SIXTY YEARS OF SERVICE

Taranaki Daily News, 18 October 1933, Page 6

SIXTY YEARS OF SERVICE

MIR. A. LILE’S FINE RECORD ASSOCIATION WITH FORESTERS. EARLY LODGES OF TARANAKI. With the remarkable record of 61 years and three months’ association with the Foresters’ Lodge, a well-known resident of New Plymouth may to-day, the jubilee of the District Court of Taranaki, feel justly proud of the fine service he has given Foresters in the province. That man is Mr. A. Lile, over 83 years of age, now residing in Hine Street. Mr. Lile first joined the Foresters in 1872, when Court Waireka was in its infancy, and in three years had passed through all the chairs to Chief Ranger. In 1875, having completed his term of office, he withdrew, and shortly afterwards left New Plymouth to reside at White Cliffs. Two years later he began business as a baker and confectioner at Waitara, and in that town he founded a court of the Foresters’ Lodge which was named Court Raleigh, and at the end of the required six months after its formation obtained his clearance from Court Waireka to join the Waitara court. During his ten years at Waitara he passed through all the offices, and ,pn his leaving the district for the South Island was presented with a medal in recognition of his work as Past Chief Ranger. That medal, Mr. Lile thought, was the only one of its kind, a certificate only being the usual recognition of a similar office. In view of his exceptionally fine services to Court Waireka, however, the special award was made. With the formation of a District Court in Taranaki in 1883 Mr. Lile again took office, and in 1904 completed office as Past District Chief Ranger. Mr. Lile has also a medal for that term of office. Since that date, in accordance with the principles of the lodge, he had not stood for office, but he had always maintained close association with the Foresters. In attending the jubilee celebrations of the District Court at New Plymouth to-day Mr. Lile looks forward to renewing many old friendships formed in connection with lodge work in early Taranaki.