The Oddfellows.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8789, 12 February 1897, Page 3

The Oddfellows.

Wellington District Meeting. Wellington, February 12. &t the annual distriot meeting of the Manoheeter Unity Order of Oddfellows Bro Avery, Provincial Grand Master, said tbe question of women's lodges appeared to be a difficult matter for the Board of Direotors and the A. AI. C. to dispose of. First they declared that women were entitled to the privileges of the order and after several lodges had been opened on theße lines a rnling was given that they were not branohes and oould not be granted dispensations, and ttood in the same relation to the Order as the juvenile branches. If this was to Jbe the basis of women's lodges, in his opinion, bb far as New .Zealand was concerned where women had the frenobiss, Ihey would not oare to retain membership of the Unity. Borne of the lodges in the district were not in a satisfactory state, the attendance beiog disappointing and tbe juvenile lodges were not as flourishing as tney should be. The number of members was 1288 and the balance sheet fihowed a oredit balanoe- to the Siok Fund of £24,201, to the Management Fund of £1292, and the Central Fand £1032. A long disoosßion took place on >he question of tho establishment of a Board of Direotors, and eventually tbe following was carried by 17 to G :— ■" That tbis Dis riot is favorable to the formation of a triennial moveable committee when eight dis riots bave signified their intention of joiniog." Bro C. W. Johnßton of Petone was elected Provincial Grandmaster.