INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 24

INDEPENDENT ORDER OF RECHABITES.

HALF-YEARLY CONVENTION. The third convention of delegates from the various tents of the Independent q fui °j ?« oh a bltes »« the Otago and Southland district was held in Burns Hall on the King's Birthday, Bro. J. J. Weeney, IJ.yU. in the chair. Thel following delegates were present :—Bro. R W M-Oeeath, D.S.J M and Bros. J. H Ray, D. J. Wesney (Murihiku), R. Farrant and Ottley (Hope of Dun- ? dln )> , Bro - Martin (Sobriety), Bros. Mac Gibbon and Driscoll (Pride of Te Aunui), W. Stead (Hope of Bluff), Sisters J. Bain, and Burley (Lily of the South), Bro. Birchall (Primrose), Sister Birchall (Hope of the Valley). The DC.R. extended a hearty welcome to the delegates, especially to the representatives from the new tents which have been opened since last meeting. Reports were handed in showing that the following new tents had been opened this year:—Sobriety Tent (North-East Valley), Pride of Waikiwi Tent (Invercargill), Morning Star:" (Girls' Juvenile, Inver- ; cargill), Hope of Otautau Juvenile (Otaui tau), South Invercargill Juvenile Tent (Invercargill). It was resolved—" That the heartiest congratulations be extended to all the tents recently opened and the hope expressed that each will develop a strong and vigorous growth, and that these congratulations! be conveyed by the representatives of those tents which are present." The Chairman reported that the district ! officers had obtained a challenge shield to j be competed for by the various tents, the , tent securing the largest number of new j members for the year 1910 to become the i winner. - I It was resolved that each tent in the I sub-district be urged to enter for the shield competition, and to press on the increase of membership campaign. It was further resolved—" That the district officers be requested to count all benefit members, each of such to be counted three points, and all others one point, as otherwise an injustice will be done to female tents and mixed tents." The statistical returns showed an increase in the sub-district of 162 members, which was considered eminently satisfactory. The returns handed in from the various tents show that most of them are making a strong effort to reach the maximum standard. The following membership standard was adopted for the following term: —Hope of Dunedin, 300; Murihiku, 200; Lily of the South, 100; Port Chalmers, 60; Gore, 60; South Invercargill, 90; North-East Valley, 60; Bluff, 50; Otautau, 50; Waikiwi, 50"; Aorangr, 75; Primrose, 75; Hope of '. the Valley, 50; Morning Star, 50; Hope i of Otautau, 50; South Invercargill Juven- 1 iles, 50. Regarding future operations it was re- . solved —" That it be a recommendation to the Hope of Dunedin Tent to establish new tents in at least two of- the following places before next convention :—Paknerston, Mosgiel, Oamaru, St. Kilda, and Mornington; that it be a recommendation to the Murihiku Tent to establish new tenia in at least two of the following

places before next convention: —Balclutha, Milton, Riverton, Winton, Kaitangata, and Lawreence; that each of the following tents be urgently requested to open juvenile tents before next convention:—Gore, Bluff, Waikiwi, and Port Ghalmeers." It was resolved that the district officers be reequested to make overtures to those j tents standing out, with a view to getting ■ them voluntarily to centralise their sick funds. The D.C.R. explained the new transfer scheme, by which members may obtain transfers from one district to another, and s also drew attention to the very great beneI fits which are now provided by the order iin extending the funeral benefits up to I £2OO _upon payment of an acturial contribution, at very low rates. It was resolved that the claims of the Rechabite Order be urged upon all abstainers, and especially upon the Noj license party as a whole, and their sympathy j and active support be asked, and that a copy of the resolution be forwarded to the Alliance for their annual meeting in Wellington on June 22 next. The D.C.R. further reported that the following important events in Rechabite circles are to take place: —The seventy-fifth anniversary of the order on August 25 next; and an official visit from England of the high district officeTS of the orders early in March of next year. —It was resolved that each tent be urged to make the most of the anniversary and to commemorate the event in a suitable pubway. It was further resolved that this meeting records its satisfaction at the . coming visit of Bro J. Philipson, High Chief Ruler, and Bro. A. Kirkwood, Past High Chief Ruler, and urges upon the respctive Tents the desirability of taking every advantage thereof. Consideration of the draft rules for sub-districts provoked a lengthy discussion % _ inasmuch as they effect a change in the election of representatives to the biennial district council meeting A number of amendments and additions were made, and these were finaOly passed and approved, the local district to be Otago and Southland sub-district. The meeting, which was most cordial and enthusiastic throughout, was terminated by the passing of a vote of thanks to the Dunedin brethren for carrying out the necessary details, and also a vote of thanks to the D.C.R. for presiding. It was arranged to hold the next meet- j ing at Gore on Good Friday next. j