ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2664, 5 April 1905, Page 10

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

(From Ouk Own Cce.besi'ondent.) INVERCARGILL, March 23.

The annual conference of delegates from, the various courts of Foresters in Otago and Southland began in the Foresters' Hall, Nith street, to-day, when about 50 delegates were present, representing 20 courts with a membership of 264-6. Six courts of the district were unrepresented.

The annual report of the executive was adopted, also the balance sheet. The net revenue of the district for the year was £39,034 and the district fund £13,127, or a total of £52,161, exclusive of two courts whose returns were not in. The sick pay for the year was £2679. Court St. Andrew (Caversham) appealed on behalf of the widow and family of a deceased member, and £25 was voted.

Bro. J. G. Bryant, of Court Pride of the Lake, stated that it was considered by some that the court should dissolve, owing to the membership falling to nine. The matter was referred to the executive. The members of Court Star of the South asked the delegates to attend a banquet that evening — an invitation which was cordially accepted. An applioatioxwirom the Juvenile Court for affiliation was considered, and the matter of framing rules so as to admit same was referred to the District Executive.

Fifty pounds were voted to procure a suitable tombstone or other memorial in honour of the memory of the late Bro. W. Woodland, to be erected in the Northern Cemetery, Dunedin. The arrangements were left in the hands of the district officers.

The sum of £10 10s was voted to assist the juvenile courts.

On the application of Court Robin Hood a loan of £200 was granted free of interest, the details being left to the executive.

The election of officers resulted as follows : — Chief Ranger, Bro. Andrew Walker ; District Sub-Chief Ranger. Bro. Thomas Wilson; District Treasurer, Bro. John Hope (re-elected) ; District Secretary. Bro. Jannes Macfie (re-elected) ; District Beadle, Bro. William Palmer ; District Trustee. Bro. H. Spears (re-elected) ; District Auditor, Bro. Alexander Swanson.

The report of the District Executive, submitted to the meeting of delegates at Invercargill of th© Ancient Order of Foresters, stated in regai'd to the Central Investment Fund that five courts had taken advantage of it, the total amount b&ing £530, which has been invested at 5 per cent. It was hoped that the fund would be fully availed of by those courts with small amounts which could not well be invested in their own localities. The fund would enable courts to invest their funds more promptly than previously, and if they did not take advantage of it the question would arise whether courta that did not earn the required 4 per cent, on their capital should not be called on to make up the shortage by increased contributions. Such courts materially told against the whole district at valuation periods. An appeal was made for liberal subscriptions to maintain the three lifeboats presented many years ago to the Royal National Lifeboat Institution. The "in memoriam" list showed thai during the "year death had removed 22 brothers, one sister, and the wives of 16 members. Special mention, was made of the services rendered "by the late District Secretary (Bro. W. WoodlaDd), who was connected with the district from its inception. Other deceased brothers were Bro John Wilson, secretary of Court Pride of Dunedin, who for many years was a prominent figure at the meetings; Bros. John Longworth and R. T. Wheeler, membars of Court Pride of Dunedin, who held office in the district for years as trustees; Bro. A. M'jSaughton, an old and respected member of Court Eiifc&rprise; and Bro. Chas. Williams, P.D.0.R., who took an active interest. m the work of the order. Sympathetic and encouraging reference was made to the efforts of those who had done so much for the furtherance of juvenile courts. The numerical statement of the progress of the distnot showed that (not taking into consideration two courts •which had not sent in the ir returns) the total number cf members on 31st December was- 2773. During th© year 338 members were initiated and received by clearance, 106 of this number being females. Court Star of the South (Inveroargill) topped the list with 45 new mem . E?T S i. T H ° rd * r had lo3fc 22 by death, and 181 had left in arrears or from other causes, liie increase m numbers, however, waa 135, as against 37 for the previous year. JUVENILE LODGE. Thirty-one delegates attended the annual meeting of the Juvenile Lodge, the president (Bro. Morgan, P.D.C.R.) being in the chair. The annual report was submitted. It showed that 17 members had been transferred to adult courts, making a ! total of 223 for the past nine years. Two deaths had occurred in the district, and Ihe membership had increased by 20 during the ' year, bringing the total up to 148. The sickness was stated to have been not so ■ heavy as in previous years, being an average of 3s l£d per member. A court was established at Port Chalmers during the year, and efforts had been made to establish branches in Oaniaru and Milton. Inst &o , fft£ without suooesg, {

T The balance sheet disclosed a credit balance of £23 17s 2d. A vote of thanks was passed to Bro. Morgan, who announced his retirement from active interest in district juvenile matters, several speakers referring to the valuable assistance given by Bro. Morgan . during the past 11 years.