FORESTERS' LODGE

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Issue 85, 27 April 1937, Page 9

FORESTERS' LODGE

District Conference Held at Waipawa ACTUARIAL REPORT The 58th annual district conference" of the Foresters' Lodges in Hawke's Bay was held at Waipawa on Saturday, representatives being present from all lodges- The D.C.R., Bro. "W. Kemsley, presided. The Mayor, Mr C. G. E. Harker, attended at the opening of the conference and extended a cordial welcome to the delegates. The following extracts are taken from the annual report presented to the meeting by the District Executive : — The arrears of interest ar© in excess of the amount outstanding at the end of the previous year, but since tho closo of the year a considerable portion of jthis has been paid or arranged to he capitalised (where the value of the property justified this course) and in a number of cases of delinquents, satisfactory arrangjements have been mado for future payments. We are satisfied that the end of the present year will show a considerable decrease in the arrears of Interest outstanding. We have at last received the Government actuarial report for the 19291933 quinquennium, the surplus disclosed being the very satisfactory amount of £9467. This amount exceeded our most sanguine anticipations, and, as instructed by the last annual meeting, we have circulated a proposed method of allocation to the Lodges for their consideration with a request for their views bn. the matter. Membershio. We commenced the year with a total of 907 members and closed with a total of 932, a net increase of 25. Five coui'ts lucreased their membership, five decreased and one remained stationary. Steventy-four new members were initiafced (ihe same as last year, six joined by clearance and one by reinstatement). Losses • by • death amounted to U). Six left • by clearance and 40 by

other causes, mostly arrears. We regret the loss of so many by arrears, but the lodges which have been carrymg on such members could do so no tongej . The Distrjct. ShiejL-i h% agaiu been woa hy Court Littlejohn, with a net pOKtiJtage of 13.63. While not,' of course, *up to the phejcinenal inorease ot last year, this Coi.rt is still pro* gressing in a sound manner. We heartily congratulate the Oourt on its fino perlormance, and also Courts Ruahine and Sir Gharles Napier with net increases of 13 and 9 resnectiv«Iv.

The D-O.R. and executive again ,made a number of official visits receiving eordial receptions on every occasion. We believe these opportunities for members to meet the executive are helpful in olearing up any misunderstandings which may arise, and also enable the members to gain a fuller knowledge of the business of the district. Once again it is pleasing to report a comparatively small loss of members by death. We extend to the families and j relatives of the 10 members who passed away to the High Court above our deepest sympathy. In conclusion we wish to thank the Lodge secretaries and officers for the co-operation given us during the year, and we trust for a continuance of the very pleasant and cordial relations at present existing. By working together we are confident that there will he a great future for Forestry in Hawke's Bay. Officers Installed. The following officers were installed for the comingj year:— D.C.R. Bro. E. R. Spriggs ; D.S.C.R. Bro. F. Logan; D- Treas. Bro. L. T. Bisson; D.S W Bro. W. G. Joll; D.J.W. Bro. ' J. Cushing j D.B. Bro. K. McArtney. It was decided to devote the surplus of £9467 to the following:— £3300 18 J- to be written off the Napier Hall account; £2230 1/3 to be a fluctuating account; benevolent fund to be credited to Courts on a basis of £1 per member as at December 31, 1933, £853. Fund to be created for the beuefit of members, £3063. On a remit from Court 6496 it was resolved that sick pay be extended to £1 for 52 weeks, instead of 26 weeks. Messrs Robert Dobson and Oo. were appointed as district auditors.