FORESTER'S ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

Manawatu Standard, Volume 4, Issue 277, 26 October 1883, Page 2

FORESTER'S ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING.

The Annual Pistrict Meeting of the Ancient Order of Foresters Wellington District was held m the Masonic Hall, Palmerston, yesterday. The following Distric Officers were present : — J. A. Adams, D.C.E. ; P. Fauvel, D.5.C.8. ; J. Ward, D.8.; J. T. Bovis, D.S. ; A. Whiteford, D.T. The following delegates also attended : — Wellington Mr v icar, Whyte, and Knapp; Blenheim — "Woodham j Feilding— booster ; Marton — Kidney ; M asterton — Brown ; Palmerston — "Woodroofe ; Carterton — Smith ; Grey town — Baillie ; Te Tenui — Grove ; "Wanganui — Price; Opunake — O.Hawke; Gisborrie— Jessup. District Chief Banger, Bro. Adams occupied the chair, 'i he usual routine business having been transacted^ and amendments m the By-laws having been discussed and agreed to, the election of District Officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, Sub-Ghiei Ranger Fauvel was elected as Chief-Ranger, Bro. Bovis was re-elected Secretary for the fifth time, and Bro. Harries was chosen District Beagle. The newlyelected Chief was installed by Past Chief Ranger Adams. It was resolved after much* discussion, tha r th! next District meeting be j b.eld at Blenheim. After the usual yote]of thanks to the pa-t and present officers, the meeting closed at four o'clock. THE OEDBE OF SHEPHEEDS. District Secretary Bovis opened a Sanctuary of Shepherds at 7 o'clock m connection with the Court Mahawatu. THE At 8.30. ths District Officers and members of Court Manawatu, sat down to a banquet m the Foresters' Hall About 60 were present. Mr Fraser , of Palmerston, provided a most excellent and substantial repast to which amide justice was done. The Chair was occupidd by Bro, "Woodroofe, C.R. sup- ! ported on his right by Bro. Fauvel, i C.D.X. and Bro, Whitefoot, and on his left by Bro. Adams, P.D.C R. and Bro. Bovis, D.S. The Vice-Chair was filled by -üb-Cbief Banger Partridge After the usual loyal toasts bart been given by the Chairman, the Vice-Chair* man proposed, "The Ancient Order of Foresters," which was responded to wijh Court honors. Song — Bro. Adams : " Oh ! what a day we are having." Bro. Brown (Masterton), proposed the "District Executive coupled with the name of the District Secretary and P.D.C. K. Adams and JD.C.R. Fauvel." In proposing the toast he passed a high eulogium as to the manner m which the business of the Society had been con ; ductpd during the past. Bro. Hawkins: "We'el all go a hunting to-day." I I Bro. Bovis D.S. m responding, re- ! | gretted that he was unable owing to unforeseen circumstances to give full statistics. During the past 12 months although they had not opened any new Courts nevertheless 325 new members had been initiated. The sick fund had been trenched upon £125 more than it had last year, but nevertheless the Funeral Fund was m good position. It amounted to £1516, £1500 was lent out on mortgage and the balance £16 was m the Government Savings Bank. (Cheers.) As to the progress of the order m general, 20,000 new members had been made during the past year, and the accumulated capital of the Society amounted to over Three Million Pounds. The District Officers m jthe past had worked together most •harmoniously and he believed bis new colleagues who were elected to-day would imitate their example . ( Cheers.) Bro. Fauvel, D.O.K. said he felt proud of the position he had been elected to to-day. He had only been a Forester six years, but had always asipired to become the head of the district. It would show young members, that by perseverance what they could attain. He concluded by uring the formation of a Juvenile Foresters Court at Palmerston. Bro.|Russell '■* The British Lion." I Br;o. . Kelling proposed "The health [ of the delegates of the "Wellington District, coupled with the name of Bro. Jessqp," and m doing so referred to the benefits the Society derived, through the meetings now being made movable, instead of being always held m Wellington. Bro. Bovis : The three Jews." Bro. Jessop (Gisborne) said it gave him great pleasure to be present, and on behalf of the members . of other Courts thanked the , members of the Palmerston Court for the courtesy and attention shown them during their Stay. Bro. Partridge : " GliquoV Bro. Uoker m a few brief, bat complimentary spntfences proposed " Tbe Visiting Brethren, coupled with the names of Bros. Gibbons, (Marton), and Worsfield, (Fielding)," ' 'Bro. Cook : " Here he goes and there he goes." Bros. Gibbons and Worsfield expressed then pleasure at the courtesy exhibited towards them. > Bro. Bovis, D.C.S. proposed "Kinc'.ied Societies, coupled with the name of Bro. Rutherford, representing' the Palmerston Lodge of Oddellows." In Wellington the. Oddfellows and Foresters always worked together most h&rminously. They were rival Societies, bat that made but little difference when they had a common object m view. In the matter of the valuation last year and also, m respect to Major Atkinson's pet National Insurance schema they had . conjointly effected their object. In a report made to the districts some years ago, the District Officers Btated that the returns obtained by the Government from the Societies was with a view of proposing some such detestable scheme (Cheers). Major Atkinson was afraid of bringing it for-, ward last session. It wonld have been the death-knell of the Ministry (Cheers) They wanted none of this interference ot the Government. Bro. Rutherford congratulated tbe order of Foresters generally on tbe success ef their meeting. It gave him pleasure to see Friendly Societies making continued progress. Tbeir object and aim was one, assisting the widows and the fatherless, and providing for an evil hoar. The Oddfellows were mafc ing rapid strides m this district, and he was sure both of these «reat Friendly Societies workjag conjointly coujd not but make them influence, for good felt. (Cheers) ; Other toast followed, including " the ladies." M The Piese " and the << chair, man," which were .all duly responded