LODGE MEETINGS

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 2, 4 January 1932, Page 14

LODGE MEETINGS

Mewburn Lodge of Druids, Kavori, held its meeting recently, A.D. Bro. W. Anderson presiding over a good attendance. Quo member was reported ill/And sick pay- was passed, accordingly. . One new member vas initiated. P.A. Bio. F. E. Matthews lepoited on us>its to A.O K. aud/M.UJ.O.O.I'Y lodges. The installing officer (D.P. Bio. V. Lyalt) installed the following olliceis for the enduing teim:— J.P.A., Bio. C. A. S. Majuaul; A.D , Bro. W. Andeison; V.A., Bio. G. J. M. Eeles; 1.G., Bio. A. W. *jfe; 0.G., Bio. E SUaiton; A.D 8.5,, Bro>,. L\ Median and A. Black; V.A.B.'h, l'.A.'s, Bios. E. Ktandidge and V. K. Matthews; JJ.edn.al Institule delegate, P.A. Bio. A. J. Cathie; Hospital Association delegate, P.A. Bio. 1?. B. Matthews' picnic delegate, P.A. Bio. ]\ 15. Matthews; Piess icpaiter, P.A. Bio. ,1?, E. Matthews. Alter the meeting a dance ■was held, it beiug ladies' night. During the evening a presentation of salad sets was made lo Bros. W. Hahbuiton and E. Builey for seivices leiideted.

The montlily meeting of Wellington District Lodge, No. 5, 1.0.0. F., A.Z., compused a good attendance, piesided over by the DD.G.M. (Bio. G. 1?. Rudkiiij P.C.P.), BeEoie proceeding with the business a tiibute was> paid to the memoiy of the late Bro. \V. Lucas, grand secietary of South Austiaha tor many yeais, and a Past Giand Sue of Australasia. An official visit was receded fiom Bro. C. P. Gandy, D.D.G.M., Hutt Valley District, and & number o£ Past Glands, ■who weie o received with appropiiate honours. Accounts totalling £93 7s weie passed. Xwo membeLS of suboidinate lodges ■vveie advanced to the loyal blue degice by the Degree Master (Bro. P. Lee, P.G.). A challenge by Southern Cross Lodge for the district "lri\e Iluudied" Shield against Zealandia Lodge was appioyed; also challenges for the District Cribbage Shield (held by Wildey Lodge) fiom Esther ReTjekah, Southern Cross, and Zealandia Lodges. Reports were received on official-; visits by district officers to the various lodges during the preceding month, district executive meeting, and hospital fund committee meeting. The D.D.G.M. notified.'having sanctioned a. local appeal towards ihe funeral expenses: ; of. a deceased Honorary,.: member 'who had no local relatives,: ■. ■■-.'".'.'':' '■■

The fortnightly meeting o£ Wildey Lodge, No. 107, 1.0.0. F., N.Z., Tslaud Bay, was held recently, Bro. W. R. Kelly, N.G., presiding over a. good attendance. Visitors .included the D;D.G.M., Bro. G. F. Dudkin, P.G., and district officers on an official visitation, also a large number of members of Southern Cross Lodge. Three members were declared on the sick fund, and one member declared off, relative sick pay, with general accounts, being passed for payment. One member applied, for a transfer, the. !name being granted. Two appeals from kindred ledges were 'made grants. Business having been concluded, the lodge was closed to allow the annualradio concert.to proceed.' The D.D.G.M. acted as chairman, the musical programme being in the hands-of Bio. W. M'Laughlin.

The quarterly meeting of the Wellington United Friendly Societies' Council was held recently, the president, Bro. AVnllis, presiding over a good attendance, Prior to the commencement o£ business the meeting passed a motion of sympathy with the relatives of the late Bro. J.1 H. Kraft, a prominent member of the council up to the time of his last illness. The resignation of Combination Lodge was received with regret. In addition to the endeavours of the council to obtain a suspension of dues and benefits of unemployed members, reports were received from the president and committee. It was resolved that all lodges of the Wellington district be circularised, with the object of outlining the proposal and its effects and obtaining their co-operation. A committee was set up to go into the question of a revision of the rules governing the "J500" tournament, following a proposal that elimination contests be permitted for the Challenge Shield. The meeting also discussed the proposed dissolution of the United I'riendly Societies Dispensary, delegates conveying particulars to their respective lodges.

At the meetings of Loyal Newtown and Sister Wallis Lodges, M.U., 1.0.0. F., held recently, 'warm welcomes were extended fo'Bro. B. Bell, P.D.G.M.; and Sister "E. Bell, who,, had returned after an*, eight months' tour. Bro. W. Alcock, K.G., presided at Newtown Lodge,1 and after completing the business he expressed pleasure- on behalf of members on the return, of Bro. Bell. Bro. R. K. Couper also extended a Welcome^n behalf of the fast Grands Lodges. Lodge honours were given, after which. Bro. Bell gave a resume of his travels since leaving in March. Sister A. Anderson, N.G., presided at Sister Wallis Lodge, when Bro. Bell and; Sister Bell also attended,_A large number of representatives of other lodges also attended to assist at the welcome. The N.G. and Sister E. MTarlane welcomed the visitors on behalf of members. Lodge honours were given. Sister Bell replied, thanking tho lodge for its warm■< welcome. Bro. Bell expressed his pleasure at the warmth of the welcome received, and referred to meeting officials of the .Manchester Unity in England* At the conclusion of the meeting a social evening was arranged, Sisters E. Webber and Douglas being at the piano, and Bro. .Torgensen and Sister Rynand acted as M.s C. and Sister Bunckcnburg arranged the supper.

. Bro. Friar, N.G., presided over the last meeting of Loyal Antipodean Lodge, M.U. -Oddfellows. There was a good attendance. -One candidate was initiated. Bro. A. Barrow, P.G., auditor, read the annual balance-sheet, which showed as follows:—The total funds at,3oth November, 1930, were £51,933, and at the end of 1931 had risen to £53,577, an increase of £1644. Sick pay for the year amounted to £877,- funeral and death" benefits to £798, and- maternity. bonuses £150, the total surplus being over £20,000, while the "management fund stands at £3500. Lodge honours were extended to visitors, who-briefly replied. Recently the annual Christmas tree was held in the British Sailors' Society Hall, kindly placed at the podge's disposal. A large number of children were present, and received presents and sweets.

Bro. J. L. Stewart, N.G., presided over the usual meeting of Loyal Britannia Lodge, M.U: Oddfellows.. Regret was expressed at the absence of Bro. Eggimton, N.G. elect, who has entered hospital. It was resolved that a letter expressing hopes for his speedy recovery be sent. Bro. W. B. Brown, D.D.G.M., Bro. R. K. Couper, Sister E. M'Farlaue, and Bros. T. S. Powell and A. C. Blair installed the iollowing officers:—Bro. J. S. Riddick, V.G.; Bro. D.. Laurenson, E.S,; Bro. S. Park, warden; Bro. L. Withy, guardian; Bro. J. L. Stewart, I.P.N.G. Members of Loyal Antipodean Lodge, M.U. Oddfellows, held their final rally for 1931, which took the form of a smoke concert. Bro. E. W. Guise, P.G., pre-sided,-and -was supported by Bros. A. G. Shrimpton, A. C- Blair, G. Read, R.K. Couper,' J. R. M'llraith, and T. Norris. After the loyal toast-Bro. A. T. Barrow proposed the toast of "The Manchester Unity," Bro. -A. G. Shrimpton replying. He quoted.illuminating figures regarding the activities of the Manchester Unity throughout the Empire, its activities in New Zealand, and the general activities 'of the whole friendly society movement in New Zealand. He- pointed out that the income of the sick and funeral funds of the Manchester Unity throughout the Empire amounted to £2,307,018, whilst the sick.expenditure amounted to £2,008,750. The gross income of the Unity for the past year amounted to £3,116,062, and the capital increased to £24,559,735. Dealing with the New Zealand branch of the Order,, the sickness benefits dispensed total £49,411 and the funeral benefits £9652. The capital at the end of the year amounted to £1,348,365. During the last-43 years the friendly societies of New Zealand had dispensed in sickness benefits £2,912,453, in funeral benefits £799,257, and in medical attendance- and medicine £2,911,958, making a grand total of benefits ' dispensed by the friendly society movement for New Zealand of £6,623,668, or an annual average equal to £154,040. Other toasts honoured weie "Wellington District," proposed by Bro. G. Read and responded to by Bios. R. K. Couper and J. R. M'llraith: "Antipodean Lodge," Bro. J. F. O'Sullivan, Bios. A. Guise'und Friar responding; "The Visitors," Bro. E. Read, lesponded to by representatives present; "Artists," proposed by the chairman, Mr. Sanders replying. Items Wflre-given by Mr. Brockenshire, Bro. E. Read, Mr. G. Sanders, and Bro. Young. The arrangements were parried out by. Bro. E. JN. Guise, C. J. Burnett, and" members ot the social committee.