FORESTERS’ LODGE.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 368, 24 February 1937, Page 7

FORESTERS’ LODGE.

Taranaki District Meeting of Order. The half yearly district meeting \ ‘as held last night at the Foresters’ Hall, New Plymouth. The juveniles balance-sheet was duly read and adopted and against the corresponding year the b-lance-sheet showed a far less amount of sickness by the payments made. The half-yearly balance-sheet of the District al. o the District Officers’ and AudftcVrs reports- were dead; an a adopted. Since the re-opening of Court Opunake ,at. Rahotu, on 31st October, 1935, it was noted that great strides have been made in new members and the Court is in a flourishing condition. It. wan resolved that the district secretary and district- treasurer’s salaries he- the same as last year, likewise the delegates pay for attending the half-yearly meetings. The district benevolent levy v.'at proposed at 6d for the ensuing year and adoptr ed. A vol. > of sympathy was passed to Bro. Mitcholl in his severe illness. The district officers report stated that it wan. very gratifying to be able to congratulate the Courts officers and m nubers for the way they had taken, such interest in the work of the Ordei* in this district, with the result that in the past 12 months the

membership has gone up remarkably, being 329 new members as. against 107 in the previous year, this being excellent, and your executive can state that this is a record for a good many years past.

The following grants Were made from the benevolent funds: To Court £ .ratford, £ll 18s; Court Waireka, £6 7s. 7d; Court Raleigh, £G 7s; Court Pride of New Plymouth, £1 6s 6<l; Court Inglewood Forest, 14*T Ciurt Taranakf, 12s. A donation ot £1 Is was also made to Lord Trealoar’s Crippled Hospital. Reference was also made as regards being more prompt in furnishing their annual returns, which are required by the R gistrar of Fri ndly Societies not later than 31st March, 1937. The District Officers were able to visit all Courts in the 'district during the last half-year, which greatly appreciated by the various Courts. The Courts heading the list vJith new membership are: Court Waireka. 74. Stratford 60, Taranaki 51, Raleigh 35. Opunake 34, Inglewood Forest Hl. Pride of New Plymouth 26. Eltham 14. The District Arbitration Committee was re-elected en bloc. A notice of motion was tabled by Court Waireka that a delegate for every 300 members for each Court be instituted, which would give a fair equity of voting power, and a general discussion followed. The notice will be dealt with at next half-yearly meeting.

A general discussion took place on the matter of the District Officers in visiting Courts and it contended that it would be in the interests of the Order if more officers could ’ attend on the quarter nights of the various Coprts.

A hearty vote of thanks was passed to the Court Waireka, Taranaki and Pride of New Plymouth for their hospitality to the delegates on tTieir visit to New Plymouth.

The following officers were installed for the ensuing twelve months: DC. R., Bro. C. Lawrence; D.S.C.R., Bro. F. R. Vickery; D.W., Bro. 11. D. Hunt; D. 8., Bto. S. R illy; D.T., Bro. A. J. May; D.S., Bro. A. J. Tunbridge. Bro. G. Gyde was duly presented with P.D.C.R. jewel and suitably responded to the remarks made on his attaining the office. The meeting closed with the usual thanks 1 to the chair.