MANCHESTER UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23247, 20 July 1937, Page 2

MANCHESTER UNITY

Routine business occupied the members of Loyal Valley Lodge in the early stages of its meeting last Monday evening.. Particulars of the annual church service of the United Friendly Societies to be held in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall on August 1 were discussed. Three representatives were appointed to the Manchester Unity Picnic Committee. Arrangements were put in train for the dance to be held in the lower hall next lodge night when the guests of the evening will be members of the Union and Alhambra Football Clubs It was resolved that the anniversary celebration on August 9 take the form of a smoke social, a committee being appointed to make the necessary arrangements. The main feature of the meeting, however, was •the reception of official visits from sister lodges, well over 100 guests being vvelcomed by N.G. Bro. W. Jarvis. These comprised representatives of all city lodges: Loyal Prince of Wales, Mount Wendon Cromwell and Bro. G. Dewe, of Loyal Star of the North Lodge, Canada. The district executive was represented by the Prov, G.M., Prov. D.G.M., prov. treasurer, and the I.P.P.G.M. The newly - appointed Prov. G.M. was introduced. The Prov. G.M.. in the course of his reply, said that though politics were strictly “ taboo ” in Friepdly Society lodges, he must impress on members the necessity of keeping a watchful eye on the Government’s projected national health scheme. They had been assured at the outset that nothing would be enacted that would undermine the work of friendly societies. In the event of anything to the contrary, it behoved members of friendly societies throughout the Dominion to fight to the last in an endeavour to maintain their status. He asked anyone who imagined that societies such as the Friendly Society had had their day to remember that in New Zealand they comprised some 140,000 members with accumulated funds in the vicinity of £5,000,000. In Otago alone the Manchester Unity had paid out during the year £7708 for medical attention and medicine, £11,452 for sick benefits to members, and £1660 in funeral benefits. A fine programme of items by talented members was much enjoyed. During the evening the Prov. D.G.M. presented to G.M. Bro. Patterson, of Loyal Mount Wendon Lodge, a framed group photograph of those Oddfellows who visited his lodge recently as a memento of the visit. The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Princess Mary was presided over by N.G. Sister J. Duncan. Members of this lodge are keen to gain possession of the Efficiency Shield, and wholehearted support was accorded the proposition to enter the competition. One nomination for membership was received. The entertainment for the evening was in the hands of married sisters, and wintry conditipns outside were forgotten for the time being. Visiting members and sisters enjoyed songs by Sister Douglas and elocutionary items by Sister Muntz. Various competitions were indulged in. the prizes going to Sister G. Watts and Bro. C. Riddell for the Monte Carlo and other prizes to Sisters B. Miller and D. Riddel] and Bros. V Parker and S Raffils.

The balance sheet for the half year January-June presented to the members of Loyal Albion Lodge by Per. Sec. Bro. A. G. Monk disclosed a satisfactory slate of affairs generally. The sick and funeral fund had increased during the period by £645 19s. The management fund showed a slight increase, and outstanding contributions were at a minimum for a lodge with a membership of 490. A gratifying feature was the small amount of interest outstanding—some £4B on investments totalling £30,741 6s 2d. Prov. G.M. Bro. Stabb. in moving the adoption of the balance sheet, congratulated his lodge on the satisfactory position disclosed, which was in no small measure due to the fact that they had a very fine secretary, a brother whose services they fully appreciated. The total vqlue of lodge funds stood at £33,897 12s 9d. The motion was seconded by P.G. Bro. C. L. Anderson and adopted amid acclamation