TARANAKI DISTRICT, A.O.F.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 36, 14 February 1900, Page 2

TARANAKI DISTRICT, A.O.F.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki District, A.0.F., was held at Hawera on Tuesday, The officers present were: D.0.R., Bro. J. E. Wilson; D.5.0.R., Bro. W. J. Guerin; D.T., Bro. H. R. Cattley; D.S., Bro. 0. Tunbridge; D.8., Bro. R. H. Lenehan. The Courts were represented by Bros. N. Golding (Taranaki), B. A. Gillespie and H. N. Goldwater (Waireka, New Plymouth), F. Williamson (Stratford), A. C. Clarke (lnglewood Forest), Foy (Egmont, Hawera), Jackson (Patea), A. Lile Raleigh, Waitara), and Sisters Gomer (Fidelity, Hawera) and Russell (Pride of New Plymouth). Bro. A. Tunbridge was appointed assistant secretary.

The District Officers' report stated that all the Courts in the district had been visited, and were found to be working satisfactorily. The membership had increased by 70, there being now 862 members. The total Court funds amount to £12,001, showing a substantial increase. The report alluded in feeling terms to the death of the late Treasurer (Bro. Abner King), and gave a short sketch of his long connection with Forestiy. The District Officers recommended, in view of the j growing importance of the district, the appointment of a permanent District Beadle. The balance-sheets of the District Court and Court RobinHood(Juvenile), as well as the auditors' report, were read and adopted, It was decided, in compliance with a request from the Vigilance Committee of Friendly Societies, Wellington, to give permission to the District Officers to appoint a delegate to attend a Friendly Societies' Conference in Wellington during the next session of Parliament—probably during June. The High Court wrote re contributions of members who have been sent to the war in South Africa, and expressed its willingness to, if necessary, move in the direction of raising funds for the relief of such members or their families. It was decided that Courts be asked to keep financial members who are engaged in the South African war. The next District meeting will be held at Stratford.

The secretaiy's salary was increased to £35 per annum. The remuneration of the treasurer and auditors will be the same as last year. The General Manager of Railwajs notified that the question of making concessions to District officers and dele- ! gates using the railways will be considered when the District Traffic Managers meet. Several communications on the same subject (all promising co-operation) were received from kindred societies in the colony. it was decided to purchase regalia belonging to the late Bro. Abnor King.! A record of the good work done to j Forestry by the late Bro. King was ordered to be placed on the minutes. P.D.C.R. Bro. H. It. Cattley wasi elected District Treasurer, ] D.S.C.R. Bro. Guerin was elected | District Chief Ranger and Bro. Gillespie District Sub-Chief Ranger, A heartv vote of thanks was passed to Courts Egmont and Fidelity for the kindly manner in which the District officers and members were entertained. Bro. F. Williamson was nominated District Beadle.

Court Taranaki gave notice of motion: —" That with a view of re ducing the cost of management, District law 4, section 1, be altered to read as follows : The first twenty-two words be struck out, and the following substituted : The District delegate meeting shall be held annually on the second Tuesday in February ill each year. The District Officers may, if they think necessary, summon a special District delegate meeting at any time, provided sufficient notice be given to Courts to appoint delegates; the summons to state the business to be brought forward." P.D.C.R. Bro. Wilson was presented by the newly-elected Ranger with a Foresters' jewel, and his name was ordered to be placed on the merit board. This concluded the business.