M.U.1.0.0.F. TO THE EDITOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 1653, 28 July 1883, Page 13

M.U.1.0.0.F. TO THE EDITOR.

Sir, — I must crave space in your columns to explain the true nature of why and how the Loyal Naseby Lodge applied to the Regiatrar-geueial for the registration of an instrument of dissolution, as mentioned in his report to the House on Friendly Societies, and the great in just' ce this Lodge haß suffered at his hands, and aiso at the hands of the District officers in Duuedin.

Over 18 months ago the Trustefs of the Naseby Lodge reported to the members—" That owing to their having been debarred by the Friendly Societies Aci. from appropriating part of the interest accruing from the Sick Fund fur management expenses, the means at their command weie quite inadequate to meet the working expenses of the Lodge, and iv conB iquence of having already borrowed moneys from the Sick Fund to carry on the working of the Lodge, they had become much indebted to that fund That they (the Trustees) had been threatened by the Registrar with legal proceedings unless this deficiency was at once made good by levy." This, Sir, the memboxs refused to submit to, and requested that a valuation should be made of the funds and other Lodge pro.-

perty. Government valuators were appointed, and th>y declared "the Loyal Naseby Lodgo to bo insolvent." Up m this inform itiou it wa-t proposed to dissolve tho Lirlue and diviilo the funds amongst its members pro rata, in accordance with tho Friendly Societies Act 'I he Registrar was communicated with and he advised tne members to dis-olva the Lodge, and explained (by lette ) the propor way to do it. He f uither stated that the Lodjr> had ' no need to get tho District Lodge's consent, as the JSa-seby Lo -go was not a registered branch under the Act." However, tho District Lodge sent up an officer to Naseby to try to rectify m itters, but that worthy functionary fo md it impo.-sible to do so He brought with him printed forms for the members to sign, in which they ajjieed to give up all demands upon the Lodge or District other than each one's fair wijare" of the funds of tho faid Lidge. He also said that when members signed thete foims all benefits (other than each one's sharo cf the funds) ceatied ; and added— " That seeing all the members were unanimous, tho District Lodge would not oppose the dissolution." These forms were signed by every member Well, Sir, the instrument of dissolution was framed, signed liy ci cry m rnb.'r of the Loiisje, a d everything done in accordance with the Act as advised by the Registrar, and forwarded to him with the required fees. The Lod>,'e was then closed, and has remained so for 18 months, its members relying upon the advice reueivt d und good faith of the District body that no hindrance would bu offered, awd that each one would gee hi-i fair share of the funda to which he bad t-übscribed. Since the cl sinic of the Lodge sicknocs and death have been among its members, and not ©ne received a shilling <>f t>ick pay or funeral donation, it being expected tnut each would get his rightful share of the funds so soon as the Keg^trar fulfilled his duty in accordance with his letter of instructions to the Lodge i fli ervj. Now, Sir, a fjreater injustice was never done to any society taan has been done to thit Lodge by the present action of the Registrar. This worthy official having informed the Naseby Lodge 0 * cors that the consent < f tho District officers was " noi necessary " iv tho matter of the dissolution has, af 'er 18 months' d« lay, come to tho conclusion that he was wrunu:, and that ho cannot now grant it because i be Di&trict Lodge (of which ho had said Naseby Lodge was no branch) rotuee to give their consent, for what reason, I would usk, do the District ret uso ? It strikes me the funds of the Lodge are the ttic- ler, for a litt o bird whispers in my ear " If ,>ou give tho District half your lunda, they will let jou divide >he other half " Cut this *on'c do, for there is nothing in the Act \vh reby the District is entitled to one shilling. Their refusing to consent to the dissolution brinijs to mind the old f^We of the dog in the manger, and jusD illustrates the kind of brotherly love they havo for tt>eir deluded brethren in Naseby. That a grievous wrong has been done to this Lodge 1 think all true Odd-Fellows will admit, and I challenge both the officers of the Dbtriet Lodge and the Registrar to refute what I have herein slated ; and they can rely upon it that no new Odd-Fellows' lodge will beforrntd iti Naseoy until justice is done to the members o the late one.

Some 12 month-* ago a letter appeared in the Witness this matter, but there was not one Di-trict officer manly enough to r< ply to it. lam a P G. of 26 yearfa' standing, and I would now ask those officer- in the name of the motto of our Order Why this determined opposition to the wishes of 76 brethren, and what is it they expect to gam by this lonir and unwarrantable persecution of men who are seeking their just rights ?— I am, &c,

A Member

Hogburn, July 23.