ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1920, Page 6

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

GRAND LODGE OF AUSTRALASIA. tsy Telejrapli.—Tress Association \ Dunedin, Oct. 27. The thirteenth annual triennial session of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was held in Dunedin. This is the first occasion on which the Grand Lodge of Australasia has met in the Dominion. 'Die delegates represented the six Grand Lodges of the six Australian States, as well as the Grand Lodge of New Zealand.

A civic reception was accorded to the delegates yesterday. The report of acting-Grand Sire Gilder was to the eil'ect that, despite a heavy loss of membership owing to the war' and influenza, the jurisdiction report a general increase during the last year. 'the report of Grand Secretary J. C. F uith stated that during the last six years £'2SG,SSI had hcen paid in sick benefits, £93,585 for the maintenance of orphans, £!>oss to widowed families—a total of £359,401 —which does not include expenditure on medical benefits (estimated at £250,000). The Queenland jurisdiction had taken up the matter of establishing a home for orphans Land aged Oddfellows.

Many amendments to the constitution were considered, the most important of which was one submitted by Dominion members that the color line be abrogated so far as New Zealand was concerned by allowing the admission of Maori members. The Sovereign Grand Lodge is to be approached to sanction such an alteration.

It was decided to recognise the sterling work of the Grand Secretary of the New Zealand jurisdiction "(Past Grand Sire William Rcid), by presenting him with an ''Honorable Veteran" jewel, obtainable after 50 years' continuous membership in the Order.

The following officers were elected: Grand Sire, Bro. William Lucas, P.G.M. (South Australia); Deputy Grand Sire, Bro. Glasgow (New South Wales); Grand Treasurer, Bro. Bale, P.G. (Queensland). Appointed officers were chosen as follows—Grand Chaplain, Bro. Talbot (New Zealand); Grand Marshal, Bro. Flower (New South Wales); Grand Guardian, Bro. Bendall (South Australia) : Grand Messenger, Bro. Gill (West Australia). District Deputy Grand Sires appointed were: New South Wales. Bro. ("a.sev, P.G.M.; Victoria. Bro. Sharp, P.G.M.: South Australia, Bro. S. Ilarvev. jun.. G.M.; New Zealand, Bro. Robb.G.M.; West Australia, Bro. Box, P.G.M.; Queensland, Bro. Casey, P.G.M.; Tasmania, Bro. Rankin, P.G.M. The session has concluded.