M.U.I.O.O.F.

Patea Mail, 27 March 1936, Page 2

M.U.1.0.0.F.

TAEANAKI DISTRICT 70TH CONFERENCE. HELD AH PATEA. Tlio 70Mi annual conference of Taranaki District M.TJ.1.0.0.F. was licit! at the Druids' Hull) Patea, yesterday, 'Grand Master D, D. Slierson presiding over an attendance of nearly 50 delegates. The following were .the delegates present at the conference; D.G.M. S. Sberson (Stratford), :T. Eenton, D.D. G.M. (Kaponga), Bros, L. P. Dineon, P.G.; D. A. Doile, P.G.; G. H. MeGahy, P.D.G.M.; A. H. Goad, P.G.; A. E. Lewis, P.G. (Egmout); E. Woodley, P.D.G.M.; F. Taylor, P.G.; A. 'Towers, P.G. (Eltham); M. Jameson, P.G.; A. W. .Scott, P.G.; D. Vesty, P.G.; C. E. Bellringer, P.G.; J. L. Wallon, P.G-.; E. H. Bellringer, P.G. .(Excelsior), J. A. boss (Inglewood), W. Marr, P.G.; A. Bchickcr, P.G.; E. Gwyne, N.G, (Kaponga): 11. A. Snowden, A. Eiley, W, J. L. Mellar. (Manaia); C. C. Phillips, P.G.; F. Hell; P.G. (Midhirst); J. G. 'Williamson, P.G.; L. A. -Deaco,n, N.G. (Okato); A. J.' Brehn’an, P.-G.j Optrnuke); N. E. Goad, F.B. (Patea); Gilhooly, P.G.; Smith, P.G.; Sister Penwardcn (Eahotu); J. J. Pearce, P.G.; G. E. Ireland, P.G.; L. L. Bellringer, P.G. (Stratford^; M. Gernhoefer, P.D.G.M,; J. F. Burn, P.G. (Toko); C. W. Allen, P.D.G.M.; R. B. Sage, P.D.G.M},; T. R. Nicholas, N.G. (Union); L A. 'Bocock, M. Ewart (Waitara). A meeting of the management committee was held at 10.30 p.m. and an official welcome on behalf of the Borough of Patca was then extended to. the delegates by Councillor E. W. Haddow, in the unavoidable absence of His Worship the who wished the conference every success, and paid a tribute to the good work carried out by the lodge for its members. Among the lodges represented were Eginont, Eltham, Waitara, Union, Stratford, Excelsior, Patca, Opunake, Midhirst, Inglewood,. Okato, Manaia, Hawera, Toko, Eahotu. Bistor Buttei-morc- was appointed minute secretary. y ’

A resolution of sympathy. .with the District 'Treasurer, Bro. G. Ballon, in his illness was passed, - - The District Grand Muster’s report was read and adopted, in which the lodges were congratulated on: a very successful year. The membership, gains were particularly commendable, thu presence of six additional delegates being evidence of the widespread numerical progress. The delegate from the recently formed Patea Lodge was particularly welcomed, and gratification 'was expressed with its initial efforts and best wishes were expressed for its progress. From 10 lodges the number had increased to 15, and the membership from. 1383 to 2055. In the past IQ years "the order, in Taranaki district had paid £14,997 hr sickness and funeral claims, £20,906 "■ in medical and'hospital expenses, and £42,000 had been contributed tb those in need. A tribute of respect was paid to the memory of P.D.G.M. Bro. T, Clow, and sympathy was extended to his relatives; The coming years would see momentous changes 1 , and it behoved, members to be ready to grapple with every irew situation that might arise. The, district officers’ report was read a ml' adopted, sho vvin g the progress made in the last 20 years. The committee recommended that the levy for the current year bo 4s per annum per member, with the provision that iti the event of .the necessity arising. that they bo empowered to increase the ■same to ; an amo.unt not exceeding ss. The balance-sheet and the district book examiner’s and auditor’s report was' abaci and adopted, both showing a very satisfactory .financial position. The- secretary’s salary was increased from £125 to £175 per annum, P.D. G.M. Geruocfcr, of Stratford, in moving tho resolution, stating that many years ago, when the membership was 900, the secretary received £125. The membership was now over 2000, with five additional lodges, and the secretary still received only £125. The time had come when the secretary ’s addi-. tional work should be recognised in a tangible way. The resolution was carried unanimously, Bro. N. B, Bellringer, secretary, responding. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

District Grand Master: Bro. ;T. Runton, D.G.M., Kaponga Lodge. District Deputy Grand Master: Bro. J. A. Ross*, Manaia Lodge. District Warden: Bro. S. J. Bennett, P.D.G.M. Trustee: Bro. L. K. Little, P.G., Lxcelsior Lodge. , Auditor: Hr. A, <L Tunbridge, Plymouth. Committee of Management! Bros. W. Gilliooly (Ruhotu), A. J. Brenman (Opunakc), W. Miller (Manaia), A. W. Scott (Excelsior), M. Gernoefer (Toko), Wi Marr (Kaponga). It was decided that the committee of Arbitration Court consist of members of the management committee, Bros. N. B. Bellringer and S. Rollon were appointed district book 'examiners and auditors'. The following remits were dealt with; Prom Okato Lodge: Amendment to district special rule 4 (5); delete the word “Six” in lino 5 and substitute: iu lieu thereof "Nine.” Lost. Prom Kaponga Lodge.: That the district officers be. requested to visit once in each year inch lodge ini the district., Carried. Prom Eltham Lodge: That the district give a definite, direction as to the permission of smoking itc lodges other than that referred to in lodge rituals. Lost. Prom Excelsior Lodge: Amendment to society gCiivo.ral rule 14, sub-clause (m) by deleting the words “Bi-uu-

nually with each M.C. report” and ,substituting “annually Carried. .That the society be .requested ..to framo conditions, regulating the presentation to mpni.be rs-and tlie aesuiring by members of the recognised jewels and emblems of the order. Carried. ", ■ ~...■ From Eahotu Lodge: Consequent upon the establishment of the several groups for the purposes of facilitating the functioning of ritual competitions that ,tho district, bo requested, to . make convenient arrangements between: the winning .lodges ct the- several groups in order to ascertain the premier lodge in. the district and. tp award the district trophy to such lodge. Carried. That the district compile and publish annually a handbook. It was decided that the matter be. referred* to the management , committee to ascertain the cost and report to next conference.. During the afternoon a telegram, of fraternal greetings was received from the Auckland district. ' The . management levy was. fixed at 4s, with the . right to increase, it to 5s if necessary. • . ; It was decided that .the management committee endeavour to arrange a pic; nic or other suitable social function annually. The following' were nominated elective society officers: 1 Grand Master: Bro. Millan. Deputy Grand Master: Bro, N. G. Bellringer. , . Director: Bro. N. G. Bellringer. It was resolved that next year 7 -* conference bo held at .Waitara -on (Thursday, March , 18, at 10.30. a.m. The Okato Lodge- was congratulated or.' winning the shield lor the. lodge i.gaining the biggest increase in membership during tho year, their increase '’being 57 per cent. ; The minutes of the conference' were ’rend arid confirmed. 1 It was decided that District Grand Master Bherson be granted a D.G.M. : collar and jewel' and thanked for his ; Services and his name placed on the 'honours board* • . 9 ■ : The conference then’ adjourned with a hearty vote of thanks'to . Patea ’Lodge for its hospitality*

INST ABLATION OP. OFPIOiEBS, mmmmmrnmm * AN IMPRESSIVE: CEREMONY. ; In the evening the installation of the officers for theycar was held in the Town Hall, the ceremony being am impressive' one, ; N.G. B,rb. W. Bond presiding. The proceedings commenced with the reception of the District Grand Master, Bro. D. G. Shorson, accompanied by Past District Grand Masters. '■ The District Grand Master elect, titty Deputy’ district • Grand [Master elect, arid Other officers wOre them admitted and the opening ode sung, after which Bro. Ik T. Renton, the D.G.M. elect, was presented and obligated aind afterwards invested .and proclaimed D.'G.M. for the ensuing year. 4 The D.G.M. was then addressed* by Bro. W. Marr, P.D.G.M. ■The District Deputy Grand Master ilect, Bro. J. A. Ross, was then addressed and invested by Bro.' N. B. Bellringer, District Secretary. Occasion was then taken to present a Past District Grand Master’s jewel and collar to Bro. Di G. Sherson, I.P. D.G.M., this, with the installation and closing odes, concluding a most impressive ■ ceremony.

A most enjoyable dance was then held, Bro 4 ,N. R. dead, assisted by Bros. Whitchouse, M. and E. Lash, making efficient masters of ceremonies. The music, provided by Vinseu’s Orchestra, loft nothing .to be desired.