ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Evening Star, Issue 4098, 15 April 1876, Page 1 (Supplement)

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

The half-yearly meeting of the Otago District Committee, which was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Wednesday, was well attended, and P.G.M. Anderson, who presided, delivered a lengthy address, in which he referred to the progress of the order during his term of office, and to its present position. But before doing so he commented in strong terms upon the laxity displayed by some of the lodges, which had neglected to furnish complete returns, and others which failed to display proper care in filling up their returns. The progress of the Order was next referred to in these terms : During the year there has been one new lodge—the Outram Lodge, at Outram, West Taieri—added to the district, making the present number of lodges 23. The total number of subscribing members ou the 31st December, 1875, was 1.523. The new members joining by initiation during 1875 numbered 238, while the various lodges accepted clearance members to the extent of 38. Of these last the Hand and Heart Lodge received nearly one-half of the total so joining. The average age of newly-initiated members was, os nearly as possible, 2b’ years 51 weeks. The average age of those joining by initiation was 30 years 1 week 2£ days. The average age of the whole of the members comprising the district was 33 years 5 weeks —showing a slight decrease on the average of December, 1874 It will be seen from the balance-sheets that the deaths during the district fiuancial half year, from October Ist to March 31st, have been unusually numerous, comprising five members and two members’ wives. I regret to say that of the five members deceased no less than three came to untimely and accidental ends. The total number of deaths iu the district for the year 1875 were 12 (of whom tw • were not entitled to funeral benefits) and two members’ wives; the amount paid for funerals during the year 1875 being L2do. This is the highest death-rate ever experienced by this district. The average age of members died is a little over 36 years. The total number of members experiencing sickness in the twenty Lodges which have forwarded returns was 120, experiencing a total amount of sickness equal to 802 weeks five days, calculated at six days to a week. The total income of the Lodges for the twelve months ending last December was L 6.345 0s lid, the total expenditure being L 4,449 lls 2d, showing a saving ou the year’s transactions of 1.1,895 9s 9d. The income is made up as follows : —For admissions by initiation and clearance, L 469 3s 6d; comributions to sick and funeral funds, and including funeral payments from district, L 2.100 15s 6d; contributions, &c., incidental fund, L 2.569 13s; far interests and rents, L 984 14s 7d j foreign Lodges and widow and orphan fund, L 220 14s 4d. The expenditure was—Sick and funeral fund account, L 1,265 0s Id; incidental fund account, L 3.035 lls 8d; foreign lodges and widow and orphans fund, Ll4B 19s sd. The amount paid to sick members was LB2l 15s 3d, being an average of 10s 9}d for the whole membership of the district, and 7id per member more than for 1874. The Roxburgh Lodge, which in 1874 had the smallest amoi nt-of sickness, has in 1875 had the largest, in proportion to the number oi members, while the Bond of Friendship, Kakauu:, has the smallest average expenditure for sickness. The expenditure for medical attendance and medicines amounted to L 1,770 Is Bd. The lodges return their total assets at L 17.981 7s 2d.

After receiving nominations for the various chairs, the elections for which take place in November, and the transaction of some business of routine, the meeting adjourned.