ODDFELLOWS’ LODGE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 383, 15 March 1937, Page 6

ODDFELLOWS’ LODGE.

Official Visit of Grand Master. A combined meeting of Taranaki members of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was held at Stratford on Saturday night, when Bro. A. J. Guy, of Auckland, Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Nev, l Zealand, paid an official visit to Taranaki. Bro. H.,E. McOalman, N.G., of Triumph Lodge, presided, and later the chair was taken by Bro. Dunlop, Deputy District Grandmaster of North Taranaki. In the course of his address,, Bro. Guy stated that membership had increased by 1300 during the past two years. Last year nine charters to open new lodges Were issued. The Government Actuary had just presented the figures for the .last fiveyear period, .which showed that the surplus available for reinvestment was £126,000.

Referring to proposals of the Grand Lodge, Bro. Guy said that about £55,000 Would be available this year for use by the Grand Lodge. He was very keen to see a fund established from which the dues of old members could be paid, aud another matter Iha t would be cons idered would b the augmentation of the sick fund The Order had over £500,000 Invested in gilt-edged securities and the membership exceeded 17,500.