PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE, I.O.O.F.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2305, 14 January 1892, Page 4

PROVINCIAL GRAND LODGE, 1.0.0. F.

Tho annual meeting of the Provincial Grand Lodge, 1.0.0. H, M. U., was held in the Oddielloivd Hall, Lyttelton, on Saturday last. Bro. R. W. Marshall, Provincial G.M., was in the chair, and Bro. E. Scott, D.P.G.M., in tho vice chair, Bro. G. Dimond, Provincial C. Secretary, and the following delegates being also present: City of Norwich Lodge, Lyttelton, P.P.G.M. Soudan and I', t’s. H. field, R. M. Griffiths, J. L. Carrell, J. Mines, E. Lurch, and W. Toomey; Hand and Heart Lodge, Pigeon Bay, P.G. J. Eames; Perseverance Lodge, Barry’s Bay, P.P.G.M. H. Baker ; Good Intent Lodge, Akaroa, N.G. D. Moore; Hand of Friendship Lodge, O’Kain’s Bay, P.G’. E. W. Harris ; Heart of Friendship Lodge, Waimate, P. G. H. Watts; Loyal Timaru Lodge, Timaru, P.P.G.M. A. Mills, P.G. James Hilton, and G.M. J. Fodeu. The P.G.M. in his annual address congratulated the district on its continued success both numerically and financially, and tendered his heartfelt thanks to his colleagues in office and the brethren one and all for the many kindnesses shown to him during his term of office, which was now about expiring. He also congratulated tho district upon the inauguration of the Loyal Pleasant Point Lodge, which opened with sixteen members and now numbered sixty, and which gave promise of being as successful a lodge as any in the district. Thanks were due to Timaru brethren, many of whom accompanied tire executive and assisted in opening the Point Lodge. The executive ha I visited during the year all the lodges under their jurisdiction, and had received a hearty welcome from all, and it gave him pleasure to report that they appeared to be working harmoniously and were in a sound and healthy condition, his only regret being that authority had not been conferred on the P.C. Secretary to officially examine lodge books and report thereon. He trusted they would not neglect making the P.C. Secretary book examiner at this and future meetings. He had to report that the valuations of the district which had been so long delayed were now completed and would bo laid before them, and they would require their most earnest consideration. He regretted his inability to give accurate statistical information, the lodge’returns not all being to hand,, but from what he could learn the increase in membership would be considerable, but the sickness was about the heaviest recorded. Death during the past half year had claimed one member and four members’ wives The business that would come before them besides what he had already mentioned would be whether the district desired to be represented at the Nelson conference and a notice of motion from Loyal Perseverance Lodge to amend district rules so as to provide for the travelling expenses of delegates. After again thanking the brethren, and wishing the order and brethren a prosperous and happy new year, he declared the lodge opened. A large amount of correspondence both inwards and outwards was read and dealt with. The Government Actuary, Bro. Leslie, of Wellington, the valuator of the disk i 4, forwarded his report, whit h was given careful consideration by the delegates. Great surprise was expressed at the results arrived at by tho valuator, ho having adopted a system altogether at variance with previous valuators. After discussion it was resolved that the advice given by the Government valuator be commended to each lodge, and that the lodges in future guide themselves thereby. The matter re delegates’ expenses was held over until the July meeting, and Bro. Dimond appointed to attend the Nelson conference.

The balance-sheet for the year ended December, 1891, was adopted. The mimes of P.P.G.Ms. Bruce, Dimond, and R. W. Marshall were placed on, the P.G. Lodge merit board. Bro. D. Moore, F. Lurch, and J. Foden received the degrees of P.V.Gs., and P.N.Gs., the degrees being conferred by P.P.G.Ms. Soudan and Mills. The election of officers then took place with the following result: Bro. E. Scott, Pigeon Bay, Pr.ov. G.M. ; Bro. W. Twomey, Pro. D.G.M. ; Bro. Geo. Dimond, Pro. 0. Sec; Bro. Turner, Pro. G. Treas ; Bro. H. Baker, Pro. Auditor. P.P.G.M’s Soudan and Mills performed the installation ceremony. It was resolved that the half-yearly meeting in July he held in Akaroa. Timaru and O’Kain’s Bay were also pro-

posed. Bros. Lurch and Ealane received the P.G. or purple degree. P.P.G.M. Mills, by request of the delegates, presented P.P.G.M. Marshall with the handsome gold jewel awarded by the district to their Prov. G.M’h. on passing through the chairs.