ODDFELLOWS’ CONFERENCE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1871, 31 August 1918, Page 3

ODDFELLOWS’ CONFERENCE.

WANGANUI DISTRICT MEETING. The half-yearly meeting of the management committee of the Wanganui distriel of the Manchester Unity, 1.0.0. E., was held at Marlon on Wednesday, Prov. G.M. Bro. W. I). Harris presiding. Bro. Patterson represented the local-lodge. Copies of the new ritual, to apply to all lodges in New Zealand and Australia, were received, and a copy handed to each lodge. The new ritual will he used immediately. Bro. Sliarman moved, and Bro. Rarltrop seconded; ‘‘That a separate account lie kept by each lodge of the contributions paid by members on behalf of the soldier members, and the payments to the district.” —Carried. Gn the motion of Bros. Sharmau and Moran, the following resolution was carried: “That Rule 23a bo amended by the addition of the following clause: (10) In order to rpialify a war member to have his sick and funeral fund contributions pa ill out of this fund, he must go on active service outside of New Zealand; the payment shall then he ante-dated to the date he entered the active service division of the N.Z. Expeditionary .Forces. No home service member shall he entitled to the payment of his contributions while on home service.’ ” A return of the members on active service was shown as follows: Wanganui 20, Palmerston North 15, Ohakune 13, Hnnterville 4, Kimhollon 2, Apili 13, Taihnpe 1, Peilding 7, Bunuytliorpc 4, Mangaweka 0, Poxton 3, Raetihi 8; total 105. The claims for sick pay on behalf of the soldier members from the New Zealand branch amounted to £3,301 4s 4d. Bro. Espiner gave an interesting address to the lodge secretaries on bookkeeping, making a number of suggestions in the direction of improving the systems, and was accorded a vote of thanks. The valuation report for the five years ending December 31st, 1915, was received, and proved to be a very favourable one. ‘ The sickness had been below the standard to thej extent of £778, but the mortality, .had been in excess of the standard, 47 deaths having occurred as against 30 expected according to the tables. The rate of interest earned over the whole district had been 4.77 per cent. A consolidated valuation of the district shows that the neti surplus is £7,104, as against a surplus of £836 at the previous valuation. The report states that the improvement is due to the interest earned above (lie valuation rate, to interest on the previous surplus, to gain from favourable sickness, am) to other causes. The report gives the following information regarding (he Poxton Lodge: —Number of members, 35; liabilities, £2,000; assets, £2,127; surplus, £O7,