ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XLVI, Issue 11024, 15 September 1897, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

MEETING OF THE °HIGH COURT. The 63rd High Court of the Ancient O.rder of Foresters opened it 9 sittings at Norwich, on August 2nd, under the presidency of tbe High Chief Ranger (Brother G . F. Howard). Tbe Mayor of Norwich (Sir G. Gilman), Sir" B?. Ballard, M.P., Mr 8. Hoare, M.P., and a large Dumber of visitors were present. — In his addrass the High Chief Ranger said the figures at the opening of the year showed an increase of 1,637 mala adult members, 113 widows, and 12 in honorary members —a decrease of 2,011 female adult members and of 2,664 juvenile members, or a net decrease vz the aggregate membership) as compared with the previous year, of 2,193. One society, however, with a membership of 5,246, had failed to make any return. The total payments during the year were £35,252. The funds of the Order made a grand total of £5,827,549. There were 26,000 members iv receipt of sick pay daily. The degree of tho Society's solveucy had advanced during the year from 17s 4d to 17a 7d in the pound. The assets of the Order were £17,615,708 and the liabilities £20,040,413.

The proceedings were continued on August 3rd, when the voting for a new permanent secretary fesalted in the unanimous election of Mr j\ Lister Stead, son of the late permanent secretary* The Executive Council proposed an important alteration of the financial laws governing deficiency courts, intended to empower the Council to take step 3to compel all courts having a relative degree of 17s 6d in the pound to take immediate action to place themselves in a more solvent position by adopting the general law tables of contributions and benefits. — Brother Wood (Birmingham) believed the raising of the limit to 17s 6d in the pound was a wiae one ; but there was, no doubt, a serious difficulty to be faced by many of their courts in asking their old members to increase their contributions. — Brother Jackson (East London) said nnder this proposal they would be obliged to charge their old members, who had been in the societ}- for 25 years, tho same contributions as tho young man now joining. Was that fair? (Cries of " Yes.") There had come over tho High court in recent years a craz for solvency (laughter and cheers). — The proposition was then submitted to the meeting, and declared to be carried.

ENTERTAINMENT AT ST. MARY'S. Tub last of the series of winter entertainments at St. Mary's schoolroom was held on Tuesday evening, when, despite the wet weather, there was a large audience. An excellent programme was given, many of the nnmbers being encored. Mr Walton, of Auckland, gave i good rendering of " One Hundred Fathoms Deep," and for encores contributed "Father O'Flynn,' 1 and another item. Dr. Walker sang with considerable effect, and had to respond te an encore. Mr Didsbury's interpretation of " The Long shoreman " was well received, but the vocalist did not respond. Mrs Burgess, Mips Teed, and Mr Taylor also contriI buted songs; and Mr A. L. Cooke was encored for a 7iolin solo. Two plantation quartets by Misses C. Bayly and G. Fookes, and Messrs Watkins and Noble, were capitally given, and were encored. The duet (in character), "Where are you going," old and new version, was decidedly effective. The old wat taken by Mils Teed and Mr D. Hnrsthonss, and the new by Miss B. Bayly and Mr Taylor. The singers had to respond to an imperative encore. Misses Fookes sang a duet very nicely, and Mr S. Cooper gave a piano solo with his accustomed ability. Five well arranged and pretty tableaux were shown daring the evening. The entertainment was one of the best ever given in the schoolroom, and reflected great oredit on the promoters.