• ' ' . • Tapanui—Bro. W. J. Aod&rton, P.G. Bro. D. M'Coll, N G. Bro. H. Baehsmn. O*ni»ra—P.G Bro. J. Wunro. ..Mosgiel—Per.'Si-c Bio. W. Weir, P.G. Bro. J. Or*ig, V.G. 80. Swvens. .' Prince of Wales—V G. Bro. A. Fullertou. . Palraeratbii-Per. Sec Bro. Gbw, N.G. Bro. Gillespic. • Outrani-P.P.G.M. Bro. W. G. Gaddes. Wnitahuna—P.G. Bco. B. Olsen. ' 'Blue Spur—P«r. Ssc. Bro. Varcoe, P.G. Bro. Harris. Roxburgh—P.G. Bro. Andrew, P.G. Bro. Harb.' Cromwell — P.G. Bro. W. T. Talboys, P.P.G.M. Bro. Sliffo. Caveisham—P G. Bro. S. CroniD, P.G. Bro. Wilion, N G. Bro. R. B, Hill. Waipori—Bro. F. W. Knight. . ,Ngapara*-P.5. Bro. J. C. Lore. Dunback—Per. Pec. Bro. J. Murray. Vall'iy—P.G. Bro. Alexander, P.G. Bro. Willis. A MAtK OF RKSPECT. ' After the .roll-call, it was decided to adjourn far a short time as a mark of respect to the memory of the late P.P.G.M. Bro. Fish, (hs following motion, proposed by P.P. G-M. Bro. Smgo, bting seconded by P.P.G M. Bro. Harrop, and unanimously agreed to —"That fchiameetingoffcheOtagoDistricf'.M.U.l.O.O F., desires to express its sense of th« loss sustained by our crder snd the community by the lamented daath of oar late esteemed broiler P.P.G.S. Bro. H.S.Fisb, and ti express its deep sympatiiy with &3ra Fi;h. aad the tnembsrs of his family in theirbsreaveraeat, and Ih&ta telegram be forwarded conveyinij the sime (o Mrs Pish." P.P.G.M. Bro. Galvert also sooke in a eulogistic manner of thuaetvices rendered, more especially to tho Albion Lodge, if which Lodge Bro. Fish had been a trns'ee and very active member for many years. GRAND MASTER'S ADDRESS. On resuming, G.SS. Bro. BRCsnsr,L*.dcliferad the following address : — to accovdauce -.with the custom which has prevailed during the kst few.yen.iy, it givus me very great pleasure to address a few words to you "to-day; but as the opinion has been expressed that nothing of a debatable clviracter should be introduced in the Graud Master's a'Ulress. I shall simply nonfine my remarks to matters that have occurred during my term of. office. But first of n.ll, allow me, ou behalf of Uib brethren of ths Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, to extend to you all a hearty welcome to l.awrecee. It is now live and a-half years since our last visit to this town, and those of us who were present on that occasion, will, uo doubt, retain a pleasant recollection of the cordial and hearty reception then met with, and I have no doubt that the brethren who are here to-day for the first time will be able to make the ssms kindly alluaiou to the treatment they will have received on this occasion. Personally it will be exceptionally jjleasins to me to remember the meetings of ISO 2 and ]Sl'<7, as the former was the first district meeting I had tba houour of attend inpr, being than the chief officer of my lodge, and on the present occasion in the honourable position of the presiding officer of the district. . In referring to the progress made duving the interval, by the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, I am pleased to see that the membership has increased from 75 to 01, but I am sorry to fisid that during the last IS months the numerical strength of the lodge has been wduccd by 11 memlisw. This is to be regretted, and I trust that the meetins here to-day will create a livelier interest in our order in this di trier, and so result in a substantial increase in the membership, not only of (this, but also the nsighbourin S ,lodges. Th» financial operations of tho lodge during the portod under review have resulted in an increase to the funds of i 6332 JSs 4*l, which must be considered very satisfactory. The total worth of the lo<?ge being now £2"SiH«s fid. • It is with retti'ut that I record the death of PJP G M. Bro. Fish, which took place oh Thursday inornin(f,.aiid allhough his death was not altogether unexpected, it is to be deplored that we have lost oue whose force of character has been so much in evidence for so long a time in this district.' I regret that the meeting here today will necessitate the abseuce from his funeral of many who otherwise would have followed his last mortal remains to the grave. It is a singular coincidence that the late brother was elected I'rov. G. U. at a meeting held in this town ]{) years ago, and which was the lirat meeting of a district committee in connection with this district held outside Dunediu. The great event of the year, the A.jr.O. of our order, was held at Douglas, in the Me of Man, m June-last, The ollicial reports of the meeting have been circulated as usual, but for the beuefit of those who have not had the opportunity of perusing the same, I nhall endeavour to give you a few of the particulars contained therein : -It is with feelings of pleasure and pride that I am able to report that, the brethren who attended the meeting received a very hearty welcome, and that their stay on the island was made as pleasant and profitable us the citizens could possibly nftko it each one of whom vied with his neighbour in'd' in? honour to the assembled brethren. This being the yoar of records, the A.M.O. was no exception, n being attended by no less than W4 delegates (or three in excess of last year), amongst

EVERYTHING FOR THE SKIN, SCALP, and hair of infants and children that is cleansing, purifying, and beautifying Cuticuba will do. A warm Imth with Outicuua Soap, and a gentle anointing with Cuticuua, purest of omollieuts and crentest of skin cures, will afford instant relief, permit rest and sleep to both parent ami child, and point to a speedy, permaueiu, and economical cure in the moat distressing f.irrns ot itching, burning, scaly, and crusted skin and scalp humours, with loss of hair, whc:i .all else fails.—ll

whom wove two rMetrates from New Zealand, V 0 VG it. IV o. Griffiths, of the l.ytteitnu dutrict ami P.G. Ci-o. Ui.rn<i, of the Hawke's Bay district. Fconx th,; statistics, as laid before tha meeting I fiiH that th« adult membership oa .T-.nuary 1, IS;)", was 7G9,f1u0. being an increase oc IS SO3 msniber.', ami that the juvenile members ha I increased by 4010, their numbers now being 10ri,63-3. The total membership of the Unity (iucluiive of- female, honorary, and widows paying for benefits) is no less thin 000,608, being an increase for the year of 24 3W. The financial statement for the year 1895 shows that {lie receipts from all sources amounted to £1,512,818, and there was paid for sick and funeral benefits £931255 and for management pnrpose.- £J09.955. making a total expenditure of £1,23D,?V«, which lift a profit on the year's transactions of £307,635, a result I feel sure you will all be proud of. The total capital belonji3<* to the society on the Ist January, lS9'i, amounted to £9,011,518 It is •worthy of note that the operations of the order have been furtbar extended in foreign lands, a new lodge and district having been created at Sierra Leone, oa the weit const of Africa. There were many important questions brought up at the meeting, but for me to attempt to deal with a majority of them would take up inn much of your time on this occasion ; but I would like to point out tbit the necessity of obeying the laws was fully illustrated by the meeting refusing assistance to mire than ons district applying for relief ou account of their paying.for beer. <£c , for the mombers pivsont out of the funds of Tin several lodges, for what is caYted " wet rent." I was very please 1 indeed to see ths determined stmd taken by the meeting over this matter, and I sincerely hopa that the illegal practice will be entirely abolished before the next A.M.O. meeting, and so remove an undesirable stain fcom the annals of the order.

Relating to matters in connection with our own district, it is with pleasure that I note that the net increase for the half-year has been H members, as against 15,f0r the corresponding period of hst.jv.ar, making a total membership of 2?95, and I take this opportunity of congratulating tlw members on the increased aclivity tbey have displayed during the term, by which this satisfactory result has been attained. It U a matter of regret, however, that we have lost 47 members from our ranks by secessions. Although.oar increase in membership is greater and the number of secessions less than for any corr«spondin« period of the last few years, I think there is still room for improverasut in tMs rorpsct, and I would recdmmen.l to the officers and Members, whist welcoming a large influx of new membarr, to use their b;st endeavour!) to keep those membci-3 in our ranks, who, through nothing b'lt carelessness on th-fir own part, allow themselves to run out of tha society. In reviewing the financial returns I find that the sum of £U'M lis has been added to the lodge funds for the half-yea*, but as the district funds have c!escea<el by £1 12s, the net increase is shown to be £lUS?, 2i, which, if add-id fc) the vahu of lo^ge funds from the preceding half-year, makes a grand total of £74,2.7 Gs 9..1. Whilst under this heading, J'would like to draw your attention to the favourable con-.pirUon in regard to the sickness experience a3 show in th* district officers' report. My predecessor, in dealing with this subject, eulogised the Loyal Outram Lodge six mouths aeo for having a light sicknesK expertnice, but I think I can again fairly congratulate th° members of that lodge on the exceptionally lovv rate of cickuess which it has experienced during the lulf-year under review, amouuting as it does to the small sum of SJd per member. On th« 10th of August a special district meeting was held to cjnsitler the district rules as amended by the sub-co.imiittee appointed to revise them, and.'wih a few slight alterations were adopted by the meeting." The.'district officers,.seeing, the necessity of altering the initiation fees and contributions in tha rule, relating to superannuation bsnefits so as to bring it into conformity with the Friendly Societies Act, and to avoid any unnecesfary deUy in getting the district rules registered, have placed a motion to that effect on the business pVoer for your consideration. I am very pleased to s?e that our brethren in the country are taking more interast than hitherto in our half-yearly meetings, as the business paper will show. You will today have to consider at lea3t two applications from ountry lodges in regard to the" place for holding the annual meetins; but I would like to point out to you tnat our nsxt meeting will be held about the same time as the celebration of ths Jubilee of the province, when there will bo, no doubt, a large influx of visitors to Uunediri from the country districts, and you will therefore have to consider the advisability or otherwise of holding the next meeting in the District Chambers. In accordance with the. resolution of the Standing Committee, the Prov. O.S. and myself assisted by the brethren of the Loyal Nassby Lodge, opaiied the Loyal United Brothers Lodge at Cumbrians {Uentral Otago) on September 2. The' utmost enthusiasm prevailed throughout the district, in lejard to the function, and it was with gratification that we were able to initiate 32 benefit and four honorary, members, and have the satisfaction of knowing that brethren were installed into the various chairs who, I believe, will take the liveliest interest in the lodge's welfare. I t»ke this opportunity of thanking the brethren of tha Loyal United Brothers' Lo<lge for the reception accorded to us, and also for the kindly way in which they treated vis during our stay in the district. The best thanks of the district are also due to the brethren of the Loyal Nasaby Lodge for the interest they have taken in the formation, and accompanying and as<isting U3 in the opening'of the lodge, to Bro, Dr Church, who examined all the candidates gratuitously, and to Bro. .1. R. Smith (N.G. of the Loyal Kaseby Lodge), who not only placed his services, but also gave the use of his drag to convey the visiting brethren from Naseby to Cambrians. Tbeie are incidents wluch cannot .be too widely known, a=i they go to show the. very/great interest taken by our country brethren in ,the welfare of cur order. Whilst on our way to Cambrians, the Prov. OS. and my.-lf paid an official ,visit to the Loyal Nasaby Lod^is, which held a special meeting to receive us, a good number of the brethren being present. We were wall pleased with the receptioa accorded to us, and also with the manner in which the lodge conducts its' business. ... I had in anticipation a pleasing function to perform to-day in presenting to P.PG.M. Bro. Chapman the books that' were voted to him by the district mseting at Outrain, but owing to his absence that pleasurable' duty will have to be postponed; , . Your officers, with the iiea of reducing the expense, suggested the advisability at the present time of visiting the lodges in the Tuapeka district, with the result that during this week I have visited the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer, Blue Spur, W.iitahuna, and Waipori Lodges. In all ths lodges there was a very good attendance of the members, who seemed to take a very great interest *in their lodge, as also in the visit of a district officer.' As this was the first visit received from a district officer for some considerable time, it, was only to be expected that elieht irregularities bad crept into the working of the lodges, but I am very pleased to ssy that, after the errors had been pointed out, the members adopted the proper course, and ouly seemed too pleased, at bavins Ihe opportunity of gaining the information There is no doubt that these visits to the country lorJges are beneficial in every way, as they not only have a tendency to create a livelier interest in the order, but they bring the members more in touch with the governing body of the district and I sincerely hope that the district officers ia the future will endeavour to continus these visits until all the lodges in the district have been visited. . During the year the system of issuing an oflicial handbook for this district has been inaugurated, and no doubt will be accepted and in-ized by the members as a handy book nf reference The book at present is only in its infancy, and is therefore confined tofie city and suburban lodges I trust tint the objects for which it was OTomoied will bs attainad, and so help to locreaee the alteudanes at our lodge nweliog*. As the cost of compiling the book is vary trivial,'l hope to see every lodge'in the district availmg itself of G.M., I am— to know that one who takes a very grett interest m the affairs of this district was on the 9th of September elected a councillor for the City of Dunedin. 1 take this opportunity of congtatulatin" PPG- M Bro. P. Millur ou his attaining that "position, and in hoping that he may have health ami strength to perform his arduous duties I know that I am echoing the sentiments of all the members of the Otugo District. In conclusion. I have to thank the brethren of this district for turning out in such creditable numbevs during my absence ami *»K inf P»« in th? procession in honour of the Q.ueen a Diamond Jub co in .Tune last, and also for the valuable token which was presented to me later on I have al^o to tender my thanks U the 1 istrict Committee, my .colleagues iii office, and tha several lodges f have visitei for the courted and kindness shown to me in the execution ot my duty.

It was agreed on the motion of Per. See. hco. GriXESPiE to thank the (i.M. for his excellent addrew, »ud to print it in the proceedings of the meeting. DISTRICT OFFICERS JU3POKT. G M Bro Bau-sDEtn moved the raseption of the district officers' report (which appeared in our issue of. last Saturday). TU.s was seconded by Bro. Sr.ico. who revieiTed the report generally, congratulating the distric ou the satisfactory iacraase shown therein, both numerically and financially.

A VIGILANCE'COMMITTEE. In response to request, the following circular from the Wellington Friendly Societies Vigilance Committee was read :—

To the Secretary Otago District, af- Uj-O-Of-. Dear Sir and 8r0.,-I am i.vtructed by the Wellington Fiicndlv Societies' Vigilance Committee to write asking you if there »-in your district any similar committee or body to ttie fore-oius; and, if not, tn ask if yon, in conjunction with the other societies m your district, would be inclined to take steps to form such an aw octal ion, «o that if required delegate* from all the different associations could meet .at some central place and discuH. matters relative to the wellbeing and psneral government of friendly societies, initiate new legislation if deemed necessary, or amend that already existing. It has beetiiou" felt among thinking, members of the various orders that we do not possess that unity and'cohesion which should exist among ™ large much larger share of support and recognition, to wliicU we are justly entitled. ~..., ,j One of the most imporUntßnbjeeb; that should be taken up is the reform of he Reuistvar of Friendly Societies office, . and to define the powers &c, of the revising barrister. What Society can say that tbey have not Miftered throush vexatious delays when applying to lisve laws or amendments to laws registered .' bo acute has this become, that it is very necessary that stop? should l.c taken to have the whole thins veatikted in Parliament, or by a court of law This state of things should not exist. In view, therefore, of what could be done by unity of purpose, we ask you to seriously consider the formation of such a body as'our own. kindly make this vr £ ent, as w« wish to try and do somethin* before next session of Parliament, which will shortly open

J. Kershaw, Secretary, Wellington I<\ S. Vigilance Committee. PPGM Bro. Sltgo moved—'-That while this'meeting fully reslia. s the difficulties which have been placed in the way of friendly societies obtaining registry of their rules, we feel assured that tiio revising barci&ter s duties are fully cklined on the Friendly Societies Act. In the meantime, the meeting defers sotting up a special vigilance committee, but will be glad if you- committee will coramuuicate with the

District Executive, whom this meeting authorises to tak« cognisance of anything you may desire support in." Bro. Sligo explained that, the Wfillington district had receutly endeavoured to have a new code oE rules registered, and had met with considerable opposition. Sir Robert Stout, on their behalf, had interviewed the registrar aDd revising barrister, whea the latter admitted that he hid uo legal standing in insisting upon the sUfrations or objections, and withdrew all opposition except wish regard to the rule relating to secessions. A few week 3 later, however, he-again reverted to hia former position, and registration of the rule 3 was refused. The Wellington district was not alone in this treatment at the hands of the revising barrister, as during the past few years there was probably not a friendly society in the colony but had suffered by. the frivolous and oftentimes absucd objections raised by that gsntieraan.

P.P.G.M. Bio. Miller seconded the motion. He did aot think it would be wise to set up a tpesifcl committee, as" experience showed that when anch committees had no work actually in hand they were prove t.> provide work for themselves, often of a harmful character. P.P.G.M. Brj.'Calvert also supported the motion, and advocated putting tho procedure provided by the Friendly Societies Act in operation, and bringing matters in dispute between friendly societies and the revising barrister, in such cases as that referred to by Bro. Sligo, at oaca before a judge of the Supreme Cmrt. The motion was carried unanimously. B*"'.V<CK SHEET. .■

The adoption of the balance shset and auditors' report was moved by P P.G.M. Bro. Haerop, seconded by P.G. Bro. Smbaton', and agreed to. The balances to credit o? the district funds wee- Fan»r»l fund, £220 16< 51; distress fund, £777 3* 2d ;• goods' account, £78 4s 8d ; incidtutsl fund, £97 131 2.1. In connection with the balance sheet, Bro. Harrop condemned the expenditure on official visits by the district officers. Bros. Miller, W. H. Muoro, Gow, and Knight upheld the executive io their action, and advocated an extension of the practice, citing instances of the great advantage? arising, fromsnch visits in renewed interest and cona«quent extension of the order.

NOMINATION FOB DISTRICT OFFICE. The following brothers were proposed for office on the District Executive, &o, the election for which takes place at the annual mestin" iv March next:— Foe I'rov. G.M., present Deputy G.M., Bro. Hamel; for Deputy q jg_ P.G's. Bros. Gsrrow, Crania, Munro, Raid, Allan, Briggs, Willis, Smoaton, Scoones, Watson, Galloway, Grator, and Winter, P P C.S. Bro. BUck, Per. Sees. Bros. Weir and Gow ; for Prov. C.S., present C.S., Bro. Hopcraft ; for Prov. Treas.— Bros. Robio, Harrop, Lake, and Calvert; for Auditor—B:os. 8.-own, Ibbotson, Faiton, aud Reid. < PUIPLE LECTURE AND DEGREE MEETING.. On the motion of P.P.G.M. Bro. Habrop, seconded by P.G. Bro. Smeatos, it was agreed to hold the next half-yearly Purple Lecture and Past Officers' Degree meeting at the District Chambers, Dunedin. SUPERANNUATION TABLE. The existing table of initiation fees and contributions providing for superannuation benefit not being in conformity with tfeai;'now in force for sick and funeral benefits, it was decided, on the motion of G.M. Bro. Bkundejgl, to have a new one prepared to remedy this defect. 'CLEARANCES AND SURRENDER VALUES.^ The C.S. read a report of a sub-committee appointed at a recent Bpscial meetiug to draft certain rules the principles of which cad been agreed to ; and the G.M. moved.the adoption of the report. P G. Bro. W; H. Munro moved as an amend-ment—-"That the table of surrender values in connection with clearances be printed in the report of the proceedings of this meeting, aud be considered at the annual district meeting. He objected entirely to the adoption of this table until the lodges had had an opportunity o!c discussing it. It ought to have beeu printed with the revised rule?, wad, failing that, in the present district officers' report, bat it had appeared in neither, and was not even available for reference to-day. He, had had an opportunity of examining it, and while in no way impugning the correctness of the figures, which were at some ages as much as 33 per cent, higher than in a similar table procure a by the district some ys&rs ago, yet he warned the delegates that its adoption might prove a very serious matter to the older and smaller lodges whose moneys were locked up in various way*. By agreeing to its inclusion in the new district rules they would find that they had committed themselves to considerable payments from theic funds to members drawing clear-an<-e3 Hs had no desire to delay the registration of the other district rules, but the lodges shonld have this particular rule befofa them, and if they then agreed to it they, could not afterwards complain of the consequences. The amendment was seconded by Per. Sec. B:o. Hcgg, and supported by P.C.S. Bro. Black and others. , ; P.P.G.M.'s Bros Mjller and Sligo thought delay unnecessary, as the majority of the delegates would not "understand the table: if. they had it. before them. ' Two other districts had adopted similar tables. On being put to the meeting the motion was agreed to by a majority of 2. . . . ABOLISHING THK HALF-YEARLY MEETING. . . Id was moved by P.G. Bro. W, H. MuNEO and seconded by P P.G.M. Bro. W. Geddes— " That tho revised district rulos be amended by abolishing tho half-yearly meeting, and that nominations for district officers ba ma do through lodges placiDg names of candidates on business paper for annual meeting." The mover contended that the business dona at half-yearly meetings did not in most instauces warrant the expense entailed. This Lawrence meeting according to the district officers' calculations would cost nearly £120, and he thought the lodges and members might very well be relieved of a large proportion of this expense, and the remainder to profitably spent in conn-action with, mote frequent visits by tha executive officers to outlying lodges. Other orders had found advantage in abolishing the half-yearly ■meeting*,'and we seldom had any business at ours which would suffer by delaying to the annual meeting. , ~ ~ ■, PCS Bro. Black supported the motion, ana said' the district;, executive would have ;no difficulty should emergency arise in calling teethe" the Standing Committee, who were a<ways available. The hnlf-yearly reports and bslanee sheats coiildba continued and circulated among the lodges as at present. P P.G.M. Bro. Sligo opposed the motion, thinking' that decay would inevitably sco in with the abolishment of the half-yearly meetings. Other orders which had adopted this course would regret it. The motion was -rejected by a narrow majority.

I?BATEftNAL GREETINGS. Fraternal greeting* were received from the \ncient Order of Foresters (United Otago District), and ordered to be suitably acknowledged

PAYMENT 01? DELEGATES. The G.ftl. submitted the report of tlie executive showing the cost; to the lodges of the institution of a fuad for the payment of delepates to district; meetinga. Taking meetings held at Lawrence and Danedin, for example, the cost of sending 51- delegates to the former place, allowiug first class railway and coach fares and 10s per day for hotel expenses, &3., woul<3 cost £119 53 Bd, and for the latter £84----la lOd This would entail a lev/ on the members of Is aud 9d, respectively, for each P.l'.d.M. Bro.CAt.vERT moved—" That this mtreliug is uofc in favour of delegates being paid out of a district fund." The motion was seconded by P.P.G.M. Bro. SSigo pro forma. Per. Sec. Bro. Gow moved as an amendment, seconded by P.G Bro. Wilso.v—" That the payment of delegates' expenses be referred back to the district officers, to bring up a scale on the basis of second class faces and allowances at the rate of 5s par day." This was supported by Bros. G;ilespie, Hogg, Varcoe, and Murray, who contanded that proper district representation would not be obtained until a fuad was established for the purpose, and that the figures quoted by the executive were uunecees&rily high aud mislead--lUThe.amendment, after considerable discussiou, was evfintualiy agreed to.

NEXT DISTRICT MEETING. P.G. Bro. M'Coll moved—"That the annual meetiugj in March be held in the Central H&ll, Tapsuui." ■■ • ~ K.G. Bro. Buchanan seconded the motion. A motion en the business psper that the annual meeting be held at PAlmersfcon was .withdrawn in favour of tbe above. P.P.G.M. Bro. Habrop moved and P.G. Bro. SaiEATON seconded—"That the annual meeting bs held in Dunedin." He held that Duuedin was the proper place to hold the ensuing meeting in, as it took place at the time of the celebritiou of the Jubilee of the province, when people would naturally be coming to Duuedin 'rather than leaving it. Oa beiog pub to the vote, however, the meetiug decided m favour of Tapauui. TjEVIKS, On the motion of P.P.U.M. Bro. Clatjke, the levy for the half-year io the district funeral fund waa fixed at 2s 6d, and to Che incidental fund at Is. ■ .

After the usual formal business the meeting terminated.

BANQUET.

The visiting delegates were the guests of the Loyal Tuspeka Pioneer liodgo at a banquet which was held iv the Victoria Hole), when the usa&l toasts wer<s honoured, and a good programme of vocal and instrumental mueic and recitations was provided, a thoroughly enjoyable evening being spent. About 80 sat down to the sapper, which, was furnished by Host Montr gomcty in a manner which deservedly elisited expressions of approval.

A BEAUTIFUL COMPLEXION.

Annly Sulpholine Lotion. It drives away pimples, blotches, roughness, redness, and all disfigurements. Sulpfcoline develops a lovely skin. Is bottUa Made iv Loadon.—Advfc.