ORDER OF FORESTERS

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 35, 11 February 1933, Page 13

ORDER OF FORESTERS

annual; conference

The siity-first annual, conference- of the Ancient Order of' Foresters, Wellington District, was held on Wednesday, Brother F. Ward, D.C.E., presiding, assisted 'by Brother P. Parsonage, 1.P.D.C.E., and subordinate officers. The presiding officer extended a welcome to Mr; B. Witheford, registrar of friendly societies, and Mr. C. Gostelow, Government actuary, who were present on their annual visit to the Order. The registrar congratulated the delegates' on the excellent financial position of the district, pointing out that since the last quinquennial valuation a sum totalling £24,100 had been made available from surplus funds, and is now being used to assist the various benevolent funds of the Order.- In a review of the present state of. affairs and its-.effect' on friendly society finance the registrar urged delegates "not to get rattled," Above all, he said delegates must not lose their sense of pro— portion.

Mr. Gostelow also reviewed the funds of the Order, and paid a tribute to the district trustees for the able manner in which investments had been made. Brother Ward, in his address to delegates, traversed the annual report, stressing the value of the Order to workers generally. He gave instances of how unemployed members might be relieved of certain charges until their financial position improved. A vote of condolence was passed to the widow and relatives of the late Brother W. Clark, P.D.C.E., who died last year.

Attention was drawn to the existence of the Jubilee Commemoration Fund, whereby the children of members or deceased members may receive assistance.

The senior- trustee, Bro. E. Stoupe, referred, to district investments and, with Ms co-trustees, Bros. Gilchrist 'and Platt, was thanked foi Ms valued •vfrork. : ...''■"■

The election* of officers Tesnlt'ed as .follows:—l.P.B.O.R., Bro. I". Ward; D.C.E., Bro. W. F. Ingram; D.S;C.E., Bro. F. S. Hay; D.S.W., Bro T. Bedding; D.J.W., Bro. C. Edwards; D'.S.B., Bro. ,W. V. Sanvig; D.J.8., Bro. H Boniface; D.S., Bro. A. W. O. Traverse D.T., Bro. T.: Mark j district trustees, Bros. E. Stoupe, T. Platt, and D. Gil- . chnst. .

The chairman announced, that' the Sinithson Shield had been won by Court Eangitaua, Taihape. y Among , the brethren .present was Bro. G. W. Key, P.D.0.E., the oldest Forester in .the .Wellington district. Bro. Key, who has long; been an outstanding' figure in friendly society work,, is over eighty years old, but maintains his keen interest in the .Order of Foresters.