ODDFELLOWS CONFER

Taranaki Daily News, 23 March 1934, Page 7

ODDFELLOWS CONFER

MANCHESTER UNITY 1.0.0. F. ANNUAL MEETING AT OPUNAKE. DISTRICT OFFICERS ELECTED.. The 68th. annual conference the Manchester Unity 1.0.0. F. was held at Opunake yesterday. About 50 delegates representing 14 lodges were present. The secretary of the Opunake Loyal Lodge (Mr. A. J. Brennan) and the chairman of the Town Board welcomed the visitors, mentioning that it was an auspicious local event—the first time a provincial conference had been held at Opunake. He wished the delegates success in their deliberations. The D.G.M. returned thanks. The District Grand Master, Mr. E. G. Woodley, in his address said that the New Zealand conference had been held this year at New Plymouth, and that the installation of the grand officers had been most impressive. The organisation of the conference was carried out by the district secretary, and the lodge’s thanks were due to him for his successful efforts. Another pleasing feature of the year had been the opening of a new lodge at Opunake, which promised to be one of the most successful in the district. Thanks were due to officers and members of the Rahotu lodge, and especially to Past Grand Bro. T. Renton, for the help they had given in inaugurating the new lodge.

NEED TO PULL TOGETHER. Mr. Woodley said that there was nd nedti for him to elaborate on the very grave economic crisis through , which New Zealand was passing, but he felt it his duty to point out how necessary it was for all to continue to pull together, not only in the interests of the order, but in the interests of humanity generally. • It was gratifying to see that in spite of the financial stress experienced by all members of the community the lodge’s numerical strength had increased to over 1700. Although the number initiated during the year was not so great as during the preceding one, the type of member joining was gratifying. Financial progress had been well maintained. The financial working of the district was of great importance and one could not lay too much stress upon the 1 valuable work the district and lodge secretaries and trustees. The last conference had instructed the lodges to enforce various economies. The reduction of the management levy by one shilling per annum' was a saving to the various, lodges of £BO, and as some of last year’s expenses would not be recurring a further conditional reduction of one shilling was recommended.

Continuing, Mr. Woodley said, that it was pleasing for him to report that the ritual in the lodges throughout the district had reached a very high standard of efficiency. This was no doubt due to the ritual competition. The difference in the lodges which took part in the competition and those which did not was. marked. Judging had been ably carried out by P.D.G.M. Bro. J. L. Walton and P.G. Bro. A. D. Maclean. He regretted that serious illness had prevented P.D.r G.M. Bro. S. Bollon from acting as one of the judges.’ The district officer’s report stated that at the request of the principal officers of the Loyal Rahotu Lodge, the district officers arranged for the district moveable conference to be held at Opunake instead of at Rahotu, as decided by the last conference. Faith in the Oddfellows movement had stimulated members to open .lodges at Inglewood, Rahotu and Okato and, towards the end of 1933, another lodge at Opunake. During the year the Past Grands in the northern portion of the district had established the Loyal Tahurangi Past Grand’s Lodge. AIT these lodges were in a strong condition, the membership continually increasing. The increasing number of lodges, continued the report, and the possibility of that number being still further increased, made the practice of visiting the lodges from the end of January until the date of the district conference a rather strenuous one. It was felt that the only way of overcoming the difficulty was to group the lodges, or to postpone the district conference until April.

OFFICER’S ELECTED. The election of officers resulted: D.G.M., Bro. H. A. Bennett; D.D.G.M., Bro. D. G. Sherson; management committee, Bros. S. Watson, J. Ross, M. Gemhoefer, W. Marr, H. Summerfield and T. Renton; district auditor, Bro. A. J. Tunbridge; district book examiner, Bro. N. B. Bellringer. The judges of the recent ritual competition, Bros. J. L. Walton and A. D. McLean, announced the winners for 1934 as Loyal Union (Hawera), with Excelsior Lodge (New Plymouth) runner-up. Considerable discussion arose out of the remits from the various lodges, especially that appertaining to the elective secretary and his qualifications to attend the conference as deputy. It was ultimately suggested that one of the lodges should overcome the difficulty by giving notice of motion to amend the regulations defining the qualifications of the deputy to attend the conference. Further lengthy discussion ensued on the proposal to ease the regulations concerning (1) admission of new members, (2) control of investments of new lodges, and (3) assistance to unemployed members. It was decided, that these' questions be referred to the management committee with power to investigate and complete the matter. - The management levy was reduced to 4s 4d a year and a resolution was passed making it effective, subject to certain economies.

The next conference is to be held at Manaia,

In the evening the town hall was crowded when the installation ceremony and a social were held. There was g large number of members, visiting members and officers of the various lodges, as well as many of the general public. Bro. A. J. Brennan, N.G. of the Opunake Lodge, welcomed the visitors, many of whom were present in regalia. After the reception of the installing master, D.G.M. Bro. E. G. Woodley, the D.G.M.elect, Bro. H. ’A. Bennett, and the D.D.G.M.-elect, Bro. D. G. Sherson, were invested and sworn in. The installation of the management committee was then proceeded with. I.M.P.G. Bro. E. G. Woodley was then presented with the I.P.G. Master’s jewel. Bro. J. L. Walton, ritual judge, in presenting Loyal Union Lodge (Hawera) with the ritual cup, congratulated the officers and members of that lodge on their effort in the competition. He mentioned that the six leading lodges in the competition were very close. Bro. A.D.S. McLean, co-judge, endorsed Bro. Walton’s remarks.

On behalf of Loyal Waitara Lodge, Bro. L. A. Bocock received the Roberts Memorial Shield for the lodge gaining .the most members during the year. Bro. N. B. Bellringer then delivered an address.

Dancing was then enjoyed. Hooker’s Orchestra supplying the music. Supper was served by the members of the Loyal Opunake Lodge. Mr. J. Purvis was master of ceremonies. %

F°r spreading savoury biscuits and “ sandwiches, mix butter with a little “BEAVER” Worcester Sauce. N.Z. made, best results. , .2