Independent Order of Oddfellows, M.U.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 53, 14 February 1902, Page 3

Independent Order of Oddfellows, M.U .

NELSON DISTRICT MEETING. The annual meeting of the above was held at the Oddfellow’s Lodge room Motueka, on Thursday, the 13th JEebruary. The following were present : Officers: p G-M. Bro B. Crisp ; D.G.M. Bio F. W. Smith ; Pro C.S Bro A. R. Smart; Treasurer Bro J. P- Cooke ; Tyler, Bro T. M. Brown. Delegates : Nelson Lodge, Bro J. Mercer, A. Day, W. H. Robertson, mid A. C. Scott. Howard Lodge : Bro A. N. Batchelor, J. Corder, H. Y. Gully", W. Moyes, junr, and J. White. Traveller’s Rest Lodge Bros J. F. Paa ps, W. D. Harkness, and T. H. Lammas. Mansion of Peace Lodge : Bro J. Thomas, 1. Tunniclitfe, J. J. Ricketts, and , Y)] Price. General Cameron Lodge:' Bro G. Rutherford. P.P.G.M., Bio. F. H. Hounsel! forwarded a letter expressing regret at his inability to attend. The lodge having been duly opened and the roll called, . Prov G.M Bro Crisp, in a few choice sentences, extended a cordial welcome to the visiting brethren of Motueka District Lodge, Bro H. Everett, W. Boyce, F. Parker, and H. Rmiitiold. Bro H. Everett replied, expressing pleasure at their presence in Motueka, This visit was a new departure, and he trusted they would spend an time. He also mentioned that although Motueka District was weak humericallv. financially it was strong: .He • expressed a ; hope that opportunity be taken, of I'their visit to enable appointed to go through draft rules to be considered at, the meeting of the Annual Movable ConMnittee, to be held in Wellington next April. . .. -. The Prov G.M Bro Crisp <1 el 1 vered. the annual address, in which reference was made to-the progress of the Order in the colony ; the' substantial increase' in membeisbip in Nelson District, especial reference being made to its bright financial aspect, The erection of a strong room : - was alluded to; they would be called upon to elect two dele-

gates to repre-enfc the district at the first meeting of the Movable Committee. In conclusion, the chairman tendered his very hearty thanks to the P.D/G.M and the C.S for the very able ma'iiper in' which they had helped him t<>'carry out the duties of his office during the term he had occupied the Grand Master’s chair. , . , Oo the motion of P.P6M ;Bro Harkness, seconded by P.P.G: 3VL Bro Mercer, the Chairman was ‘ accorded" a hearty vote of thanks for the address.

The auditors repbrt, certified to. by Bros Thomas 'and Topliss. was read and the balance sheet was laid upon the table. The Distric * Fund account showed the ceeeipts fen . o year (including balance brought 1 ward of .£95 2s 11 d) to be i£23B 1 84 “ '.'-'a ‘ the expenditure, to' be 46215 3s Id vihg iV balance of £23 ,14s lid to carry forward. The Funeral Fund, after, being debited with funeral payments £143 lOs 2d refunds 468 8s Bd, has a credit Balance of £8739 . lls 6d. , In the Widow" and Orphans Fund the payments totalled .46243 6s 3d leaving 'a balance of ,£3678 10s 5d to credit.. The 1 total worth of the District is .set down at £7494 9s 7d and the total membership 746. . ,

Botli report and balance sheet were adopted. Some discussion took place upon the cost of the strong room erected. Bio A: N. Batchelor explained that the tender for the work was above the estimate, but they" had decided to go on with the work, payment of same to be made over a term of years, the money in the meanwhile having been advanced out of the Funeral Fund, at five per cent interest, the work w r as a per- | maiient one and very necessary especially in case of fire. P.P.G.M Bro James Thomas did not object- to the expenditure as they had value for money but lie thought it was not right the district should be called upon to pay for the next ten years. lie also said proper arrangements should have been made in regard to raising the money. Bros Paaps, Gully, Smallbone. Crisp, Harki ess, and Smart also spoke, the latter re nark-ng that at the time it was not known which fund the money could be bon owed from. Eventually" it was agreed, on the motion of Bro Batebeioi, seconded by Bro Mercer, That the amount be obtained from tl.e Widow T s anil Orphans Fund for the building of the strong room upon the j same conditions as those ' agreed to at ! the last district meeting.

Accounts amounting to L 44 Os 2d were passed for payment. The P.G-M reported that ten copies of the draft rules to be discussed at the meeting of the Annual Movabe Committee had been i received.. The C.S read a letter from Bro R. Hur.-thouse Prov C.S of the Motueka district suggesting a conference of delegates t,o'consider the draft rules to be submitted for consideration at the meet'ng of the Annual Movable Con - feyence.

It was agree ! that Br,os Batchelor, Harkness and Thomas be a committee -to confer with the Motueka delegates on the subj ct. .The PGM reported as to what had Been done by" the Handbook Committee.

tee,, He, with others, canvassed Nelson and had got a number of advertisements and after the trouble that had been taken he should like to see the idea carried out. The cost of printing would be under £ 10.

On the motion of Bro. Scott, seconded by Bro Tunnicliffe, it was resolved that the Handbook be printed forthwith, all arrangements to he left in the hands of the old committee.

In accordance with notice given, Bro Patchelor; moved, . That in clause 4,

iiile -a7* the "words,- notwithstandingthe fu.ieral payment having heen paid on the death of a for* . ~ *; wife ”; he inserted after the word 1 ;* wbood.” ,

Seconded by- Bro Paaps and earr ; Bro Mercer moved,: seconded by Bro Tunnicliffe, That, the sum charged by the-architect for supervising the building pi the strong room be added to the amount of loan for same. Carried.

It was agreed, on .the motion of Bro Thomas, seconded by m Bro Lammas, That.the deficiency arising out of the last annual picnic be paid. The question of allocating the prize offered by the District to thelodgemaking not.less than 20 members was discussed. It was pointed out that the Nelson Lodge had made 18, and several members thought that as the members of that lodge had worked very bard to secure.the prize it was light and proper that a certain amount should he voted. It -was, however, -pointed out that to do so ■ would be to establish a bad precedent. It was agreed on the motion of Bro Smallbone seconded by Bro Mercer, That the prize of L2 2s be-re-offered, to be given to the lodge in the district making the largest percentage of new members for- the year ending 31st December 1902, provided that no prize be given for a lower percentage than 8 percent.

Bro Robertson moved, seconded byBro Mercer, That the next Annual District meeting be held at Wakefield. Carried unanimously.

The election of officers for the ensuing year was then proceeded with. D-G:M Bro Smith being the only candidate nominated for the position of G.M, was declared elected. For the office of D.G.M Bros J. Corder, A. Day, W. D. Harkness and W. Robertson were nominated. The ballot resulted in favor of Bro Corder. On .be motion of Bro Robertson seconded bv Bro Lammas the following were appointed as an appeal committee Bros Batchelor, Thomas, Harkness, Hounsell, W. Foster, Robeitson and Topliss.

Bros Thomas and F. Hounsell were elected auditor?. Bros A. N. Batchelor, Thomas, Hounsell and Smith were nominated as delegates to attend the Movable Conference. On a poll being taken Bros Batchelor and Thomas were elected.

Bros Thomas and Batchelor having declined to stand, Bro A. R. Smart was elected Lodge Book Examiner.

Bro Smallbone drew attention to the f«ct that, nothing had been done with r eference to the decision arrived at to furnish the Magazine! with a biography and portrait of Bro Thomas. From remarks made, it was evident a . misunderstanding had arisen as to who should have taken action in the matter It was ultimately agreed that it should be attended to forthwith.

The following notice of motion "was tabled by- Bro Thomas, .That the resolution re strong room be amended by" striking out all words after “advance”. Bro Thomas moved, That all documents, securities-and valuable records belonging to the District and lodges shall be placed in the strong room and that,the Prov Treasurer shall have the key. ,

The newly" elected officers for the ensuing yearjjj were duly installed by P.P.G.M Bro James’ Thomas.

The Nelson District meeting of Foresters: telegraphed fratei nal greetings. It was decided to reply reciprocating their kindly sentiments. mdv'ed that a hearty vote .of thanks be tendered to the Motueka District of Oddfellows for their kindness in placing their lodge room at the disposal of the Nelson delegates. vSeeonded by Bro Thomas and carried with honors.

The compliinerit was acknowledged by Bi •o Hursthouse who attended during the afternoon (having through business engagements heen unable to be present earliei). The speaker referred to the question of amalgamation of the districts, stating that he hoped to see the day when it would come to pass.

The question of amalganation' was also touched upon by Bros Smallbone and Everett. •* _3

Bro Thomas referred to the presence of Bro Smallbone at the meeting and it was decided to record the : fact in the minutes. : » A. hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Bro Crisp for his services during the past year, also that his photograph be taken, his name plaeed on’the honors board and “that he receive the honors of a past master. Bro Crisp acknowledged the compliment.

It was resolved to procure 800 copies of the report of the meeting. The newly elected P.M. “Bro Smith thanked the members for electing him to the position be now occupied and assured them he would do his best to advance the cause of Gddfellowship. He also referred to the question of amalganation which he thought would be a step on the right direction.

Bro Corder also thanked those present for their confidence in him.

The minutes having been read, the session closed at 4.45 p.m.fM The delegates left for their homes during the evening per steamer and overland.