MANCHESTER UNITY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19886, 14 March 1939, Page 15

MANCHESTER UNITY

GISBORNE LODGE MEETING

CONPERENCE REPORTS Reports ax deputies on the Auckland district conference, held last week, and a visit from Patutahi members, attracted a very large attendance at a meeting of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, Loyal Gisborne Lodge, GOB 7, last night, Bro. J. Clark, N.G., presiding. The _ gathering was fne Largest for some time. The deputies who represented the Gisborne lodge at the district conference were Bros. C. H. Air-bridge, P.D.G.M., T. J. Dunstan, and W. M. Wilson, P.G.s. Bro. Dunstan reported that on the motion of Bro. Wilson, amplifiers were placed in the hall for the benefit of .hose delegates- at the back of the hall, where bearing was not of the best. The new district grand master, Bro. F. W. Bates, was an old Gisborne bey, his father having had a farm in the district. The district grarid master had promised to visit Opotikf on April 15 to meet lodges of the surrounding districts. Bro. Wilson said that there was much enthusiasm at the conference, I'he delegates being in no way pessimistic about the future of the order in the face of the Social Security Act, and believed, in, fact, that an increasing membership would continue. Friendly societies had come through other setbacks stronger 'than ever, ind. provided' members took up an mtimistic attitude, there need ibe no fear of the future of the order. Bro. Ambridge referred to the increase in numerical and financial strength of the district, the district .membership passing 10,000. and reviewed several phases of the conference. He said he was satisfied that 'he officers elected comprised a wise ■•• election. The new district grand master, as well as being an old /resident of the Gisborne district, was also married to a Gisborne girl, a Miss Craill. Before the meeting commenced, votes of condolence were passed- to the relatives of the late Bro. I. Mirfield, P.G., and to Bro. F. W. Nelson, P.G., on the death of his mother. Two visitors were welcomed, Sister McMath, Hearts of Oak Lodge, Invercargill, and Bro. R. E. C. Hampton, Rotorua. At the close of Ibe meeting a Hag five-hundred tournament was played, the winning table comprising Sister A. Forbes, Bros. P. Schwabe, T. Hay and E. W. Grigg.