"HAWKE'S BAY DISTRICT I.O.O.F., M.U."

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3641, 14 March 1883, Page 2

"HAWKE'S BAY DISTRICT 1.0.0. F., M.U."

AXXTj'AIi MEETING,

The annual meeting of the above Wcis held in the Loyal Napier lodge-room this foro-i noon at 11.30. Present: P.G.M. Bee (in the chair), P.D.G.M. Collett, P.C.S. Fielder, and the following delegates :—Napier lodge, P.G.s T. Sidey, W. H. Cooper, and P.P.G.M. S. E. Cooper; Mcnuec lodge, P.G. A. Tiffen; Hastings, P.G.s Long and Sturm; Clive, P.G. Millier; Waipawa, P.P.G.M. Robb, N.G. Lowe, and V.G. Henderson; Waipukurau, P. G-. Tattershall ; Porangahau, V.G. Connelly; Woodville, P.G. Johnson. ANNUAL REPORT. The G.M. delivered his opening addras as follows, and declared the meeting to bo duly constituted: — Worthy Officers anclDelegates, —Wo have again assembled' to transact the business of the district, but before proceeding I have much pleasure in calling your attention to the various items of interest that have occurred during the past six months, as well as the matters to be dealt with at this meeting. The certificate of the registration of tho district was issued by the registrar on 29th September last, and all the lodges in the district except the Napier lodge were at the samo time registered as branches thereof. The by-laws of that lodge having been amended, the certificate of registration is daily expected. You will be pleased to learn that we have increased our strength by 18 members during the six mouths ending 31st December last, GG members having been received against 18 left and deaths. Our total membership now stands at 507, of tho average age of 301-years. Our capital haw during the same period increased £400, and now stands £4711 9s, or an average of over £9 per member. Tho management expense fund of the Meanec, Clive, Victoria, and Tavistock lodges are in debt, and by new clause 4 of general rule Gl this is strictly prohibited, and a levy on the members of "the respective lodges must be made to clear off this indebtedness. During the last year the Victoria and Hastings lodges have acquired freehold property and erected lodge-rooms, and tho Clive lodge is about following in the same direction. I am glad to report that no lodge iv this district now hold their meetings in hotels. Owing to a misunderstanding between the Victoria and Hastings lodges the former lodge 2>aid the funeral donation for tho wife of Bro. Sweeney in error. The correspondence and certificates will bo juiced before you, when the refund of £10 to the Victoria lodge can be taken into consideration. Owing to fuller information from lodges being required in accordance with the Friendly Societies Act, it is found necessary to have a new supply of forms printed. I have to report that the accounts of the late Takapau lodge have been made up, and a statement of the same will be laid before you, and it is recommended that the balance be allotcd as mentioned therein. The reason this matter has been deferred is that it was expected that Bro. Hyland woidd have recovered ere this, thus obviating , the necessity of making him a district member. Since our last meeting three members have died, two only being entitled to funeral donation, and two members' wives. The district officers recommend a levy of 2s Gd each on all members good at 31st December to the funeral fund, od per member to the benevolont fund, as well as Is for every new member to the management fund, f The revision committee appointed at last meeting having made a complete revision of the district rules, and the same having been printed and forwarded to lodges and delegates, are submitted for consideration. Since the printing of the revised rules it has been considered advisable to alter the date of the district meetings from the 2nd Wednesday in March and September to the last Friday in January and July. From experience it has been found that the present dates lead to much confusion and delay in the accounts and returns, and being so long after expiration of half-yearly periods great laxity has been shown by most of the secretaries of lodges. Other districts iv the colony are adopting these dates with a view to holding all the district meetings on the same day. The other important alterations in the rules are as follows :—All Lodges arc compelled to fiend delegates. Trustees and Treasurer to be ex-otticio members of the district committee. Secretaries of lodges to keep registers of sickness and death. Provision for admission of deaf and dumb members, and funeral donations to member's second wivcH have been struck out. It will be observed that the rules have been considerably curtailed as the subject matter is provided for in the general rules and the Friendly Societies Act. No alterations have been made in tho rate of contributions to sick and

funeral fund, such contributions being in accordance with tho scale in the general rules, and a return of the comparisons of the rates of contributions of other districts in New Zealand will be laid before you, from which you will observe that for tho benefits given our contributioiiH are no higher than the solvent districts in New Zealand. All tho lodges in the district except Woodville have been visited since we last mot by one or other of the district officers, and have been found worlcing in a satisfactory manner. The districts officers wovdd take this opportunity of thanking the lodges for the kind and hearty welcome always extended towai'ds them. In conclusion I must boar testimony to the efficient manner in which the Provincial C.S. has performed his duties, and the hearty assistance he has at all times rendered. STATEMENT OF ACCOUNTS. The half-yearly statement oi district accounts showed the following totals:----• Funeral fund—Receipts .W2 16s :jd, expenditure £20; Management fund—Receipts £12 15s Id, expenditure £21 Is Gd: .Benevolent fund—Receipts £13 os -id. expenditure w<7. Tho balance to credit of lodge tick and funeral funds was stated to be <Jl7 Us Pd. [The delegates were still sitting when our reporter left.]