H.B. DISTRICT, I.O.O.F., M.U., HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 4, Issue 315, 17 September 1881, Page 3

H.B. DISTRICT, 1.0.0. F., M.U., HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

The half-yearly meeting of district officers and lodge deputies of the Hawke’s Bay District, 1.0.0. F., M.U., was held at the Takapau Hotel on Wednesday evening, 14th inst., Prov. G.M. Cooper in the chair, and Deputy P.G.M. Bee in the vice-chair.

Proceedings commenced at 8 p.m., when the following delegates, representing the respective lodges set opposite their names, were present: — Napier Dodge, Bros. Mogridge, W. Cooper, and Waddell j Abbotsford Dodge, Bros. Collett, Brown, and Wiison; Hastings Dodge, Bro. Sturm; Clyde Dodge, Bro. Combes; Meanee Dodge, Bro. Bradley ; Takapau Dodge, Bro. Balsillie. The Clive, Tavistock, Victoria (Porangahau), and Woodville lodges were not represented. chaieman’s address.

The chairman having formally declared the meeting opened for business, delivered the following address :

Worthy Deputy Grand Master and Delegates,—l have much pleasure on this my first occasion of addressing you from the G.M.’s chair to relate the chief items of interest that have occurred in the district since our last meeting. During the past six months we have received 33 new members, but I am sorry to inform you that during the same period 34 have left the order, and one has died, leaving a total of 483 members. Of this number, 66 are out of compliance, as against 38 at end of the previous half-year. I regret to observe that there has been a slight decrease in the number of members, but the total funds of the lodges have increased over £2OO, which gives a far larger average per member than the last retuin. These calculations are, however, only approximate, owing to the Clive Dodge having failed to furnish returns I feel it my duty to call your attention to the fact that notwithstanding the resolution passed at the last district meeting, the Abbotsford Lodge has neglected to collect the A.A. contributions as per old General Rule 145. A circular has been forwarded by the district offeers to all lodges, calling their attention to this subject. Acting on the authority of a resolution of the last district meeting rc the M.E. Fund of Lodges, the district officers met, and after mature deliberation, authorised the appropriation of onehalf of the initiation fees received from the Ist January last, to be placed to the credit of the M.E. Fund of lodges. This step, if approved of by the delegates, will necessitate certain slight alterations in District Rules Nos. 40 and 48. The district officers respectfully recommend that when lodges pay more than £1 per annum per member for medical attendance and medicine, the extra amount so paid shall be borne by members as a special levy, due at the end of each quarter. It would appear from the accounts that a reduction ©f the arrears of the M.E. Fund of lodges has been made during the past halfyear, with the exception of the Abbotsford Lodge, which shows a very consider able increase. This lodge did not avail itself of the authority given to devote half of the initiation fees to the credit of this fund. The district accounts having been audited, are laid on the table. To expedite the registration of the district, the district officers have compiled a condensed set of lodge bye-laws, which have been printed and forwarded to Lodges ; five of which have been completed and received by the Prov. C.S. On receipt of all the bye-laws, 6teps will be taken at once to nave the district registered. In consequence of the irregularity in the system of book-keeping practised by the secretaries of some of the lodges, and the collection and appropriation of the different funds, it is recommended that two examiners of lodge-books be appointed ; and it should be compulsory that lodges send their Books to the examiners on application being made by them, the examiners’ report to be laid before all district half-yearly meetings. Remuneration for these duties to be a charge on the district M.E. Fund. Some short time ago a notice was given to the district officers that the Clyde Lodge intended to secede under General Rules, Clause 3, but I have much pleasure in stating that the resolution was not carried, and that the lodge will still continue to exist. The district officers have not lost sight of the necessity of having the lodges valued, in accordance with the rules, but are of opinion that this could be done to better advantage after the district is registered. The following business will be brought before you to-night:—By district officers, re the amendment of the district rules as already mentioned. By Takapau Lodge, an application for permission to meet every fourth week instead of fortnightly as at present. By Abbotsford Lodge, for the establishment of a Widow and Orphan Fund. You will also be required to nominate district officers and auditors for the ensuing year. The district officers have during the past half-year, visited the Napier, Abbotsford, Clive, and Hastings lodges. Since last meeting W. Darville, of the Clyde Lodge, and F. D. Rendle, of the Napier Lodge, have been expelled the order.

STATEMENT OP ACCOUNTS. The Prov. C.S. (Bro. Fielder) read the half-yearly balance-sheet and statement of accounts, as audited, which were adopted after a little discussion. The returns showed the number of lodges in the district to be 10, with a total membership of 508. D uring the half-year, 33 new members joined, while eight left by clearance, 26 by non-compliance, and one died. The total lodge funds at June 80 amounted to £3986 15s lOd; £lO4 18s had been paid out as sick allowance, and £2O funeral donation. NOMINATIONS. Bros. Bee and Collett were unanimously nominated to fill the respective offices of Prov. G.M. and Deputy Prov. G.M. for the ensuing year. Bros. Fielder and Brown were nominated as candidates for the office of Prov. C.S., and Bros. C. T. Williams and T. Sidey (Napier) auditors. PURPLE LECTURE. It was arranged that purple and Sast officers lectures be held by the istrict officers as follows : —At Napier, on Wednesday, October 5, and at Takapau and Waipawa on such dates as shall hereafter be determined by the district. TAKAPAU LODGE.

On the motion of N. G. Balsillie, seconded by P. S. Wilson, it was resolved that permission be granted to the Takapau Dodge to hold its meetings monthly instead of fortnightly for the future. WIDOW AND ORPHAN FUND. After some consideration, a motion in the name of the Abbotsford Dodge for the establishment of a District Widow and Orphan Fund was negatived by a large majority. The general opinion expressed was that past experience had taught members of other districts that the system was unworkable. ALTERATIONS IN RULES, &C. Effect was given to alterations and additions to district rules as recommended by the District G.M. in his report above, also to various suggestions embodied in the same report having reference to levies, appointment of lodge-book examiners, condensed lodge bye-laws, and other matters. The principal alteration was that enabling lodges to apply one-half initiation fees to M.E. Fund. NEXT MEETING. It was agreed that the next halfyearly meeting be held at Napier, at date and hour to be fixed hereafter. VOTES OF THANKS. Votes of thanks to the Chairman and district officers, to Bros. Gibson and Twomey for use of room, and to the Tyler, concluded the proceedings.