I.O.O. F., M.U.-District Meeting at Wanganui.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 174, 27 January 1896, Page 2

1.0.0. F., M.U.-District Meeting at Wanganui.

The annual meeting of the above order of the Wanganui district was held at Wanganui last Friday and Saturday. Representatives from Palmerston, Apiti, Feilding, Ashurst, and Ohingaiti, were present. D.G.M. Bro. Parker occupied the chair and called Bro. 1. Salek, the secre* tary. to rea d his annual report, which showed that the funds and membership have increased daring the year in each and every case, and the general progress f made is so encouraging as to warrant us in hoping for a largely increased influence and popularity of the order. I have very great pleasure in intimating the successful registration of the Wang* anui district, and three branches, the . Awarua, Manawatu, and Manchester lodges. I am pleased to inform the delegates that during the recess an application was received to open a new lodge at Mangaweka. The application was well supported by the Awarua Lodge ; consequently the district officers, . accompanied by Bro. Bamber, duly opened the Lodge on November Ist. Manchester Lodge, Feilding. — The secretary of this Lodge is onr worthy D.G.M. , Bro. Parker, who believes in bringing the benefits of our Order before the public, and devotes a deal of time and labor in organisingchurch parades, socials, and such like, in order to keep' the interest alive, with the result though a few years ago this Lodge wa4 ' - languishing, it 'has , within, th.c las^year or two taken a new lite, andjsn.oi,y a flourishing country Lo,dg'e, During %\^ year in spite, of the fact that isß was " ' paid away jn s|ck claims, the sum o) £20 has been added to the fund which now stands at £llf. The Lodge baa'" made an extraordinary change in its membership, having elected .17 new Hiembers, and lost by ; retirement 1&

leaving the roll at the end of the year showing 57 members. . Awarna Lodge, Ohingaiti.— This lodge has distributed Jtll to sick members, bat for all that the sick fund stands at *52, an increase on the year's work of jgß4. The membership is 46, no less than 17 new members having been made during the year, and two members - retired. Rnahine Lodge, Ashurst.— l sincerely regret being unable to favorably report upon the progress of this lodge ; it seems up-hill "work to keep the lodge alive. There appears to be no enthusiasm, and very little interest in the business of the lodge. Bro. Reeve, the secretary, sticks to his work under great difficulties, and perhaps it would be as well to ask the delegate for some explanation, and, if possible, try to infuse new life. Apiti Lodge.— Although only established twelve months this lodge, under , ?: the guidance of Bro. Nix, is making splendid headway; the funds are increasing, new members are made to take the place of those leaving the district. The lodge started the year with, practically speaking, no sick fund ; it has now | gained the respectable amount of £31 — a very good start. Ten new members were made during the year, but they lost five. The roll now stands at ninef teen. District Balance-sheet.— ln reviewing the district balance-sheet you will find there is a credit of £144 to the funeral fund, which amount is considered more than sufficient to cover any claims which may be made upon it by the lodges. The number of members in the district is 424, with a sick and funeral fund of .£5652, and to the management fund £2053. These figures will show you the wealth of our district, and prove to you ' the progress and prosperity of our Order. Bro. Parker was elected G.M. for the next twelve months, and Bro. Neverman as D.G.M. for the same term. The next meeting will be held at Ashurst.