L.0.0.F.,M.U.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XV, Issue 24, 28 January 1880, Page 2

L.0.0.F.,M.U.

The annual meeting of the Nelson District of the above Society was held at the Odd Fellowß Hall on Tuesday, the 20th inst., the Prov. Grand Master— J. P. Cooke— in the Chair, aDd each Lodge in the district being fully represented. The business brought before the meeting was of more than ordinary importance. The question of bringing the district under the graduated system of payments as suggested by the KegistrarGeneral, with the view of equalising the payments according to the age at entry, was fully discussed, and, although the soundness of the Actuary's statements was willingly admitted, yet it was considered that, as the district on the whole had worked very satisfactorily under the old style of one uniform payment, it was not advisable to make any alteration. The Pro. G.M., in his opening address, compared the position of the district at the commencement of the last decade with that which it now occupies. On the first January, 1870, the Lodges in the district numbered a total membership of 378, with a Societies of this description, he stated that during that period the following amounts had been paid : — For sick pay, £5070 5s 2d ; for donations to widows and orphans, £1281 5s 9d ; for funerals, £873 13s ; and for medical attendance £2241 2s Bd, making a total for those four items of £9466 6s 7i. When they saw a Society so materially assisting in providing for the wants of the afflicted, and thus keeping down the expenses that would otherwise be a charge upon the State, it was not too much to expect from the Government that recognition to which such services should be entitled, and when, as in the present case, the Government determined that the rules of such Societies should not receive registration unless they contained provision for the valuation of their assets and liabilities at stated periods, it appeared very unfair to saddle such Societies with the expense, as in the present state of the law would be dona. Ie is contemplated to add another advantage to those already enjoyed by the mem bers of this district in the shape of a Superannuation Fund, which, if carried into effect, should prove a very beneficial measure, both to the Lodges and to the members of advanced ages. The subject will be decided by the next district meeting. The Brothers elected to the various offices for the ensuing term are as follows : — Prov. Grand Master, Acton Ada mi ; Prov. Deputy Grand Master, James Batchelor ; Prov. C.S., W. Besley.

The following jare the shipments of live stock from Montreal to Great, Britain from Jan. 1- to Aug. 31 cf the years 1879. and JB77:— ln 1879— Cattle, 17,459; sheep, 53, 550; hogs, 1334; horses 232. In 18?8— Cattle, 10,844; sheep, 21,088; . hogs, 844; horses, 428. At one time hawks were fair game for efery gun. v Now a cbange is likely to take place. The Canterbury Acclimatisation Society, after introducing 1 the sparrow, have decided to discontinue the practice of giving a. premium for hawk's beads. These precious birds have to be fostered to aid in suppressing the sparrow nuisance. As sparrows are increasing rapidly in this 'district, the protection of the hawk must here, as elsewhere s be a matter of utility. • " Russia is giving enormous orders for - implements of war, and is increasing the number of her cruisers. Germany is increasing her-army, strengthening fortifications, and adding to her artillery. France and Austria are perfecting their military - systems. Italy maintains a considerable army. England is jealously watching Russia's " encroachment on Assia. All the Great Powers are standing with their hands in their hip pockets as it were waiting for a chance to " get the drop on " one another. The Treaty of Berlin was only a truce. — Exchange. ' Mixed. — A ladies' magazioe,in its ' House- ; keepers' department;' informs its readers that 'lndian wives make the bestjof pickles.'