MANCHESTER UNITY MEETS

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 957, 28 April 1930, Page 10

MANCHESTER UNITY MEETS

CONFERENCE AT PALMERSTON

Press Association PALMERSTON N., Today. The biennial movable conference of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows opened this morning, the Grand Master, Mr. F. Pritchard, of Ashburton, presiding Delegates were present from all parts of the Dominion. The Grand Master stated that holding the conference at Palmerston North was a direct compliment to the Loyal Manawatu Lodge and to commemorate the 50th anniversary of its establishment. The Mayor, Mr. A. J. Graham, was •w elcomed by the lodge and expressed pleasure at the meeting being held in Palmerston North. The report stated that at the end of 1920 the number of lodges registered under the New Zealand branch totalled 170, an increase of seven compared with the total at the end of 1927. During the two years the membership increased by 1.741, the total at the end of 1929 being 22,042 males and 2.002 females. The average increase for 1928 was 3.61 per cent, and for 1929 4.04 per cent. The income front all sources for the past year was £59,962. After meeting obligations in respect to benefits, general administration and replace investments, £175 was carried forward to the current account in the bank. The report also referred to the great difficulty experienced in obtaining sound securities in replacements, a feature which appeared to be the general experiences of all lending institutions.