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Taranaki Daily News, 26 February 1919, Page 6

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HALF-YEARLY MEETING. Delegates representing the various Courts in the Taranaki district met at New Plymouth yesterday, the Courts represented being:—Taranaki, P.LVC.K. Bro. A, J. Way; Waireka,. P.C.R. Bro. F. Coleman and C. E, Harvey; Raleigh (Waitara), P.C.R, Bro. Draper; Hawera, P.C.R. Bro. W. J. McNiven; Stratford, P.C.R Bro. P. Hunter; Eltham, P.C.R. Bro. A. E. Rogers; Inglewood, P.C.R.'s Bros. J. YV. Winfield and A. E. Surrey; Patea, P.C.R. Bro. J. D. Murray; Pride of New Plymouth, Sis. Bullott. Also present: D.C.R. Bro. N. Kyle; S.D.C.K. Bro. R. H. Geddes; D.W. Bro. H. YVard; D.B. Bro. J. Andrews; D.S. Bro. A. J. Tunbridge; D.T. Bro. H. R. Cattley; P.D.C.R. Bro. E. T. Tribe.

The report by the district officers expressed regret that the past year had been an eventful and disastrous one for our country and the various Courts in the district. The terrible scourge of influenza had removed several worthy brothers and sisters, and nothing so terrible as the recent epidemic had been experienced previously. Regarding new members the executive desired to urge upon all the necessity for building up the membership. In this matter Court Waireka was to be congratulated on having enlisted 41 members during the year.

During the year funeral allowances had been paid out on six members and four members' wives. Five members had been killed in the war, and funeral money paid out for members killed whilst on active service totalled £595. Touching on insurance of war members, £OSO 19s had been paid from the Benevolent Fund, and £427 16s was due to the Friendly Societies Department., being insurance premiums, making a total cost to date of £IO7B 15s for insurance. The amounts received and due from Friendly Societies totalled £14,305, which with a Government subsidy amounted to £28,610. Against this claims paid and credited totalled £20,165. These figures should convince all what the Friendly Societies are doing for the benefit of war members and to protect the interest of lodges. At the end of March the Government department's insurance scheme and the district will then resume the responsibility of the war mortality amongst its membe<te on active service. A hope was expressed that the remaining members still on active service would soon be back safe in New Zealand, and the soldier brothers again take up their work in Court business as previously. No less than 203 members were still oh active service. Regarding those members who had paid the supreme sacrifice the executive hoped all Courts would take steps to have some memorial placed in the Court rooms.

Funeral claims now awaiting payment on account of the • death of members through the epidemic and the war totalled £865. Regret was expressed at the loss the district and Court Inglewood had sustained by the death of P.D.C.R. Bro. A. Coldwell. In connection with the maternity claims £320 had been received from the National Provident Fund and distributed amongst the various Courts in this district. After a little discussion, during which the delegates expressed appreciation of the manner in which the report was presented, the statement was adopted. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected for the ensuing twelve months: D.C.R., Bro. R. H. Geddes (Inglewood); S.D.C.R., Bro. H. Ward (New Plymouth); D.W., Bro. J. Andrews (New Plymouth); D.8., Bro. F. Coleman (New Plymuoth); secretary, Bro. A. J. Tunbridge (New Plymouth); treasurer, Bro. H. ]!. Cattley (New Plymouth). , AH the officers installed suitably acknowledged their election. GENERAL. The retiring D.C.R., Bro. N. Kyle, was presented with the usual Foresters' jewel in commemoration of his term of office. The question of holding the next meeting at Patea or otherwise was left in the hands of the district officers. Thanks were accorded to Courts Waireka and Taranaki for the generous hospitality extended. At the luncheon adjournment, Bro. Lieut-Colonel C. Weston and P.D.C.R. Bro. T. Furlong were also present, the delegates being very pleased to greet these members, who have in the past been prominent officials.