MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6127, 14 March 1898, Page 1

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The annual meeting of the North Canterbury district of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, was held in the Gospel Temperance Mission Hall, .Worcester Street, on Wednesday ; present—Bros C. C. Smithson, Prov. G.M., who presided, A. H. Paddy, Prov. D.G.M., C. Foster, Prov. C.S., and representatives of Lodges as follows :—City of Christchurch, Bros -TV. Woods, P.P.G.M., A. W. Amos, £. Kent, S, White, P.G.'s, T. Wood, G.M., and C. Pearce, N.G.; Kaiapoi, Bros C. H. Bentley, L.' Ednionds and W. Wilson, P.G.'s; Volunteer, Bros W. Fabian, P.G., T. Treadwell, N.G., and J. Ambrose, V.G.; Benevolent, Bro3 J. M. Conway, J. H. Manders and D. Pattnck, P.G.'s; Perse vera nee, Bros T. Hay ward, S. J. M'tfargvP.G.'s, and W. Hartshorn, P.S.; Malvern, Bro D. M'Millan, P.G.; Phillipstow'fl, Bro W. U. Nichols, P.G.; Leeston, Bro W. Johnson, P.C4.; Papanui, Bro n. Simmons, P.G.; Addington, Bros H. V. Free, E. Kinsman and B. P. Manhire, P.G.'s; Heart of Oak, Bro J. H. Sandford, P.G.; Eiccarton, Bro E. Holmes, P.G. j Jubilee, Bro J. Yarr, P.S.; tyler, Bro A. W. Saunders, P.G. A Hue was recorded against the Coleridge Lodge for not being represented. The Prov. G.M. opened the meeting with the customary address. He found from the returns furnished to the Prov. C.S. by the various Lodges that the total membership stood at 1012, being an increase of forty-five on the previous year, with a j total capital of .£27,207 9s 2d.' Although the sick experience had been considerably higher than ifc has been for many years, the death-rate had been exceptionally low. Three hundred and sixty-one members had received sick pay amounting to .£1666 10s 4d, being an average of £4 12s 4d per sick member, or .£1 Os 8d per member in the district. Three members aud four members' wives had died, and the funeral claims had amounted to o£l3o. It was resolved that a vote of thanksi should be accorded to the Prov. G.M. for his address, and that it should be priuced vith the report of the meeting. A telegram, conveying fraternal greetings, was received from the Prov. C.S. of the Ashley district, and ordered to be acknowledged. A letter was received from the committee appointed by the conference held in Wellington in April, 1596, to take steps as. to the appointment of a Grand Master arid Board of Directors for New Zealand, asking the Canterbury district to re-con-sider its decision as to the election of such a body. It was resolved —" That this meeting sees no reason for altering its previous decision." The balance-sheet and auditors' report were received and adopted, and outstanding accounts were passed for payment. Bro A. H. 'Paddy, Prov D.G.M., was elected Prov G.M. without opposition. Four candidates contested the election for the office of Prov D.G.M. The ballot was in favour of Bro C. F. King, P.G. Bro J. M. Conway was elected junior auditor. As to engaging a specialist the committee reported as follows: — " That this committee recommend the district meeting to authorise the district officers to deal with any casea in which members of any Lodge in the district may be suffering from any disorder of the eye, ear and throat that the member's Lodge medical officer certifies requires the attention of a specialist, the district officers making arrangements with the specialist, whose services may be required for the case, half the account for such services to be paid by the district, the member himself to pay the balance. The amount expended by the district to be raised by a levy made on all Lodges. This arrangement to continue for say two years as a trial." The report was deferred for consideration until the next meeting. The quinquennial valuation report showed that the financial position of the district had considerably improved since the previous valuation had taken place. It was resolved that the annual and halfyearly meetings should, be held on Thursday instead of Wednesday, and that the the Papanui Lodge shoiild be allowed to. meet on Thursday instead of Friday. A proposal was made to alter District Rule No. 32, so that the trustees might invest the funds on freehold property immediately they are satisfied with the security. Sister M. A. Pearce, P.G., Bro L. Graham, Prov. D.G.M., Lyttelton District, Bros. C. M'lntosh and Beswick, Timaru Lodge, were present, and returned thanks for the manner they had been received, and the cordial welcome extended to them. Bros M'lntosh and Beswick spoke at some length on the desirableness of airangements being made so that juvenile members might —in the same manner as adults —have the benefit of joining another lodge by clearance, should circumstances arise to necessitate their removal from their own lodge. The officers-elect were duly installed by the retiring G.M., Bros L. Graham, Prov. D.G.M., and T. Kent, P.P.G.M., acting as conductors, and returned thanks in suitable terms for the honour conferred on them. In the evening a Past Grands' Lodge was held, when there was a large attendance of Purple Officers. Candidates holding the necessary certificates received their respective degrees, nine members being admitted to the Purple. Afterwards a general discussion took place respecting matters for the good and welfare of the Order. A meeting of the Women's Political Association was held at the Women's Christian Temperance Union rooms on Tuesday evening, when it was resolved that the Minister of Education should be requested to allow no interference with the present system of education. A letter from Mrs Cunnington stating that she was unable to represent the Association at the Women's National Council was received with regret. A group meeting of the North Canterbury Christian Endeavour Societies was held at the Wesleyan Church, Eangiora, on Thursday evening. The attendance numbered about one hundred and thirty; Christchurch and suburban societies, also Kaiapoi, Southbrook Eangiora and Loburn were represented. The Rev T. H. Lyon presided, and during the evening the Rev J. T. Burrows gave an address on " The Christian Endeavour Society as an Aggressive Force," and Mr H. Thompson read a paper on "The Christian Endeavourer as a Soul-winner." At the close of the meeting, which throughout was of an enthusiastic character, the Chairman thanked the local societies for the kind reception accorded to the visitors; and the Rev T. G. Carr, on behalf of tha Rangiora societies, expressed the pleasure and encouragement felt by them as a result, of the meeting. On the arrival of the visitors, tea was provided, and before leaving for home they were supplied with refreshments.