FORESTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 15, 11 February 1909, Page 3

FORESTRY.

TARA'XAKX DISTRICT. The annual meethig of the Taranaki District, A.O.K, was held at I'atea last Tuesday in the Council Chambers. There were present: District Chief Ranger Bro. IS. Burgees (in the chair), District SubChief Ranger Bro. C. B. U'ver, District Treasurer Bro, 11. R. CattJey, District Secretary Bro. Li. Tunbridge, and District Roadie Sister M. A. Pearce. The following represented the uudermentio"aed courts:—Court Waireka, P.D. Bro. A. Tunlnidgc and P.C.R, Bro'. C, Jl. Weston; Court Taranaki, C.R. Bro. J. .Johnston; Court Patea, P.O.K Bro. R. W. Hanii-rton; Court 'lnglewood Forest. P.C.R. ttro. if. Stimpson; Court Egmont. Bro. W. •!. McNiven: Court Stratford Bro. A, T. McMahon; Court l'ride of Elthjm, Secretary Bro. F. G. Warring; Court Pride of New Plymouth, Sister !M. A. Joseph; Court Fidelity, Sifter A. MacNiven. Bros. C. l'\ J'oote, A. 11. Arnold and C'. T. Mills were re-elected auditors for tht ensuing year.

Tin election of ollicers resulted in the choice of:—District Chief Ranger, Bro. C. B. Lever; District Sub-Chief Ranger, Bro. .1. (i. Russell; and District Beadle, Bro. C. if. Weston.

'ih" following report was made by the district tilUeers: —it is our painful duty to report tliti death of four members and six members' wives. From the funeral fund was paid four members' funeral alowance ( til3l>) and six members' wives i ,C 6(»;, making a total of .€l9O paid in funeral allowance for the year. It is with regret that we have to report the death oi on I late Bro. Captain .f. (iibson, who was one of the founders of Conn' Taraiuki and was initiated oa the opening night, 18 th' January, 1803. and tnereforc was forty-three years a member, The numerical position of the Courts in the Taranaki district wms 122.) members, being an increase of .">4 member*. The funds of the district were 122.008 Os j'/od, being an increase for the year of CUM) 7s "S'/jd. The amount of sickness was 1208 weeks 5 <lays, showing an increase for the yea" of 125 weeks 5 da,vs. while the amount of sick pay paid was 1002 12s Id. as iMtmparcd with COM 5s 5d in the year being an increase of 120 Us Bd. We have to report that this district has now been established 23 years. T ! )o •i)unuT : cal and linancial position of th-i 1 court? at the formation of the district was 233 members, with funds amounting to £2017 15s sd, and at the end of 25 years of progress the members wen--1225 with funds amounting to €22,1)08 iu oVs»d, being an increase of 092 members and funds of 1*20.800 5s O'/sd. Durit»» the 25 years death has claimed 80 members and 52 nieml>ers' wives. The amount of funeral money paid was 13480. During the year the district officers paid their annual visit to Ba* • oral courts in the district, and have to report that progress is being made both as regards members and funds. District Chief Hanger Hro. C. V. Lever presented RD.C.Ii. Bro. C. Burgess with a jewel, and it was decided to place his name on the merit board anl chain.

It was decided to hold the next district lodge meeting at Kawera. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Court' Pa tea for the manner in which they received the delegate): and ollicei*,