ODD FELLOW SHIP.

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12167, 15 February 1908, Page 1

ODD FELLOW SHIP.

Tbe annual meeting of the Nelsoi District New Zealand Brancti of tbj Manchester Unity Independent Or der of Oddfellows' was held at Wake field on Thursday. There were present :— Prov. G. M G. H. Hammond; Dep. P.G.M. F H. Cooke; District Treasurer, J. P, Cooke: Correaponding Secretary ,' A, R. Smarfc; and the delegates repre sentiog Lodges as follows:— Loyal Nelson: P. P.G.M. a. Day P.G."'s W. H. Robertson, W. Preb ble, J. E. liartlett. A. Stewart. Loyal Howard: P P.G.M. 's J. E. Clear, J. Oorder, A. W. 13atchelor, P.G. 'a A. Stevens, W. Liddle. Travellers Rest (Richmond), P.P.G. M.'s W. D. Harkness. F. W. Smith, P.G. A. G. Wray. General Cameron (Brightwater) : P.G. KB. Fairey. Mansion of Peace (Wakefield): P.P.G.M.'s 1. Tunnicliffe.- P.G.'e P. Higgins, E. -Painton, J. W Hagen. .MataAi (M'jrchison) : P.G. T. Csll Palmyra 'Tadmor): N.G C. W. Riskt-tts. • . Tbe Prov. Grand Master in his address reported that tbfe district had during the past half year made steady progressj financially and numerically. Tbe *Order generally was advancing, the total membership, including juvenile?, being 1,026.509, and the capital £12,291,018. In New Zealand there were 20,155 members, and the funds amounted to £516,284. The District Widow and Orphans' fund increased .£ll7 during the half year, and no-v stands at£slSl; during'the period £273 had been paid out to widows and orphans. The funeral fund bad iacreased £170, and now atands at £35:15. The total funds of the Dia trice and Lodges now amount to £33,23(5, aud during the past twelve months £1470 had been paid to members in sick pay. Satisfaction was expressed at the addition of the Palmyra Lod^e, to the district. Tbe various Lodges hsd been visited by the District officers, and four.d to be working satisfactorily, though the attendances at some Lodges were not 3uen as they should be-. The. Grana Master was thanked for his address, ani |he same was ordered to be printed in the minutes of proceedings. The audited statements of accounts wore duly adopted, general satisfaction being expressed at tne| flourishing state of the funds. A congratulatory telegram was received from the corresponding secretary of tho Society, Wellington. An acknowledgment of the greetings was despatched forthwith. ]'■■.: It was resolved to despatch a telegram conveying fraternal greetings to tbe District Meeting of the Foresters' Order, being held in Nelaon. — Later iv the day a reciprocal message was received from the Foresters' meeting. A schedule of correspondence dealt with by the District officers was presented by tl-e C. S. A communication was received, stusing ;tua£ the New Zealand Friendly Societies' Colonial Executive' had been disbanded as a separate body, but the Wellington Council Imve undertaken to carry out tbe functions of that body. It was resolved to write to the Tourist and Health Departments asking that provision should be marie at tbe Hanmer and Martiia hot 3pring3 for Friendly Societies members. . It wa3 resolved that in the case of sn appeal to the District by an ! 3 x-i)iember of a lodge that me action ■f the lodge must, under the rules. ;ie upheld. Accounts were passed] amounting to £82 13s. It was resolved that the next District meeting be held at Tadmor. The District oncers will meet at Nelson on the regular day, and adjourn the meeting to Tadmor, when the train arrangements would 38rve. Oflicers, etc., were ele3ted as follows : — Prov. Grand Master, F. H. Cooke (unopposed); Dep. Prov.. G.M., P. Higgins (after a ballot); Appeal Committee, Bros. Batchelor, Tunnicliffej'Tophsg, Moller, Harkness, Robertson an 3 Day; Auditors, Bros. JJarkness and Sirifh ; LodgeBjoK Examiner, Bro. Smart; Delegates to attend A.M.C meeting, Bros. Corder and Day ; Committee to investigate aud report on Valuations of tho District, Bros. Smith, Harkness, Corder, Besley, Batchelor, Fairey, Moves, Robinson, Tunnieliff, Day, Jrlagen, and Liddle. •It wag r«3)l9ecl to nominate Bros. A. R. Smart. Corder and Day for the Directorate of the Society ; Bro. Harkness as an Auditor; and Bro. Jull, of the Hawkes Bay district, as Deputy-Graud Master. In accordance with notice given by tbe Ho vsrd Lodge, Bro. Batchelor moved " That the time has arrived for the Biennial Mcveable Committee to entertain and consider the matter of the centralisation of tho funds of the lodges of tas Society. Bro. Bateheloor. in support of the motion, expained that it referred to tbe funeral fund*. He instanced the successful working cf the Nelson District funeral fund as proof of tbe increased efficiency and benefit obtained by working with a common fund. He admitted that the whole question was one that; required ventilation before a tinal decision was arrived at, an i it was in that spirit, tha motion was brought forward. He gave some details to show that districts would continue to control their funds paying in to the central fund'such contributions as would cover, by acturial assessment, the required benefit for the number of mamrets affected. Tbe matter to ome before the A.M.C, through a notice of motion to have the Board of Directors report on the scheme, such report.-tp be. referred to the districts. Bro. Tunniclilt'o seconded the motion, wbicn was carried. A motion was carried recommending the A.M.C to alter clause (c) of section 1 of Rule 82, to provide that before an appropriation of surplus can be made a lesser rate than seven par cent be deducted, on a four per cent, valuation, if sanctioned by an actuary. ~ It was also resolved to substitute A.M.C. Rule 82, section 1 to 10 for section 1 and 2 of district Rule 16, referring to lodges. It wes resolved to procure and present to Palmyra Lodge a set of j officers' sasbes. The installation of officers waa then carried out by Bro. Batchelor, Grand Master of N.Z. Bros. Cooke and Higgins au'tably I returned thanks for their election. | A vote of thanks was passed the retiring P.G.M. Bro. Hammond, and it was directed that his name ba placed on the merit board, his photograph taken, and tbe honors of P. P.G.M. accorded him. Bro. Beli gave notice to move^ at cext meeting ttat Bro. Batchelor. be appointed Lecture Master. The meeting then adjourned till the second Saturday in May at Nelson, when tbe District Valuations will bo considered. The deiegataa dined together at Durbridgo's Wakofield Hotel, where exoeJlenfc repast was provided.