ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 81823, 16 August 1906, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS

DISTRICT MEETING. Under tlio presidency of Mr F. C. Bennett, D.C.R., Hie half-yearly meeting of the District Court, A.0.F., was held iit the Foresters Hall, Hawcra, on Tuesday, the ollicers present being Bro. G. Braiind, D.S.C.R ; D.B. Bro. G. Burgess ; D.T. Bro. 11. R. Cattley and Distriet Secretary Bro. G. Tunbridge. The following representatives also attended : Court Taranaki, Bro, CB. Lever, P.C.R.; Court Waireka, Bro. H. N. Goldwator P.D.C.R, and Bro. W.Sadler, P.C.11.; Court Inglewood Forest, Bro. If. J. Stimpson, P.C.R.; Court Raleigh, Bro. Chas. Sampson ; Court Egraont, Bro. J. E. Wilson, P.D.C.R. ; Court Stratford. Bro. R. E. J. Kivell, P.C.R •, Court Pride of New Plymouth, Sister I. Tunbridge, P.C.R. Tlie following District Officers' report was read : " In addressing you as your twenty second executive council, we tender collectively our very hearty thanks for the very honorable position to which wo have been appointed, and it is our intention to keep steadily in view the general welfare and true progress of the district and courts. We have as usual paid our half-yearly visits to the various courts in the district, and find great progress as regards Forestry. It is with regret we have to report the death of two old members, P.C.R. Bro. W. Bennet, of Court Waireka, who joined on the opening night, the 17th of April, 1867, and was appointed the first secretary and chief raneer on December 23rd, 1868, also P.C.R. Bro. Gernhofer, who joined Court Inglewood Forest on the Bth January, 1889, and was installed as P.C.R. on December 20th, 1904. Both brethren had taken an actiye part in the work of the Order, and leave behind them records which will be cherished for many years to como. We tender to their family and relatives our sincere sympathy. According to particulars taken from the directory of the A.O.F. for 1906, its numerical position on December 31st, 1906, is as follows : Male adult benefit members 733,344 Female adult benefit members 9,932 Honorary members, male and female 21,330 Widows contributing members 26,029 Juvenile and probationary members of adult courts 7,215 Membeis of juvenile societies, male and fomale .., 121,863 Total members ... 919,713 The funds of the Order were as follows: £ Court funds 6,916,094 District funds 1,117,400 Juvenile Societies funds ... 220,667 Widow and Orphans Societies funds 56,903 High Court funds 21,392 Total £8,332,450 As delegate Bro F. C. Bennett, D.C.R., attended tho Friendly Societies, Conference held in May last. There were 11 Orders represented there, 43 delegates being present, and representing 45,000 members, and £BBO,OOO in funds. Total funds, talcing the figures for 1905, £75,000 had been paid away iu sick and funeral allowances, and £12,000 in medical attendance, making a total of £115,000. With reference to tho Premier's Annuity hcheme, it was finally decided on the motion of Bro. Loasby, the Council fully appreciated tho offer made by tho Premier, but before expressing a decided opinion, a billy authorising such funds should be brought before the Societies, and that the conference would advise all societies to appoint one member to consider the bill when introduced, and report on it to tho heads of their Societies. The report was adopted, as were the auditors' reports and lialanoe-sheets. Accounts were passed for payment. On the motion of Bro. C. B. Lever, it was decided that a vote of sympathy be conveyed to Trustee, P.D.C.R. Bro. W. J. Guerin over ths death of hi* mother It was decided to hold tho next District Delegate meeting at Stratford. __ During the proceedings, D.C.R. Bro. F, 0. Bennett presented [the Distriet Court with a photq framed of the delegales of the first Colonial Conference held at Wellington on 21st May, 1906. A hearty voto of thanks was accorded B.'o. Bennett for his kind presentation. A vote of thanks was passed to Court Egmont for the manner in which they received and entertained the delegates and ollicers. Nomination of officers wore made as follows: Bro. G. Braund for D.C.R.; 8.-o. G. Burgess for D.S.C.R; Bro. C. Lover and R. E. J. Kivell for D.B. Other routine business was gone through, and the meeting adjourned,