ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1628, 1 September 1887, Page 3

ANCIENT ORDER OF FORESTERS.

INAUGURAL MEETING AT TKMUIA. A meeting of persons interested in the formation of a Foresters' Lodge at Temuka was held in the Grown Hotel last evening. There was a largo attendance. The following gentlemen were in attendance to explain the proper steps to be taken for opening a lodge:—Bros. Jacob Hill, D. 0.8.; J. Barford, Distriob Treasurer > G. B. Triggs, O.K. j J. Burnett, P.O.R.J and W. 0. Burd, Secretary Court Southern Orois, Timaru. Bro- Jaoob Hill, D.0.R., was voted to the chair, and explained that the mooting was simply an ir augural one, and that it would be nooesiary in the flrat place for a litt of names to be obtained by thote who intended to enter the Lodge. All who signed would be required to obtain a medical certificate of sound health. The objaotof the Sooieby, as of all Friendly Societies, was briefly to make provision for failing health and posaible accident or destitution. The Societies provide medical attendance for a wife, son or daughter up to 16 years of age. Members seeking employment in strange towns, or who were oalled to other places, found it advantageous to be able to take an introduction from one Lodge to another and be sure on that account of reofiiriog assistance and sympathy. Bro. Gh E. Triggs, 0.8., alio gave information as to payment to members in case of sickness.

Bro. W. 0. Burd, the Secretary Court Southern Gross, read the teale of Iter, general arrangements far medical attendants and 10 forth. The Chairman further explained the Bliding scale of initiation feei, and intimated that it wai optional for a new Oonrb to arrange its own subject to the provisions of the Friendly Societies Act. Regarding the aotual objeots of the Sooiety, they were summarised in the preamble to the by-laws as follows:—lnsuring sums of money to defray the expenses of the burial of deoea'sed members, and of the members' deoeased wives as provided for in tho rules of government of the said order; for rendoring assistance to members when sick, and unable to follow their employment; and for assisting members when compelled to travel in searoh of employmentj for supplying medical attendance and medicine to tho members} and for temporary relief to members in distressed circumstances. Tho Chairman also afforded a lot of interesting information as to the arrangements for medicines, etc Bro. Bard read several of the rules of the Order and a portion of the preface to the general lavs of the Society, which set forth the duties of a faithful and true member of the Order. That the general advantages of Friendly Sooieties were becoming recognised was instanced by the words of a Weilknown statesman, who said: " I Attaoh value to these Societies beoause they have been so thoroughly and absolutely spontaneous. They represent the character of the people, and in one ,of its best and most laiting, aspeets. I would almost say—l do not wish to us.e any language of flsttery or any language of exaggeration, but still I must venture to say—that as long as Sooieties of this class, justly constituted and honestly worked, continue to form a broad and marked feature of English sooiety the oountry is not likely to go very far or hopelessly wrong." Bros. Burford and Triggs also spoke at some length on the objects of the Order, and explained several points not already touohed upon. A long and interesting discussion ensued, and it was evident that considerable interest was taken in the matter. Bro. Burd read the request for a dispensation, which required signing, and after several gentlemen present had intimated their intention of becoming me libera of the Order, it was agreed to appoint a subcommittee, consisting of Messrs Tomlinsoo, Gnnnion, Morton, Molnness, and Vallender, to further the objeots of the Society. Mr Qunnion proposed a hearty vote of thanks to the delegates for their attendance that evening, and, after the Chairman had briefly acknowledged the compliment, the meeting terminated.