ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 191, 17 August 1900, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

NEW PLYMOUTH DISTRICT, 1.0.0. F., M.U.

The half-yearly meeting of the abovo district was opened at 10.30, at Hawera, on Thursday, in the Oddfellows' Hall, Prov. D.G.M. A. C. Case presiding. There were also present: Acting Prov. O.S. C. E. Bellringer; Warden P.G. W. Hooker, and the following deputies: —Loyal Egmont Lodge, P.P.G.M. H. T. Ainsworth, P,G. John Bennett, P.G. H. 11. Ford; Loyal Excelsior 1 Lodge, P.P.G.M. W. H. Free, P.G. F. R. Pepperell, N.G. M. Williamson ; Loyal Waitara Lodge, P.P.G.M. F. J. Brabant; Loyal Union Lodge (Hawera), P.P.G.M. F. Squire, P.G. C. O. Ekdahl, N.G. W. Taylor; Loyal Manaia Lodge, P.G. E. Fitton, G.M. Z. W. Wells; Loyal Eltham Lodge, N.G. F. E. Hardy; Loyal Midhirst Lodge, G.M. C. Piekard; Loyal Stratford Lodge, N.G. C. D. Sole. Owing to the death of the Prov. G.M. it was necessary to elect a Prov. G.M. Prov. D.G.M. A. O, Case was elected to fill that position, and P.G. John Bennett was electtd Prov. D.G.M. It was decided to nominate P.P.G.M. Nathaniel Hooker to have his portrait inserted in the Oddfellows Magazine, and also to forward a letter of .thanks to the Traffic Manager of New Zealand Railways, Wanganui, for his courtesy in granting a concession to the deputies travelling by train. The auditor's report and balancesheet, showing affairs in a good condition, was read and adopted. The following report, presented by the district officers, was also adopted : —We have taken the somewhat unusual course of presenting a report to the half-yearly meeting, but the special circumstances under which we meet to-day are, we think, sufficient warrant for our addressing you. Since we last met the brother who, at the lastannual meeting, was honoured by being placed at the head of the district has been taken from us by the hand of death As liis colleagues, we desire to axpre-s our sincere regret at his untimely decease, and to record our feefing of sympathy with thoso who, iii their family life, have suffered this great loss. In the name of the brethren we sent a funeral wreath, conveying our heartfek grief and condolences. At the Midhirst meeting the district officers were instructed to make ar-

rangements for opening several new lodges, and accordingly a lodge—the Loyal Stratford LoJge—has been opened at Stratford. The lodge was opened on the 27th June last in the presence of a large and representative gathering of the brethren. P.G, 0.1). of the Loyal Egmont Lodge,bvvaK Tfrfr-tflJM'ij] iltmaH.y i" Uiß.iuatt.-r. g»d arm w WKft of the success achieved is duo. We wisn

the new lodge a full measure of prosperity. Tor the third time in succession the district has been represented at the great parliament of our order; this year the Prov. C.S, has been our representative at the record meeting of our Unity. The following letter sent by him to this meeting will bo, no doubt, read with interest:—" Bristol, England, 30th June, 1900. To the Pro. G.M., Officers, and Deputies in district meeting assembled. Dear Brethren,—l am sending you these few lines to let you knowthat I attended the A.M.O. at Portsmouth, on the 4th instant. I can assure you that I was very much struck with the enthusiasm shown to the colonial deputies, especially to the New Zealand ones—there were three from Auckland as well as myself. There were 647 deputies present, and it was a big job to keep thorn in order. There was not much busiiess done that aflbets Now Zealand. I consider that we are 100 years in advance of the English lodges in many respects. There was an alteration made in the general rules which, I think, will be of benefit to us—that is, a lodge may make rules to keep open for one hour only; it is permissive. There was only a majority of 36 for it; the large districts opposed it to the bitter end. The Portsmouth people did all they possibly could to make tho meeting pleasant, and we had fine weather. It was a great distance for me to go - about 400 miles from Blackpool. I am glad to have had the opportunity of seeing what the A.M.C. is like, and I have come to tho conclusion that very few resolutions are adopted without the approval of the Board of Directors, who are njjfino lot of fellows. Of course the C.S. has a lot of influence; his opinion goes a long way. I can say nothing mora at prosent, but will tell you moro when I meet you again at our annual meeting. Wishing the half-yearly mooting every success, I remain, yours faithfully and fraternally, James Bulluingeu, Prov. C.S," Important resolutions will be submitted to you for amending tho district rules, of these lodges have had full notice, and no doubt they will reoeive your careful consideration.

The management lovy was fixed at Is per member per quarter for the half year, Amendments wore made in the district rules, as follow:—District rule 17, paragraph 1, line 2, erass the word " two" and insert " one" in lieu thereof; disttict rule 18, pigo 18, the paragraph beginning " Tho initiation fees," erase tho words " wiih tho exception of throe shillings registration I fee for each newly admitted member"; I district rule 18, scale of initiation fees, erase the present scale and interfc in lieu thereof, so as to mako the rule in conformity with genoral rulo 32, clauso 10 ; 1G and under 20, ss; 20 and under 30, 7s Gd; 30 and under 45, 10s.

Tho nomination's of officers for tho year 1901 wero made. For Prov. G.M. Prov. D.G.M. John Bennett was nominated, and for Prov. D.G.M, P.G. E. Fitton and P.G. F. It Pepporell were proposed, Tho noxt mooting was fixod for Now Plymouth. A committee was set up to arrange v fitting welcome to Prov. O.S, Bollringar on his roturn, aud to present 'nm with a tokou cf recognition and esteem. The meeting also passed a 'wotion recogqising tty services ren.

dared to Odd Fellowship throughout Taranaki by P.P.G.M. J. InydoD, of the Auckland District, Reference was made to the valuable services rendered to tbo Order by the late Prov. G.M., and a resolution expressing condolence was ordered to bo sant to his relatives. A hearty vo' e of thanks was accorded the Hawora brethren fur their kind ontertainment of the visitor?, and the ' meeting terminated.

The following figures show the position of the Manchester Unity on the I 31st December, 1898:—The funds totalled £10,074,410; the receipts amounted to £1,235,425, and the piy merits for sickness benefits £701,777, while £171,527 were paid for funeral benefits, the not increase being £359,120. The total membership on Ist January, 1900, was 961,500, an increase of 17,207 for l«st year.