ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Colonist, Volume LXII, Issue 15310, 25 February 1920, Page 2 (Supplement)

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

THE ANNUAL- MEETING

'{Enmv '.'T&e.Gbloirist," Feb.-13th.)

I 'The annual "meeting of "toe: i&felson' of Foresters took place yester|day in the Foresters' Hall, Nelson. There were present: Bro. P. CRing, jD.C.R., Bro. A. Muggins; D.S.C.R., I Bro. H. W. Bethwaite j Treasurer, Bro. R. Hunter, D.S., and the following delegates: Bro. \ Martin, D.8., Court Robin Hood, Bros. L. J. Frank, P.D.CR.j and J, Easdale, P.D.C.R. ; Court Pride of the Forest, Bro. S. Barnett; Court Sherwood Forest, Bro. W. B Condell, P.D.C.R.; Court Aorere, Bro. J. W. Riley, P.D.C.R; Court Perseverance, Bro. W. B. Hawken, P.C.R.; Unity, Bro. R. N. Crispin, P.D.C.H.; Concord, Bro. G. E. Perkins, P.D.C.R.; Charleston, Bro. W. E. Cheel, P.D.C.R.; Royal Oak, Bro. T. D. Milne, P.C.R.; Inangahua, Bro. E. J. Scantlebury, P.D.C.R.. 5

Bro. J. H. Finney, auditor, was excused for non-attendance owing to being indisposed, and a vote of sympathy was accorded to him.

On the motion of Bro. Perkins, Bro. Milne was allowed to sit as the rem-e----sentative of Court' Royal Oak. On the motion of Bro. Scantlebury, Court ICaramea was excused for not sending any representative, but that Court is to be informed that if in future they are unable to send a brother from their district they have the privilege of appointing a brother from one'of the Courts near Nelson as a proxy.

REPORTS SUBMITTED

The District Secretary read the auditors' report and the statement of accounts. The financial and numerical statement showed 826 financial members on Decomber 31st last. Thirty new members have joined, while 21 had ceased to become members. Tne total worth of funds of Courts was £33,758 19s 6d. During the year 16' members and 4 members' wives bad died. The sum of £1274 6s 3d bad been distributed as sick pay, and £885 4s 3d for medical attendance The total worth of funds of the District was £1642 Is. j On the motion of Bro. Frank, seconded by Bro. Easdale, the auditors' -e\yo;t and balance-sheet were received.

On the motion of Bro. Crispin, seconded by Bro. Milne, the report and balance-sheet were adopted.

THE D.C.R.'S REPORT

The D.C.R. (Bro. Ching) presen+ed hi-3 report iv tlie following terms: — Owing to the secretary of Court Karamea not sending in their financial statement the statements placed before you to-day are not complete. The financial position of the Courts, with the exception of Royal Oak, shows an increase of funds, Court Royal Oak's decrease being evidently due •to the high rate of sickness experienced. Funeral Claims amounting .to £580 \ have been paid on account of the deaths of 16 members and 4 members'^, wives. Of this number 4 were soldier members, and 4 members and 2 wives were victims of the influenza epidemic. The soldier members who made the supreme sacrifice were Bros. W. B. Barnett and T. E. Waterhouse, of Court Pride of the Forest, and W. A. C. Guy and J. J. Quajde, of Court Perseverance. Since the close of the yenr another claim for a soldier member", Bro. E. R. Issell, of Court Karnmea, has been paid. This makes a total of 27 members who have given their lives for their King and country. The funeral claims on the same have been paid without any assistance from the Government, and it does riot appear to have cnused any financial strain on the District or

Courts

THE NUMERICAL POSITION,

The numerical position, shows a decrease of 1 compared with last year. The number of financial members' returned totals 826, Court Concord showing an increase of 9 and Unify 1; Courts Robin Hood, Aorere, Charleston, Royal Oak and Inangahua return the same number aslast year, Court Perseverance *a decrease of 6, Pride of the Forest 1, Sherwood Forest 1, Karaniea 3 Thirty members were initiated by Courts: Concord 11, Robin Hood 8, Unity 6, Pride of the Forest 3. Sherwood Forest 1, Royal Oak 1. Twenty have left by arrears, 1 by clearance, nnd 16 by death. Now peace has been declared some Courts are evidently trying to increase their membership. Sick expenses have been slightly more favourable except Court Royal Ohk, which shows the very high rate of £3 12s Sd per member. Court Inangahua on the other hand, has put up a record' only disbursing £3 sick pay, an averago of 2s 4d per meiriber.

VALUATION REPORTS

During the year the valuations of the District and Courts for the year 1915 have' been received and copies of the Fnme have been sent to the Courts. This if p.one into will constitute the principal business of the meeting.

NATIONAL PROVIDENT FUND.

During the year 36 maternity claims have been ; received' and paid, amounting to £144, torthe, following 'Courts: Hobin Hood "14; Concord 7,- Sherwood Forest 4; Pride of the Forest 2, Boyal Gals ■. 2, r&firamea l' s Charleston 2, Perseverance 3,^ unity 1. Pension contributions of £54 have been received "from Courts Concord and Charleston.

GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE,

You will note by the balance sheet that two Courts have received assistance from .the Government re soldier members' contributions, and -up to the end of the year the Government have refunded Court Concord £11 6s lOd, Court Charleston 14s" 4d. Since the beginning of this year a further amount has come to hand—Concord £1 15s Bd. Charleston 2s. Whether this was a wise move on the part of these two Courts I am not in a position or prepared to say. : Since our last meeting claim forms for assistance re after discharge sickness, for soldier members, have been received and sent to the Courts. The District officers notified the Registrar and the Courts that the Nelson District respectfully declined to take any assistance from the Government, and I hope this meeting will endorse the action of thej District officers,- and maintain the Inde-j pendence of the Nelson District.

VISITS TO COURTS,

Courts Boom Hood, Pride of the Forest, Sherwood Forest, and Perseverance have been officially visited on their summoned meeting by the District officers, and I have much pleasure in reporting that the business of the Courts was- well conducted. The attendance of the members of Courts Robin Hood and Perseverance was heartbreaking. The members of Pride of the Forest and Sherwood Forest attended fairly well, but showed a falling off compared with other years. As all the figures, etc., appear in the financial statements of these Courts, the District officers do not think it necessary to make two written reports covering the same ground of these Courts.

SUB-HIGH COURT.

. The Sub-High Court will hold a meeting this year at Wellington, date to'be fixed, and; it will be necessary for this meeting to appoint two delegates to attend the same. Bro. Scantlebury has teen nominated" by Court . Inangahua as a Sub-High Court officer.

conclusion, I thank my colleagues foi their vever-ready and unfaSinj? courtesy always extended to me durSl Bro. Perkins asked the DC H if h*

A letter was received from the sreConf?r P °n ?*^/"*»% Sodeti£ Conference, , forwarding a petition fcr presentation to Parliament,^ n g for SSSSS nt° frieDdly ""»*» £ *>* T ohef DiS T1? Ct?,ecre^ ary °->Posed the idea of asking the Government for as.wstance. The Nelson District had decided m the early stages of the war jnofc to re-insure their soldier members, and they had been able to ray the funeral benefit on all of their hr^i'va who had made the supreme sacrifice, and this , without any apparent detriment to ihe itinds of the district. Alter several of the brethren had discussed the subject, it-was moved by Bro. Easdale and sec onded, "That this District meeting en•T v • action of the District offlci-rs ii declining to accept any assistance from tho Government.

Bros. Perkins and Bethwaite were appointed delegates at the Subsidiary riish Court meeting. Bros. Finney and Alborough were reapnointed auditors.

The following were elected the District Arbitration Committee: Bros. W. H. Alborongh, H. W. Bethwaite, W. T Bond, J. Chirnr. W. B. Oondell, G Dorlson, A. DoHson. E. B. Fleming. E. GjII C. J. Harley, L. J. Frank, and H, L. withers.

The District Secretary's salary was m™-<?ased by £10 per annum. The election of officers was then proceprlod with and resulted ns follows: D.C.R., Bro. A. Huorgins; O.S.C.E. B£°- T- ??• Milne. The newly-elected c-ncoTB thanked the delegates for their election, and were duly installed. Bro. P. Ching was 'thanked for his services as D.C.R., and" his name was or ™ to c nlaced on the merit "board. The Court then closed in due form.