MANCHESTER UNITY.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 5

MANCHESTER UNITY.

HALF-YEARLY DISTRICT MEETING

The half-yearly meeting of the District Committee was hold in the Town Hall, Lawrence, on Friday and Saturday. Bro. C. W, Smith, Prov. G.M., presided. The lodge was constituted as follows: Prov. G.M. C. W. Smith, Prov. D.G.M. F. W. Knight, Prov. C.S. J. A. Hopcraft, Prov. Treas. J. H. F. Hamel, P.P.G.M. A. W. Palmer; Hand and Heart —Y.G. J. Angoll, E.S. Bro. T. J. R. Pearce, P.G.’s W, Fleming, A. Sligo, P. Thomson, B. H. Rosevoar, W. H. Lyons, and W. Rosevear; Dunedin —N.G. W. O. Rush, Y.G. J. H. Cameron, P.P.G.M.’s C. E. Brundell, and A. M'Dougall, P.G.’e G. Crosbie and C. Arnold; Dalton—N.G. J. C. Willocks, P.P.G.M. €. J. Wood; Prince of Wales— N.G. R. J. Allan; Per. Sec. W. J. Watson ; Albion —N.G. J. W. Byfield, G.M. W. B. Stewart, P.P.G.YI. G. A. Goughian, Per. Sec. P. W. Stabb, and P.G.’s G. Kennedy and W. P. Greenfield; Oarnaru —P.G. J. Taylor; Tuapeka Pioneer —P.G.’s pros. A. Hart and B. W. Winn; Waitahuna—P.G. J. Black; Waipori—P.G. G. W. Gave; Blue Spur—P.G. E. Va.re.oe; Naseby —P.G; S. Kirby; Alexandra—P.P.G.M. J. G. Briggs, P.G. Bro. J. V. Spence; Roxburgh —P.G. T. Michelle; Tapanui—Per. Sec. P. Hay, P.G.’s Duncan M'Ooll and J. C. Couston; Palmerston—Per. Sec. W. Pittaway ; Cromwell—P.P.G.M. R. S. Black; Mount Wendon—N.G. W. Collins, E. S. D. Sanson; Outram—P.G. L. Edwards; Mosgiel —Per. Sec. W. Wo.ir, P.G. J. Stephens; Caver-eham-N.G. Bro. E. J. W. Hey, P.P.G.M.’s John Wilson, W. G. Cole, P.G. C. Grater; Valley—P.G.’s W. Sullivan, Bro. W. J. Hutton; Dun back —N.G. E. J. Brewster; Pride of Kaitangata—P.G.’s E. P. Lavery and T. Middlemans; United Bros. —P.G. R- C. Moore; Milton—P.G. R. J. Paul; Middlemarch—P.G.’s D. Grant and Alex. Robertson; Maniototo—P.G. W. M‘Lean; Centenary—P.G. F, Scott; Tyler, P.G. J. Harris.

After a few introductory remarks by the Chairman, in tho course of which he extended a hearty welcome to the delegates, and the apjiointment of Bro. J. Harris (Blue Spur) as tyler, the meeting adjourned for 10 minutes in honour of their soldier brethren who had fallen at the front fighting for the Empire. On the meeting resuming the National Anthem was sung, and three hearty cheers •were given for Captain Fleming, who, having been invalided home from the front, was present at the meeting. The meeting then proceeded to deal with the report, the various subjects referred to therein being discussed seriatim, therein being discussed seriatim. The following are the principal clauses: From the returns received the following statements were compiled: — of members January 1, 4986; number admitted during the year, 97;—total, 5083; less left, 116. Total remaining June 30, 4967. The financial statement shows that the ■value of the lodge funds on January 1 was £165,596 Os 3d, and the receipts for the half year £12,534 14s 9d; —total, £179,130 15s. The expenditure was £9990 Za 4d, and the value of the lodge funds on June 30 was £169,140 12s Bd. Adding the available funds of the central body we get a grand total of £173,745 Os 8d as the value of the district as at June 30.

During the term the deaths of 23 members and 15 members wives were recorded, being an increase of four members’ wives compared with the corresponding period last year. The executive has received the sum of £207 4s Id, being the amount allotted this district out of a sum granted by the Government to friendly societies, equal to half cost of reinsuring funeral benefits of members at the front. This district did not insure our members serving with the forces, accepting full responsibility. It is with extreme pleasure your executive is advised by the Prov. C.S. of the Wellington district, that every lodge in that district is practically solvent. The executive has been approached by one of the lodges that with a view ,of conserving the funds of lodges during the time of war, district meetings will be held in Dunedin. This, however, would necessitate delegates coming to Dunedin and expense entailed thereby, and is left to the judgment of delegates m accordance with the rules. It is with de.cp regret that we record the death of several of our members who have given their lives in defence of home and country. Funeral claims have been paid on the certificate of the Adjutant, New Zealand Forces. The clauses under consideration were adopted without alteration. MEMBERS WITH EXPEDITIONARY FORCES. A report on the question of sick pay to brthren at the front was submitted by Bro. Hamel. The executive stated that soldier members were not eligible for sick pay until military pay stopped—that was, active service pay. The subject was exhaustively discussed, all the speakers stressing the point that they could not do too much for those brothers who were actively engaged in the defence of the Empire, and it was resolved, on the motion of Bros. Grater and Wilson, that the District Executive adopt the most liberal interpretation possible on the i-ules regarding the payment of sick pay to brethren on active service. It was further resolved that Bro. Fleming be associated with the executive when considering this matter. NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND AND FRIENDLY SOCIETIES. This subject provoked a lengthy discussion, in the course of which very strong objection was expressed by the speakers to the unfairness of the Government’s National Provident scheme to friendly societies, and the opinion was expressed that only thoso who were unable to pass the medical test Should bo embraced by it, and that all others should be compelled to join a friendly society, the benefits of which were better than those offered by the Government. On the motion of Bros. Grater and Ooghlan it was resolved: “That this district do strongly protest against the unfair competition of the National Provident Fund with friendly societies; we further protest against the system of booming the fund at the expense of the people as a whole. While friendly society members bear the whole cost of their own assurance and administration, they are compelled by taxation to contribute to a fund in direct competition with themselves, and that the m = H«r be referred to the e-'.-witlve with power to act.” . DUE JUBILEES. The congr lions of the meeting were extended do a! Albion and Loyal Tuariikff Pione >,dgca, which rare celebrating thoi" , dices-.

NOMINATION OF OFFICERS. The following nominations were received for the election of officers at the annual meeting in March, 1916: —P.G.M., D.P.G.M. Bro. F. W. Knight; D.P.G.M. —P.G.’s A. Sligo, W. Sullivan, Duncan M Coll, W. H. Lyons, G. Crosbie, G. T. Scoones, P. Thomson, R. M'Connell, Per. Secs. \V. Weir and W. Pitta way; Piov. C.S., Prov. C.S. J. A. Hopcraft; Prov. Treas., P.P.G.M. J. H. F. Hamel; Auditor —Per. Sec. J. Brown, P.P.G.M. W. E. C. Reid. Per. See. Pi W. Stabb; Lodge Book Examiner P.P.G.M. W. E. C. Reid, Per. See. P. W. Stabb, P.P.G.M. R. S. Black, P.G. J. G. Paterson; Arbitration Committee —P.P.G.M. s P.P.G.M.’s Colo, C. J. Wood, M'Dougall, A. Sligo, P. Thomson, Brundell, R. B. Neiil, W. Sullivan, Per. See. Stabb, P.P.G.M.’s Coughlan, and J. Wilson, Per. Sec. Naumann, P.P.G.M. Palmer, P.G.’s G. Crosbie, Greenfield, G. Kennedy, B. H. Rosevear, P.P.G.M.’s Cable, Calvert, R. S. Black, Per. Sec. Watson, W. J. Rosevoar, and Lyons. tuapeka’s veteran oddfellow. An interesting interlude in the afternoon’s proceedings was the visit of Bro. B. Hart, the only survivor of those who were present at ine opening of the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge 50 years ago. Ho was introduced to the Provincial G.M. by his son, Bro. A. Hart. He received a most hearty and loyal welcome from the delegates. Bro. Hopcraft moved that the thanks of the delegates bo accorded to the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge for the honour they had conferred on thorn by the presence of P.G. Bro. B. Hart. Bro. Hopcraft referred to Bro. Hart’s long and honourable connection with the order, and the keen interest he had taken in the lodge’s affairs, and in Oddfellowship generally, up till recent years. The motion was carried by acclamation. Bro. Hart, in acknowledging the compliment, said it gave him great pleasure to be present, and ho thanked them most sincerely for the loyal reception they had given him. He had joined the order 55 years ago, in Bendigo, and on coming to Tuapeka he and a number of others had been instrumental in founding the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge. Among those who had taken part in the opening function were their late Bros. Horace Bastings and -W. G. Geddes. Ho was now the oMy S TJ" vivor of the original members. Ho still took an interest in the welfare of the order, but his advanced ycars_ prevented him from taking the same active interest as formerly in his lodge. (Applause.) AMALGAMATION OF LODGES. Bros. A. Hart and R. C. Moore moved the following motion :— “That the approval of this meeting be given to the following resolution passed at a summoned meeting ot the Tuapeka Pioneer, Blue Spur, and Waipori Lodges; ‘That this lodge approve the amalgamation of the Loyal -Blue bpur Loyal Waipori Lodges with this lodge, subjeot to the Blue Spur and Waipon Lodges beino- brought up to the same state of solvency as this lodge, recognising that it. will be in the best interests of the lodges concerned to build up one strong lodge, as a difficulty sooner or later will almost inevitably be experienced in keeping up the strength of the three separate lodges, and accordingly recommend the District Executive to take the necessary steps to ensure the amalgamation as aforesaid.’ ” The discussion of this subject was taken in committee, and the following amendment was carried: —“That the whole matter be referred back to the executive to negotiate with the lodges involved with a view to bringing about an amalgamation of these lodges. LEVIES. On the motion of Bros. Hamel and Black the levies for the hW-year were fixed as follow :—District benctit fund, 2s 6d ; management fund, 2s 6d. GENERAL, Tho sum of £5 5s was donated to the Tuapeka Hospital, the money to be earmarked for comforts for the patients. A hearty vote of thanks to the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge for the hospitality extended to the visiting delegates was carried by acclamation, and responded to by Bro. A. Hart. “ SYMPATHY AND CONDOLENCE. Bro. Plamel moved—“ That this meeting fully realises the great sacrifices made by our brethren at the front in maintaining the prestige of our British Empire, and earnestly prays that many will safely return -to our midst. To tho relatives of our fallen brethren we extend our sincere and heartfelt sympathy in their bereavement, assuring them of our recognition of the nobleness, true heroism, and high worth of our fallen brethren. Also, this meeting’s belief in the righteousness of the Empire's cause and our determination to fight to the end to maintain our Empire’s high traditions of liberty and freedom.” Bro. Palmer seconded tho motion, which was carried by the brethren standing in silence.