Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 942, 14 May 1881, Page 3

Manchester Unity Order of Oddfellows.

Albury, April 20. The Annual Movable Committee of the M U.1.0.0.F. of New South Wales commenced its sittings at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Albury, to-day, the Grand Master of the Order, Edwin Schofield, presiding. About forty deputies were present, representing the various districts of that Colony. There were also present by invitation, and representing the order in Victoria, Messrs. W. P. Martin, Grand Master; p. A. O’Connor, Deputy G.M.; Jacob S. Hart, C. Sec.; Directors, G. D. Langbridge, E. L. Zox, M.P., J. Lang, W. Fraser, and others. The Grand Master, in his opening address, welcomed the officers of the order and brethren from Victoria. In reviewing the business of the past year, he stated that the amounts paid by the society were : —Sick pay, £7,010 4s 5d ; funeral gifts, £2,657 5s Oi; widows’ and orphansMonations, £1,462 2s 7|d; medical benlftts, £9,884 7s 5d ; management fund, £4,541 19s ll^d; or a total of £25,555 19s s|d. The number of members good on the books was 9,013, being an increase over the previous year of 303 members. The total worth of lodge funds is £76,658 9s 7yd. Nine new lodges were opened duiing the vear. The mortality and sickness was _63 members and 60 members’ wives had died ; 1,306 members had been sick ; and 50,222| days’ sick pay hacTbeen paid. The rate of mortality was 1 in 150 ; rate of sickness, 1 in 6|. The Grand Master pointed out the necessity of a Royal C ommission being appointed to inquire into the

working of Friendly Societies in New South Wales, with a view to the framing of a new Friendly Societies Act; also the formation of a fund to provide annuities for old age. A telegram was received from the Annual Committee, sitting at Ipswich, Queensland, congratulating the order. The auditors’ report and balance-sheet was read and adopted ; also the report of the proceedings of the Board of Directors during the past twelve months. A levy of 8d per member was made, for the use of G.M. and board. The following were elected officers of the order: — J. Mutton, Grand Master; G. T. Sutton, re-elected for the seventh time Corresponding Secretary ; A. W. Chapman, Treasurer; and Bros. A. Telfer, A. Kethel, W. Johnson, J. Clancy, W. Cox, S. Gelding (of Sydney), R. Harper (Cumberland), J. Pritchard (Hunter River), E. Fox (Goulburn), W. Galbraith (Newcastle), W. Barnett (Bathurst), C. H. Veness (Tamworth), D. S. Watson (Riverina), were appointed , a Board of Directors. A Committee of six was appointed to revise the general laws, and report to the December meeting, it being consideree desirable to assimilate them more to the laws in force in Victoria.' Ten guineas were voted to the Albury Hospital, and the meeting adjourned to next morning. In the evening the district entertained the officers of the Order, deputies and visitors at a banquet at the Exchange Assembly rooms, the Prov. Grand Master presiding. Mr. Langbridge in proposing the Manchester Unity in New South Wales, pointed out the necessity existing in that Colony for a new Friendly Societies Statute. He also considered that the order, considering the vast amount of good it did, was not properly understood. —Melbourne Leader.