A.O.F. OTAGO DISTRICT.

Evening Star, Issue 3339, 1 November 1873, Page 2

A.O.F. OTAGO DISTRICT.

The auuual meeting of this body was held in the Friendly Societies’ Hall last evening ; U.C.R. Bio. Juo. Wilson in the chair. Delegates were present from Courts Pride of Dunedin, Entci prise, Robin Hood, Pride of the Leith, and Bruce. The report submitted by the retiring officers, with the customary balance sheet, were submitted and adopted. From the former wo make the following extract Wc have to congratulate you on the continued prosperity of the 11.0,1)., which now comprises eighteen Courts ami about DUO linauciai members, with Court funds amounting to J/'vWo (as A,own by the returns of fourteen Courts received this quarter), being an increase for the year of one Court, sixty-one financial members, and LbdO. A. dispeusatlou has been "ranted for another new Court to be opened early next month. The last statistical returns show Forestry to be rapidly extending throughout the world. The increase for the year endin'-- December, 1872, being—seven districts, ninety-two courts, 20,74 i linancial, Old honorary members, and Li 18,313 to court funds; the total number of financial members in the Order being 421,0dd, with a reserve fund of 1,1,000,98-1. From the auditor’s report, we make this extract: —

We have much pleasure in congratulating you on the steady increase both of numbers and funds during the quarter. The number of new members made during the quarter was fortynine as against nineteen withdrawn, leaving a balance of thirty. The fund of the district sin,ws a gain of J/>7 Os Id-that is to say : Incidental, 1.22 ID Id; Relief Fund, Ll7 7s; CeneralFund, 1.17s 2s which is highly gratifviug, considering that four Courts have sent no returns or balance-sheets. Wc would call your attention to Courts Star of Dunstau, Star ‘of Cromwell, Court Molyneux, and Pride of

Maerewhcnua having sent no returns ; and to Court Pride of the Lake, LIOO of their funds not having been clearly accounted for. Court Pride of Oamaru have only L 8 Gs 8d of a general fund. The election of office bearers resulted as follows: —D.C.R., Bro. Asher; D.S.C.R., Bro. Stevenson ; Secretary. Bro. Woodland ; Treasurer, Bro. Geddes : D. 8.. Bro, Craw ford; Auditor, Bro. John Wilson.—The salary of the Secretary was increased by LI 5 a year, and a silver medal and neck-ribbon voted to P.C.D.R. Wilson, for his past services.