ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8087, 18 April 1906, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS' CONFERENCE.

PES PEESS ASSOCIATION. Nelson, April 16. The biennial Movablo Committee, New Zealand branch, 1.0.0. F., M.U., met this morning, whon there was a large attendance of delegates. Tho Grand Master, Mr D. Loasby, in his address, spoke of tho pleasure of meeting in Nelson, where the first Oddfellows' Lodge in New Zealand wjis established in 1842, with nine Oddfellows, two of whom subsequently lost their lives in the Wairau massacre. From that beginning, the society had in December, 1904, 18,021 members and a capital of £448,781. The expenditure on sick, funeral, and other benefits was £47,831. He said there was much to do to keep the order iu the front rank of Friendly Societies, and one important question to be considered at tlii.s conference was the mattor of increasing the funeral benefits. He al. lulled ,to Wnnganui joining the New Zealand branch, and hoped that ullthe South Island districts would follow suit shortly and form a united New Zealand.

The balance-sheet showed that for the year ended December, 1305, the balance carried forward was £62 Os 3d, reeoipts £206 Is Ud, expenditure £213 2s Bd, credit balance £lOl )0s 4d, assets £251 7s lid, liabilities £7O 17s 10.1. On Sunday the delegates attended service at Wakefield, where the Grand Master unveiled a monument to the late Bro. Jas. Thomas, ono of the directors,

NEXT CONFERENCE AT NEW PLYMOUTH. FEB FBESS ASSOCIATION. Nbisok, April 17. At the Oddfellow's Conference, after tho adoption of the balance-sheet, telegrams were received from the New Zealand District, the Hibernians and Past Grand Laurie Solomon of Auckland, expressing good wishes. A motion to provide for the admission of females to inalc lodges where no female brancfy exists, was negatived.

The ritle was amended to provide that no moneys shall be used for the erection of halls without the consent of the district committee. The rulo was amended to the effect that should it appear to the directors, to unsqtisfactory administration or growing deficiency etc., that a district would he improved by amalgamation, aqd the management committee consider amalgamation desirable, the directors shall effect the amalgamation. It was resolved to provide for district trustees to receive money from lodges for investment.

The rulo was amended to provido that lodges shall elect delegates to district meetings, at summoned meetings, also that lodge books be examined at such times as is deemed necessary by the district management committee, and at least once in three yenrs. Tho rule referring to the levy payable for district management was amonded to provide that the levy shall be made on members goqd at the end of the year, It resolved that foreign members paying contributions be allowed to contest olfice, but not to vote on finance.

Further greetings were received from the Deputy Grand Master of Auckland, and Takaka lodge. A proposal to allow members to follow light employment, while in receipt of sick pay, at a rednsed benefit, was lost, The salary of tho corresponding secretary was increased in appreciation of his services.

The election of officers resulted | Grand Master, A. N. Bachelor (Nol- ! son); Deputy Grand, .las. Marshall (Rangiora) j corresponding secretary, Kershaw (Wellington) re-elected ; treasurer, G. E, Godher (Wellington) reslcefcd i directors, JF. McLcod and J. Olarlf (Auckland)-i G, W, Sillers (Ashley), «T. H, Fielder (Hawke's Bay), C. E. Bcllriugcr (New Plymouth), A. R. Smart (Nolson) Brother Charley Fry (Motueka) was elected a trustee. Brother Goorgo Leslie tendered his resignation as trustee, and the same was accepted with regret, and a special vote of thanks was accorded him. Bro. A. Guiso (Wellington) was elected to fill the vacancy. Bro. F. H, Hounsell (Nelson) was re-elected Junior Auditor. It was resolved that the Moveablo Committee moet in 1008 at New Plymouth. It was resolved that the annual levy to tho central fund be threepence per member, instead of fourpcncc, and it was resolved to thank Grand Master Walker (Southland), for his persistant efforts towards affiliation.