M.U., I.O.O.F.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 59, 12 March 1915, Page 2

M.U., 1.0.0. F.

'MEETING OF TARANAKI DELEGATES. The annual meeting of the above was held at the Lodge Room, Hawera, yesterday, Bio. A. Melville, Grand Master, presiding. The following delegates were present: P.P.G.M. Bio. C. I). Sole (Stratford), P. J. Harston '-Stratford); Loyal Egmont, P.P.G.M. Bros. H. T. Ainsworth, H. McOahey, P.G. A. Hooker and L. Brabant | Waifcara, P.P-G.M. Bio. Brabond; Union Lodge, Bro. C. W. Allen, Spragg, and H. Barker; Midhirst, P.G Bro. Steer and P.P.G.M. Bio. Han. cock; Toko, P.G. Bro. M. Gernhoefer; Knpongo, P.G. Bro. McMillan and P.G. Bro. Hill; Maiuiia, P.P.G.M. Bro. Snowdon, P.G. Bpo. Cunningham and P.G. Bro. C. Hill; Excelsior, P.G. Bros Brooking, and Roberts, and Sister Frances; Eltbam, P.P.G.M. Bro'. Amoore, P. G. Bro. Stanners and P.G. Bro. Scowan. The Lodge was opened in cine form by the Grand Master, at 10 a.m. P.G. Bro. Whittington 'Mayor of Hawera), gave a hearty welcome to the visiting delegates, and was received with applause. The roll was then called, and all deputies were present. The Grand Master, in his annual report, spoke of the number of members that had gone to the war, and up to the present all the members subscriptions were being paid by their fellow members. The financial position of the various lodges .were submitted by the Corresipouding Secretary, and showed that the Order had made fair progress, the total vakr.e of the cash assets of the various Lodges being £31,390 15s Id, an increase of £1615 18s 4d for the year. A sum f)f £1351 13s 7d was paid to the doctors' for medical fees. A letted read from the Government offering to find a portion of the funeral levy amounting on the aggregate of abont 4s a member was reFused, the, members being of the opinion that the Lodges were quite capaable of looking after their absent Brethren without State assistance, aud the following resolution was carried : "That the New Plymouth District of Oddfellows resolve that the letter be received, and that no action be taken."

A letter from the Manchester Unity in England was read, offering to look after the New Zealand members at the front or in England, and agreeing to pay their sick pay and generally look after the members abroad.—The Unity was heartily thanked for their brotherly offer.

A grant was made to a sick brother to assist in obtaining a. patent chair to enable him to carry on his daily avocation.

D.G.M. Bro. Harold Bellringer, of Loyal Excelsior Lodge, New Plymouth, was elected Grand Master, and P.G. Bro. C. Allen, of Loyal Union Lodge, was elected as Deputy Grand Master, and were duly installed in their offices by the outgoing Grand Master. For the Management Committee for the ensuing year (rive exclusive of district officers) the following were elected:—Bros. H. T. Ainsworth, C. 1). Sole, F. Amoore, E. J. Hancock. J. W. Snowdon, all Past Provincial Grand Masters. The same brethren were elected a committee of Arbitra. ition.

The following were nominated for Directors for the N.Z. Branch:—Bros. C> E. Bellringer, F, Amoore, C. 1). Sole, J. W. Snowden and A. Melville, all Past Provincial Grand Masters. Nomination of District Officers:— G.M. Bro. C. Allen (only nomination), D.G.M: P.G.'s Bros. Thos. Lawson, |A. Hooker, A. E. Roberts, Short, T. C. Stanners, and Hill. Corresjxmding Secretary: P.P.G.M. Bro. C./E. Bellringer (re-elected). The next annual meeting will be held at Manaia.

Levies of Is 6d per annum for members at the war and 6d per quarter for distress were agreed to. The visitors were hospitally entertained at lunch and tea by the brethren of the Loyal Union Lodge. A vote of condolence was passed to Bro. John Clark, Past Grand Master, in the loss he has sustained in the death of his wife.

Totes of thanks to the outgoing officers and to the members of the Loyal Union Lodge for their entertainment to the delegates were passed. Being the first occasion on which a lady delegate had attended a District Meeting, the members presented Miss Francis, of New Plymouth, with a very handsome brooch as a memento of her visist as a deputy. A cordial invitation was extended to the Brethren to the jubilee of the Loyal Excelsior Lodge, at New Plymouth sometime in June. The new officers were installed in their various positions, and the conference closed at 4 p.m.