ODDFELLOWSHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8359, 20 February 1913, Page 11

ODDFELLOWSHIP

ANNUAL DISTRICT MEETING. The annual meeting of the district committee of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, M.U., Wellington, was opened- at the Loyal Victoria Diamond Lodge, Levin, on Tuesday. Bro. C. M. King, P.G.M., presided, supported by Bro. J. F. Boako, P.D.G.M., and Bro. G. E. Godber, P*rov. C.S. The following lodges were represented: —Britannia, Bros. Powell, Perrin, O’Sullivan, Osborn, Guy, Salek, and C. Anderson. Antipodean Lodge, Bros. I. Clark, Avery, H. J. Dormer, A. Guise, Tregurtha.- Petone, Bro. R. Mothes. Newtown, Bros. A. J. Ibbotson, J. Wiley. Martinborough, Bro. W. Shirky. Eketahuna, Bro. J. Kershaw. Sister Wallis, Sister M. Brownlie. Kilbirnio, Bro. W. G. French. Victoria Diamond, Bro. G. Astridge. Heart of Oak, Bros. C. J. Do Lacey and L. H. Smart. Masterton, Bros. J. L. Winskill and F. Youlo. Mangatainoka, Bro. W. J. Palmer. Combination, Bro. R. Bould. Rose of the Valley, Bros. E. Hatfield and J. N. Norris. Rose of Sharon, Bro. A. Palmer. St. George, . Bro, Pearce. Unity. Bro. A. C. Holmes. Greytown, Bro. D. P. Loasby." GRAND MASTER’S ADDRESS. The address of Prov. G.M. Bro C. M. King was authorised to be printed in the records of the meeting. Attention was called to the fact that the valuations of the several lodges had disclosed, a satisfactory financial position, every lodge but one showing a surplus. Reference was also made ’to many desirable questions of policy. The G. M. said that in visiting the several lodges of the dastrica every courtesy had been shown him, and great interest had been manifested in the matters brought under their notice. MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE’S REPORT. The district management committee’s report stated: We still continue to make progress, Put the past year has not to any great extent been different from the previous year., Lodge members fail to make the most of their opportunities. The same indifference is shown by members in attending to their lodge duties. Most members still continue to act on the £s. d, principle, and neglect to do their share in lodge work. This was noticeable during your officers’ visits during the year, the attendance being in most cases very poor, hut a word of praise is due to those members who year after year do their part, and do it well, to carry on the work of our district. We anticipate a small increase of membership for the year. The valuation returns have now been received from the Government actuary, and as usual in' past valuations the actuary has given full details of the financial state of all the lodges in this district. The district is to bo congratulated on the splendid results. All the lodges (with one exception) show a snrgus of £14,940, and after allowing for the one deficiency (the St. George) of £63, and district members of £l2, gives a net surplus of £14,865, an amount which should bo gratifying to all lodges. The number of deaths was 17 leas than expected under the New Zealand friendly societies’ tables, which give us cause for thankfulness. Deaths expected, 75; actual deaths, 68. The total cost of sickness amounted to £B2BI, against the expected of £9867, showing a saving of £1686, or about 16 per cent., all but four lodges participating in the reduction. In regard to interest-earning of the various lodges, four lodges show under 4 per cent. The mean rate for the whole of the district was over 4$ per cent. This is a fair average, but we think more care should fie taken by some of the lodges to invest as much as possible of the surplus capital, After full discussion, the report was adopted, GENERAL. Lodges were asked to _ make special effort to ensure greater interest being taken by their members in attendance at lodge meetings. ' The Kilbimie and Masterton Lodges were fined for failure to make returns within the specified time. The auditors’ report and balancesheet wore received and adopted. It was decided to hold the next distriqt meeting at the 'Loyal Mangatainoka Lodge at Pahiatua in February, 1914. The question of holding past officers’ and purple degree meetings was left in the hands of the district management committee. It was agreed to grant power to the Wairarapa Past Grands Lodge to give the purple lecture and past officers’ degrees in the Wairarapa. It was resolved to print cards of contributions and rates and _ circulate the same among lodges requiring them. The delegates were entertained in tho evening at. a banquet, tendered by tho Levin Lodge.