ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13859, 23 March 1907, Page 10

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

UNITED OTAGO DISTRICT. Tho forty-third annual meeting of tho above body was opened > ai_ Quconstown yesterday morning, Tho following is a list of those present:— District Oliiccrs.—D.C.B. Bro. T. B, Wilson, D.S.G'.R, Bio. W. Palmer, D.T. lira. John Hope, D.S. Bro. J. llacfie, D.B. Bro. W. 11, Brugli, I.P.D.C.R. Bro, A. Walker, and Senior Auditor Bro. E. B Ingram. Delegates.—Court Pride of Dunedin: P.D'.C.R. Bro. a. W. Goddcs, P.C.R.'s Bros, fi. Carr and A. 11. Payton, and See. Bro. A. D. Miller. Court Pride of the Lake (Queenst-cwn): P.C.R. Bro. J. G. Bryant. Court. Enterprise: r.D.C.R. Bro. •T. Melville, P.C.R.'s Bros. E. Johnson, W. M. Hogg', W. G. Jolly, mul C.R. Bro. John M. Campbell. Court Robin Hood: C.R. Bro. T. Anderson. Court Pride of the Leitrli: P.D'.C.R. Jiro. John Robertson, atul P.C.R.'s Bros. W. B. Anderson and W. Andrew. Court Bruce: P.D.C.R. Bro. John G. Butler. Court Star of the Dunstan: P.C.R. Bra. Holt. Court Pride of Alexandra: P.C.R. Bro. J. C. Smith. Court Star of tho South (Invcrcargill): P.C.R.'s Bros. W. Sampson and R. Follow Court Roxburgh: P.C.R. Bro. J. Craii;! Court St. Andrew: P.C.R.'s Bros R, Jarvis and S. J. Gilbert, Court Excelsior:' P.C.R. s Bros. W. Bridges and G. Skene. Court Southern Star (Bluff): P.C.R. Bro. A. M'Niih. Court Little John: P.C.R.'s Bro. J. D Hnigh and Sis. J. M'Donald. Court Woodlands Pride: P.C.R.'s Sis E Watson, ,T. Smith, and C. Mundle. Court Marion: P.C.R, Sis. A. Al K ie. Court Dickson: P.C.R. Sis. J. Chisholm. Court Pride of Awarua (Bluff): P.C.R. Sis. S. A lloodie. Courl Pride of Oamaru, Star of luapeka, Havelock. Pride of Waiiaki. Staiof the I'orest, Victoria, and Quocn of the ooiuh were also represented. D.C.R. Bro T. B. Wilson, who presided, read the District. Executive's rewhich stated:— i This is the third time we have had Iho pleasure of meeting in Queenstown. Tho hrst was on the 25th of February, 1881 when 14 delegates (representing cHit courts) iyid six district officers were present. February 26, 1886, was the date of our second meeting here, the same number being present ° Of' those who attended that meeting thero are still with us, and present to-day, P.C.R. Brb. J. G Bryant, P.D.C.R. Uro. John Robertson, and the present district secretary. The first. Chief Ranger of Court- Pride of the Lake is also present with us. We refer to P.D.C.R, Bro. J. G. Butler, who is one of the delegates from Court Brace, ocoing that wo meet here again, after a lapse of 21 years, it may bo of some interest to state that- the position of tho District at that time was:—Membership nm'° ic' W 8 of Distriot and courts,' ±J9.091 15s lid.

This year ends another quinquennial period, and wo appeal to the secretaries of all' tho courts to assist their District Executive by promptly sending in their returns, so that no failure on our part to foiwaul {hem will hinder tho work of our valuation. Wo are pleased to stato that the now rules were duly registered on February 27, and- consequently will comc into force on tho 27th insl. During; the past year death has removed 24 brothers, the wives of two members, and one widow from among us, and we tender our sincere sympathies to the. relatives and friends of the deceased. Bv the death of the Hon. Bro. D. Pinkcrton, 1.D.C.R., we lost- an old/and tried mailber,- who at one time took a very active interest in our affairs, and to whoso widow and family we sent a letter of condolence. " 0 p'oas»d to stato that during tho year eight courts have contributed £1107 to tho central investment fund, which now stands at £1802, thus showing that this mode of investment is being appreciated by our country courts, who have not hesitated to express their' satisfaction and pleasure.

Tho district secretary attended a conference at Wellington. Various mattere of importance to friendly societies were discussed. amongst them being a now hill for uicndly societies. It was referred to a small committee for consideration, and thev reported that "it oont-ained nothing that was detrimental to friendly societies." Tho District Executive cannot but bo highly gratified at the fraternal spirit that continues to be manifested throughout the visits to outlying courts, which they are satisfied have a cementing influence upon tho order generally. The total number of members on December 31, 1905, was 2938. During tho past year there have been initiated and joined by 316. Of that number Court atar of tiie boutli accounts for W, headinu the list, and Court Woodland's Pride comes " C ™-' 1 ?' ® 10 n " mi) er 'who joined m 1900 was 323. Our losses have been:— vra fii 24 „L by , ai ' r . care and'other causes, 1/9; total, 203—leaving a net gain of 113 for the year. This is a considerable improvement on last year, which, wo trust will continue. Tho .total number of members on 31st Dcccm'oer last was therefore

. Tho total worth of district funds, includ,fo ?',' d out6tandin g interest, is ±>14-, boo Ijs 50, and of courts (as per rcturns), £<3,652 lis 3d; total, £58,321 3s 2d. Tito total for 1905 was £55,244 15s 4d, thus showing an increase of £5075 7s lOd. Wc l'cgrct to find that, year after year, (lie court funds are invested in euch a, way as to bring in only 3 or 3| per cent. *We would especially mention the following who toe largo sums invested in tills way:— Courts liniee, Pride of Oamaru, Ilaveiock, St, Andrew, Royal Oak, Queen of the South, Dickson. While wo admit that Post Office Savings Bank interest, is better than nothing, surely more lucrative investments can bo got. This is a matter of vital importance to every court. At. thei last valuation a number of our courts were valued at 1k« than a per cent, basis, besaißO they did not cam it, and the Government Actuary informed us that if this state of affairs continued' a further reduction would require to bo made at next 'valuation. Wo hope that a marked improvement will bo shown next year. The total amount of sick pay disbursed to memtars amounts to £2657 7s 2d, made tip as follows: —Male courts—l63l weeks 2 (lays' full pay, 510 weeks 4 days' half-pay, 201-7 weeks 2 days' quarter-pay, 54 weeks' reduced pay: fomalo courts—333 weeks 1 day's full pay, 82 weeks 4- days' half-pay, IS weeks' quarter-pay; total, 4727 weeks 1 day. Tor 1905 the total, was 4705 weeks 3 days. In somo courts the sickness lias been very heavy. Court Prkle of Duncdin was the greatest sufferer, with an averago of 4 weeks 3 days per member; while Court Pride of Waitaki experienced Iho least sicknces, having the low 'average of one day por monitor. Tho average for t.ho w'nolfl district is slightly lore than last year, being a little over 1 week 3 days per member, as against 1 week 3j days per member for tho preceding year. The election of officers resulted as follows:—D.C.R., Bro W. Palmer; D.S.C.R., Bro. W. R. Brugh; District Treasurer, Bro. John Hope; District Secretary, Bro. •Tas Macfie; D.8., Bro. W. B. Anderson; District Trustee, Bro. VY. G. .Jolly; District Auditor, Bro. G. W. fieddes. Bro. T. B. Wilson becomes I.P.D.C.R. by virtue of his past office.