ODDFELLOWSHIP

Dominion, Volume 14, Issue 149, 19 March 1921, Page 5

ODDFELLOWSHIP

' SRAND LODGE SESSION CONCLUDING BUSINESS The Grand Lodge session of the 1.0.0. F. was continued yesterday in the conference hall in the Farmers’ Institute Buildings. Bro. B. Robb, Q.AI., presided over a full attendance. ’The executive minutes for the past two years were considered, and the incoming Grand .Master was urged to visit each district in the territory at least once during his term of office. In regard to medical examinations of members already in the Order taking up extended medical and funeral benefits ,it was stipulated that such members pay the cost of such examinations.

Last session preliminary steps were taken to establish a Dominion memorial In honour’ of fallen soldier members. At yesterday's meeting the delegates passed a ; resolution requesting subordinate lodges to forward to the executive suggestions as to the form the proposed memorial should take. The representatives themselves favoured establishing free cuts In hospitals in the various centres. . In connection with the assistance given to lodges opening without the aid of an organiser, it was decided that Rebekah (female) lodges receive the same assistance* as male lodges. The Grand Sire of the Order forwarded a proclamation drawing attention to the desirability of celebrating in a fit and proper manner the one hundred and second anniversary of the founding of the Order. It was decided to urge subordinato lodges to celebrate the anniversary, forma of ceremony to be sunplied to lodges. . j . A communication was received from the Sovereign Grand U.S.A., asking for suggestions in regard to a suggested curtailment of the ritual. The Grand Lodge decided to consult subordinate lodges with a view to learning their requlrenxnta. hut tho general Impression was that it would be a pity to interfere with a fine ceremony. . A committee was set up to devise a medical scheme for the benefit of lodges desiring to take advantage of it. Iho committee drew up a plan for such a scheme, leaving it optional for lodges to adopt the new system or not. The scheme provided for the centralisation m the Grand Lodge office of the medical funds Of lodges adopting the idea. The i-ccom-mendations tjlaoed before the Grand Lodes by the Medical Committee were unanimously carried. ... j. The Grand Lod,re considered the distribution of districts in,the North Island and two fnesh constituencies were formed for Grand Lodge electoral purposes, and five new districts to render administration more effective and less expensive than at present. . . The following grand officers were elected and installed for the present term of two years:—Grand Master, Bro. C. J. Talbot (South Canterbury); De P" ty f? r “J, d Master. Bro. M. J. Hooper (Auckland), Grand WnyAcn, Bro. D. R. Cooper (Auckland); Grand Secretary. Bro. William Reid (Dunedin); Orand Treasurer. Bro. L. IXcns Ritchie (D’jp»dln); Gr h n< ’X ru t tees, liros. Kemnitz. Miller, and M Peak Master appointed the following officers -.-Chaplain, Bro. Ripley (Dfinedin); G. Marshal. Bro. Simmons (Christchurch); G. Conductor. Bro. Smillio (Palmerston North); G Guardian,. Bro. Crichton (Oamarii); G. Herald, Bro. JI. 0 White (Taneatua). and these were duly installed in their respective .chairs. Votes of thanks were passed- to the organiser. Bro. Crooke. and to all District Deputy-Grand Masters and other officers who had during the last term, instituted new lodges. were extruded to Grand Secretary Bro. Reid upon’ the honour conferred upon him by the Grand Lodge of Australasia In giving him an honourable veteran s jewel, he having completed his fiftieth year of membership, in the Order, f° r *-V‘ three years of which were spent as Grand Secretary of • tho Grtle l' p ton brethren were accorded a he. rty vote of thanks for their hospitality **£ session. A presentation and Illuminated address were given to the r< ' tlr fl diilv Master. Bro. R. Robb and wn.9 duly acknowledged. Bro. A. H. Valent . P.G.M., recording secretary for the see sion. was heartily thanked for h s ser vices and the conference terminated, much important legislation having been carried. .