ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 20 March 1916, Page 6

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ANNUAL CONFERENCE. Tiie annual district conference of the New Plymouth district, X.Z. Branch, 1.0.0.1'., *M.U.. was held at Manaia in the Oddfellows* Hall on Thursday Mr. G. C. Craig, in the absence of Mr. Meldon (chairman of the Town Board) welcomed the delegates. He congratulated the lodges on the response by members to serve their country, and said the Manaia Lodge had sent 25 members to the front. Mr. Craig wished the delegates a pleasant meeting. P.C-S. Bro. C. E. Bellringer suitably returned thanks on behalf of members of the Order.

The conference was opened at 10.30 a..m. by the Prov. G.M. Bro. E. H. Bellringer. Present.—Officers: P.G.M. Bro. E. H. Bellringer, P.B.fi.M. Bro. C. W. Allen, P.C.S. Bro. C. E. Bellringer, Warden P.P.G.M. Bro. F. Brabant.

Deputies. Loyal Egmont Lodge: P.P.G.M. Bro. H. T. Ainswortfi. P.G. Bro. A. Hooker, P.G. Bro. J. Toms, G.M. Bro. C. Grant. Loyal Excelsior Lodge: P.P.G.M. Brok Brooking. P.G. Bro. A. L. Roberts, P.G. Bro. Little. Loyal Waitara Lodge: P.P.G.M. Bro. F. Brabant, N.G. Sister H. ,T. Berntsen, Loyal Union Lodge: P.G. Bro. W. A. Spragg, P.G. Bro. P. Pratt, P.G. Bro. F, Hancock. Loyal Manaia Lodge: P.P.G.M, Bro. Snowdon, P.G. Bro. J. G. Short, P.G. Bro. Cunningham. Loyal Eltham Lodge: P.G. Bro. W. Scown. 'Loval Mid. hirst Lodge: P.P.G.M. Bro. R. J. Hancock, P.P.G.M. Bro. W. Mountford. Loval Stratford Lodpe: P.P.G.M. Bro. C. D.. Sole, P.B. Bro. T. Lawson. Loyal iToko Lodge: P.G. Bro. M. Gernboefer. I Loval Kaponga Lodge: N.G. Bro. R. Dagg. REPORT FOR THE YEAR 1815. In presenting this report 'the District and Executive Officers slid, inter alia: In presenting our annual report for the year lately ended we desire to say that whilst the year has in many respects been a prosperous and liappy one, the shadow of the great war has loomed largely over our work. Comparatively few members have been initiated, slightly more than one-half the number who joined in 1914 were admitted during the year just past, but this was only to be expected in view of the great demands made on oui young men and of the necessity en our part of proceeding with extreme caution. The financial position has calleu ror ttie utmost consideration, as in admitting new members under existing conditions unknown liabilities have to be Wought out.

The District Officers have visited every lodge in the district, and have everywhere met the kindliest of welcomes. Some lodges were well attended, others had but a scant number present. The best meetings were held at Stratford, Kaponga, Manaia, Hawera and Waitara. The books of the several lodges have been closely examined, and on the whole were found in a satisfactory state. The rate of interest has been good, and money is in good demand for investment. Lodge halls are still a source of trouble, and generally give a poor return. The Union Lodge trustees, we are pleased to say, have let their hall for business premises at a satisfactory Tental. The questions to be submitted for consideration to-day almost entirely "centre on the war. They will, call for the most thoughtful consideration. We are asked to indicate to the coming Biennial Movable Conference to be 'held at Greymouth on April 24 next our mind on the very important matter* coming before that gathering. We have no doubt that everyone present will give the most careful thought to the difficult problems that call for solution.

The Grand Master and Board of Directors endeavored to effect a reinsurance of funeral benefits for members at or going to the seat of war, but after negotiations had proceeded for some time the insurance company affected declined the proposal on the original basis, asking for a much higher premium. In the end we think that the N.Z. Branch will not suffer by the falling through of the proposal. The numerical and financial position as far as our district is concerned is as follows: At the commencement of 1915 there were 1137 members, at the end of the year there were 110!) on the rolls, 44 being females and 1063 ma'e=; the net decrease for the year was 28. The admissions numbered 51—48 males and three females; 05 members left by arrears, two by clearance, one resigned and 11 died, making a total of 79 left. One member's wife died.

Financially, the year has been exceptionally prosperous. The sick funds of lodges amount to £32,439 .Is 3d, and the management funds to £154 5s 4d. The grand total of lodge and district funds as set forth in the attached statement is £33,102 9s 3d, showing an increase of £1713 4s 2d.

The receipts on account of the sick and funeral fund amounted to £3528 13 g lOd, management funds £749 18s 2d, medical funds £1364 13s 6d, making a total of £5643 5s Cd.

The expenditure for sickness benefits was £IO7B 2s 2d. an increase of £3O 6s 2d. funeral benefits £IOO, or £9O less than last year. This, however, does not take into account a number of soldiers' funeral claims, that have been dealt with since the end of the year. Medical benefits eost£)326 4s lOd. "The total benefits paid for amounted to £2504 7s. The amount of the district assessment to the central funeral fund was £648 Is lid. The total contributions to this fund have been £3554 17s lid, and the benefits received £ll3O. A return will be laid before you showing as far as can be ascertained that 187 of sur members have enlisted and are now at the front or in camp. Nine have laid down their lives for King and country. We honor the memcry of the brave who were faithful even unto death.

In concluding, we thank the members, one and all, for the help afforded us during our term of office. We have striven to do something to help on the great work of the Manchester Unity, and now in friendship, love and truth commend our report to your consideration. An application was received from the Loyal Manaia Lodge for a vote from the Benevolent Fund, and a grant of £5 was made.

A motion from the Jfanaia T/)dge to t'lie effect that lodges be advised not to admit male members dining the continuance of the war caused a lot of discussion, and on a vote being taken was declared ltst. Jt was resolved that the B.M.C. be requested to formulate a scheme dealing vrtth war risks for soldiers on active service so* a» to spread the liability. A circular" is to be issued by the District Officers asking for a levy of Is 3d per quarter fn* paying contributions of members with Expeditionary Forces. Permission* W» s granted to the Loyal lMld£i»t U<Ue&> ffl«H monthly

The district management lovy , was fixed at Is per quarter per .member for tlic ensujng year. Provincial fJrund Master: Prov. B.C.M. Bro. C. W. Allen was the only candidate, and was duly elected. Provincial Deputy Grand Master: P.G.'.i Bros. 0. Hill and J. <'i. Short (Manaia Lodge), T. Lawson (Stratford Lodge) and A. Hooker (Egmont Lodge) were candidates, and a vote resulted in- Bro. Lawson being elected. District Warden: P.P.G.M. Bro. r. Brabant was appointed. Bistiiet Auditor: Bro. Bennett, Seek Examiner: Prov. C'.S. Bro. C. E. Bellringer. Deputies? to B.M.C. at Grcymouth: A ballot was taken, and resulted in P.P.G.M. Bro. F. Amoere. P.P.G.M. Bro. H. T. Ainsworth and P.G.M. Bro. 0. E. Bellringer being elected.

Nomination of District - Officers for 1916.—Provincial Grand Master: Prov. DG.M. Bro. T. Lawson. Prov. Depntv Grand Masters: P.G.'s Bros. J. G. Short (Manaia Lodge), M. Cernhoefer (Toko Lodge), A;. Hooker (Egmont Lodge), A. li. Roberts' (Excelsior Lodge), Pratt and Spragg (I'nion Lodge). Scown (Eltliaw Lodge), L. Brabant (Waitara Lodge), and 0. Hill (Manaia Lodge).., The next annual conference is to be held at Kaponga. The newly-elected officers were then duly installed by P.G.M, Bro. C. E. Bellringer, assisted bv WaTden P.P.G.M. Bro. F. Brabant. The P.G.M. and P.BXS.M. returned thanks for their election.

The P.G.M. presented a P.P.G.M.'* jewel to P.P.G.M. Br s . E. H. Bellringer, who suitably replied.

A presentation was made to Sister Berntsen to mark her attendance as the first lady N.G. to be present at a district conference.

The delegates were cordially received and entertained by the' Manaia Lodjc, and during the luncheon adjournment were motored out to Kaupokonui, waer< they were kindly shown through t.h* Kanpokonni cheese factory by Mr. C. E. Barlevman.-i~Star.