FORESTERS' CONFERENCE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 634, 10 April 1929, Page 6

FORESTERS' CONFERENCE

MEETING AT HENDERSON NEW CENTRAL BUILDING The annual district conference of the Ancient Order of foresters will beheld at the Foresters’ Hall, Henderson, tomorrow. Delegates representing 50 courts from all corners of the Auckland Province will be in attendance, and the District Chief Ranger, Bro. W. A. Knaggs, will preside. The executive’s report to be submitted shows that steady progress has been plaintained by the Order during 1928. The sickness experienced was slightly more favourable than usual. Sick-pay amounted to £3,083, and funeral allowances to £ 480. The accrued Sick and Funeral Fund now stands at £80,530, an increase of £ 3,584 for the year. The disbursements to public hospitals on account of members amounted to £I,OBO, and a further sum of £126 was paid to private hospitals in part payment of accounts of members. The District Benevolent Fund, as distinct from similar funds of individual courts, has been utilised for the relief of many necessitous cases. This levy is an optional one, but has been well supported by members. JUVENILE FORESTRY The juvenile rules have now been registered with the Registrar of Friendly Societies, and the movement is now soundly established. Several new junior courts have come into being and the system adopted has relieved secretaries of practically all routine work and has enabled them to advance the social side. This evening the new portion of the Foresters’ Central Building will be officially opened. Many representative Foresters from all parts of the Dominion are expected. The gradual blending of the old and the new Auckland is aptly illustrated in this fine block-to-be. The buildings occupy the site at the corner of Wellesley and Albert Streets, the new portion being in the Wellesley Street frontage. This building is a fine example of modern architecture, and it is intended to remodel the older portion and to bring it into architectural harmony with the new additions. The older portion is at present in process of almost complete interior demolition, as all wooden partitions have to be removed in order to make the building fireproof. The shell will then be * completely remodelled, both internally and externally, and when completed the buildings will be as one harmonious block. It is expected that the work will take a further live months to complete. The Auckland District of the Ancient Order of Foresters will then possess a central home second to none in the Dominion.