FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIV, Issue 18832, 21 March 1931, Page 19 (Supplement)

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. The monthly meeting of the South Canterbury United Friendly Societies Council was held on Thursday evening. Delegates from the following Lodges were present.—Loyal Timaru, 1.0.0. F., U.A.O. Druids, I.D. Rechabites, A.O. Foresters, Star of Canterbury 1.0.0. F.. H.A.C.B. Society, Court Progress St. Andrews. Sunshine Rebekah, Loyal Geraldine, Lily of Temuka and Alexandrovna 1.0.0. F.. Temuka. After routine business had been disposed of, one of the delegates drew the Council’s attention to the fact that some years ago the then Prime Minister (Mr Coates) had been written to, pointing out that in the opinion of this Council the portfolios of Minister of Health and Friendly Societies should be combined, and a reply had been received that he would bear it in mind. After the question had been discussed, it was resolved to write to the Timaru Member of Parliament, and ask him to take this important question up. The chairman (Brother T. C. Baker) at this stage called on Past President Brother J. T. Ellis to make a presentation to Bro. R. S. Griffiths, who was going to England for a well-earned holiday. Brother Ellis said he felt honoured at being asked to do so. He had been associated with Bro. Griffiths in Friendly Society work for over thirty years, and he eulogised the splendid work done by him, especially mentioning the good service as a representative on the Hospital Board for the past six years. He had much pleasure in handing Bro. Griffiths a handsome leather suit case, suitably inscribed, on behalf of the Council. Several other Brothers spoke, and all wished Bro. Griffiths bon voyage and a safe return. Bro. Griffiths thanked the Brothers for their kindly words, and the Council for its thoughtful present, which w r ould be very useful. He had always given his very best to the Friendly Society movement, and hoped to take it up again on his return. The secretary reported that the admissions to the Timaru Hospital had been fairly heavy during the first two months of the new year, but the pleasing feature was that there had been no admissions to the Talbot Hospital, with the result that payments to the Board would average over 50 per cent, for these months. The Temuka brethren thanked the Council for their invitation to be present and stated that it had been an education to them. A coffee supper brought a pleasant evening to a close.