ANCIENT ORDER FORESTERS.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1920, Page 2

ANCIENT ORDER FORESTERS.

CONFERENCE AT PATEA. The half-yearly meeting of district officers and delegates was held at Patea yesterday. D.C.Ii. Bro. H. Ward presided, and others present were: S.D.C.R. Bro. J. Andrews, D.W. Bro. F, Coleman, D.B. Bro. W. Draper; delegates: Walreka, Bros. C. E. Harvey and A Yardley; Taranaki, Bro. A. J. Way; Stratford, Bro. F. Hunter; Eltliam, Bro. A. H. Andrews; Raleigh (Waltara), Mro. S. Tate; Hawera, Bro. H. E. Budge; Patea, Bro. 1!. E Haonerton; Opunake, Bro. J. D. Murray; Inglewood, Brs. B. E. Geddes; Court Pride of New Plymouth l ; Sister Williams. The district officers' report congratulated the various Courts on the Increased Interest being'taken In Court matters, initiations showing an Increase. Refunds of death benefits under the insurance of war members, totalled £364, and £230 was paid out in funeral claims ;' Regret was expressed at the resignation; through illness, of Bro. W. J. Mc- _ Niven, • for rhany years secretary of the ' Hawera'Court, Maternity claims totalled 44. —Received. The balance-sheet disclosed assets totalling' £1405 14s lid, and the benevolent fund £SOB 4s 4d. Bro. A. H. Andrews suggested that as the district now possessed a substantial credit balance the levy should bo reduced. He stated that this matter pressed unduly hard on small Courts. His Court'(Eltham)'had a large percentage of members who had been on active service, and-the meeting ■of • ISviBB had lilt the funds heavily. *■ Bro. A. ,T. Way concurred. He also thought that better use might be made of the benevolent fund, which stood at a substantial amount. The secretary (Bro. Tunbrldge) stated that there were several substantial aunounts to be paid yet. and when tl|ese had been attended to the position would not be quite so good. The treasurer (Bro. Rattley) thought it better to leave well alone. They had striven for years to.work up a satisfactory position, and he would not approve of any suggestion to reduce the levy. '" D.S.C.R. Bro. .T. Andrews touched on the benevolent aspect. The district officers were ever ready to render assistance to all members In distress. Unfortunately unless secretaries or other members notified the district of these cases, many might tie lost sight of. In every- case brought before them the matter had always received sympathetic treatment The subject then dropped. Bro. A. H. Andrews desired Information as to whether a grant could be made to Court Pride of Eltham from the benevolent fund. The past six years had been very strenuous for members, and the financing had to be undertaken'by a limited number. He would like to know if it was possible to receive ■ a grant. - The treasurer (Bro. Cattey) stated that if the imatter was brought before the district officers the question would receive syrapathet.e treatment. The following officers were nominated for the the next term: DC.R., Bro. ,T. Aadiew3; S.D.C.R., Bro. P. Coleman; D.W., Bro. W. Draper; D.8., Bro. C. E. Harvey The next meeting will be held in February, at Hawera., A hearty'vote' of thanks was passed to the Patea Court for the use of premises and the hospitality, extended to delegates.