U.A.0.D.-DISTRICT GRAND LODGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2400, 1 March 1900, Page 67

U.A.0.D.-DISTRICT GRAND LODGE.

The third annual meeting of the District Gralid Lodge of Otago and Southland was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, Oamaru, on Thursday, when D.G.P. Bro. Menzies presided. There was a good attendance" of D.G. officers, while D.G.V.P. Bro. Hunter (Canterbury District Grand Lodge), D.G. Treasurer Bro. Fletcher (North Island). The D.G.P. 's address stated that the balance sheet showed an increaae of funds, while tlie membership had ■increased by nearly 102. Two new lodges have been opened — namely, St. Patrick's (Lodge (Waikouaiti), and Oraha Lodge (Colac Bay). During his term of office, « the D.G.P. visited every lodge under his jurisdiction, wUlh the exception of the newly-formed Oraha _ Lodge. It was resolved that the P.D.G.P., Bro A. Morrison, and P. A. Bro. Barclay,^ M.H.R.'s, be appointed representatives to "the District Grand Lodge. It was resolved to refer the matte-, of the delegates' instructions to the incoming board for consideration and drawing up the report. The nomination of officers was as follows: — D.G.P., Bro. Boberts (Linden) ; D.G.V.P., Bro. Jack (Otago) ; D.G. secretary, Bro. Lavnaeh (West Harbour) ; D.G. treasurer, Bro. "W. 0. Evans (Otago) ; D.G. guardians, Bros. j Wardrop (Enterprise) and Kellefc (West Harbour) ;" auditors, Bros. Isaacs, Birt, Reid, and Harvey ; board of management, Bros. Scott, Reid, Isaacs, Knox, Stewart, and Meikle ; judicial appeal board, Bros. Reid, Norman, Knox, Hopkins, Dor ward and Ohallis.

The auditors' report with the exception of clause 6 and the balance sheet, were adopted. .The report oi the board of management stated that there had - been an increase in the. membership oi the 13 lodges of 98, and .Wiftfc Jfcjv9 deaths ha 4 swurreel,. In, all JB§

new members had been initiated, but the net increase had been reduced to 98 by members" becoming unfinancial and from other causes. The increase in the three years has been 264-. j The total lodge funds on the 31st December aggregated £8277 4s 10d, of which £7928 7s 6cl was in the sick and funeral fund and £348 17s 4-d in the incidental fund. The increase for the year wa's £901 19s Bd. The funeral claims for the year have amounted to £70 ; one brother was retired during the year, receiving his compensation, £2 ; sick benefits, £739 7s ; doctor, and chemists' expenses, £1209 13s 3d. Notwithstanding the prevailing epidemic of influenza, the grand total now stands at £8277 4s lOd sterling, a most satisfactory position, and one that the members ought to congratulate themselves upon. I The board cannot recommend the establishment of a female lodge, and express the , opinion that the time is premature for the establishment of a Grand Lodge for New Zealand. The board strongly recommend the lodges to make the most of their accumulated funds. The board recommend that authority be granted them to open up negotiations with the Grand Lodges and D.G. Lodges of Australasia, also the Grand Groves of America, the Order in England, and on other matters affecting the order in general. The report dealt with, several other minormatters, and thanked the D.G. Secretary (Bro. Larnach) for the manner in which he had discharged his duties. i i The board's report was adopted as printed/ with the exception of clause 9. i The conference then proceeded to discuss the proposed amendments of rules. — Oamaru . Mail.