ANCIENT ORDER OF EORRESTERS. UNITED OTAGO DISTRICT.

Otago Witness, Issue 1933, 25 February 1892, Page 16

ANCIENT ORDER OF EORRESTERS. UNITED OTAGO DISTRICT.

The annual meeting of the United Otago District A.O.F. was held in the Foresters' Hall, Invercargill, on Wednesday (says the Southland News), and was attended by the following members of the District Executive :— D.C.R. , Bro. W. Geddcs ; D.S.C.R, Bro. G.lMorgan ; D.S., Bro. "W. Woodland ; D.T., Bro. J. Macfie ; D.8., Bro. W. 11. Cole. The following delegates were also present '—V C R.s J. Wilson, R. B. Ingram, ami W. Cavr (Pride of Dunedin) ; P.O. R.'s J. Gillies, C. W. Paton, and A. Ilounson (Enterprise, Dunedin) ; PCR's W. Perry, T. Beatson, and J. Matthews (Pride of Leith) ; llro. R. Jefferson (St. Andrew) ; Bros. G. Couling, It. Folley, and James Harper (Star of the South); P.O. R. J. Patterson (Iwcelsior)- Bro. R. Bowdcn (Royal Oak), and P.G.R. Bro. Hay (Southern Star). A telegram was read from the G.M. ot the United Otago District, M.U.1.0.0.F., conveying friendly greeting, and a reply was sent acknowledging the compliment The balance sheet, which showed the funds to be in a healthy condition, was adopted. The annual report submitted by the executive stated that this was the third time in the history of the United Otago District that the annual meeting had been held in Invercargill. On the first occasion in 1880 tho Court Star of the South numbered 133 members, and its funds amounted to L575 19s 9d. On the second occasion there were 128 members, being a loss of five, but the funds amounted to LIOO4 Ids KM, being an increase of L 429 0s Id. In 1S!)1 their membership had increased to ISj, and their funds to LKJ2I 5s -Id, or L 619 5s fid more than in 18SG. The executive considered this very gratifying, and expressed the hope that the court would continue to prosper and extend its usefulness, lhe report noted that there was a slight decrease in the amount disbursed for .sick pay and funeral claims as compared with the previous year. While some of the courts had had heavy draws on their funds others, especially in country districts, had escaped lightly— one, the Court Pride of Alexandra, having no sickness for two years. All the secretaries and treasurers of courts had given guarantee bonds in accordance with the Friendly Societies Act. The resignation of D.S.C.R., Bro. G. Glover, who had removed from Dunedin to Christchurch, was accepted with deep regret, and P.C.R. Bro. G. Morgan, of Court Pride of Dunedin, was appointed to (ill the ollice for the rest of the term. The order throughout the world now numbered 700,000 members, with 100,000 juveniles, and the funds amounted to five millions sterling. Courts were reminded of the illegality of using money belonging to the sick and funeral fund for management expenses, as it was contrary to the rules, and the executive trusted that any courts which had done so would refund the amount during the year. In conclusion, pleasure was expressed at the harmony and good feeling which had prevailed. Bro. Ingram moved that the whole of the expense incurred by the district officer in opening a new court be borne by the District Management Fund.— Seconded by Bro. John Wilson and carried | Bro. Jefferson proposed, and Bro. Patterson seconded— " That the time has now arrived when we should have an amalgamated sick fund for the whole district."— After discussion the matter was referred back to the courts for further consideratiou by 12 votes to 3. Bro. Harper proposed that the sick pay be 10s per week after 52 weeks' sickness instead of 5s as at present.— This was seconded, but lost by 11 to 4, it being pointed out that the allowance could not be increased without also increasing the contributions. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows :— D.C.R., Bro. R. B. Ingram ; D.S.C.R., Bro. W. It. Cole; D.T., Bro. J. Macfie (re-elected) ; D.S.. Bro. W. Woodland (re-elected) ; D B Bro. 0. Morgan ; trustee, Bro. J. Longworth (re-elected); auditor, Bro. H. Youngman (re-elected) ...... t - t A motion to hold the next district meeting at Oamnru was lost and Dunedin substituted. P.C.R. Bro. Wilson installed the newly elected officers, who returned thanks for the honour conferred upon them. It was resolved to present the retiring D.G.R., Bro. Geddes, with a P.D.C.R.'s certificate and sash. A considerable amount of formal business was then transacted, and the meeting closed.

A banquet was held in the Albion Hotel in the evening, over 60 members sitting down to the repast. Bro. P.C.11. Harper presided, supported on his right by D.C.R. Bro. Ingram (Dun edin) and on his left by the District Secretary Bro. Woodland (Dunodin). Besides some 20 officers from Otago there were representatives from various parts of Southland. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts were duly honoured. In responding to the toast of the " United Otago District," . . Bro. Woodland gave some interesting information in reply. The Otago district, he said, now had 18 courts, and their funds totalled L2l 000, and the district fund L4OOO, making a total of L 25.000. Notwithstanding that there had been a considerable amount of emigration, they had an increase in members of 32, and no doubt during the coining year this would be very much greater. "When they started the Otago district the order throughout the world numbered 0(5,000 members. To-day they ha<l 700,000 member; and a capital of five million sterling. No society on the face of the earth had made such progress as the Foresters had. Perhaps they did not give such large benefits as some other lodges, but if they wanted these they must pay for them.