RECHABITISM.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2337, 2 November 1908, Page 6

RECHABITISM.

DISTRICT CHIEF RULER IN GISBORNE.

Once every two years an officer of the New Zealand Central District of the Independent Order of Ecclmbites pays an official visit to nil the Rechabito Tents under its jurisdiction, and .it was for the purpose or visiting the Gisborne Tent that Bro. J. M. Caldor, .District Cliicf Ruler, landed in Gisborne on Saturday morning. He was met by Bro. It. H. Clark, the secretary of the local Tent. Throughout tho morning, Bro. Oalder was busily engaged examining the books, papers, and &eeuiiities of tho Local Tent, and in the afternoon put in his time on the bowling green. The Ballance Juvenile Tent met in the evening. Sister M. Campbell, Deputy Ruler, presided, and was supported by the Superintendent, Brio. A. Clayden. The Secretary, Bro. A. Rice, introduced the District Chief Ruler. Bro. Odder expressed his pleasure at being present at the juvenile meeting, and at seeng such a well-conducted Tent. He was glad to hear no response to the question, if any member had broken his pledge. That was the best possible answer to the question. Tho speaker then dwelt on the importance- of obtaining members, and urged each to obtain a new member during the. coining quarter and thus double the membership. On the proposition of Bro. Nasmith, ceconded by Bro. A. Rice, a. vote of thanks was tendered to Bro. Caldor for his visit to the Tent. At 5.30 p.m. the Gisborno Recha-bit-e Tent mot, and on the invitation of Bro. C. Hill, Chief Ruler, Bro. Cakler took the chair. He said that primarily lie came to examine the Tent books, and secondly to encourage the Tent in its work. As he had expected, he was able to state that he found the books correct and up-to-date in every particular. In Bro. Clark they had an excellent secretary. He hoped the Tent would be always able to retain the services of Bro. Clark. He was pleased to see such a good gathering of members on such an inconvenient night, and thought m-embers -would be pleased to bear of the great strides Reehabitiem had made in Great Britain during the last fifty years. He had not been able to secure the figures relative to the advance made in Newi Zealand and Australia. The speaker then produced the following figures, showing the steady increase made in membership and funds from the year 1557 to 1907:—1857, adults 5953, juveniles 980, funds £20,230;- 1867. 11,774, 2090, £55.221; 1877. 32.316, 10.480, £190,026; 1887, 71,023, 31.950. £401,428; 1897, 147,072. 83.366', £907.129: 1907, 234,255, 179,829, £1,913,724. From these figures it was seen that membership and funds had doubled every ten years. During these fifty years no less a sum than £5,944,12? had been received, while during the same period £2,333,124 had! been paid away in sick pay. £507,025 for medical attendance, £341.811 for funeral allowance, £115,005 for special benefits such as payment of aged members’ contributions, and £733,438 for management purposes, making a total paid away of £4,030,403. During last year (1907) the income in the British isles had been £505,928, while £334,240 had been paid in benefits, the present total funds of the Order in England standing at £1,913,724. The number of members admitted at Home during last year was 34,576 adults and 54.64 S juveniles, making a total of 89,224, which showed an average daily addition of 244 members to the Order. The present membership stood at 477,935. At the present time an average sum of £915 was being daily granted in benefits to Rome members. He had not the figures for 1908, but they would be available at the Masterton conference. He would like to see the local Tent add to its membership. In many centres the Good Templars furnished a recruiting ground, but tho next best place to obtain members was an the ranks of the Salvation Army. He was especially glad to see so many Army members present that evening. He urged members to be true to their pledge and to work lor the Order. He had learnt a lesson from the Gisborne Tent in the manner of opening and closing the Tent, which was the m-o-.st impressive he had attended, and which hei would not fail to recommend to the other Tents he visited. The speaker touched on the matter of a badge for Rechabites to wear, and urged the Tent to adopt the small button now issued by the Order. In Conclusion, he thanked the members for tlieir attendance, and again complimented them on the status of their Tent.

Pro. Nasmith proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bro. Calder for his visit. He claimed acquaintance of eight years, and which he had had the pleasure; of renewing every second year in conferenuce assembled. He, as treasurer, was pleased at the favorable report matte by the District Visitor as to the books, and touched upon reports made by other visitors from time to time. He also dealt with the question of badges, and urged adoption of the D.G.R.’s recommendation. He hoped eight -years would not elapse till Bro. Calder’s next visit.

Bro. Coleman seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. Refreshments were then handed round, and were much appreciated, the gathering dispersing about 11 o’clock.

• Bro. Calder returned South last evening by the Talune, visiting the Napier, Hastings, and Ormondville Tents on his way to Wellington.