FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' BENEFITS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LI, Issue 195, 7 August 1908, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES' BENEFITS

AX IATJiIU.SIL.NU JCDUMEM'. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Dunedin, Last Xight. At the Magistrates' Court this morning, Mr. VViddowson, fcj.Al., gave judgment in the case of some importance to those interested in friendly societies. William Winton proceeded against William Crawford (on beualf of Antidote Division, A'o. 118, of the Sons und Daughters of Temperance) claiming £lO as due to hirn by that society. Plaintiff was a member of the Antidote Division of the Sous and Daughters of Temperance. He married about eight years ago, his wife being then over 40 years of age. He gave notice required for having the marriage registered, but the secretary wrote declining to register his wife on the ground that slro was over age. Plaintiff pointed out that she was his first wife, and that Uie age limit for members' wives did not apply to first wives, but only to second iviws. Plaintiff's wile died in Febru"iv, and he made application to the [.vision for payment of £lO funeral benefit on her behalf. The division refused payment, and plaintiff took proceedings. The Magistrate over-ruled objections raised as to his jurisdiction. He held that plaintiff was entitled to recover mi the ground that hu had done everything that the rules of the society required; that the rules as to age of age of members' wives did not apply to first wives; that it was the duty of the secretary to enter the name and all particulars in the books of the society. Judgment was given for the, amount claimed and costs .til 10s.