A.O.F. HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2016, 10 August 1880, Page 2

A.O.F. HALF-YEARLY MEETING.

The half-yearly meeting of the Canterbury United District Ancient Order of Foresters was held in the Foresters’ Hall, Oxford terrace, on the Bth nit., and adjourned to last Thursdoy evening. Officers present Bro. Weastell, in the chair; D.S.C.K, Bro. James Gapes, sen. ; D.T., Bro. H. Snooks ; D. 8., Bro. T. Gapes; D. Beadle, Bro. J. Mummery. The following delegates were present, representing their respective Courts : —Bros. Willoox and Ralph, Court Queen of the Isles; Bros. Williams and Watt, Court Star of Canterbury ; Bro. Hall, Court Star of Ashburton; Bro. Bedford, Court Pride of Courtenay; Bro. Jacques, Court Thistle of the Forest; Bro. Scott, Court Queen of the South. The D.O.R. opened the Court in due form.

Tne following report was made by the D. Secretary, Bro. Thos. Gapes : To the District Officers and Delegates.— Respected Brethren, —I have the honor to report various matters of importance that hive occurred in connection with the Canterbury United District during the past six months. At our last district meeting you will remember that Parliamentary questions occupied much time, especially the question of registration of branches, also alteration of the district laws to meet requirements of same. Now, as the decision of that meeting, viz., registering branches as separate societies (as in the minutes) could not be carried out, according to same, together with explanations and request from the registrar to postpone registration, so as to allow the district officers and delegates an opportunity to re-consider the matter, I took the opportunity of asking the courts interested to withdraw their applications for registry 111 after this m-esent meeting, and I think you will agree that I was justified in bringing this subject again before you, after yon have the correspondence on the same laid before yon, which is of necessity lengthy. The relative position between ttis district and the registrar is of a friendly nature, therefore I have lost no opportunity in asking for information on the different questions connected with our Order, which, I have much pleasure in stating, have always been answered promptly and fnlly. 'ihe financial position of this district is s atisfactory ; if any alteration is necessary, it will be in the event of any increase in the management expenses, the coatributiohs to same must of necessity be larger than at present. lam of opinion that 25 per cent, on goods sold to courts is not sufficient to cover costs of delivery, &c., on same, so as to leave a fair profit to the Management Fund. It is also advisable that members requiring goods from the district should be supplied only through the secretaries of their re.-pective courts, and that they he responsible to the district for the same. Secretaries of some courts are very careless in sending in court returns, and in replying to correspondence. I would request them to he more careful in the future, or tae fines will be strictly enforced. A fine has already been inflicted on Court 6032 for breach of rules. An application has been made for dispensation to open a court at Phillipstown, the opening of which has been postponed. It is anticipated that the new court will become numerically strong. I would recommend that a qualified person be appointed to extend the branches cf the Order. The goods and books of the district have been insured in a local insurance office as per resolution An order for gooes has been forwarded to the High Court, the goods to be distributed between the Ancient Order of Shepherds and Juvenile Foresters. It is with feelings of deep regret that I have to report the deaths of Bros. Baker and Taylor, late members of Court Star of Canterbury. I have, &c., Thos. Gapes, District Secretary. After some routine business was disposed of, the secretary was authorised to charge on all goods supplied to courts sufficient to cover all expenses, besides 25 per cent, aa Fpecified by the rules, and that no goods be supplied to members except through their own courts. Resolved that notice be sent to district trustees and to all societies in which funds of the district are invested ; and that any two trustees with the treasurer are empowered to withdraw monies invested. The D.S. read correspondence from the Registrar in connection with the registration of branches, in which he approved of the proposed alteration of laws. A discussion ensued on providing for members whose courts might close through any cause whatever. The secretary was instructed to apply to the High Court in England, asking on what terms colonial members could be admitted to the privileges of the English fund for same. Resolved —"That Past District Secretary Bro. Ness be presented with a gold medal at the next meeting of the district, to be held at the Foresters’ Hall, Lyttelton, on the second Thursday in October next, at 6.30 p.m. The D.O.R. closed the court after a considerable amount of important business had been dona.