FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 8114, 19 May 1906, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

The annual meeting of the Taranaki United Friendly Societies' Association was held in the Masonic Hall, llobc street, on Thursday night, lteprcscntatives from a majority of the lodges affiliated were in attendance. The balance-sheet' read was considered satisfactory, there being a credit balance in the bank, with a few liabilities outstanding. Bro. H. T. Ainsworth, president, in moving the adoption of the balancesheet, referred to the good work done by the Association since the start, three years ago. The total amount of management expenses for that period only amounted to £ls 10s 6d, including rent, printing, advertising, postage, and other incidental expenses in connection with tho starting of the Association; whilo £425 2s 6d had been paid away in assisting brethren who had to undergo operations or become inmates of public hospitals. Accounts were paid to five hospitals outside the Taranaki provinco for brethren who left this district, and had been inmates of hospitals wliero they resided. Tho president also referred to the number of lodges affiliated, there being sixteen on the books at present. It was decided to write to lodges not connected, asking them to again consider the adyisability of joining the Association, as the small amount paid in contributions—ls per quarter—for the benefits received would be an inducement to outsiders to join the lodges. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Bro. M. Jones, oi the Hibernian Society, for his kindness in placing his office at tho disposal of tho executive for monthly meetings, thereby saving rent for a meeting room.

The election of officers resulted as follows President, Bro. H. T. Ainsworth ; chairman, Bro. Jas. Harvey; members to assist officers, Bros. J. Bennett, A. Case, M.Jones; secretary, Bro, H. Gilbert.