THE WESTLAND ODDFELLOWS.

Greymouth Evening Star, 27 January 1903, Page 2

THE WESTLAND ODDFELLOWS.

The Annual District Meeting. The annual meoting of the above body was held in the Lodge Eoom, Greymouth, yesterday. Present—Brother Evenden (Kumava), P.G.M.; Delegates—Holder and Edwards, Greymouth; Lyons, Waimea; Ruthven and Palmer, Kumara; and Rafe and Peake, Hokitika. The first business was the election of officers for the ensuing year, the selection being:—Bro. E. Perkins (Greymouth), P.G.M.;Bro. Rafe (Hokitika) Deputy; Bro. Peake (Hokitika), Secretary; The retiring Provincial Grandmaster in his address said : Before opening our annual meeting allow me briefly to refer to the present financial and numerical position of the district. From the returns supplied by the Pro C. S. I find that ou the Ist January, 1902, the number of menbers in

the Lodges comprising the district was 208, during the year eleven have been admitted, five deaths have taken place and eleven have left through arrears of contributions, leaving the number of members on ihe 31st December, 1902, as 204. Tr.e amount of capital in the sick and faneral funds of the Lodges on the Ist January, 1902, was £"8,776 18s Id. Tho receipts during the year were for members' contributions £252 2s 9d, interest and rents £15(5 9s 2d, entrance fees £9 15s 9d, dis riot funeral benefits £IOO, contributions members of other Lodges £14.15, sick and funeral benefits oilier Lodges £123 IDs 7d. The payments for tho same period were sick benefits own members £467 4s, funerals members and members wives, etc., £l2l 13s, levies to district funeral fund £lO4 Kb, contributions from members of other Lodgos £ll los siok and funeral benefits to members of other Lodges £lOl 8s Id, other payments sundries £9S lis Id, leaving the amount of capital on 31st December, 1902, £8822 9s 4d. The receipts during the year for management expenses, medical aid, etc., were £452 6s lid, leaving a credit balance in these funds of £l4B 15s 6d, thus showing tho total amount of funds in the Ledges on 31st Dosember, 1902. to be £8971 4s lOd. It is with detp regret I have to report so many deaths and so much sickness amongst tho members, tho heaviest the district ha * ever experienced. It is also a matter for regret that the number of members has decreased, there being 204 at the end of the year against 209 at the commencement. The decrease is principally in the Hokitika Lodge, and on my visit to that Ljdge 1 was informed that some members had. left on account of the Lodge not having a medical officer,

a state of things which requires remedying, Bro. D.G.M. Perkins and myself have vi-ited all the lodges in tho district during the year, and found them working harmoniously and satisfactorily. The attendance of members was not up to expectation", but this was in a great measure accounted for by so many other attractions at the time of our visit-. As you (ire p-ware, the moveable committee of the Order for the colony was success fully inaugurated at Wellington on Thursday, 17th April, 1902, and now bids fair to ba a great boon to the Society in iSew Zealand, In conclusion, I have to return my sincere thanks to my colleagues in office, also the officers and members of tho Lodges for their hearty support, kindness, and courtesy during my term of office." In the evening the Brethern sit down to one of Mr Oxenham's best banquets, where there were all the delicacies of iho season. Brother E. S. Smith N. G. in tho cha-r and Bro. Groengrass V.G. in the vice chair.

The chairman having accorded a hearty welcome to the visitors proposd the first toast, "The King and Marshall Unity" which was drunk in tho usual manner. The vice chairman proposed the health of the District officers, which was drunk with enthusiasm. Bro. E. Perkins said lie felt pleased at the position he had been p'aeedin, which was a great honor for 2 member of seven .years' duration. Numerically the membership was not strong, abouo 200, but the accumulated fund was £9,000, or about £45 per member which was, f:oma financial position, very satisfactory, bus he hoped an effort would bo made to increase tho membership. Ho hoped tho Brethren would feel satisfied with his administration. Bro. Rafe also thanked members for the honor conferred on him who had been I

but five years a member. He regretted that older members'did not aspire to the offices, for he feared it showed a lack of interest. Brother Peake said he had been secrefor 30 years, and he would urge as the Grand Master had done the necessity of increasing the lodges numerically. The rnedcal man at Hokitika was found to be a drawback, but he waa_, pleased to know, that such was not the case at Greymouth. Brother Edwards proposed "Kindred Societies." Bro Clark on behalf of the Druids returned thanks. All these- societies were for the same good purprsp. The medical difficulty was one that all friendly societies should take In hard. Brother Everdon on behalf of the Foresters replied. Healthy rivally was good for all so long as that competition was not carried too far. f Brother West in returning thanka thought a council of all societies should be established. It was regretted that the Societies in G:eymouth had not a hall. The question of univereal clearance and medical aid was one that might be faced with much advantage. Brother Hopkins proposed the "Press" Responded to by Messrs Daniels and Petrie. Brother Evendon proposed "The Ladies" responded to by Bro Bouthas The Oddfellows of years ago that are still in the Order, coupled with Brothers Lynn, Holder, and Peak was next proposed. Bro Lynn said he had been an Oddfellow for forty years, and during that time he had striven to foster toe cause. He regretted that the younger members did not take more interest in the Order, and trusted the friendly advice given would bo accepted in the spitit it was given. Bro Holder in thanking members gave a sketch of the early days of the Coast when in the Lodge room tbey had as many as 110 at a meeting, and he trusted such times would come agaiD. Bro Peak in returning thanks said that he had always done his best for the Order and would do so long as he lived. The toast of "Our Host" was proposed and responded to by Mr Oxenham, A very pleasant gathering was brought to a close by the siDging of "Auld Lang Syne."