ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 March 1920, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

FIFTY-THIRD ANNUAL MEETING. TAR.ANAKI DISTRICT M.U.1.0.0.F. The annual conference of the Taranaki district was held yesterday at Stratford, when the Grand Master, Bro. W. A- Spragg, presided, the other officers present being: D. G. M. Bro. 11. Hill, warden, Bro. P. C. Brabant, secretary, Bro. G. S. Papps. The secretary of the New Zealand branch, Bro. J- Kershaw, also attended. The lodges were represented as follows: Egmont, Bros. McGahey, A. Hooker, H. A. Hooker, and T. Clow; Excelsior, Bros. LLittle, A. L. Roberts, and Brown; Waitara, Bros. W. Bent and F. C. Brabant: Hawera, Bros. 0. A. Allen, R. S. Sage, and W. Lamb; Manaia, Bros'. W. Snowdon, A. S. Bennett, and W. Cunningham; Eltham, Bros. F. Amoore, W Carbis, J. Bates, and Sister E. Waters; Midhirst, Bros. R. Steer and F- Bell; Stratford, Bros. T. Lawson and C. D. Sole; Kaponga, Bros. Melville and Marr. An apology was received from Bro. G. Were, Loyal Toko Lodge • The Grandmaster welcomed the New Zealand branch secretary, also the returned soldier brethren present, and expressed satisfaction that the majority of these had returned from overseas. The district was congratulated on the financial and numerical progress made during the past year. Mention was made of the district officers' visits to the various' lodges, and appreciation expressed at the kindness and courtesy received on such occasions. Recognition was made of help given by the immediate P.PKJ.M., Bro. A. L. Roberts.

The Mayor of Stratford, Mr. J. W. McMillan, visited the conference, and was welcomed by the Grandmaster. His Worship, in responding, expressed his pleasure at seeing the delegates jmeet in Stratford, and trusted that igood results would ensue therefrom. The Management Committee's report disclosed that the sick and funeral funds of lodges amounted to £38,424, an increase of £IS44 for the year. The management funds ,of lodges had increased from £7B to £339. The taimerical gain was set down at 93, the ('membership at December 31, 1919, being IHBS. Special mention was made of 'the progress of the Manaia, Eltham, Hawera, and Midhirst lodges." During the year £1940 had been disbursed in sick pay, £590 in funeral benefits, and £l4O in maternity claims- The sum of £R-18 was devoted to war relief purposes. £<ifi3 being a levy on surplus capital, and the balance (£185) being levied on members. A vote of sympathy and condolence was passed to the relatives of late P.P.G'.'M., Bro. H. Ainsworth. A motion was passed congratulating the Loynl Midhirst Lodge on Me splendid progress made during 1919. The Loyal Toko Lodge was given permission to change lodge nights, and to meet fortnightly. The attention of the Egmont Lodge was drawn to rule No. 112, which provided, for the investment of lodge funds and the collection of interest. t A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Roberts, senr., and P.P.6.M-, Bro. A. L. Roberts for the presentation of shield for competition. The matter of lodge accounting and preparing of balance-sheets was left in the hands of Bros. R. S. Sage, C. D. Solo, L. Little, and the secretary. The following were appointed a District Ma-nasemcnt Committee: Bros. A. L. Roberts," T. Lawson. C A. Allen, C. D. Sole. A. Melville, and W. Snowdon. Bros. A. L. Roberts- and W. A. Spragg were appointed to give the purple degree. Bro. <"!. S. Papps and A- L. Roberts were, appointed book examiners. After a ballot. Bros. C- D. Sole. A. L. Roberts and W. A. Spragg were elected to represent the district at the Raster conference at Auckland. Bro. H. Hill, Manaia Lodge, was elected unopposed to the Grand Master's cfcifc with Bro. R. Steed, Midhirst Lodge, as Deputy Grand Master. Bros. F. Pepperell and G. S- Papps were re-appoint-ed treasurer and secretary respectively. It was resolved that the secretary's salary be increased by £26. At the invitation of the Grandmaster, the New Zealand branch secretary addressed the conference at length on the Easter biennial conference order paper, and, on conclusion, was heartily thanked for his explanations and remarks. The newly-appointed officers were duly installed by the Grand* Secretary, Bro. J. Kershaw, assisted by P.P.G.M.'s Bros. F. Amoore and F. C- Brabant. The retiring Grand Master, Bro. W, A.' Spragg, was thanked for his services, and was the recipient of a jewelled emblem as a memento of his term of office-