"7ae01aac-816c-419d-81b0-dc5892d011fe"@en . "CONTENTdm"@en . "http://resolve.library.ubc.ca/cgi-bin/catsearch?bid=1214080"@en . "British Columbia Historical Books Collection"@en . "Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Annual proceedings"@en . "Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Grand Lodge of British Columbia"@en . "2016-05-05"@en . "1897"@en . "https://open.library.ubc.ca/collections/bcbooks/items/1.0221846/source.json"@en . "1449-1625 pages : tables ; 28 cm"@en . "application/pdf"@en . " Proceedings \nOF THE \nTwenty-Third Annual Session \nOF THE \nGrand Lodge \nof British Columbia, \nOF THE \nINDEPENDANT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS \nHELD AT \nKamloops, B. C, June 9th, 10th, 11th, \n1897 \n\nVICTORIA, B. C: \nT. R. CUSACK, PRINTER, 26 BROAD STREET. \n1897. PROCEEDINGS\nOF THE\nLODGE OE BRITISH COLUMBIA. IMP.\nTWENTY-THIRD ANNUAL SESSION,\nKamloops, R. C.\n9th June, 1897.\nThe Grand Lodge assembled at 10 o'clock a. m. this\nday pursuant to notice.\nPresent :\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nH. B. Gilmour Grand Master.\nW. H. Morton Deputy Grand Master.\nA. Henderson Grand Warden.\nFred'k Davey | Secretary.\nJ. E. Phillips, P.G.M \" Representative.\nD.. Welsh | Representative.\nS. W. Edwards | Chaplain.\nW. E. Johnstone \" Marshal.\nA. Wilson \" Herald.\nThe Grand Marshal examined all present and reported them duly qualified.\nThe Grand Secretary having reported a quorum present, the Grand Chaplain offered prayer and the Grand\nLodge was declared open for business.\nThe Grand Master appointed the following to fill\nvacancies :\u00E2\u0080\u0094J. R. Webster, P. G., No. 10, as Grand i45\u00C2\u00B0\nTreasurer ; E. C. Davison, P. G., No. 9, as Grand Guardian ; and G. E. Norris, P. G., No. 5, as Grand Herald.\nThe Grand Secretary presented the Credentials of\nthe Representatives elect, together with the Certificates\nof the- Past Grands entitled to receive the Grand Lodge\nDegree, which were referred to the following Committee :\nD. Welsh, No. 13 ; W. E.Johnstone, No. 8 ; J. E. Phillips,\nP. G. M., No. 4.\nThe Committee on Credentials presented the following Report which was adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia. I.O.O.F. :\nYour Committee on Credentials beg to report that they have examined the Credentials of the Representatives to this Session and find the\nfollowing duly accredited:\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nLodge. Representatives.\nVictoria, No. 1 J. York.\nW. H. Huxtable.\nColumbia, No. 2 R. L. Allen.\nJ. Pope.\nJ. H. Meldram, P.G.M.\nNew Westminster, No. 3. T. A. Muir.\nJ. H. Hughes.\nDominion, No. 4 W. Walker.\nT. Bamford.\nBlack Diamond, No. 5.. .G. E. Norris.\nD. G. Dailey.\nHarmony, No. 6 T. F. Haggart.\nJ. J. Taylor.\nExcelsior, No. 7 A. H. Gillanders.\nVancouver, No. 8 T F. Neelands.\nJ. A. McKay.\nTatnai, No. 9, E. C. Davison.\nWestern Star, No. 10.... W. Hogg.\nA. Parker.\nD. O'Dwyer.\nUnion, No. 11 F. A. Auley.\nSelkirk, No. 12 W. H. Bonus.\nAlternates.\nR. Roberts, P. G. M.\nF. Carne, P. G. M.\nR. W. Fawcett.\nP. W. Dempster.\nM. Baker.\nJ. E. Phillips, P.G.M,\nW. S. Smith.\nR. Drake.\nGeo. Glover.\nH. McAdie.\nG. Ramsay.\nA. Robertson.\nD. J. Matheson.\nJ. H. Ashwell.\nJ. McPherson.\nA. Miller.\nE. T. W. Pearse.\nJ. R. Webster.\nC. H. Mowat.\nA. McAllister.\nW. D. Cessford.\nJ. H. Stirrett. H51\nLodge.\nRoyal City, No. 13\nAcme, No. 14\t\nCloverdale, No. 15\nKootenay, No. 16..\nDuncan, No. 17...\nVernon Valley, No. 18..\nMount Pleasant, No. 19\nCentennial, No. 20 ....\nDelta, No. 21\t\nGold Range, No. 22\t\nAshcroft, No. 23\t\nIsland, No 24\t\nRevelstoke, No. 25\t\nPacific, No. 26\t\nAmitv, No. 27\nCheam, No. 28. ..\nFriendship, No. 30\nBanner, No. 31....\nPeerless, No. 33 ...\nRocky Mountain, No. 34,\nCedar, No. 35^\t\nRossland, No. 36\t\nCarson, No, 37\t\nRepresentatives.\n.Jno. Campbell.\nJ. Macmillan.\nT. R. Patterson.\nA, E. Lott.\nJ. C. McLay.\nF. B. Jacques.\nV. Hicks.\nJno. Newton.\nF. S. Whiteside.\nW. B. Skinner.\nP. Wade.\nW. Shaw.\nG. W. Shay.\nR. S. Wilson.\nJ. Stark.\nG..R. Gordon.\nG. L. Center.\nG. W. Rowland.\nA. H. Ferguson.\nW. H. Lewis.\nR. J. Kilpatrick.\nA. A. Farwell, M. D\nA. Dunlop.\nD. D. Griffiths.\nW. J. Hanna.\nW. R. Mackintosh.\nD. McMillan.\nH. G. Parsons.\nG. Woobank.\nH. J. Raymer.\nO. B. Nelson.\nAlternates.\nH. Gilley.\nW. H. Handley.\nH. T. Thrift.\nE. C. Arthur.\nC. H. Dickie.\nS. T. Smith.\nR. Mills.\nG. McKinnell.\nE. G. Pannell.\nJ. F. Stainton.\nJ. Z. Choate.\nJ. C, Smith.\nS. Churchill.\nT. Mesley.\nS. L. Curry.\nW. E. Flummerfelt\nW. Davis.\nB. Vance.\nN. McCuish.\nR. H. Holmes.\nJ. W. Speed.\nO. A. Warren.\nH, L. Bates.\nJ. Jackson, Jr,\nE. Spraggett.\nAlso that the following Past Grands are entitled to the Grand\nLodge Degree\nVictoria, No. m\t\nColumbia, No. 2\t\nNew Westminster, No. 3.\nDominion, No. 4\t\nBlack Diamond, No. 5..\nHarmony, No. 6\t\nVancouver, No. 8\t\nTatnai, No. 9\t\nWestern Star, No. 10...\nUnion, No. 11\t\n.E. E. Leason.\n.G.T. Fox, R. L. Allen.\nJ. H. Hughes, W. S. Smith,\n.F. J. Holland, W. Merrifield,\n.S. Price, R. Hirst.\nJ. J. Taylor, T. F. Haggart.\n.C. H. Nye, A. R. Foxley.\n.J. S. Smith, T. L. Bloomer.\nJ. R. Webster, C. H. Mowat.\nF. A. Auley, W. D. Cessford. H5*\n. W. H. Bonus, J. Mack, J. Tappan, J. Harte.\n. W. H. Handley, J. Jackson.\n.W. H. Frampton, G. G. MacLennan.\n.A. E. Lott, P. B. C. Turner.\n.J. C. McLay.\n.S. T. Eliott.\nSelkirk, No. 12\t\nAcme, No. 14\t\nCloverdale, No. 15 .\nKootenay, No. 16...\nDuncan, No. 17....\nVernon Valley. No. 18.\nMount Pleasant, No. 19. .T. B. Coston R. H. Pool.\nCentennial, No. 20 J. Newton, J. A. Bittancourt.\nGold Range, No. 22.. .. J. Z. Choate, P. Wade.\nAshcroft, No. 23 J. C. Smith, W. Shaw.\nIsland, No. 24 G. W. Shay, S. Churchill.\nRevelstoke, No. 25 A. Mesley.\nPacific, No. 26 G. R. Gordon.\nAmity, No. 27 R. J. Kilpatrick, E. Walmsley\nCheam, No. 28 J. Lennon, B. Vance.\nFriendship, No. 30 N. McCuish, A. Dun lop.\nPeerless, No. 33 D. McMillan, J. W. Speed.\nRocky Mountain, No. 34. H. G. Parsons, M. Dainard.\nCarson, No. 37 O. B. Nelson, E. Spraggett.\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS,\nW. E. JOHNSTONE.\nD. WELSH.\nThe Grand Marshal retired and introduced the following Past Grands in waiting on whom the Grand Lodge\nDegree was conferred:\nR. L- Allen, No. ?; J. H. Hughes, No. 3; A. H.\nGillanders, No. 7; J. A. McKay, No. 8 ; T. L. Bloomer,\nG. Loney, J. S. Smith, J. A. Aikins, V. D. Currie, R H.\nNelson, J. Mclvor, No. 9; J. R. Webster, D. O'Dwyer,\nNo. 10; W. H. Handley, No. 14; T. R. Patterson, No.\n15; J. C. McLay, No. 17; V. Hicks, No. 19; J. Newton, No.\n20; P. Wade, J. Z. Choate, No. 22; W .Shaw, No. 23;\nG. W. Shay, No. 24; G. R. Gordon, No. 26; R. J. Kilpatrick, No. 27 ; A. Dunlop, No. 30; D. McMillan, No.\n33 ; G. Woobank, No. 35.\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the minutes of\nlast Session be adopted as printed, J453\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nGrand Warden confer the Grand Lodge Degree on Rep.\nW. H. Bonus, No. 12, in the Ante Room.\nThe Roll of Officers and Representatives was called.\nThe Grand Master made the necessary appointments\nto fill the Standing Committees, which when complete,\nconsisted as follows :\nFinance,\u00E2\u0080\u0094S. W. Edwards, No. 14; W. R. Mackintosh, No. 33; F.\nS. Whiteside, No. 30; C. A. Warren, No. 34; A. H. Ferguson, No. 3.\nAppeals.\u00E2\u0080\u0094T. F. Neelands, No. 8; W. Hogg, No. 10; W. H. Huxtable,\nNo. 1; A. Parker, No. 10; W. J. Hanna, No. 33.\nLaws op Subordinates.\u00E2\u0080\u0094J. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 4; A. Dunlop,\nNo. 30; D. O'Dwyer, No. 10; J. Campbell, No. 13; T. R. Patterson, No.\n15.\nPetitions.\u00E2\u0080\u0094W. Walker, No. 4; D. G. Dailey, No. 5; J. A. McKay,\nNo, 8; G. W. Shay, No. 24; W. H. Lewis, No. 13.\nState of the Order.\u00E2\u0080\u0094E. C. Davison, No. 9; J. Stark, No. 26; T. A.\nMuir, No. 3; G. W. Rowland, No. 26; O. B. Nelson, No. 37.\nLegislation.\u00E2\u0080\u0094R. Roberts, P. G. M., No. 1; W. H. Handley, No. 14;\nG, Woobank, No. 35; J. H. Hughes, No. 3; F. B. Jacques, No, 18.\nJudiciary, G. L. Center, No. 26; J. H. Meld ram, P. G. M., No. 2;\nH. J. Raymer, P. G. M., No. 36; W. H. Bonus, No. 12; A. E. Lott,\nNo. 16.\nMileage and Per Diem.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A. A. Farwell, M. D., No. 28; R. L. Allen,\nNo. 2; W. B. Skinner, No. 21; P. Wade No. 22; W. Shaw, No. 23.\nPrinting.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Grand Secretary, Grand Warden, J. Newton, No. 20;\nR. J. Kilpatrick, No. 27; J. C. McLay, No. 17.\nThe Grand Master read his Report for the past year.\nTo the Officers and Members of the Grand. Lodge of British Columbia,\nI. 0. 0. F.:\nBrethren.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Time, in its triumphal march has brought us again to\nthat period when we are permitted to assemble ourselves together for\nthe twenty-third time as a Grand Lodge, to legislate for the unseen\nfature. We come then to-day to the c\n33\nRevelstoke Lodge, No.\nVancouver \" \"\nPacific \" \"\nMission City \" \"\nPeerless ll \"\nRocky Mount\" %\nCedar \" |\nOdd Fellows' Home\t\nDom. Government Savings Bank,\nHarmony Lodge, No. 6\t\nCarson Lodge, No. 37\t\nNew Westminster Lodge, No. 3...\n34\n35\n2595\n2\n14\n71\n90\n40\n3 00\n6 38\n40\n6 00\n1 60\n106 85\n106 35\n4 00\n2 50\n5 00\n$2788 94\n$2788 94 H77\nIt is a matter of sincere regret to me that I am unable to report an\nincrease in the number of our Lodges and. Members. The losses we\nhave experienced are due undoubtedly to the business depression which\nhas existed during the year. But although we have not succeeded in\nswelling our numbers, there has been no cessation in the good work for\nwhich we are banded together. The sums dispensed for relief and charity increases each year and the figures we publish annually of our disbursements prove conclusively that our professed aims and objects to\nrelieve distress, bury the dead, and educate the orphans, are no empty\nphrases.\nWe are meeting now for the first time in the interior of the Province, and I hope that the benefit to the Order in this Section expected\nto accrue from this meeting will be more than fully realized.\nWeighty and important questions await your consideration at this\nSession which should receive your closest and impartial attention, and\nI trust that the legislation enacted will redound to the good of the Order\ngenerally in this Jurisdiction.\nRespectfully submitted, in F. L. & T.,\nFRED'K DAVEY,\nGrand Secretary.\nThe Grand Secretary presented and read the Report\nof the Grand Treasurer, and explained that Bro. Waller\nregretted that on account of ill health and business engagements he was unable to be present.\nGarnham, B. C,\nJune 5th, 1897.\nH. Waller, Grand Treasurer, in Account with the\nGrand Lodge of British Columbia.\n1896.\nTo Cash received from late Grand Treasurer $1,465 29\nI \" \" Grand Secretary 3,269 32\n4,734 61\nBy Cash paid from June 10th, 1896, to June 5th, 1897,\nOrders No's 1 to 35 1 2,734 95\nBalance $1,999 66\nH. WALLER,\nGrand Treasurer. It was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Report be received and handed to the Committee on Finance.\nJ. E. Phillips, P. G. M., submitted and read the\nReport of the Grand Representatives, which was on\nmotion received and referred to the Committee on Printing.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nOfficers and Representatives:\u00E2\u0080\u0094In accordance with the duties of\nour office as Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge we submit a\nreport of our doings for your acceptance and approval, also a synopsis\nof the proceedings of the Session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of 1896.\nThe Seventy-second Annual Session of the Sovereign Grand Lodge\nwas held at Dallas, Texas, commencing September 21st., and ending\nSeptember 26th., and was opened at the Opera House, Judge Herring in\nthe chair, who delivered an interesting address 4nd introduced Governor\nC. A. Culberson who welcomed the Sovereign Grand Lodge to Dallas on\nbehalf of that State. Welcome aud interesting addresses were delivered by Hon. Barnett Gibbs, on behalf of Mayor Frank Holland, of the\nCity of Dallas, W. L. Blanton, Grand Master, Grand Representative\nKeller for Grand Patriarch Schwartz on behalf of the Grand Encampment Colonel F. E. Hunter, Department Commander, Patriarchs\nMilitant and Mrs. McCracken representing the Rebekah Assembly.\nGrand Sire Stebbins responded in a fitting manner after which the\nGrand Representatives adjourned to Turner's Hall which was decorated\nwith flags of the principal nations of the earth.\nUpon the call of the Roll the following Officers were found to be\npresent:\nJohn W. Stebbins Grand Sire.\nFred. Carleton Deputy Grand Sire.\nTheo. A. Ross Grand Secretary.\nM. Richards Muckle. Grand Treasurer.\nGeorge Coburn Assistant Grand Secretary.\nRev. J. W. Venable Grand Chaplain.\nJames B. Blanks Grand Marshal.\nFred. S. Hunt Grand Guardian.\nJ. R. Harwell Grand Messenger.\nAnd a representation from thirty-nine Grand Lodges and thirty\nGrand Encampments, also the following Past Grand Sires: 1479\nJames. B. Nicholson. Pennsylvania.\nJames P. Sanders New York.\nMilton J. Durham Kentucky.\nJohn H. White New York.\nJohn C. Underwood Kentucky.\nCharles M. Busbee North Carolina.\nCI. T. Campbell Ontario, Canada.\nJ. B. Harmon California.\nThe Grand Sire in appointing the different Standing Committees\nrecognized the Representatives of British Columbians follows:\nCommittee Finance D. Welsh.\n\" Constitution J. Crossan.\n1 Petitions Jos. E. Phillips.\nAPPROVED DECISIONS* of the grand sire,\nrebekah decisions.\n1. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Does your decision No. 3, of last year require a Rebekah\nLodge that has been payiug benefits as provided in its By-laws, to cease\npaying them, as a matter of right, and that they can only be paid by a\nvote of the Lodge ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The decision only declared the law as set forth in the Rebekah Code. Such is its effect.\n2. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Does your decision No. 17 refer to the S. A. P. W. or the\nA. P W.\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It refers to the A. P. W. which is used with a Travelling Card.\nIt had no reference to the Semi-annual.\n3. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Is a sister legally elected, who, belonging to a Lodge from\nwhich she has asked a withdrawal card, makes application and is elected the day before the card was issued and deposited with the Lodge?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094She is not.\n7. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Sec. 24 of the Rebekah Code, does not prevent a brother who has asked to be reinstated in his Rebekah Lodge, and been\nrefused, and who has demanded and received a Dismissal Certificate and\npaid the price required by Sec. 26, from applying upon that certificate\nto another Rebekah Lodge for membership immediately. He need not\nwait six months.\n8. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Sec. 13 of the Rebekah Code permits the Honors of\nPast Noble Grands to be acquired by two members in a single term.\n1st. To one serving a majority of the nights of theterm and resigns\nbefore its close. 1480\n2nd. To the one elected to fill the vacancy and serving to the end\nof the term.\n9. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Brothers in a Rebekah Lodge, no matter what their\nposition, official or otherwise, can only wear the Regalia of the Subordinate Lodge.\nThe Regalia prescribed in the Rebekah Lodge is for sisters only.\n10. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Does decision No. 3 of last year on Rebekah laws embrace both weekly and death benefits, or only weekly ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It embraces both.\n12. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In a Rebekah Lodge the chair of V. G. cannot be\nfilled by appointment of a member from the floor, unless the member\nhas served a term in some office other than Trustee.\n13. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In a Rebekah Lodge the Regalia must be worn \"by\nthe officers if possible. It is no sufficient excuse for ommitting to do so\nthat it is locked up in the wardrobe.\n15. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A past Noble Grand, if duly appointed, can institute\na Rebekah Lodge.\nThe appointment must come from the Grand Master.\n16. Decision'\u00E2\u0080\u0094 Though the law of 1889, p. 11,744, does not name\nRebekah Lodges, in analogy and principle, it must apply to them as\nwell. So applying it, a Rebekah Lodge may have six months' terms, if\nits By-laws so provide, and may meet semi-monthly, in which event\nthirteen meetings would constitute a term and seven a majority of\nnights of the term.\n19. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In a Rebekah Lodge a member suspended for the\nnonpayment of dues, has the right to demand a Dismissal Certificate on\nthe payment of $1.00 without first applying for reinstatement.\n20. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In a Rebekah Lodge no ballot is required in granting a Dismissal Certificate or Withdrawal Card.\n21. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Upon application for a Withdrawal Card, should\nobjection be made to its being granted, it will be proper to withhold the\ngranting of it until proper investigation could be made, as it is a certificate of good character and fitness to visit for one year, as in a Subordinate\nLodge.\n23. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094To \"whisper\" is \"to speak in a low voice.\" All \"whispering\" is speaking \"To speak\" is \"to utter words.\" (Webster.) The A.\nP. W. is never to be spoken, (\"uttered\") as a word except, etc. There is\nnothing in that allowing it to be uttered or spoken as a word so that any\none, except the person to whom it is communicated can hear it. 1481\nThe use of the S. A.P.W., is to enable the member to gain admission\nto any Lodge in his or her jurisdiction.\nThe use of the A. P. W. is now two fold. Originally it was only to\ntest a brother or sister. Since the introduction of the Visiting and Withdrawal Cards, it is an accompainment of them, to enable a brother or\nsister to visit Rebekah Lodges in other Jurisdictions, and should be given\nto the candidate, or sister or brother, to accompany a card, in the same\ncautious manner as a S. A. P. W., otherwise it is useless as an accompainment of such card.\n24. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Sub-division 3, of \"Object and Purposes,\" in the\nRebekah Code, has no reference whatever to the expenditure of Lodge\nfunds. It does not permit a Rebekah Lodge to expend any of its funds\nfor a banquet.\nThe purposes for which the funds may be expended are set forth in\nSub-divisions 1 and 2. They are \"trust funds.\"\n25. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Rituals cannot be taken from the Lodge-Room even\nfor binding. (See \u00C2\u00A7 1747, in New Digest, \u00C2\u00A7 1831.)\n26. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Upon the institution of a Rebekah Lodge having no\nP. N. G., any qualified member, may, during the first term, deliver the P.\nN. G's. charge.\n27. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In initiating, the N.G. may call upon anyone qualified\nto give the unwritten work, but it must be under the N. G.s' authority\nand control.\n28. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The officers o the Lodge have the right to their respective positions upon the staff in the regular Lodge work, and cannot\nbe deprived of that right, except by their consent.\n29. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094If an applicant has never received the Degree, she being married and her husband not an Odd-Fellow, she is not eligible to\nmembership.\n33. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In the absence of any limited local legislation, the declaration of the S. G. L. (\"or cause them to be communicated\") gives\nthe N. G's. of Rebekah Lodges the same power in communicating the P.\nW's. that is given to the N. G's. of Subordinate Lodges.\n34. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The territorial limit to membership, as fixed by the S.\nG. L., for Subordinate Lodges and Encampments, does not apply to\nRebekah Lodges, unless made so by local law.\n35. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A woman divorced absolutely from her husband is an\n\"unmarried woman,\" and eligible to membership in a Rebekah Lodge.\n36. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The former Rebekah law predicated membership upon a majority vote. The present law predictates it upon the number of 1482\nblack balls cast. If three appear the candidate is rejected, though fifty\nwhite balls should be cast. Any law that now predicates membership\nupon a majority vote in null and void. \\n37. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094If by \"grass widow\" is meant one living apart from\nher husband, he being alive, she is not eligible to membership.\n39. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Rebekah Code, being in the \"list of supplies\"\npublished by the S. G. L., it is not permissible for a Grand Officer to\npublish it with other laws of the Jurisdiction.\n41. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The wife of a suspended member, if she has never had\nthe Degree, is ineligible until her husband regains full membership.\n45. Decision.--Section 1236, of the Digest of 1889, and printed on\nthe back or Rebekah blanks for reports, is obsolete and ommitted in the\nnew Digest.\n46. Decision. -Section 22, of the Rebekah Code of 1895, last clause,\ngives Grand Lodges power to fix the penalty for neglect to make returns,\nand a Consti ution fixing such penalty for a time longer or shorter than\nthe month allowed under the old law, for forfeiture of charter, is legal.\n47. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A clause in a Rebekah Constitution, depriving a\nmember six months in arrears for dues, from holding office or taking\npart in Lodge proceedings, does not violate any law of the S. G. L.\n48. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Can a Rebekah Lodge legally give an exhibition drill in\ncostume before persons not members of a Rebekah Lodge, using the\ndrill or floor work pertaining to the Degree ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In the negative.\n49. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Can they use the costumes pertaining to the Degree in\ngiving a public exhibition\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094They cannot legally do so.\n50. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Can a Rebekah Lodge have photographs of the Staff\ntaken in the robes and costumes used in conferring the Degree, and\nplace these photographs on sale to Odd Fellows ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094They cannot legally do so.\nSUBORDINATE LODGE DECISIONS.\n71. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Section 11 of Article I. (Con. of Subs.) saying (\"or\nwithin a less distance to any other Lodge,\") is poorly worded. But it\ncannot be presumed that the measure of distance was to be by an airline, as that has application only to winged animals.\nDistance for all others is always measured by some traveled route.\nI therefore construe your case to mean, by the nearest traveled route. 1483\n72. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A clause in a Sub. Con. requiring the Brother who\ncasts a black ball to | communicate in writing to the Noble Grand\nhis reasons for so doing,\" is illegal and void. The sight to the secret\nballot is sacred, no Brother being required to disclose or divulge it to\nany one.\n73. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The general law does not require a Brother to exhaust his remedies in the Order before resorting to the civil courts.\nIf the Constitution or By-laws of his Lodge require it, he must do\nso in order to gain a standing in Court, as they form his contract with\nthe Lodge.\n74. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Master cannot under the law excluding\nsaloon keepers from membership, change the form of admission so as to\nrequire the candidate to pledge himself not to engage in that business\nafter admission. The Grand Lodge may.\n75. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Lodge may by law declare it \"conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow,\" to engage in the saloon business.\nIt has no power to say that those engaged in it, when the 5th\namendment was passed, are guilty of such conduct, and subject them\nto it.\n76. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Professional gamblers in violation of the laws of the\nState and those selling intoxicating liquors in violation of the laws of\nthe State, were before the 5th amendment was passed, subject to discipline and expulsion.\n88. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Under the new Section 5 of Art. XVI. of the Sovereign\nGrand Lodge Constitution, is a Brother liable to charges, who, not being\nengaged as a \" saloon keeper,\" or \" bartender\" at the time the law was\npassed, has sinee engaged in it ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094-This question involves the proper construction of the new\nconstitutional provision, cancelling membership.\nIt declares in effect that though a person possess every necessary\nqualification for membership, yet if engaged in the saloon business as\nproprietor or bar-tender, he is unworthy admission into the Order, i. e.\nIs doing an act \ unbecoming an Odd Fellow.\"\nIf being so engaged is \" conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow,\" how\nmuch more so, for a member with the law before him, voluntarily to engage in it ?\nI hold, therefore, that a member of the Order, not now in the business who voluntarily engages in it in either of the prohibited forms, is\nguilty of \"conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow,\" and liable to charges.\nThis must not be understood to apply to those who were members and 1484\nso engaged at the time the law was passed. They had acquired vested\nrights under the law as it previously existed, and cannot be disturbed.\nBut when they give up the business, they cannot again return to it without a violation of the law, as I construe it.\n89. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A brother seeking to change his membership under\nthe Laws of 1880 and 1884-5, by depositing his visiting card, and being\nelected, sickens and dies after his Lodge votes a withdrawal card, but\nbefore it reaches the Lodge electing him, he not having signed the constitution and by-laws , nor paid the admission fee, is not entitled to sick\nor funeral benefits from either Lodge.\n90. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A saloon-keeper in the Order at the time of the passage of the 5th amendment, and only a scarlet degree member, is eligible\nto membership in the encampment, or any branch of the Order of which\nhe is not a member.\n91. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Patriarch removing from his jurisdiction\nbefore his term expires vacates the office and loses the honors. The one\nappointed to fill the vacancy and serves to the end of the term is entitled\nto them.\n94. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094When provision is made for Past Grands to vote for\nGrand Officers in their Lodges they are not entitled to vote in Grand\nLodge, unless they are representatives though they neglect to vote in\ntheir Lodge.\n96. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094There is no law of the Sovereign Grand Lodge fixing\na minimum fee for initiation.\n98. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Master cannot set aside the action of his\nGrand Lodge, though in changing the place of meeting of a Sub-Lodge\n\u00E2\u0080\u0094it acts upon the petition of members without the knowledge of the\nLodge, and upon learning which the Lodge officially remonstrates.\nHe can suspend action, and should do so until he can present the\nremonstrance to his Grand Lodge and have the subject reviewed and the\nLodge given a hearing.\n99. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A N. G., who resigns before the end of the term, is\nnot entitled to the Honors, though he serve a majority of the nights of\nthe term.\n100. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The V. G. is not eligible to the office of N. G. in case\nof his resignation, though he has served a majority of the nights of the\nterm.\n101.. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Decision No, 9, made last year, does not apply to\nother than Rebekah Lodges.\n103. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A suspended member for non-payment of dues is\nstill a member, and if in the saloon, business when suspended and has not 1485 , '\nabandoned it, he is eligible to reinstatement in his Lodge.\n104. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The 5th Section of Art. XVI. takes from those in the\nOrder no rights they were then enjoying, so long as they continue to use\nthem.\nShould they at any time give up the business, they cannot again resume it, as that would be an overt act, for which they would be liable to\ncharges.\n106. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094By the general law, a soldier sick in a hospital for\nsoldiers, and there supported, is entitled to benefits if in good standing.\n108. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A N. G. though absent on business by permission\nof his Lodge, so that he does not serve a majority of the nights of the\nterm, is not entitled to the honors of the office.\nThough he resigns before the term closes, and is re-elected, and\nserves to the end of the term, he does not thereby become entitled to\nthe honors.\n109. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Master may disregard a constitutional\nprovision, if it is clearly in conflict with the Law of the S. G. L.\n110. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Withdrawal Cards, if granted, must be revoked if\ncharges are preferred, but if the charges are not sustained, they must be\nreturned.\n111. Decision. -A hotel keeper is not a saloon keeper. If he has a\nbar and tends to it he is a bartender, and as such is excluded from membership^\n112. Decision. No permission a Grand Master can give will make\nit legal to elect a candidate outside his own jurisdiction, unless the Lodge\nof the contiguous jurisdiction is nearer the candidates residence, than\nany one in his own.\n114. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The S. G. L. construes its own laws and passes upon the validity and legality of those passed by Grand bodies, and in the\ninterim of its sessions devolves this duty upon the Grand Sire, when asked, whose decision thereon is to be followed until overruled by the\n3. G.L.\n115. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Lodges may provide by By-law, unless the local\nlaw prevents, for the payment of benefits to Scarlet degree members only,\nand not for the first week's sickness.\n116 Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094There is no law of the S. G. L. that prevents a\nLodge leasing its property for a saloon.\n117. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Lodge may reduce the minimum benefits\nto $1.00 after the first year by a General Law passed, or by approving\nthe By-laws of a Lodge so fixing them. The power to enable its Subord-\nnates to pass such a by-law is vested in the G. L. i486\n118. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The approval of a by-law of a Subordinate Lodge\nfixing the benefits to be paid at $1.00 after the first year, by the Grand\nLodge, does not make it a general law.\n119. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A By-law approved by its Grand Lodge fixing the\nbenefits to be paid at $1.00 per week after the first fifty-two weeks, may,\nif so worded, embrace the weeks a Brother is sick before as well as after\nthe passage of the By-law, he being sick at the time of its passage.\n120. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Master has no power to to compel uniform\nfees for initiation and Degrees,so long as they are what the law requires.\nSuch an act would be in conflict with the laws of the Sovereign\nGrand Lodge in regard to Lodge rights.\n121. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Master has no right to direct a Subordinate Lodge to send its questions to the Grand Sire, and refuse to answer\nthem himself, or to direct it to ask the Grand Sire for his decision,\nthough the law upon which his decision is^asked* may not be pleasing or\nsatisfactory to the Grand Master.\n124. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It is not lawful for a Lodge to initiate one candidate and permit others to sit and witness it. All must pass through\nthe ceremony.\n125. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Initiatory members engaged in the saloon business\nwhen Section 5 of Art. XVI. was passed, if they have continued in it,\nmay be advanced to all of the Degrees, though so engaged when seeking\nadvancement.\n126. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094There is 110 general law that prohibits a Grand\nLodge from discriminating, as to the amount those in the State or out,\nshall pay for admission on Dismissal Certificates.\n127. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It is a gross violation of law for a Lodge to use or\nhave in its possession, any work purporting to be the Secret Work of\nOdd Fellowship, except that issued by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, certified by the Grand Secretary, under Seal.\n128. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Grand Lodge Certificate issued to a member of a\ndefunct Lodge does not have the effect of a Withdrawal Card from a\nSubordinate Lodge in date. That law was repealed in 1884. Since then\nit has only the effect of a Withdrawal Card over a year old.\n129. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It is illegal for Subordinate Lodges to pay out of\ntheir funds to a Physician hired by the year unless lawfully authorized\nby local law.\n130. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The paraphernalia used in the Secret work cannot\nbe worn by the officers on the occasion of a public anniversary of a\nLodge. i487\n131. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Holders of a Grand Lodge Card as members of a\ndefunct Lodge, if saloon-keepers or bar-tenders, cannot be admitted to\nmembership.\n132. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094\" Change of residence,\" in the law of 1880, means\nfrom one place to another. Not from one Jurisdiction to another merely.\n133. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094\" Change of Residence,\" in the law of 1887, means\nfrom one place to another, without reference to Jurisdictions.\n134. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Visiting Card can be used in the Jurisdiction in\nwhich it is issued, and the Brother holding it may be admitted on it and\nthe A. T. P. W. though he may be without the term P. W. of his Jurisdiction.\n136. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Anniversary Proclamation of the Grand Sire,\ngives no authority to wear the regalia or display any of the emblems of\nthe Order, where a dance or banquet or other social is held in connection with the anniversary.\n137. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It is a violation of the law to reherse any Degrees\nor Secret Work in the Lodge room, except the authorized work prepared by the Sovereign Grand Lodge.\n140. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Honorable Veteran Jewel is predicated on continuous membership 1 for 50 consecutive years,\" (1894, p. 13,974). The\ncontinuity of years is not broken, if the brother is in full membership\nduring a part of each of the 50 years. This is as it should be, so as to\nallow brothers to take a Withdrawal Card, to form a new Lodge, or to\nremove from one place to another without forfeiting his right to this\nhonor, provided he makes full membership within the life of his card.\n141. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The widows' and orphans' fund is a \" special trust\nfund,\" and cannot be used to pay funeral benefits, though the brother\nleaves widow and orphan children. It is for their direct and individual\nsupport.\n142. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The power given to a G. M. to suspend and take\nfrom a Lodge its Charter, is a highly penal power and should be exercised only in extreme cases, when injury to the Order is imminent.\n143. Decision. \u00E2\u0080\u0094When the authority to suspend a Lodge is specially given to the G. M. he cannot delegate that authority to the judgment\nof another to determine the necessity for its exercise.\n144. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094By General Law the G. M. has no power to turn\nover the Charter and effects of a suspended Lodge to a new Lodge organized by a few of the former members of the suspended Lodge. Unless so empowered by the local law his action would be illegal.\n145. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A soldier in the U. S. service detailed to do duty in\nthe Post Exchange, may perform any of the duties assigned to him by 1488\nhis superior officer whether in the beer or any other department, and\nin so doing is not a bar-tender within the meaning of \u00C2\u00A7 5 of Art. XVI.\nHe is acting under orders that he is not at liberty to disobey.\n148. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Lodge receiving a member by Card, in the same\nJurisdiction, at a distance from his residence\u00E2\u0080\u0094farther from his residence than many other Lodges\u00E2\u0080\u0094violates the law that requires him to\njoin the Lodge nearest his residence.\n149. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Brother joining a Lodge by Card, is persumed\nto know the law requiring him to join the one nearest his residence,\nand in joining one at a greater distance, is guilty of a violation of law.\n150. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Where a Brother joins a Lodge by Card, that is\nmore remote from his residence than several others, the Lodge admitting him should be required to refund the mouey and cancel the membership. What discipline for the illegal act should be visited upon the\noffending Lodge and Brother, must be determined by the Grand Master\nunder the authority given him by local law,\n153. A druggist is not a \"saloon-keeper,\" though he sells liquor for\nother than mechanical, chemical and medicinal purposes.\n154. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Should a person, keeping a drug store, open a bar\nand sell liquor over it, to be drank on his premises, he would become a\nsaloon-keeper as well, and should he tend the bar as well as his drug\nstore, he would become a bar-tender, and inadmissable into the Order.\n155. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Grand Sire cannot hear appeals from any Subordinate Lodge, except those under the immediate jurisdiction of the\nS. G. L.\n156. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A By-law, permitting firemen to retire, upon an\nalarm of fire without addressing the Chair, during the conferring of a\nDegree, is illegal.\n157. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The law of 1880, in regard to Cards to members of\ndefunct Lodges, being self-contradictory, was changed in 1881, giving\nto such Cards the same force and effect of a Card from a Subordinate\nLodge.\nThis was repealed by implication in 1884, and so stood until 1890,\nwhen it was enacted that such Cards did not carry with them the right\nto the A. T. P. W., but gave only the rights of an Ancient Odd Fellow.\nSuch is the law now.\n159. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Constitutional Amendment, \u00C2\u00A7-5, Art. XVI., does\nnot exclude from membership a waiter in a restaurant or hotel where\nthere is no bar.\n160. Decision. When the by-laws of a Lodge provide for reference\nof application for membership to a committee, but state that an applicant 1489\nfor reinstatement, upon payment of one year's dues, shall, upon ballot,\nbe reinstated ; no reference to a committee is required, but the by-law is\ndefective. It should require its reference to a committee, as in case of\nan applicant for membership.\n161. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The donation of $2,000 to the widow of a deceased\nbrother would be a violation of the law in regard to \"trust funds.\"\n162. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Under the clause \"Legitimate Expenses of the\nOrder,\" a Lodge cannot vote money to the widow of one who was never\na member of the Order.\n163. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It is not legal to allow a call for aid from the Lodges\nto assist those who are suffering from a foreign war, and who are not\nmembers of the Order.\n164. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094For \"persistant disobedience\" a Grand Master,\nunder general law, has power to suspend a Lodge until the Grand Lodge\nshall hear and determine the case.\n165. Decision \u00E2\u0080\u0094If the card of a sojourning brother states that his\nLodge pays for watchers, and the amount, the Lodge having the brother\nin charge, in case of sickness, has a right to pay not exceeding that\namount, notwithstanding it may provide for watching with its own sick\nby draft of its members\n166. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The By-Laws of a Lodge providing for hiring\nwatchers and the amount to be paid, when a brother is sick at home,\nthough silent as to this sickness when absent, authorizes a Lodge having\nthe brother in charge, away from his home, to pay for watchers the same\namount.\n167. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Lodges and Encampments are not on the same basis as to terms. The former can have no terms in which seven meetings\nform a majority of the meeting nights of the term.\n168. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A member legally suspended for non-payment of\ndues can be re-inst-ated only in the manner provided by the local law.\n169. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Waiters in the dining-room of a hotel, who serve\nmeals to gtfests and with them wine or other liquors called for only, cannot be classed as bartenders.\n170. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094 Decision No. 101, Page 14,251 Journal of 1895, does\nnot apply to District or County Jurisdictions, but to State or Grand\nJurisdictions only.\n172. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Dues against an expelled member restored to membership on appeal to the Sovereign Grand Lodge begin to accrue from\nthe time the decision is officially announced to the Lodge. 1490\n173 Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Grand Sire is not permitted to consider appeals\nfrom Subordinate Lodges nor members not under the immediate Jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge.\n174. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The emblems or name of the Order cannot be used\nin a memorial window of a church, except in memory of a deceased\nBrother. For that purpose they may be as legitimately used there as\nupon a tablet or tombstone erected to his memory.\n175. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094No member can occupy any position or deliver any\ncharge in a Degree Staff that he is not qualified to fill by the rank he has\nattained as a member of the Order.\n176. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Brother taken sick before he h&s been a member\nsix months under a By-Law requiring six months membership before being entitled to benefits, is entitled to benefits if the sickness continues,\nas soon as and from the time the six months expires.\n' 178. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Returns of a Grand Lodge in accordance witn instructions though arising upon petitions, should go the Committee of\nAppeals, and an appeal from the action of the Grand Lodge is the proper\ncourse to bring the case to a final determination before the S. G. L.\n179. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Two Subordinates having voted according to the\nrequirements of the local law, and fully complied with that law, have\nnothing more to do than to turnover the books, effects, roll of members,\netc. to the Consolidated Lodge, and organize under the new name and\nnumber.\n180. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A member may change his membership under and\nin the manner provided in Section 668, though in the saloon business,\nwithout subjecting himself to any disability under section 5 of Art. XVI.\nDepositing his Visiting Card and being elected to membership upon\nit before his Lodge votes the Withdrawal Card, makes his membership\ncontinuous, though it is not completed, until the Card reaches the Lodge\nhe has joined and he has signed the constitution.\n181. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A saloon keeper or bar-tender, taking a Withdrawal\nCard is entitled to the A. T. P. W., and may visit upon them one year\nthough he continues the business.\n182. Decision^\u00E2\u0080\u0094The law of 1894, making the Chaplain a qualifying\noffice for V. G., is not retro-active, and applies only to those who shall\nserve in that office after its passage.\n183. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A tavern keeper is not necessarily excluded from\nmembership under \u00C2\u00A7 5 of Art. XVI. If he has a bar in his house and\ntends it, he is a bar-tender, and as such excluded.\n188. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The G. L. Constitution, \u00C2\u00A7 1, Art. 1, provides that the\nofficers shall be G. M., D. G. M., G. Sec., G. Treas., G. Warden,G. Chap.,!\nG. Marshal, G. Cond., and G. Herald. 1491\n189. Decision.\u00E2\u0080\u0094The payment of dues is a fundamental principle of\nthe Order, which no Lodge, Grand or Subordinate, can dispense with\nor evade.\nIf a brother performs service for his Lodge, for which he may be\nlegitimately paid, the amount must be paid to him, and the order drawn\nin the usual manner.\n190. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Is such a By-Law of a Subordinate Lodge legal and\nproper: \"On the death of a member entitled to benefits, the lodge should\npay, as soon as practicable, a person whom they may decide upon, such a\nsum of money as an assessment of $1. on every member in good standing\nwill amount to; said assessment shall be levied by the Lodge and\ncharged to every member, and when collected shall be paid into the general fund, to reimburse the Lodge for the funeral expenses. In no case\nshall more than $100 be paid for funeral expenses.\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094No.\n191. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Is the following By-Law of a Subordinate Lodge legal?\n\"Each member shall pay into the treasury, $1.00 per year, to be placed\nin a special fund to be called the 'Good of the Order Fund,' this to be\nused as the Lodge may direct Each member shall have the same\ncharged to him, and it shall be treated as dues or other assessments,\none-quarter payable quarterly.\"\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In the negative.\n193. QueSy\u00E2\u0080\u0094A committee upon an application for membership, returns the application to the Lodge without making any report, having\nheld it a week. The Constitution contains the usual provision, allowing\nan application to be withdrawn at any time before the report of the committee. The reasons for their not reporting appear in oral statement,\nupon which a question is raised. Can a proposer withdraw the application without having those reasons appear upon the record ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Yes, if he so desires.\n195. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Is it competent for a brother in good standing to change\nhis relation with the Order from that of a beneficial to a non-beneficial\nmember. If so how can it be done ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094It is, if he be over 50 years of age.\nIt can be done by withdrawing from the Lodge and applying for re-\nadmission as a non-beneficial member. See Sections 616-617-618 of the\nCode of 1895. 1492\nExtract fbom the'Grand Secretary's Report,\nreturns for the years 1894 and 1895.\nGrand Lodges\t\nGrand Encampments....\nSubordinate Lodges\t\nSubordinate Encampmts\nRebekah Lodges\t\nLodge Initiations\t\nEncampment Initiations.\nLodge Members\t\nEncampment Members..\nRebekah Members\t\nRelief of Lodges\t\nRelief by Encampments.\nRelief by Rebekah Lodge\nTotal Relief\t\nRevenue of Lodges\t\nRevenue of Encampmnts\nRevenue of Reb. Lodges.\nTotal Revenue\t\nDec. 31st,\n1894.\nDec. 31st.\n1895.\n56\n50\n10,592\n2,610\n3,627\n63,845\n9,407\n790,795\n134,330\n225,189\n$2,993,457 69\n284,540 33\n45,313 94\n3,323,311 96\n7,474,338 06\n615,932 07\n337,600 40\n8,427,870 53\n56\n50\n10,875\n2,628\n4,111\n63,219\n10,882\n779,985\n132,694\n253,043\n13,007,081 33\n278.980 08\n47,761 73|\n3,333,923 14\n7,587,850 391\n622,357 83\n380,795 99\n8,591,004 211\nIncrease. JDecrease.\nI\t\n\u00C2\u00ABi {\n'283..'!!!!.'.'!\n18\t\n484\t\n ! 626\n1,425\t\n9,190|\t\n : 1,636\n27,854\t\n$13,723 64\t\n $5,560 25\n2,447 79\t\n10,611 18\t\n113,512 33\t\n6,425 76\t\n43,195 59\t\n166,133 68\t\nSTATISTICS OF THE ORDER FROM 1830 TO DECEMBER 31ST, 1895, INCLUDING\nAUSTRALASIA, GERMANY, DENMARK AND SWITZERLAND.\nInitiations in Subordinate Lodges 2,077,446\nMembers Relieved 1,992,280\nWidowed families relieved 221,734\nMembers deceased 193,730\nTotal Relief $71,288,702 95\nTotal Receipts 185,676,996 82\nCONDITION OF THE ORDER DECEMBER 31ST, 1895.\nSovereign Grand Lodge 1\nIndependent Grand Lodges (German Empire, Australasia, Denmark and Switzerland) 4\nSubordinate Grand Encampments 54\nrtubordinate Grand Lodges 66\nSubordinate Encampments 2,651\nSubordinate Lodges 11,222\nEncampment Members 133,857\nLodge Members 825,629\nRebekah Lodges 4,117\nSisters, members of Rebekah Lodges 143,251\nBrothers, members of Rebekah Lodges : 110,242 H93\nCONCLUSION.\nThere is little to be said in explanation of the figures exhibited in\nthis report. Our gain in membership has not equalled our anticipations\nbut there is no reason for discouragement. When the sun again shines\nupon this country and business resumes its former position, when the\nhives of industry are opened and the laborers who have long been idle\nassume their old vocations, we may reasonably expect that our Order will\nfeel the effect of the change and the doors will be opened to many, who\nwill no doubt seek admission to our Lodge rooms\nThe officers and members present at this session will, no doubt,\ncarry to their distant homes the most pleasant recollections of their short\nsojourn in the sunny South. They will realize, as never before, the magnificence, grandeur and beauty of our glorious country. Not only will\nthe citizens of the United States be proud of the exhibit, but our Brethren of Canada will appreciate that we are in an American City, in an\nAmerican State, on American soil.\nI trust that the business of the session will be harmoniously and\npromptly transacted, and that we shall return to our several homes well\npleased with our visit to the beautiful and progressive State of Texas.\nFraternally,\nTheo. A. Ross,\nBaltimore, Md., September, 1896. Grand Secretary.\nIn all likelihood this is the last official Report from Bro. Ross as he\nfailed to be re-elected. That office being filled by Rep. J. Frank Grant\nfrom Kentucky, who is held in the highest esteem in the . G. Lodge.\nEXTRACT FROM THE REPORT OF M. R. MUCKLE, GRAND TREASURER.\nTo the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows:\nThe undersigned has the honor to submit his annual report of the\nfinancial condition of the Sovereign Grand Lodge for the fiscal' year\nqnding July 31, 1896.\n1895. GRAND TREASURER. DR.\nOct. 7. To cash balance received this day from hands of\nthe late Grand Treasurer, Isaac A. Sheppard $4,358 25\nNov. 12. To cash from sale of $10,000.00 of P. W. & B. R. R.\n4 per cent, bonds at $1.04 10,4000 00\n| To cash from sale of $15,000.00 Lehigh Valley R. R.\n1896. 4)4 per cent, bonds at $1.03^ 15,525 00\nJuly 31. To cash for sundry sums of money received from\nTheo. A. Ross, Grand Secretary, from Oct. 7, 1895,\nto July 31, 1896 55,176 25\nAggregating $85,459 50 1494\nWarrants drawn $56,949 73\nJuly 31. By balance cash in banks 28,509 77\n$85,459 50\nFraternally submitted,\nM. RICHARDS MUCKLE,\nPhiladelphia, July 31,1896. Grand Treasurer.\nAPPEAL CASES.\nSixteen cases were presented to the Appeal Committee for their\nreport which ean be found by referring to Journal of Sovereign Grand\nLodge.\nThe next meeting of the Sovereign Grand Lodge will be held at\nSpringfield, Illinois.\nNEW RITUALS TO BE ISSUED.\nThe following resolution was adopted:\nWhereas, At the present Session the Rituals of the Rebekah\nLodges and of the Patriarchs Militant have been by revision made practically new throughout; and\nWhereas, No edition has been published by this Grand Body since\n1880, covering the amendments and additions to the Rituals of Subordinate Lodges and Encampments during all said years; and\nWhereas, Increased interest will be given to the work of all Subordinate Lodges and Encampments by the use of new and revised Rituals and by uniformity of the work; therefore\nResolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand Secretary shall furnish to the Committee\non Printing Supplies all additions and amendments made by this Grand\nBody to the Rituals of Subordinate Lodges, Encampments, Rebekah\nLodges and Cantons, including the amendments adopted at this Session.\nResolved, further,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That said Committee on Printing Supplies shall\nprocure the compilation and publication of revised editions of the said\nRituals of Subordinate Lodges, Encampments, Rebekah Lodges and\nCantons; that said revised editions be placed on sale by the Grand Secretary as soon as practicable after January 1st, 1897. That the prices\nof said revised Rituals be the same as now fixed for the present editions,\nand that said revisions be furnished to Grand and Subordinate Bodies\nin exchange for copies of the old editions at one-half the prices so fixed.\nResolred,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That Grand Jurisdictions through their Grand Masters,\nGrand Patriarchs and Department Commanders, be, and they are hereby, directed to cause their Subordinates to procure and use such revised Rituals when the same shall be ready for distribution under the\nterms of the above resolutions. *495\nResolved, further,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That all Rituals so received in exchange for new\nRituals shall be destroyed by burning, under the direction of the Committee on Printing Supplies, and that said Committee shall file with\nthe Grand Secretary their Certificate showing such destruction.\nAGED ODD FELLOWS OF DEFUNCT LODGES.\nFor some time there has been a growing sentiment that provision\nshould be made for aged members of defunct Lodges, who on account of\nadvanced years could not find Subordinates that were willing to accept\nthem as beneficial members. Ample provision for the protection of such\nBrothers was made by the adoption of a resolution from the special committee appointed to report on the matter of aged Odd Fellows.\nVISITING CERTIFICATE.\nReps. Grassman and Iszard, of New Jersey, presented the following :\nTo the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows:\n|Resolved, that the Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge\nagain be directed to urge upon the Sovereign Grand Lodge the propriety\nof abolishing the present form of Visiting Cards, and in place of the same\nto issue an official receipt and a general Term Password uniform in its\nentire Jurisdiction.\"\nIn conformity with the above we respectfully offer the following :\nWhereas, One of the principal privileges of membership in our\ngreat Order is the right of intervisitation in a bQdy or as individuals,\nindiscriminately of the Jurisdiction to which they may be attached; and\nWhereas, The membership on the borders of contiguous Jurisdictions is not availing itself of this privilege to such an extent as would\nbe desirable and conducive to the prosperity of Lodges and Encampments so located, as well as beneficial to the membership of the same,\nand\nWhereas, Said privilege is practically made useless and to a certain\nextent inoperative by the irksome and cumbersome formalities required\nto be observed to obtain the same, to-wit, the \"Visiting Cards,\" without\nwhich it is well known no member can lawfully gain admittance into a\nLodge or Encampment of another Jurisdiction, except when introduced\nby an elective Grand Officer; and\nWhereas, Numerous Odd Fellows, members of one Jurisdiction\nlive in another, closely bordering on your own, seldom or ever visit such\nLodges or Encampments, because they are not in possession of a Visiting Card, and, therefore, cannot legally visit, as such members have\nobtained a receipt for dues paid and decline to pay twenty-five cents or\nmore for another one, in the shape of a Visiting Card; and 1496\nWhereas, Our great Order claims to be, and is, progressive in its\ncharacter, which feature has raised it to the first benevolent Organization on the face of the globe, it is the opinion of a large majority of the\nmembership that the progressive spirit of our century should be applied\nto this relic of the past and that this Sovereign Grand Lodge should\nadopt such measures as will afford proper relief to the membership\naffected, and at the same time preserve the present safeguards of the\nOrder; therefore, be it\nResolved, That there be prepared the form of a receipt for dues,\netc., to be recognized as evidence of good standing, when the holder\ndesires to make visitation in another Jurisdiction, in lieu of a Visiting\nCard. Said form of a receipt to be universal throughout all the Jurisdictions on this continent, and to be used as the only and legal receipt\nfor dues, assessments, fees, etc., by all Lodges, Encampments and Rebekah Lodges. The A. T. P. W., or a substitute therefor, to be communicated to every member when paying his dues, and the privilege\nto visit in another Jurisdiction to depend upon his receipt, which shall\nbear his signature on the margin, the genuineness of which he must\nprove before the Examining Committee, and the proper password.\nSaid receipts to be sold by the Grand Secretary of the Sovereign\nGrand Lodge, to the Grand Secretaries and Grand Scribes of Subordinate Grand Bodies, and to the Lodges and Encampments under the immediate Jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge on this continent\nas regular supplies, conformable to the rules and regulations governing\nthe sale of all supplies by the Sovereign Grand Lodge.\nSaid form of receipt to be plainly bound in a convenient shape and\nsize, with stub attached to each receipt, shaljbe furnished to Subordinate Grand Bodies and to Lodges and Encampments under the immediate jurisdiction of the Sovereign Grand Lodge on this continent at an\nadvance not to exceed . . . per .centum of the actual cost, and by\nSubordinate Grand Bodies to their respective Subordinates at an additional advance of . . . per centum, whereby the supposed loss from\nthe sale of Visiting Cards, in our opinion, will not only be amply covered, but will also largely increase the revenue of this Sovereign Grand\nLodge.\nProvided, however, that nothing in these preambles and resolution\nshall be so construed as to intend to abolish or restrict the present use\nand purposes of the Visiting Card, or to abrogate any of the rights and\nprivileges to which its holder is thereby entitled under the present laws\nof the Order; on the contrary, any Brother who by the general laws of\nthe Order is qualified to apply for the same, shall be entitled to receive\na Visiting Card as heretofore, and the holding of such Visiting Card\nshall he prima facie evidence of good standing in the Order; and it is\nfurther H97\nProvided, That upon the presentation of an official receipt only, a\nLodge or Encampment shall not be required to pay sick or funeral benefits or render other pecuniary aid to a member of another Jurisdiction\nunless so directed by the Lodge or Encampment of which the Brother\nis a member, in which case such benefits or moneys paid shall constitute a legal claim against such Lodge or Encampment; and be it further\nResolved, That a Special Committee of Five (to whom we ask this\nresolution to be referred) shall report at this or at the next session of\nthis Sovereign Grand Lodge, and be instructed to submit such form or\nforms as will properly meet this growing demand of our Order and\neffectually accomplish the desired form.\nSICK BENEFITS.\nThe following is important to all Lodges:\nREPORT FROM THE COMMITTEE ON JUDICIARY.\nTo the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows:\nYour Committee has considered the following, which was referred\nto it, coming from the Grand Lodge of Connecticut, viz: A Lodge's\nBy-laws provide for the payment o\u00C2\u00A3dues on or before the 4th meeting\nnight in the quarter, and that a sick Brother shall not receive benefits\nfor the first week of sickness. The 4th meeting night in the quarter\noccured on the 22nd day of the month. A Brother was taken very sick\non the 16th of the month, he then being in good standing, and remained sick for many months thereafter. His quarterly dues were not paid\nuntil the 27th of the month, but caused himself to be reported sick at\nthe same time. Was the Brother a beneficiary member ? Recommend\nthat it be answered, yes.\nWhich report was adopted.\nNOTICE OF MOTION.\nRep. Phillips, of British Columbia, laid on the table\nthe following proposition to amend the Constitution :\nAmend Article XII., in the first line, by striking out the word \" annually \" and insert | biennially \" in lieu thereof, and the same to take\neffect after the meeting in 1898, so as to conform to the term of the officers of this Grand Lodge.\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS, British Columbia, DANIEL WELSH,\n0. J. SEMMES, P. H. PELLETIER, N. C.\nRep. Phillips, of British Columbia, laid on the table\nthe following proposition to amend the Constitution : i? I498\nTo amend Article XVI., Section 2, of the Sovereign Grand Lodge,\nso as to read:\nSec. 2. No person shall be entitled to admission to the Order except free white males who have arrived at the age of eighteen years,\nwho believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, the Creator and Preserver of the Universe; Provided, that in Australia, New Zealand and\nother countries not on the continent of North America in which the\nOrder has been or may hereafter be established, and a Grand Lodge or\nGrand Lodges formed, the qualification as to age shall be left to local\nlegislation.\nRespectfully submitted,\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS, British Columbia.\nD. WELSH, British Columbia.\nD. E. McKINNON, Manitoba\nE. S. CONWAY, Illinois.\nO. J. SEMMES, Alabama.\nYour Representatives have hopes that this motion\ndealing with the age question will carry at the next Session if it is brought to the notice of the different Representatives prior to the meeting.\nRep. Hoyle, of Ontario, moved the following, which\nwas approved on recommendation of the Committee on\nFinance:\nResolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Sovereign Grand Lodge prepay the duty on all\nsupplies purchased by the Provinces of the Dominion of Canada, and!\nthe same be referred to the Committee on Finance for consideration.\nCONCLUSION.\nYour Representatives have carried out the instructions given us\nlast year at Nanaimo, so far as we were able.\nIn concluding this report, we desire to thank you for the honor conferred upon us, as it is indeed a very high honor, to represent British\nColumbia in the Sovereign Grand Lodge where over one million members have to be legislated for. Trusting that our actions will meet your\napproval,\nWe remain, yours in\nF. L. &T.I\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS\nD. WELSH.\nr Grand Representatives, 1499\nThe Grand Master appointed Rep. V. Hicks, No. 19,\nto fill vacancy on Committee on Judiciary caused by absence of Rep. Lott, No. 16, also S. Clarke, M. D., No. 9,\nin the place of Rep. E. C. Davison, No. 9, on Committee\non State of the Order ; and the following to form the\nSpecial Committee on Pj Juvenile Degree:\"\u00E2\u0080\u0094J. E. Phillips,\nP. G. M., No. 3, D. McMillan, No. 33, A. Wilson, No.\n20, G. R. Gordon, No. 26, A. H. Gillanders, No. 7.\nThe Committee on Distribution presented the following Report which was on motion adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Gommittee on Distribution beg to recommend that the following assignment be made of the matters dealt with in the Grand Secretary's report.\nTo the Committee on the State of the Order:\nThe paragraphs headed, \"New Lodges\" and \"Defunct Lodges,\" page\n1; \"Tabulated Statements,\" pages 3, 4 and 5. and the abstracts of the\nReports of Lodges appended to the Report.\nTo the Committee on Finance:\nThose portions of page 2 relating to amounts received and sums due\nby Defunct Lodges, Bonds, Rituals, and Official Certificates, Page 3;\nNew Digests for D. D. G. M's., Odd Fellows Home; Pages 6, 7, 8, 9, 10,\nand 11, Financial Statement.\nTo the Committee on Printing, the advisability of printing the abstract of Property Reports of Sub-Lodges.\nT F. NEELANDS,\nR. ROBERTS,\nARTHUR WILSON.\nCommittee.\nThe Committee on Laws of Subordinates submitted\nthe following Report :\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0 0. F.\nYour Committee on Laws of Subordinates beg to report that they\nhave examined the following By-Laws and amendments thereto, of the\nLodges of this jurisdiction during the past year : 1500\nCOMPLETE CODES.\nMIZPAH REBEKAH LODGE, .No. 2.\nAMENDMENTS.\n\"Harmony,\" No. 7, approved amendments. Repealing Sec. 2 and 3\nof Art. XVII. amending Art. XX, re payment of funeral benefits,\namending duties of Treasurer, appointment of nurses, medical certificates\nof candidates for membership, fees for degrees, payment of Secretary,\nduties of trustees, assessment to nurse fund, fines and assessments\nchargeable as dues in May and November of each year.\n\"Tatnai,\" No. 9, Sec. 4, Art. XV. reducing Initiation Fee from 21 to 30\nyears of age to $10.\n\"Union\" No. 11, Seel and 2, Art. X, abolishing Assessments for\nnursing and nurse account. Art XIV. reducing fee for admission by\nDeposit of Card to $5.\n\"Acme,\" No. 14, Art. 4, Sec. VI. providing for Widows benefit at\ndiscretion of the Lodge not exceeding $75 per annum. Rule of Order\namended respecting closing Lodge or adjournment.\n\"Kootenay,\" No. 16, Art. XVII. fixing fee for admission by deposit\nof Card, applicants under 30 years of age at $7. and adding new Section,\nmaking members admitted by deposit of Card eligible to benefits from\ndate of admission.\n\"Vernon Valley,\" No. 18, amending Sec. 7, altering night of meeting.\nSec. 36 and 38, reducing fees for initiation and degrees.\n\"Cheam,\" No. 28, amending Sec. 1, Art. XX, respecting amount of\nsick benefits to be paid and repealing Sec. 5, Art. XXII. fines of officers\nfor absence at Roll Call.\n\"Amity,\" No. 27, Art. XV., Fee for reinstatement of members\nsuspended for non-payment of Dues.\n\"Peerless,\" No. 33, Sec. 2. Art. I, altering hour of meeting.\nWe were unable to approve of an amendment submitted by \"Island\"\nLodge, No. 24, to Sec. 1, Art. XI. of its By-Laws, which gave power to\nthe N. G., and three members to appoint a nurse when necessary, but\nstriking out the provision for paying the nurse and leaving the payment\noptional to the Lodge. I his appeared to your Committee to be incon-\nsistant and therefor declined to approve such an arrangement.\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS, No. 4.\nTHOS. E. WALLER, No. 3a\nGEO. GLOVER,\nR. W. FAWCETT. 1501\nIt was moved, seconded and carried, that the Report\nbe received and adopted with the exception of that portion approving of the amendment to the By-Laws of\n*'Harmony Lodge, No. 6/' providing for Fines and Assessments being chargeable as Dues in May and November\nof each year, which being in conflict with Sec. 3, Art.\nIV. of the Constitution of Subordinate Lodges be not\napproved.\nThe Committee on Laws of Subordinates submitted\nthe following report which was adopted :\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Laws of Subordinates to whom was referred the\nproposed Amendment to the By-Laws of \"Cloverdale Lodge, No. 15,\" to\nreduce the Dues to nine dollars per year, beg to report that the proposed\namendment being contrary to Art. IV., Sec. 1, of the Constitution for\nSubordinate Lodges recommend that the same be not approved.\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS,\nJOHN CAMPBELL,\nTHOS. R. PATTERSON,\nD. M. O'DWYER,\nA. DUNLOP.\nThe Committre on Petitions presented the following\nReport which was adopted :\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.\nYour Committee on Petitions, beg to report that' we have examined\nthe petitions for the undermentioned Lodges and finding that the Law\nhas been complied with in each case, recommend that Charters be\ngranted:\u00E2\u0080\u0094Boundary Valley Lodge, No. 38, Greenwood City ; Silver City\nLodge, No. 39, Sandon ; Slocan City Lodge, No. 40, Slocan City.\nW. WALKER,\nD. G. DAILEY,\nJ. A. McK AY,\nW. H. LEWIS,\nG. W. SHAY.\nThe Special Committee on Juvenile Degree submitted the following Report which was adopted : 1502\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee to whom was referred the communication re Juvenile branches of the Order, beg to report as follows:\nWe have had 22 communications and find that the Lodges reporting are equally divided in favor and against the opening of any Juvenile\nLodges, but those in favor did not advance any strong reasons why any\nchange such as suggested should be made, and your Committee strongly\nrecommend that no scheme looking to additional Degrees be entertained, as it will only add additional expense to those already contributing\nto the Order.\nJOS. E. PHILLIPS, 1\nA. H. GILL ANDERS,\nARTHUR WILSON, } Committee.\nd. McMillan\ngeo. r. gordon. j\nThe Committee on Printing submitted the following\nReport which was adopted:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Printing to whom was referred the Report of\nthe Grand Representatives, beg to recommend that the same be printed in the Proceedings of this Session, but that power be given to the incoming Committee on Printing to omit such portions as they may]\ndecide are not of sufficient interest or that do not affect the Lodges of\nthis Jurisdiction.\nWe would also recommend that the Abstract of the Property Reports of Subordinate Lodges attached to the Grand Secretary's Report\nbe not printed this year as the information contained therein is not as\ncomplete as it should be owing to many Lodges neglecting to report,]\nand also in view of the expense that would be incurred in printing it.\nFRED'K DAVEY,\nA. HENDERSON,\nJ. NEWTON,\nR. J. KILPATRICK,\nJ. C. McLAY.\n1\nI\ny Committee.\nThe Committee on Legislation submitted the follow-]\ning Report which was on motion laid on the table for consideration to-morrow.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Legislation to whom was referred that portion\nof the Grand Master's Report regarding provision for indigent members\nof defunct Lodges, beg leave to report that the subject matter is not ripe for legislation and recommend that the further consideration of\nthe matter be indefinitely postponed.\nR. ROBERTS, 1\nW. H. HANDLEY,\nGEO. WOOBANK, > Committee.\nJ. H. HUGHES, I\nF. B. JACQUES! J\nRep. Parker, No. 10, moved the following Resolution\nwhich was seconded by Rep. Neelands, No. 8, and carried unanimously :\nWhereas, the 20th day of June has been appointed\na general day of prayer and thanksgiving to Almighty\nGod for the Diamond Jubilee of the reign of our Most\nGracious Majesty Queen Victoria\nResolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand Master do issue a Proclamation to the Subordinate Lodges of this Jurisdiction to\ntake appropriate action for the due commemoration of the\n20th day of June, 1897, by attending some place of worship and offering up public thanksgiving to Almighty\nGod. % ;\u00C2\u00A7.'\nResolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That should any Lodge find it more convenient to select some other day they be permitted to do\nso.\nThe Grand Master presented bill for typewriting six\ncopies of his report, amounting to eight dollars, which\nwas on motion referred to the Committee on Finance.\nThe following questions were submitted by Rep. Gordon, No. 26, and on motion referred to the Committee on\nJudiciary:\nI should be pleased to receive the opinion of the Grand Lodge now\nin session on the following questions:\nA Brother taken sick'at a distance from his Lodge returned to his\nown city and was sent to the hospital.\nThe attendant physician would not give a certificate of insanity but\nsaid that the Brother's mind was unbalanced and in his opinion the i5\u00C2\u00B04\ntrouble was only of a temporary nature and the Brother's chances for\nrecovery were better in hospital than they would be if he were sent to\nthe asylum.\nThe hospital authorities refused to keep the Brother unless the\nLodge furnished a watcher or guard for nights. A watcher or guard\nwas furnished at the rate of $2.00 per night.\nThe hospital bill (exclusive of watcher or guard etc.) was paid from\nthe Brother's benefits on authority of order from him. By resolution\nof Lodge all expenses incurred (except hospital bill) were charged\nagainst Brother's benefits.\n1st. Was it legal to charge expenses incurred for Brother's removal\nto city against his benefits ?\n2nd. Was it legal to charge amount paid for watcher or guard .\nagainst his benefits ? v%-\n3rd. And if not must amount be taken from nurse fund ?\nGEO. R. GORDON, M\nRepresentative Pacific Lodge, No. 26.\nRep. Huxtable, No, i, gave the following notice to\namend the By-laws of the Grand Lodge which was laid\nover for one day under the rule:\nWhereas, it has been found desirable to cut down\nthe representation to this Grand Lodge, in order to reduce the expenditure thereof, and as the law permits at present of the appointed Officers receiving their mileage and per\ndiem; I therefore give notice, that, to-morrow, I will\nmove to amend Section i, of the By-laws, of this Grand\nLodge, by striking out the words H and appointed^ in the\nfirst line so as to read (( Each elective officer, and the\nproperly accredited representatives shall redeive, etc,\"\nW. H. Huxtable.\nA communication was read from Bro. H. J. Rickard,\nEditor of the \" British Columbia Odd Fellow,n submitting proposals for supplying this paper to all members of\nthe Order in this Jurisdiction on the condition of receiving financial assistance from the Grand Lodge and was on\nmotion ordered to be received and filed. I5\u00C2\u00B05\nThe Committee on the State of the Order submitted\nthe following Report which was adopted:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, 1. 0. 0. F.;\nYour Committee on State of the Order to whom was referred certain parts of the Grand Master's address, beg to report as follows.\nWe view with pleasure^ the fact that the District Deputies with two\nexceptions, one of whom was connected with a Lodge which surrendered\nits charter, satisfactorily performed the duties alloted to them.\nWith reference to the decrease in membership, we believe it is due,\nnot so much to the continued depression in trade, but to the fact, that\nmany members are losing connection with their Lodges, on account of\nthe migratory tendencies of our population, which owing to the extraordinary development of the mining industry has greatly increased during the past year. This fact is evidenced by the institution of new\nLodges in entirely new districts, and we believe that the advance in\nthis direction will continue and before the end of the year a considerable\nincrease will be the result.\nWe note with regret that the Grand Master has had to report the\nsurrender of the charters of two Subordinate and one Rebekah Lodge\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nthe first time we believe that such has occured since the institution of\nof this Grand Lodge\u00E2\u0080\u0094and we respectfully recommend that the greatest\ncare be exercised in granting new charters\u00E2\u0080\u0094all the conditions being\nfully considered, not only as regards the numbers applying, but also as\nto the probable future stability of the Lodges so organized.\nWith reference to the official receipt\u00E2\u0080\u0094in view of the fact that this\nmatter has received so much adverse criticism in the Lodge room and\nthrough the press\u00E2\u0080\u0094the principal objections being the smallness of the\ncard and its high price. We therefore recommend it that be enlarged in\nsize and cheapened in price.\nWe commend the action of the Grand Master in paying so many\nofficial visits, especially to the outlying districts, and we recommend\nthat the same policy be pursued in future.\nWe heartily endorse the sentiment of the Grand Master in regard\nto the B. C. Oddfellow, and recommend it to the continued support of\nthe Order.\nRespectfully submitted.\ni\nSIBEEE CLARKE,\nJAMES STARK, I Committee\nGEO. W. ROWLAND, [on State of\nT. A. MUIR, I the Order.\nF. B. NELSON. J I5\u00C2\u00B06 |\nThe Grand Secretary presented the following notice\nreceived from the retyusite number of Representatives to\namend the Constitution of the Grand Lodge, copies of\nwhich had been forwarded to each Subordinate Lodge as\nrequired by law.\nVictoria, B. C, ist March, 1897.\nTo the Grand Secretary, Grand Lodge of British Columbia,\nI. O. O. F.; jf\nThe undersigned Representatives of Subordinate\nLodges in this Jurisdiction hereby give notice that they\nwill move the following amendments to the Constitution\nof the Grand Lodge at its next Annual Session in June,\n1897- \u00C2\u00AB;\" . \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 '/\u00C2\u00A7\nW. H. Huxtable, Rep. Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nR. W. Fawcett,\n(i\nColumbia\ntt\n1 2.\nS. W. Edwards,\ntt\nAcme\n11\nu 14\nT. Bamford,\n11\nDominion\n11\n1 4.\nW. J. Hanna,\n11\nPeerless\n11\n1 33\nThe Grand Secretary also submitted the following\nReport from the Special Committee appointed last Session on revision of Constitution etc.\nVictoria, B. C, 26th April, 1897.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Special Committee appointed last Session to submit a revision\nof the.Constitutions of the Grand Lodge, Subordinate and Rebekah\nLodges, also a draft Constitution of a Rebekah Assembly, beg to report\nthat they have given the matter their best consideration and submit]\nherewith the result of their labors.\nThe instructions of last Session to provide for a reduction of the\nnumber of Representatives from the Subordinate Lodges, to one for each\nSeventy-five members, also to submit a plan for the election of Grand\nLodge Officers in the Subordinate Lodges, have been carried out and are\nincorporated in the proposed Constitution for this Grand Lodge.\n* The Constitutions as adopted form an Appendix of the proceedings.\nGrand Secretary. 1507\nIt is suggested with respect to the draft Constitution of a Rebekah\nAssembly submitted, that as there is no application yet before this\nGrand Lodge for the formation of such a body, and in view of the constant changes being made in the laws of the Rebekah branch of the\nOrder by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, that it is inadvisable at present\nfor this Grand Lodge to take any action on the draft Constitution, but\nthat it be filed for future use if required.\nFRED'K DAVEY,\nS. W. EDWARDS,\nH. WALLER.\nIt was on motion Resolved:\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the report be received and the proposed amendments considered seriatem.\nThe amendments proposed to Constitution of the\nGrand Lodge were then read and considered seriatem.\nThe amendment proposed to Sec. 3, Art. II. re reduc1\ntion of Representation was declared lost on being submitted to the vote. 29 votes being cast in its favor and 17\nagainst it.\nThe proposed amendment to Sec. 4, Art. III. providing for the election of Grand Lodge officers in the Subordinate Lodges was also declared lost. 19 votes for, 27\nagainst.\nThe proposed amendment to Sec. 4, Art II. was also\ndefeated.\nThe amendment to Sec. i, Art. III. re Grand Representatives was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 2, Art. IV. re duties of D.\nD. G. M. was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 5, Art. IV. re duties of\nGrand Treasurer was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 6, Art. IV. re duties of\nGrand Representatives was adopted. i5o8\nThe amendments to Sec. 2 and 3, Art, VI. re Committee on Credentials and Election Returns were defeated.\nThe amendment to Sec. 5, Art. VI. -re Committee on\nAppeals and Grievances was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 6, Art. VI. re Committee on\nBy-laws of Subordinates was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 3, Art. VIII. jre Committee\non Finance was adopted.\nThe amendments to Sec. 4 and 5, Art. IX. were\nadopted.\nSec. 6, Art. IX. was struck out as proposed.\nNew Sec. 4, Art. X. re Degree Lodges was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 3, Art XI. re Funds of defunct Lodges was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 5, Art. XL re members of\nsuspended and defunct Lodges was adopted.\nThe amendment to Sec. 6, Art. XI. re Restoration of\nCharter of defunct Lodges was adopted.\nIt was on motion Resolved:\u00E2\u0080\u0094That this Grand Lodge\ndo now adjourn to 7.30 o'clock this evening.\nThe Grand Lodge adjourned accordingly.\nEVENING SESSION\nThe Grand Lodge assembled at 7.30 p. m., the Grand\nLodge Officers and a quorum of Representatives being lip\npresent. After examination of all present the Grand\nLodge was declared open for business.\nThe Roll of Officers and Representatives was called.\nThe Special Committee on Statistics re Dues and\nBenefits submitted the following Report which was\nadopted.\nTo'the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Special Committee on Statistics re Dues and Benefits beg to\nsubmit herewith an Abstract of the Returns from Subordinate Lodges\nof this Jurisdiction bearing on this subject for the past ten years.\nIt will be noticed that although there has been a decrease of 159 in\nmembership during the past year there has been a considerable increase\nunder the heads of 4< Number of Members Sick \" and amount of Benefits paid; also that the average cost per member for Relief has increased\n$1.90 per member.\nThere has been a slight decrease in the averages under all the heads\nfor the ten years under review as compared with the report of last year.\nWe are pleased to observe a decrease of $2374.81 in the cost for working expenses as compared with last year and to note- that this item ig\nless than that reported for any year since 1891; still we are of opinion\nthat these expenses are larger than they should be, being over 31 per\ncent, of the gross receipts.\nThe total receipts last year were but $8815.05 in excess of the total\ndisbursements, which, considering the number of young Lodges we\nthave, is not, in the opinion of your Committee, a sufficient surplus to\ncarry to reserve to meet future contingencies.\nThe fact that two Lodges in this Jurisdiction surrendered their\nCharters, after having been instituted but a little over two years, presumably from want of funds to meet their liabilities for Sick Benefits\ncalls for the serious consideration of the Grand Lodge. Either the Benefits paid are out of proportion to the sums received, or the funds of\nthese Lodges were wasted in non-essential expenditures, such as regalia\nparaphernalia etc., and in either case, it should be possible, in the opinion of your Committee for the Grand Lodge to intervene and prevent\nif possible, such catastrophes, involving loss, disappointment and inconvenience to a great number of confiding and innocent members and discredit to the Order generally.\nFRED'K DAVEY,\nGEORGE NORRIS,\nW. E. JOHNSTONE. 1510\nABSTRACT OF REPORTS OF\nFOB TEN YEARS\n\u00C2\u00BB No. of Weeks\nBenefits Paid\nAMOUNT\nPAID FOR\n03\n6 \u00C2\u00A3\no\n\u00C2\u00A9\nci\n03\no>\nft\n1\nSick\nBenefits\n57*\nFuneral\nExpenses\nWidowed\nFamilies\nRelief and\nEducation of\n. Orphans\nSpecial\nRelief\nTotal\nRelief |\n1887\n802\n114\n658\n22\n$5446 75\n$1635 00$ 610 00\n$\n$\n$7711 75\n18^8\n890\n116\n786\n10\n5912 75\n780 00\n160 00\n95 00\n6947 75\n1889\n1017\n128\n893\n12\n7455 50\n875 On\n170 00\n7 15\n8542 65\n1890\n1202\n132\n959\n6\n8057 50\n612 50\n151 60\n-K\n8821 60\n1891\n1430\n171\n1100\n13\n9525 70\n881 50\n120 00\n50 00\n10567 20\n1892\n1954\n205\n1164\n13\n9675 90\n1106 00\n300 00\n11403 70\n1893\n2154\n247\n1279\n13\n10450 60\n1116 00\n397 00\n.145 00\n774 00\n12882 60\n189-1\nHO 15\n285\n1606\n14\n13254 47\n1093 00\n285 00\n60 00\n544 00 15236 47\n1895\n2988\n313\n2053\n26\n17042 46\n2255 50\n394 30\n170 65\n825 55\n20635 46\n1896\n3829\n363\n2601\n26\n20742 47\n1914 49\n712 45\n184 50 1342 72\n24896 63 I511\nSUBORDINATE LODGES\nENDING 3l8T DECEMBER, 1896.\nAVERAGE\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\nRECEIPTS\nCurrent or\nWorking\nExpenses.\nSickness per\nMember\nCost per\nMember for\nTotal Relief.\nCost M'b'r\nCurrent or\nWork' exp.\nCost M'b'r\nfor all 1/ge\nExpenditures\n1\nft\nQQ |\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 l-H\n03\nRent and\nother\nInvestments\nTotal\n1\n$7674 54\h% dys\n6291 066 \" \"\n$ 9 61\n7 80\n$ 9 57\n7 07\n$ 19 18\n14 87\n$\n$\n$\n$17616 06\n18087 16\n6377 466 \"\n8 40\n6 27\n14 67\n18868 58\n8367 74 5)$ \"\n7 34\n6 96\n14 30\n24721 79\n12107 87 5)| y\\n7 39\n8 47\n15 86\n29591 26\n18660 4114 1-6'\n5 84\n9 55\n15 39\n44142 93\n16111 97 4 1-6'\n5 98\n7 48\n13 46\n42480 02\n22077 36 3% \"\n5 05\n7 32\n12 37\n27492 65\n14909 50\n10275 53\n53798 79\n17919 01 A% \"\n6 90 6 00\n12 90\n8i992 51\n5085 n0\n7089 44\n50191 98\n15544 20 6 5-12\n8 80 5 50\n14 3030955 77\n1\n4610 00\n9151 00\n49255 88\nAverage sickness per member during 10 years 5 1-10 days\n| cost per member for total relief during 10 years $ 7.31.\n\" \" \" | current expenses during 10 yrs.. 7.41.\n\" \" u \" all Lodge expenditures during\n10 years \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 14.73. 1512\nThe Committee on State of the Order submitted the\nfollowing Report which was adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on State of the Order to whom was referred the\nreports of the D.D.G. Masters, beg to state that these reports are, on the\nwhole, very satisfactory, showing that the District Deputies have faithfully performed their duties, that peace and harmony prevail, and that\nthe work of the Subordinate Lodges is, with few exceptions, good.\nFraternally submitted,\nSIBREE CLARKE,\nJAMES STARK,\nGEO. W. ROWLAND,\nF. B. NELSON,\nT. A. MUIR.\nThe Committee on State of the Order presented the\nfollowing Report which was adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on the State of the Order to whom was referred\nportions of the Grand Secretary's report, beg to report as follows:\nThe portions relating to new and defunct Lodges has been dealt\nwith by us in another report.\nIn regard to the portions containing the tabulated statements, we\nrecommend their adoption, and we think the Grand Secretary is to be\ncomplimented on the clear and concise manner in which they are drawn\nup.\nFraternally submitted,\nSIBREE CLARKE,\nJAMES STARK,\nGEO. W. ROWLAND,\nF. B. NELSON,\nT. A. MUIR.\nA communication was read from Bro. R. S. Cunnine-\nham, P. G., a member of Mission City Lodge, No. 32,\nasking the Grand Lodge to take his case into consideration\nand enable him to regain membership in some Subordinate Lodge of this Jurisdiction, which was on motion referred to the Committee on the State of the Order. The Grand Secretary gave notice of amendments\nhe would propose to the By-Laws of the Grand Lodge\nto-morrow.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nGrand Warden be instructed to confer the Grand Lodge\nDegree on the following Past Grands in waiting in the\nAnte Room: W. H. Kelly, No. 3, W. M. Bird and J. J.\nCarment, No. 9.\nThe hour prescribed by the Constitution of the Grand\nLodge for the nomination and election of Grand Lodge\nOfficers having arrived the Grand Master appointed Rep.\nMeldram, P. G. M., No. 2, and Rep. R. Roberts, P. G.\nM., No. 1, to act as tellers.\nW\u00C2\u00BB H. Morton, No. 5, was nominated for the office of\nGrand Master by Rep. T. F. Neelands, No. 8.\nA. Henderson, No. 2, was nominated for the office of\nDeputy Grand Master, by D. Welsh, Grand Representative, No. 13.\nE. C. Davison, No. 9, was nominated for the office of\nGrand Warden, by J. R. Webster, No. 10.\nFred'k Davey, No. 1, was nominated for the office of.\nGrand Secretary, by T. C. Gray, P. G. M., No. 10.\nS. W. Edwards, No. 14, was nominated for the office\nof Grand Treasurer, by Rep. G. W. Shay, No. 24.\nFor Grand Representative,\u00E2\u0080\u0094T. F. Neelands, No. 8,\nwas nominated by Rep. G. W. Rowland, No. 26.\nJ. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3, was nominated by\nRep. W. B. Skinner, No. 21.\nW. H. Morton, No. 5, being the only nominee for\nthe office of Grand Master, was declared duly elected, the i5H\nGrand Secretary on motion, casting the ballot for his\nelection.\nA. Henderson, No. 2, being the only nominee for the\noffice of Deputy Grand Master, was declared duly elected,\nthe Grand Secretary, on motion, casting the vote for his\nelection.\nE. C. Davison, No. 9, being the only nominee for the\noffice of Grand Warden, was declared duly elected, tlje\nGrand Secretary, casting the ballot for his election.\nFred'k Davey, No. 1, being the only nominee for the\noffice of Grand Secretary, was declared duly elected, Rep.\nJ. H. Meldram, P. G. M., No. 2, casting the ballot for his\nelection.\nS. W. Edwards, No. 14, being the only nominee for\nthe office of Grand Treasurer, was declared duly elected,\nthe ballot for his election being: cast by the Grand Sec-\nretary.\nThe ballot was spread for the election of Grand Representative and the following result announced:\nNumber of votes cast, 68. Number necessary to\nelect, 35. T. F. Neelands, No. 8, received 54 votes, J.\nE. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3, received 14 votes.\nT. F. Neelands, No. 8, having received a majority of\nall votes cast, was declared duly elected Grand Representative for two years.\nW. E. Johnstone, Grand Marshal, gave the following\nnotice:\nI hereby give notice that to-morrow I will move to\namend the By-laws of this Grand Lodge to increase the\nmileage of Officers and Representatives to Five cents per mile each way, said By-law not to take effect until the\nclose of the present Session.\nW. E. Johnstone. -\nThe Grand Warden conferred the Past Noble Grand's\nDegree on all present.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That this\nGrand Lodge do now adjourn to-10 o'clock a. m. to-morrow.\nThe Grand Lodge adjourned accordingly.\nSECOND DAY\n10th June, 1897.\nThe Grand Lodge met at 10.30 a. m., the Grand\nLodge Officers and a quorum of Representatives being\npresent, and after the usual preliminaries the Grand\nLodge was declared open for business.\nThe Roll of Officers and Representatives was called*\nThe minutes of yesterday's Session were read and\nadopted.\nThe Committee on Judiciary presented the following\nReport which was adopted:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred the questions\nsubmitted by Rep. G. R Gordon, beg to report the following answers thereto. Ques.\u00E2\u0080\u00941st. Was it legal to charge expenses incurred for Brother's\nremoval to city ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094No.\nQues.\u00E2\u0080\u00942nd. Was it legal to charge amount paid for watcher or\nguard against his benefits\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094No.\nQues.\u00E2\u0080\u00943rd. And if not, must amount be taken from nurse fund ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Yes.\nG. L. CENTER,\nV. HICKS.\nW. H. BONUS,\nJ. H. MELDRAM,\nH. J. RAYMER.\nThe Committee on State of the Order submitted the\nfollowing Report which was adopted:\nTo the Grand. Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on the State of the Order to whom was referred\nthe communication from Bro. R. S. Cunningham, P. G., beg to report\nas follows:\nWhile expressing our sincere sympathy with the Brother in his unfortunate position we cannot see any other way in which he may unite\nwith a Subordinate Lodge according to our existing Laws than by mak-\ning application to join as an Ancient Odd Fellow. Unfortunately the\nBrother not having retained membership for at least ten years previous\nto the surrender of the Lodge's charter cannot come in under the head\nof a non-beneficial Odd Fellow, according to Article II. Sec. 4, of the\nConstitution of Subordinate Lodges.\nIn our opinion some legislation dealing with such cases should be\nbrought in by this Grand Body in harmony with Section 614, of White's\nDigest.\nIn regard to his standing in the B. C. Insurance Association we\nare advised that it is not in any way affected by his loss of membership\nSIBREE CLARKE,\nJAMES STARK,\nT. A. MUIR,\nGEO. W. ROWLAND,\nO. B. NELSON. 15*7\nMoved by W. E. Johnstone, Grand Marshal, seconded by A. Wilson, Grand Conductor and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That a\nspecial committee be appointed to take into consideration\nthe legislation passed by the Sovereign Grand Lodge at\nits last Session (page 14942, Journal of Proceedings)\nand report to this Grand Lodge at the 1898 Session, and\nthat the Grand Secretary be instructed to dispose of the\nassets of Lodges who have or who may surrender their\ncharters, and that the executive of this Grand Lodge be\nauthorized to use the proceeds for the relief of deserving\naged Odd Fellows.\nThe Chair appointed the following to form the Special Committee in accordance with the foregoing Resolution: Rep. T. F. Neelands, No. 8, Rep. Hogg, No. 10,\nRep. Stark, No. 26, D. Welsh, Grand Representative,\nNo. 13, Rep. T. A. Muir, No. 3.\nMoved by J. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3, seconded\nby D. Welsh, Grand Representative, No. 13, and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nThat a Committee be appointed to report to this Session\nof the Grand Lodge what action, if any, should be taken\nwith regard to the cases of Bros. R, S. Cunningham, P.\nG., and Dyas, late members of tc Mission City\" Lodge,\nNo. 32.\nThe following were appointed to form the Committee:\nJ. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3, D. Welsh, Grand Representative, No. 13, W. E. Johnstone, No. 8, A. Parker, No.\n10, and S. W. Edwards, No. 14.\nThe Committee on Appeals presented the following\nReport which was adopted:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0 0. F.\nYour Committee on Appeals to whom was referred the appeal of\nBro. J. A. Johnson against the action of Amity Lodge, No. 27, re charge\nagainst Bro. Norman Matheson. beer leave to report as follows: i5i8\n1st. We cannot see anything irregular in the report of Trial Committee also in action of the Lodge in rejecting said report.\n2nd. The Lodge was not bound to adopt the report of Trial Committee but could vary the penalty or reject it altogether.\n3rd. That the vote taken on the resolution for expulsion was quite\nin order and the only proper way to decide such resolutions.\nAccording to the evidence submitted it is clearly shown that Bro.\nMatheson has been engaged in the business of bar-tender on and off\nsince 1892, which was prior to the passing of Section 5, Article XVI. of\nthe Sovereign Grand Lodge Constitution, and as there is no evidence to\nprove that he has been engaged in any other business during that time\nwe are of the opinion that Bro. Matheson does not become amenable to\nthat law.\nWe therefore recommend that the appeal be dismissed.\nT. F. NEELANDS,\nA. PARKER,\nWM. HOGG,\nW. J. HANNA,\nW. H. HUXTABLE.\nThe Committee on Appeals presented the following\nReport\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Appeals to whom was referred the appeal of\nBro. Robert Ray of Acme Lodge, No. 14, I. O. O. F., against the action\nof said Lodge in expelling him from the Order, beg leave to report as\nfollows:\nWe consider the Lodge did wrong in expelling Bro. Ray, for the\nfollowing reasons:\n1st. According to the laws and usages of the Order the Lodge\nshould not have installed the new Treasurer until the Audit Committee\nhad examined the books and reported them correct.\n2nd, The Lodge had according to the report of the Trial Committee\nmade a settlement with Bro. Ray, and by so doing left no grounds for\ncharge.\n3rd. The Report of the Trial Committee was not complete inasmuch as it did not contain a resolution or resolutions for adoption by\nthe Lodge, and should have been referred back to them for amendment.\n4th. The motion made to adopt the report of the Trial Committee\nwas out of order, as the Lodge should have waited for a report from the Mm\nCommittee as amended and then voted on same and either adopted or\nrejected it.\n5th. According to the copy of the minutes of the Lodge for October\n19th, 1896, your Committee understand that the vote was taken either\nby ball or paper ballot, if so, we consider it entirely wrong and out of\n. order, as all motions of this kind should be decided by open vote and\nthe yeas and nays recorded.\n6tb. Bro. Ray claims that the Noble Grand voted on the motion\nfor expulsion, but as your Committee are not quite clear as to how the\nvote was taken we are not able to decide whether the Noble Grand was\nright in his action, but if the vote was taken by the usual show of hands\nor the yeas and nays taken, the Noble Grand was out of order and the\nmotion lost as it did not obtain the two-thirds majority as required by\nlaw.\nAfter taking everything into consideration we are of the opinion that\nAcme Lodge, No. 14, did wrong in expelling Bro. Ray.\nWe therefore recommend that the appeal of Bro. Ray be sustained,\nand that Acme Lodge be ordered to reinstate Bro. Ray forthwith.\nA. PARKER,\nWM. HOGG,\nW. H. HUXTABLE.\nI am of the opinion that a vote by ball or paper ballot, would be\nlegal, and in order. With the balance of the report I agree.\nT. F. NEELANDS.\nIt was moved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the report be\nadopted.\nMoved and seconded as an amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That all\nthe words in the last Paragraph from the word \"sustained\" be struck out and the following words inserted in\nlieu\u00E2\u0080\u0094u dismissed and the action of the Lodge be sustained.\"\nMoved and seconded as an amendment to the amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094U That the matter be referred back to \"Acme\"\nLodge, No. 14, for a new trial.\"\nThe amendment to the amendmeut was declared carried. Forty-one voting in the affirmative and 9 against. The Committee on Judiciary submitted the following\nReport which was adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred a resolution\nfrom Harmony Lodge, No. 6, and Banner Lodge, No. 31, addressed to\nthe Grand Master, beg to report as follows:\nThat our Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge be instructed to use their influence to reduce the price of the Official Certificate\nforms. We would also advise the above Lodges to procure the new\nRituals as we consider that the use of the old ones is illegal,\nJ. H. MELDRAM.\nG. L. CENTER,\nV. HICKS,.\nH. J. RAYMER,\nW. H. BONUS,\nMoved by G. L. Center, seconded by G. R. Gordon,\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nThat a Committee be appointed from this Grand Lodge\nto enquire into the amount of benefits paid by Lodges in\nthis Jurisdiction with special reference to monthly dues\nwith a view of formulating a uniform system based upon\nsound financial principles and to report to the next Session of this Grand Lodge.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Carried.\nThe Chair appointed the following Special Committee\non the foregoing Resolution:\nG. L. Center, No. 26, G. R. Gordon, No. 26, A. Dun-\nlop, No. 30, G. W. Rowland, No. 26, and A. H. Ferguson, No. 3.\nA motion to adjourn to 2 o'clock this afternoon was\nnegatived on being put to the vote.\n* The consideration of the proposed amendments to\nthe By-laws of the Grand Lodge was then proceeded\nwith.\n* The By-laws adopted form an appendix to these Proceedings.\nGrand Secretary. 1521\nThe amendment offered by Rep, Huxtable, No. i,\nstriking out the payment of Mileage and Per Diem to the\nappointed officers of the Grand Lodge was lost on being\nsubmitted to the vote.\nThe amendment offered by W. E. Johnstone, No. 8,\nto increase the Mileage to Five cents per mile each way\nnot to take effect until the close of the present Session\nwas adopted.\nThe following additional By-laws, notice of which\nwas given by the Grand Secretary yesterday were adopted, j! iiiis-.\nRe granting Dispensations for new Lodges.\nRe ordering of and payment for Supplies.\nRe Seal for Subordinate Lodges.\nRe Bonds of Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer.\nRe Deposit and withdrawal of monies from Bank by\nGrand Treasurer.\nRe Printing and Distribution of Proceedings of\nGrand Lodge.\nRe Mergement of two Lodges.\nRe Consolidation of two Lodges.\nRe Reports to be rendered and Per Capita Tax paid\nor Lodges not entitled to representation.\nRe Grand Secretary informing Subordinates of expulsions, rejections and suspensions.\nRep. O. B. Nelson, No, 37, gave the following notice\nto amend By-Law No. 1, which was laid over until to\nmorrow under the rule. After the word i 'route,'' in the 6th\nline insert the following: except where transportation 1522\ncannot be obtained at that rate, when actual transportation expenses by the most practical and cheapest route\nshall be allowed, provided this shall have reference to\nfare only, lodging and board not to be included.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nGrand Lodge do now adjourn until eight o'clock this\nevening.\nThe Grand Lodge adjourned accordingly.\nEVENING SESSION.\nThe Grand Lodge re-assembled at 8.30 p. m., all the\nGrand Lodge officers and a quorum of Representatives\nbeing present.\nThe Grand Marshal examined those present and reported all qualified, whereupon the Grand Lodge was declared open for business.\nThe Roll of Officers and Representatives was called.\nThe Committee on Judiciary submitted the following\nReport which was adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F :\nYour Committee on Judiciary have carefully examined the portions\nof the Grand Masters report referred to them, and beg to report as follows:\nWe recommend that the decisions of the Grand Master and those of his\nDeputies be approved with the following exception: we find that Sister\nIda M. Pearca, D. D. G. M., of Rebekah District, No. 5, gave a dispensation to Fidelity Rebekah Lodge, No. 10, Ladners, to hold a public 1523\ngathering which we consider illegal, that power being vested in the\nGrand Master only.\nG. L. CENTER,\nV. HICKS,\nH. J. RAYMER,\nW. H. BONUS.\nJOHN H. MELDRAM.\nMoved by W. E. Johnstone, No. 8, seconded by S. W.\nFdwards, No. 14,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand Representatives of\nthis Grand Lodge be instructed to support any legislation\nthat may be brought forward in the Sovereign Grand\nLodge to allow Subordinate Lodges to substitute badges\nfor the regalia now in use.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Carried.\nThe Grand Secretary presented and read the Report\nof the Secretary-Treasurer of the Odd Fellows Insurance\nAssociation of British Columbia for the past year, and it\nwas on motion resolved that the report be received and\nprinted with the proceedings of this Session.\nVictoria, B. C, 1st June, 1897.\nTo the Officers and Members of the Odd Fellows Insurance Association of\nBritish Cotumbia:\nDear Sirs and Brothers:\u00E2\u0080\u0094I beg to submit, for your consideration,\na report of the proceedings of this Association for the year just ended.\nmembership.\nNo. of members as per last report 181\nNo. of members admitted during the year 18\n199\nNo. of members suspended during the year 15\nNo. of policies in force 184 1524\nFINANCIAL STATEMENT.\nENDOWMENT FUND.\nReceipts.\nBalance from last report $ 346 91\nReceived for Assessments 2127 03\nI % Interest 14 18\nBalance 311 18\n$2800 00\nPayments.\nInsurance on death of Bro. R. Andrews $1,000 00\nBro. G. Doughty 1,000 00\nI 1 Rro. A. Laing 800 00\n(part payment) $2,800 00\nMAMAGEMENT FUND.\nReceipts.\nBalance from last report $369 27\nReceived for dues 279 00\nI \" Entrance Fees 7 50\n$655 77\nPayments.\nSecretary-Treasurer's Salary $100 00\nAgents, Commission 87 23\nMedical Referee's Fees 11 50\nPriuting.. 36 25\nBond of Secretary-Treasurer 10 00\nB. C, Odd Fellow, Advertising 37 50\nPostage and Sundries.\n17 00\n$299 48\nBalance. $356 29\nSUMMARY.\nBalance to credit of Management Fund $356 29\n\" \" Debit of Endowment Fund 311 18\nNet cash balance $45 11\nDeposited in Dominion Gov't Savings Bank.. $ 8 46\n\" u Bank of British Columbia 6 26\nIn hands of Secretary-Treasurer 30 39\n$45 11\nFraternally submitted,\nFRED'K DAVEY,\nSecretary- Treasurer, 1525\nExamined and found correc*,\nS. W. EDWARDS,\nW. J. HANNA,\nAuditing Committee.\nThe consideration of the report of the Committee on\nrevision of Constitutions was resumed.\n* The Rules of Order as submitted by the Committee\nwere considered seriatem and adopted.\n* The Constitution of Subordinate Lodges reported\nby the Committee on Revision was considered seriatem\nwith the following result :\nThe preamble and Art. I. were adopted.\nSec. 1. of Art. II. was amended by adding to the\nqualification for membership 4 cand is not a saloon keeper, a bartender or a professional gambler,\" and by adding\nat the end of the section the words c cor permission be first\nobtained from the officers of the Jurisdiction in which the\ncandidate resides.\"\nSee's 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, of Art. II. were adopted.\nSee's 1 and 2 of Art. Ill, were adopted.\nThe proposed amendment to Sec. 3. of Art. III. to\nelect applicants for membership on a live Withdrawal\nCard by a majority vote was struck out, and the Section\nas amended adopted.\nSee's 4, 5 and 6 of Art. III. were adopted.\nSee's 1, 2 and 3 of Art. IV. were adopted.\nSec. 4. of Art. IV. was amended by striking out the\nwords \"three months\" and inserting in lieu the words\n\"thirteen weeks.\"\n* The Rules of Order and Constitutition of Subordinate Lodges as\nadopted form appendices to these proceedings.\nGrand Secretary. ic;26\nSee's 5, 6, 7 and 8, of Art. IV. were adopted.\nRep. G. R. Gordon, No. 26, was excused from further attendance.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand\nLodge do now adjourn to 9 a. m. tomorrow.\nThe Grand Lodge adjourned accordingly.\nAr\\nPHIRD Dx\Y\nnth June, 1897.\nThe Grand Lodge re-assembled at 9.15 a, m., the\nGrand Lodge Officers and a quorum of Representatives\nbeing present. All present were examined and reported\nduly qualified, and the Grand Lodge was declared open\nfor business.\nThe Roll of Officers and Representatives was called.\nThe minutes of preceding day's session were read and\nadopted.\nRep. Stark, No. 26, submitted the following question\nwhich was on motion referred to the Committee on Judiciary:\nCan a Subordinate Lodge by resolution discontinue\nthe practice of the Warden addressing the Chair in retiring to and entering from the Ante Room in the discharge\nof his duties?\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Installation of\nGrand Lodge Officers take place this evening at 7.30\no'clock, and in the Third Degree. J527\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the offer\nof D. Welsh, Grand Representative, to exemplify the\nSecret Work this evening be accepted. IP\nThe amendment offered by Rep. O. B. Nelson, No*\n37, to By-law No. i, of the Grand Lodge, notice of which\nwas given yesterday, was seconded and adopted.\nThe consideration of the Report of the Special Committee on revision of the Constitution of Subordinate\nLodges was resumed.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the action\nof the Grand Lodge yesterday in adopting Sec. 5 of Article IV., be reconsidered.\nIt was moved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Section be\namended by inserting the words \"where no expenses are\n\"incurred, no appropriation shall be made.\" The motion was negatived on being submitted to a vote.\nSection 1 and 2 of Article V, were adopted.\nArticle VI. was adopted.\nClause I., Section 1, Article VII., was amended by\nstriking: out the word \"shall\" in fifth line and inserting\nthe word \"may\" in lieu thereof.\nClause 2, Section 1, Article VII., was amended by\ninserting the words \"the vote being taken by ball or\npaper ballot\" after the Word \"present\" in the fourth line.\nClauses 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7, were adopted.\nClause 8 was amended by adding thereto the following: \"All applications for Withdrawal Cards or Dismissal\n\"Certificates must be made in writing over the signature\n\"of the Brother applying for the same.\"\nSections 2, 3 and 4, of Article VII.,. were adopted. I528\nRule 3, of Section i, Code of Procedure, was amended by inserting the words \"ball or paper\" after the word\n\"by\" in second line, and Rule 8, of Section i, was\namended by inserting'the words, \"the vote to be taken\nby ball or paper ballot\" after the word \"resolution\" in\nthe tenth line.\ned\nThe remainder of the Code of Procedure was adopt-\nSections 6 and 7 of Article VII., were adopted.\nArticle VIII., was adopted.\nSection 1, of Article IX., was amended by striking\nout the word unor\" in fifth line and inserting the words\n\" No member of this Lodge shall' in place thereof.\nSection 2, of Article IX., was adopted.\nArticles X., XL, XII. and XIII were adopted.\nIt was on motion Resolved\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Cipher and Key\nadopted by the Sovereign Grand Lodge, Session 1895, ^e\nprinted at the end of the Constitution of Subordinate\nLodges.\nA motion to reconsider Clause 2, Section 2, Article\nIV. was defeated.\nThe Constitution of Rebekah Assembly submitted\nby the Committee was on motion adopted as a whole.\n* The amended Constitution for Rebekah Lodges,\nsubmitted by the Committee was considered seriatem.\nArt. I., II. and III. were adopted.\nClause 4, Art. IV., was amended by the substitution\nof the word \"may\" for the word \"shall.\"\n* The Constitution of Rebekah Lodges forms an appendix to these\nProceedings.\nGrand Secretary. J529\nThe remainder of the Constitution was adopted.\nThe Committee on Judiciary submitted the following\nreport which was adopted.\nTo the Grand L\nitish Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred the following\nquestion from Rep. Bro. Stark, No. 26, beg to report as follows:\nQues.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Can a Subordinate Lodge by resolution discontinue the\npractice of the Warden addressing the chair in retiring to and entering\nfrom the Ante Room in the discharge of his duties ?\nAns.\u00E2\u0080\u0094No officer or member can enter or retire from the Lodge room\nwhen the Lodge is open without the proper sign or signs. In the initiatory degree this does not apply to the outside Conductor when he\nbrings in the candidate to be initiated, nor to the Warden when he conducts the candidate to the ante room by order of the N. G., nor does it\napply to the officers who are allowed by the Degree Ritual to enter or retire without add essing the chairs.\nG. L. CENTER,\nV. HICKS,\nJ. H. MELDRAM,\nW. H. BONUS,\nH. J. RAYMER.\n. J. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3, and Rep. A. H. Ferguson, No. 3, submitted the following question which\nwas referred to the Committee on Judiciary:\nIs a member who is in arrears, but not suspended for\nnon-payment of Dues, entitled to attentive benefits? And\nif so, of what do these attentive benefits consist ?\nThe Special Committee on the cases of Bros. Cunningham, P. G. and Dyas, submitted the following report\nwhich was adopted.\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Special Committee to whom was referred the case of Bros.\nCunningham and Dyas, members of Mission City Lodge, No. 32, now defunct, beg to report that we cannot find that the Sovereign Grand Lodge\nhas provided any legislation applicable to these cases. 1530\nWe cannot recommend this Grand Lodge to take any action in the\npremises, in consequence of the want of legal power, although we think\nthat these members should be secured for nominal benefits in some way\nby the Grand Lodge.\nWe would strongly recommend that our Representatives to the Sovereign Grand Lodge be requested to introduce legislation into that body,\nwhich will fill the requirements of such cases, say by allowing members of\ndefunct Lodges holding Grand Lodge Cards, the privilege of paying dues\nand to receive benefits from the Grand Lodge, as in the case of Subordinate Lodges, these brothers to be termed Odd Fellows at large.\nJ. E. PHILLIPS,\nD. WELSH,\nA. PARKER,\nS. W. EDWARDS.\nMoved by W. E. Johnstone, Grand Marshal, No. 8,\nseconded by Rep. H. J. Raymer, P. G. M., No. 36, and\ncarried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand Secretary be instructed to forward to each Subordinate Lodge in this Jurisdiction, a\ncircular letter giving a synopsis of the report of the Special Committee on Statistics, calling special attention to\nthe cost per member for Benefits and for Lodge expenses\nand urging each Lodge to as far as possible, curtail the.\ncost of management, and to take into consideration\nthe ratio of dues and benefits and see that their Lodge is\non a sound financial basis.\nMoved by Rep., Raymer, P. G. M., No. 36, seconded\nby Rep. Meldram, P. G. M., No. 2, and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That\nour Grand Representatives be and are hereby instructed\nto vote in the Sovereign Grand Lodge against the proposed amendment of Article IX., Section 3, Sovereign\nGrand Lodge Constitution, which proposed Amendment,\nif carried, changes the qualifications of Grand Representatives.\nRep. G. W. Rowland, No. 26, submitted the following\nquestion which was referred to the Committee on Judiciary. i53i\nCan a Lodge use money frOtp its funds to defray expenses of Anniversaries, At Homes or Banquets?\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That our\nGrand Representatives be instructed to vote for the proposed Amendment to the Constitution of the Sovereign\nGrand Lodge permitting persons to be admitted into the\nOrder at Eighteen years of age.\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That our Grand Representatives be instructed to support the proposed amendment to the Constitution of the Sovereign Grand Lodge\nto hold its Sessions bi-ennially\u00E2\u0080\u009E\nMoved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That our Grand Representatives be instructed to vote against the establish-\nment of a Juvenile Degree in connection with the Order.\nThe Committee on Mileage and Per Diem presented\nthe following Report which was adopted : *532\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. O. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Mileage and Per Diem beg to report that we\nhave examined the Certificates presented by the Officers and Representatives in attendance at this Session, and find them entitled to the\namounts stated against their respective names:\nNAMKS.\n#1\no I\no\n*\no\nLocation. j\u00C2\u00AB_ Q\n1\nT2\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\n0>\nOD\n.\u00E2\u0080\u0094^\n*\na\n0>\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\n1>\no\n0>\nbe\nm\nr**\\ntj\nO\ni-H\nH\nOP\nd\nm\n0Q\n0>\n1 |\nfc\nnz3\nI\nj\ns\nM\nOfficers.\nH. B. Gilmour, G. M\nW. H. Morton, D. G.\nA. Henderson, G. W.\nFred'k Davey, G. S..\nJ. R. Webster, G. T..\nJ. E. Phillips, G. Rep\nD.Welsh, W, Rep. .\nS. W. Edwards, G. Chap\nW. E. Johnstone, G. Mar.\nA. Wilson, G. Con\t\nRepresentatives.\nW. H. Huxtable..\t\nR. Roberts\t\nR. L. Allen\t\nJ. H. Meldram, P. G. M\nT. A. Muir\t\nJ. H Hughes\t\nW. Walker\t\nG. E. Norris\t\nD. G. Dailey\t\nA. H. Gillanders\t\nT. F. Neelands\t\nJ. A. McKay.,\t\nE. C. Davison\t\nW.Hogg\t\nA. Parker\t\nD. O'Dwyer\t\nW. H. Bonus\t\nJ. Campbell \t\nW. H. Handley\t\nT. R. Patterson\t\nJ. C. McLay\t\nF. B. Jacques.:\t\nV. Hicks\t\nJ. Newton\t\nF. S. Whiteside\t\nW. B. Skinner\t\nP. Wade\t\n10 Vancouver\n5 Nanaimo. .\n2 Victoria...\n1 do\nI 2 Vancouver...\n| 4 Victoria\n113 New West'r.\n14 Victoria\t\n8i Vancouver...\n20 Nanaimo....\n1 Victoria..\n1 do\n2 do\n2 do\n3 New West'r\n3 do\n4 Victoria...\n5 Nanaimo..\n5 do\n7Chilliwack\n8IVancouver\n8| do\n9|Kamloops.\n10 Vancouver\ndo\ndo ...\nDonald....\nNew West'i\nVictoria...\nCloverdale.\nDuncan...\nVernon ...\nMt Pleasant\nNanaimo.\ndo\nLadners..\nNorth Bend\n10\n10\nv>\nti\n14\n15\n17\nIH\n19\n20\n20\n21\n22\n3\n31\n%\n3\n3\n3\n3|\n8\n3\n31\n3\n3\n3\nO\n$6 00 251\n6 00J287\n6 00'335\n6 00 385\n6 .00 251\n0 00 335\n6 00 242\n5 00 335\n6 00 251\n6 001287\n6 0<> 885\n6 001335\n6 00 335\n6 00 335\n6 00 242\n6 00J242\n6 00 335\n6 00 287\n6 00 287\n6 00 196\n6 00 251\n6 00 251\n6 00 ...\n3, 6 00\n00\n00\n6 00\n00\nO'i\n00\n251\n251\n251\n2071\n212\n335\n256!\n320j\n130\n251\n287\n287\n256\n6 00 122!\n6 OQ\n6 00\n6 00\n6 0\u00C2\u00ABi\n6 00\n6 00\n12\n14\n16\n16\n12\n16\n12\n16\n12\n14\n16\n16\n16\n16\n12\n12\n16\n14\n14\n9\n12\n12\n12\n12\n12\n10\n12\n16\n12\n16\n6\n12\n14\n14\n12\n6\noo I\n35\n75\n75\n55|\n*75j\n10\n75\n551\n351\n75\n75\n75\n75\n10\n10\n75\n35\n35\n80\n55\n.551\n55\n55\n55\n35\n10|\ng\n80\n00\n50\n55\n35\n35\n80\n10\nTotal\n$18 55\n20 35\n22 75\n22 75\n18\n18\n22\n22\n22\n22\n18\n18\n22\n20\n20\noo\np\n10\n22 75\n18 55\n20 35\n75\n75\n75\n75\n10\n10\n75\n35\n35\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2>o\n55\n55\n35\n15 80\n18 55\n18 55\n6 00\n18\n18\n!8\n16\n18 10\n22 75\n18 80\n22 00\n12 50\n18 55\n20 35\n20 35\n18 80\n12 10 x533\nNAME.\nShaw\t\nW. Shay\t\nStark\t\nR. Gordon\t\n*L. Center\t\nW. Rowland. .\nH. Ferguson ..\n| H. Lewis\t\nL. Kijpatrick..\nA. Farwell, M.\nDunlop\t\n| J. Hanna\t\n, R Mackintosh\nMcMillan\t\nA. Warren\t\nWoobank\t\nJ. Raymer\t\nB. Nelson\t\nD.\nLocation.\nHi\n,\". 2_ii_\n28\n30\nAshcroft....\nEburne ....\nVancouver..\ndo\ndo\ndo\nNew West'r\ndo\ndo\nAgassiz ..\nNanaimo\nVictoria.\ndo\ndo\nGolden.\nNanaimo,\nRossland\nCarson Citv\nT3\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\nCP\no>\n,\n*\u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00E2\u0080\u00A2M\n0\na\nm\n|\nV\n>\nc3\nH\nCP\nbe\ncp\nI\ni\n%\u00C2\u00A3\n6\nCD\n.1\u00E2\u0080\u0094c\ni\n2\n8\n6 00\n6 00\n6 00\n4 00\n6 00\n6 001251\n6 00 242\n6 00J242\n6 00.242\n6 00 \u00C2\u00B180\n6 00 287\n6 00335\n6 00 335\n6 00 335\n6 00 224\n6 00 292\n6 00 325\n6 001315\nTotal.\nTotal\n$328 00\n15 75\ni 8 35\n18 90\n18 55\n16 55\n18 55\n18 55\n18 10\n15 00\n20 35\n20 60\n22 25\n21 75\n$722 45\n$1050 45\nA. A. FARWELL,\nR. L. ALLEN,\nW. SHAW,\nP. WADE,\nW. B. SKINNER The Committee on Finance, submitted the following\nReport:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I.^O .0. F.;\nYour Finance Committee beg to Report that we have examined the\nbooks, vouchers, etc., of the Grand Secretary anci Grand Treasurer and\nfind them correct and well kept.\nThe following is an estimate of the Revenue and Expenditure for\nthe coming year.\nREVENUE.\nCash balance in Grand Treasurer's hands June 5th, 1897 $1999 66\nPer Capita Tax, 2830 at 90 cents per member, 45 cents on 30th\nJune, aud 45 cents on Slst December 2547 00\n$4546 66\nEXPENDITURE.\nGrand Secretary's Salary $ 600 00\nGrand Master's expenses 100 00\nSovereign Grand Lodge Representative Tax 150 00\nRent of Grand Secretary's office l60.00\nPrinting ' 300 00\nPremium on Bonds 25 00\nPostage Grand Secretary 30 00\nPostage Grand Master 15 00\nCaretaker, Grand Secretary's office 20 00\nCard in B. C. Odd Fellow , 10 00\nExtra expenses Grand Master, past term 24 50\nTypewriting Grand Master's address 8 00\nJanitor and light, present Session. 7 50\nMileage and Per Diem this Session 1052 45\nAccount of B. C. Odd Fellow against Perseverance\nLodge, No. 29 - 3 00\n$2443 45\nBalance $2103 21\nIn consideration of the extra expense incurred by Officers and Representatives of this Grand Lodge in attending this Session, we would\nrespectfully recommend that a donation of 2% cents per mile be made\nto all Officers and Representatives in attendance which would still leave\na balance in the Grand Treasurer's hands of over $560.00.\nS. W. EDWARDS,\nF. S. WHITESIDE,\nW. R. MACKINTOSH,\nCHAS. A. WARREN,\nA. H. FERGUSON. I535\nIt was moved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Report be received and adopted.\nMoved and seconded as an amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That that\nportion of the Report referring to a donation to the Officers and Representatives in attendance at this Session be\nstruck out.\nThe amendment on being submitted to the vote was\ndeclared lost and the original motion carried.\nThe Committee on Finance submitted the following\nReport which was adopted:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Finance to whom was referred certain portions\nof the Report of the Grand Secretary, beg to report as follows:\nWe recommend that the Bill of the B. C. Odd Fellow, of $3.00\nagainst \" Perseverance\" Lodge, No. 29, now defunct, be paid from the\nsum received from the sale of furniture of Mission City Lodge, No. 32,\nalso defunct.\nWe also recommend that new Digests be not supplied to D.D.G.M's.,\nas they have the privilege of consulting the Digest in any Lodge in their\nDistrict.\nWe also recommend that Five cents per member per year be deducted from amount realized from Per Capita tax and placed to the\ncredit of the Odd Fellow's Home Fund.\nThe action of \" Vancouver\" Lodge, No. 8, in generously donating\n$5.50 to the \"Home\" Fund is worthy of commendation and is an example that we hope will be followed by other Lodges.\nThe Financial Statement at pages 6 to II we find correct and corresponds with the books.\nS. W. EDWARDS,\nW. R. MACKINTOSH,\nF. S. WHITESIDE,\nCHAS. A. WARREN,\nA H. FERGUSON.\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That this Grand Lodge\ndo now adjourn to 2 o'clock this afternoon.\nThe Grand Lodge adjourned accordingly. AFTERNOON SESSION\nThe Grand Lodge re-assembled at 2.30 p. m., the\nGrand Officers and a quorum of Representatives being\npresent. The members present were examined, reported\nqualified, and the Grand Lodge was declared open for business.\nThe Roll of Officers and Representatives was called.\nA communication was read from the Odd Fellow's\nRelief Association of Canada asking for a certificate to enable it to do business in this Jurisdiction.\nIt was moved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the communication be received and filed.\nIt was moved and seconded as an amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That\nthe communication be received and the request granted.\nIt was moved and seconded as an amendment to the\namendment.\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the communication be received, and\nlaid on the table for one year.\nThe amendment to the amendment was declared carried on being submitted to a vote.\nThe Committee on Judiciary submitted the following\nReport:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. O. F :\nYour Committee on Judiciary to whom was referred the question\nsubmitted by J. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3, and Rep. A. H. Ferguson,\nviz: Is a member who is in arrears but not suspended for non-payment\nof dues entitled to attentive benefits, and if so of what do these attentive benefits consist ?\nBeg leave to report:\u00E2\u0080\u0094The Brother is entitled to attentive benefits,\nwhich benefits consist of attention by visitation by the members of the l537\nVisiting Committee of his Lodge and any special pecuniary relief as\nmay be provided by the By-laws of the Lodge.\nG. L. CENTER,\nV. HICKS.\nW. H. BONUS,\nJ. H. MELDRAM,\nH. J. RAYMER.\nMoved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the report be received\nand adopted.\nMoved and seconded as au amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nReport be referred back to the Committee for amendment.\nOn the vote being taken the amendment was' declared lost and the original motion carried.\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the action of the\nGrand Lodge by which the Report of the Committee on\nFinance dealing with the remuneration to be paid for attendance at this Session was adopted this morning be reconsidered.\nIt was moved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the report be\namended by striking out the word {l Donation n and inserting the words u Additional allowance n in lieu thereof.\nThe Grand Master ruled the motion out of order, being contrary to the By-laws of the Grand Lodge.\nIt was moved and seconded,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Report of the\nCommittee on Finance be adopted.\nMoved and seconded as an amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That that\nportion of the report referring to a donation to the Officers\nand Representatives attending this Session be struck out\nand the Report adopted as amended.\nThe vote was taken on the amendment and it was\ndeclared carried, 21 votes being cast for and 14 against it.\nThe Ayes and Nays were called for on this question,\nby the requisite number of Representatives. 1538. . I\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand Master\nbe authorized to excuse any Officer or Representative who\ndoes not wish to vote on this question.\nThe Ayes and Nays were then taken as follows:\nAyes:\u00E2\u0080\u0094Gilmour, Henderson, Davey, Webster, Johnstone, Norris, Muir, Hughes, Walker, Dailey, Gillanders,\nNeelands, McKay, Hogg, Bonus, Patterson, Jacques, Skinner, Shaw, Center, Kilpatrick, Warren, Raymer.\u00E2\u0080\u009423.\nNays.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Phillips, No. 4, Welsh, Meldram, Parker,\nO'Dwyer, Campbell, Handley, McLay, Hicks, Rowland,\nLewis.\u00E2\u0080\u009411.\nThe Committee on Judiciary submitted the following\nReport which was adopted:\nTo the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, I. 0. 0. F.:\nYour Committee on Judiciary to whom the following question frona\nRep. Rowlands was referred, beg to report as follows:\nQuestion.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Can a Lodge use money from its funds in defraying expenses for anniversaries, at homes, or banquets ?\nAnswer.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Lodge can use its funds for procuring music or speakers\nfor the celebration of the anniversary of Odd Fellowship in America, but\nfor no other purpose except the Lodge has a provision in its By-Laws\nfor a contingent fund which may be used for any legitimate objects of\nthe Order by resolution of the Lodge.\nG. L. CENTER,\nV. HICKS,\nW. H. BONUS,\nH. J. RAYMER,\nJ. H. MELDRAM.\nThe following resolution was offered and adopted :\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nThat a refund of Eighteen Dollars be made to ? 'Carson'\nLodge, No. 37, on account of Per Capita Tax.\nIt was moved aud seconded\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the next Annual\nSession of this Grand Lodge be held at New Westminster. 1539\nIt was moved and seconded as an amendment,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That\nthe words \"New Westminster\" be struct out and the word\n\"Rossland\" inserted. -\nMoved and seconded as an amendment to the amendment.\u00E2\u0080\u0094That \"New Westminster\" be struck out and\n< <\nWellington\" inserted.\nA majority of votes appearing for f New Westminster\" it was declared selected as the place of meeting of\nthe next Annual Session.\nResolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the Grand Lodge do now adjourn to\nseven o'clock this evening.\nThe Grand Lodge adjourned accordingly.\nEVENING SESSION\nThe Grand Lodge re-assembled at 7.30 P. M. : The\nGrand Lodge Officers and a quorum of Representatives\nbeing present.\nAfter the examination of all present the Grand Lodge\nwas declared open for business.\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the calling of the\nRoll be dispensed with.\nThe minutes of this morning's Session were read and\nadopted.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nthanks of this Grand Lodge are due and are hereby ent- *54\u00C2\u00B0\ndered to \"Tatnai\" Lodge, No. 9, for the use of the Hall,\netc., for this Session of the Grand Lodge.\nThe Grand Lodge was closed in the Grand Lodge\nDegree and opened in the Third Degree.\nThe Third Degree Members in waiting having been\nadmitted the Installation of the Officers for the ensuing\nyear was proceeded with, the Grand Master appointing\nR. Roberts, P. G. M., and J. H. Meldram, P. G. M., to\npresent the Officers elect.\nW. H. Morton, No. 5, was presented, obligated and\nduly installed as Grand Master for the ensuing year.\nThe Grand Master then installed the following Officers el\u00C2\u00A3ct.\nA. Henderson, No. 2, as Deputy Grand Master.\nE. C. Davison, | 9, as Grand Warden,\nFred'k Davey, \" 1, as Grand Secretary.\nS. W. Edwards, \" 14. as Grand Treasurer.\nThe Grand Master made the following appointments\nwho were duly installed in their respective Chairs, with\nthe exception of Bro. D. D. Griffiths who was not present.\nA. H. Gillanders, No. 7 Grand Chaplain.\nA. Wilson, \" 20 Marshal.\nW. Hogg, '\ 10 Guardian.\nD. D. Griffiths, \" 31 Conductor.\nW. B. Skinner, | 21 Herald,\nThe Grand Master then appointed the following as\nhis District Deputies for the ensuing year :\nW. Walker, No. 4, District No. 1, for Lodges Nos. 1, 2, 4,14 and 33.\nH. Gilley, No. 13, District No. 2, for Lodges Nos. 3, 13 and 27.\nA. Dunlop, No. 30, District No. 3, for Lodges Nos. 5, 20, 30 and 35.\nD. J. Mclnnes, No. 6, District No. 4, for Lodges Nos. 6 and 29.\nGeorge Marshall* No. 7, District No. 5, for Lodge No. 7, <>.\n6.\n154*\nW. E. Johnstone, No. 8, District No. 6, for Lodges Nos. 8,10, 19 and\nG. Loney, No. 9, District No. 7, for Lodge No. 9.\nJ. A. Pritchard, No. 11, District No. 8, for Lodge No. 11.\nJ. Harte, District No. 9, for Lodge No. 12.\nT. R. Patterson, No. 15, District No. 10, for Lodge No. 15.\nP. B. C. Turner, No. 16, District No. 11, for Lodge No. 16.\nJ. C. McLay, No. 17, District No. 12, for Lodge No. 17.\nS. T. Elliott, No. 18, District No. 13, for Lodge No. 18.\nH. Kinsman, No. 21, District No. 14, for Lodge No. 21.\nP. Wade, No. 22, District No. 15, for Lodge No. 22.\nJ. Burr, No. 23, District No. 16, for Lodge No. 23.\nG. W. Shay, No. 24, District No. 17, for Lodge No. 24.\nB. Vance, No, 28, District No. 18, for Lodge No. 28.\nF. Mesley, No. 25, District No. 19, for Lodge No. 25.\nG. H. Parsons, No. 34, District No. 20, for Lodge No. 34.\nJ. Kirkup, No. 36, Distrtct No. 21, for Lodge No, 36.\nE. Spragget, No. 37, District No. 22, for Lodge No. 37.\nJ. H. Hallett, No. 38, District No. 23, for Lodge No. 38.\nDISTRICT DEPUTIES\u00E2\u0080\u0094REBEKAH LODGES.\nSister Mrs. Riddell, No. 1, District No. 1, for Lodge No. 1.\nSister Mrs. J. W. Armstrong, District No. 2, for Lodges Nos. 2 and 7.\nSister Miss L. F. Non is, District No. 3, for Lodge 3.\nSister Mi's. Ouickshank, Blstrict No. 4, for Lodge No. 4.\nSister Mrs. V. J, Holmes, District No. 5, for Lodges Nos. 5, 6 and 10.\nSister Mrs. Skinner, District No. 6, for Lodge No. 9.\nSister Mrs. Morgan, District No. 7, for Lodge No. 10.\nSister Mrs. Ennis, District No. 8, for Lodge No. 11.\nSTANI&i-IG COMMITTEES.\nFinance.\u00E2\u0080\u0094T. Bamford, No. 4 ; W. R. Mackintosh, No. 33 ; W. H.\nHandley, No. 14 ; F. S. Whiteside, No. 20 ; A. H. Ferguson, No. 3.\nAppeals.\u00E2\u0080\u0094H. B. Gilmour, P. G. M., No. 10; J. A. McKay, No 8 ; A.\nMcKenzie, No. 26; T. A. Muir, No. 3; 3.Z. Choate, No. 22. 1542\nLaws of Subordinates.\u00E2\u0080\u0094J. Crossen, No. 5; G. W. Rowland, No.\n26; A. McGregor, No. 5; H. L. Bates, No. 35; T. F. Haggert, No. 6.\nPetitions.\u00E2\u0080\u0094S. Clarke, No. 9; J. W. Burr, No. 23; H. Baxter, No. 28;\nJ. Jackson, No. 36; John M. Leod, No. 12.\nState of the Order.\u00E2\u0080\u0094J. H. Meldram; P. G. M., No. 2; G. L. Center, No. 26; W. H. Gardiner, No. 27; W. J. Hanna, No. 33; R. Rivers,\nNo. 5.\nLegislation.\u00E2\u0080\u0094J. E. Phillips, P. G. M., No. 3; G. E. Norris, No. 5;\nD. D. Griffiths, No. 31; L. Mounce, No, 11; W. H. Bouus, No. 12\nJudiciary.\u00E2\u0080\u0094R. Roberts, P. G. M., No. 1; J. Stark. No. 26; D.\nO'Dwyer, No. 10; J. F. Stainton, No. 21; A. H. Gillanders, No. 7.\nMileage and Per Diem.\u00E2\u0080\u0094C. H. Mowatt, No. 10; G. Woobank, No.\n35; W. E. Holmes, P. G. M., No. 1; John Newton, No. 20: D. R. McDonald, No. 11.\nPrinting.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Grand Secretary; J. H. Hughes, No. 3;G . Glover, No.\n4; W. M. C. Girr, No. 20: F. Cockburn, No. 25.\nStatistics re Dues & Benefits.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Grand Secretary; W. E. Johnstone, No. 8: E. Quennell, P. G. M., No. 5.\nD. Welsh, Grand Representative, exemplified the\nSecret Work of the Initiatory and Three Degrees of the\nOrder in a very acceptable manner.\nThe Third Degree members having retired, the\nGrand Lodge was closed in the Third Degree and re-opened in the Grand Lodge Degree.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nappointments of the Grand Master be confiimed.\nIt was moved, seconded and carried,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That the\nthanks of this Grand Lodge be tendered to the retiring\nGrand Lodge officers for the able mariner in which they\nhave conducted the business of the Grand Lodge during;\nthe past year.\nThe minutes of this Evening's Session were read and\non motion adopted. *543\nIt was on motion Resolved,\u00E2\u0080\u0094That this Grand Lodge\ndo now adjourn sine die.\nThe Grand Lodge was declared closed accordingly.\nFRED'K DAVEY,\nGrand Secretary.\nm\nOF TH\n\l //\nRITISpfcbLUMBIA\n0\nft\nw\n*K\nJ/\n..s^is-j\nm\nmr\n7f&l\nM\n$*k Appendix. *547\nREPORTS OF DISTRICT DEPUTIES GRAND MASTERS,\nVictoria, B. C, May 3lst, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand. Master, J.O.O.F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094With pleasure I submit to you the report\nof my term of office as D. D. G. M., for district No 1, comprising the\nfive Lodges in the City of Victoria, all of which I am pleased to state are\nprogressing favorably. The officers are competent, and well versed in\nthe work, and notwithstanding the ha/d times and general depression\nin trade, conditions which seriously affect. Lodge growth, our Lodges\nwork harmoniously, keep pushing ahead and are quite hopeful for the\nfuture.\nAt the installations, ten in all, during my term of office, I was very\nkindly assisted by the Past Grands, the Past Grand Masters, and the\nresident officers of the Grand Lodge, for which I tender my sincerest\nthanks.\nMy duties for the year just passed have been very pleasant indeed.\nThe questions submitted during the term, together with my answers\nthereon are hereto annexed.\nI remain yours,\nVery fraternally,\nW. j.'hanna,\nD.D.G.M., District No. 1.\nVictoria, August 18th, 1896.\nW. J. Hanna, Esq., D. D. G. M., District No. 1, B. C, J. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094The undersigned, a member of Acme\nLodge, No. 14, I. 0. O. F., respectfully appeals to you from the action\nof the above named Lodge, namely: At a regular meeting of said\nLodge held on the 17th inst., it was moved by P. G. Handley, and seconded by Bro. Sinclair, that we do now adjourn, whereupon the Noble\nGrand refused to put the motion, declaring the same to be out of order.\nThe undersigned then appealed from the decision of the chair and the\nquestion, ( shall the chair be sustained H being put resulted in atie vote.\nThe Noble Grand then gave a casting vote and declared the chair sustained. I therefore appeal from such decision believing a motion to adjourn in order. Rule of order No. 24, of Acme Lodge, reads thus: A 1548\nmotion to close or adjourn is always in order after the regular business\nis concluded, which motion shall be decided without debate. The business of the Lodge had been concluded up to Good of the Order.\nPlease inform me whether rule of order No. 24, is constitutional.\nI remain,\nYours fraternally,\nS. W. EDWARDS.\nVictoria, B. C, September 4th, 1896.\nS. W. Edwards, Esq.,\nDear Sir and Brotbbr,\u00E2\u0080\u0094Replying to your appeal of August 18th,\nre the action of the Noble Grand and certain members of Acme Lodge,\nNo. 14, L O. O. F., at their meeting held on the 17tli inst., must say that\nthe Noble Grand was in error and did violate the rules of order of Acme\nLodge if he refused to put a motion to adjourn after the business of the\nevening had been concluded, as such a motion should be put immediately and without debate. Also when the motion was put, \" Shall the\nchair be sustained,\" the Noble Grand was in error in voting, as he\nshould have remained silent on a question in which he was immediately\ninterested, allowing the Vice Grand to put the motion, also those members who voted to sustain the chair were in error, as it was a violation\nof the rules of order of Acme Lodge, they having defined a two-third\nvote necessary to make any temporary departure. Rule No, 24, of Acme\nLodge, although not unconstitutional, yet being worded imprudently,\nis liable to lead one to err who is unacquainted with parliamentary law.\nYours fraternally,\nW. J. HANNA, D. D. G. M.\nOn November 2nd, 1896, I received from A. Sherret, Past Grand of\nAcme Lodge, No. 14, a number of questions which I submit with my answers thereto as following:\nVictoria, R. C, November 9th, 1896.\nA. Sherret, Esq.,\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094To your questions of the 2nd inst., allow\nme to reply as follows:\n1st. A Brother having been elected to act on a trial committee and\nafter first meeting of said committee asks the Noble Grand verbally to\nbe allowred to withdraw from acting on the same. Has the Noble Grand\npower to grant such request without having another Brother appointed\nto the retiring Brother's place. J549\nAnswer.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Brother wishing to withdraw from a committee after\nbeing elected by his Lodge to that position must first tender his resignation to the Lodge and if they accept it they must immediately elect\nanother to fill the vacancy. The Noble Grand has neither power to appoint to, nor release from, in the matter.\n2nd. Is it constitutional for the Noble Grand to preside at a regular meeting of the Lodge when the evidence and findings of a trial committee are being read and discussed, the Noble Grand being the accuser?\nAnswer.\u00E2\u0080\u0094I would prefer seeing the Junior Past Grand preside at\nsuch a time.\n3rd.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Has the Noble Grand the power to place a motion before the\nLodge to expel an accused Brother, the Noble Grand himself being the\naccuser ?\nAnswer.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Your By-laws state that the Noble Grand shall preside at\nall meetings, but your charge book allows the right supporter of the\nNoble Grand to officiate during a temporary absence, so that the Noble\nGrand if he wishes to vacate the chair for a time when any personal\nmatter is being discussed is at liberty to do so.\n4th.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Has the Noble Grand power to ballot and use his casting vote\nif need be on a motion to expel a Brother for conduct unbecoming an\nOdd Fellow, he himself being the accuser ?\nAnswer.\u00E2\u0080\u0094To elect or expel by ballot, the Noble Grand has the\nprivilege of voting with the other members, but no power to give a casting vote, and the ballot being secret, leaves it impossible for a Brother\nto say how another Brother voted.\n5th.\u00E2\u0080\u0094Has the Noble Grand power to declare from the chair that\nthese only two courses of procedure in trying a Brother for conduct unbecoming an Odd Fellow, namely, to dismiss the charge or expel the\nmember ?\nAnswer.\u00E2\u0080\u0094A Noble Grand would mislead by making such a declaration as there might be many modes of punishment.\nMay 28th, 1897, at the request of Peerless Lodge, No. 33, I granted\na dispensation to elect a Third Degree member to the office of Noble\nGrand.\nFraternally,\nW. J. HANNA, D. D. G. M,\nNew Westminster, B. C, June 3rd, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master G. L. of B. C, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother, - As your Deputy for District No. 2, I have\nthe honor to submit the following Report: 155\u00C2\u00B0\nI am pleased to state that peace and harmony prevail among the\nLodges of this District and that I have not been called upon to decide\nany very knotty questions, n\u00C2\u00A9r to adjust any of those little difficulties,\nwhich sometimes arise, and although I am not allowed the pleasure of\nreporting a large increase to the membership, still when we take all\nthings under consideration I think the Lodges here are to be congratulated on the manner in which they have held their own and with the\nprospects of better times in the near future we think that this District\nwill soon give a good account of itself.\nMy official acts were confined almost entirely to the pleasant task\nof installing officers. They were as follows:\nJuly 6th, 1896, installed the officers of Amity Lodge, No. 27.\nJuly 9th, 1896, installed the officers of Royal City Lodge, No. 13.\nJuly 10th, 1896, installed the officers of New Westminster Lodge,\nNo. 3.\nJanuary 11th, 1897, installed the officers of Amity Lodge, No. 27.\nJanuary 14th, 1897, installed the officers of Royal City Lodge, No. 13.\nJanuary 15th, 1897, installed theofficersof New Westminster Lodge,\nNo. 3.\nNew Westminster Lodge, No. 3. submitted the following question to\nme:\n\"Is a sick Brother who is in arrears but not suspended for non-payment of dues entitled to have a nurse provided by the Lodge ?\"\nAnswered in the affirmative. See Article XLIX., White's Digest,\n1889.\nTo those Brothers who so kindly assisted me at the installations, I\nextend my sincere thanks, more especially are my thanks due to G. R.,\nBro. D. Welsh, for the able manner in which he performed the arduous\nduties of Grand Marshal. Installations in the \"Royal City v without\n44 Grandpa \" Welsh as Grand Marshal would be tame affairs.\nThe Brethren here regret very much the departure from our midst\nof Bro. the R^v. J. H. Best, who has gone to Rossland. Bro.-Best has\nalways taken a lively interest in Oddfellowship, and his services will be\ngreatly missed, more especially at the Anniversary Services. The Brothers of Rossland are to be congratulated on having among them a Brother who is so well versed and who can so ably expound the principles\nof our Order.\nThanking you for the honor conferred upon me in appointing me\nyour District Deputy,\nI remain,\nYours fraternally,\nT. A. MUIR,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 2. Nanaimo, B. C, June 3rd, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to furnish you with the\nfollowing Report of my official acts as your Deputy during the past year.\nJuly 8th, 1896, installed the officers of Black Diamond Lodge, No. 5.\nJuly 6th, 1896, installed the officers of Centennial Lodge, No. 20.\nJuly 11, 1896, installed the officers of Cedar Lodge, No. 35.\nAugust 14th, 1896, installed the officers of Friendship Lodge, No. 30.\nJanuary 2nd, 1897, installed the officers of Black Diamond Lodge,\nNo. 5.\nJanuary 9th, 1897, installed the officers of Cedar Lodge, No. 35.\nJanuary 11th, 1897, installed the officers of Centennial Lodge,\nNo. 20.\nJanuary 22, 1897, installed the officers of Friendship Lodge, No. 30.\nI am pleased to state that the Lodges in this District are in a prosperous condition considering the state of the surroundings.\nYours fraternally,\nGEO. E. NORRIS,\nD. D. G. M., District No. S.\nWellington, B. C.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master G. L. of B. C, I. 0. 0. F:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have much pleasure in submitting the\nfollowing Report of my official acts during my term of office.\nJuly 6th, 1896, installed the officers of Harmony Lodge, No. 6.\nJuly 8th, 1896, installed the officers of Banner Lodge, No. 31, with\nexception of V. G., being absent from town.\nJuly 15th, 1896, installed the officers of Perseverance Lodge, No. 29,\nwith exception of N. G., being absent from town.\nAugust 12th, 1896, installed V. G. of Banner Lodge, No. 31.\nSeptember 1st, 1896, installed N. G. of Perseverance Lodge, No. 29.\nSeptember 30th, 1896, installed Treasurer of Banner Lodge, No. 31,\nthat office having become vacant by resignation. 1552\nI now send you my resignation as D. D. G. M. of District No. 4, the\nreason is, I had to find employment elsewhere.\nI thank you for appointing me D. D. G. M., and am sorry I could\nnot stay to finish my term.\nI remain,\nYours in F. L. & T.,\nH. W. JONES,\nChilliwack, B. 0., May 31st, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0'. 0. F.:\nI herewith forward you a Report of my official acts as District Deputy for District No. 5:\nI installed the officers of Excelsior Lodge, No. 7, at the beginning\nof each term.\nThe Rebekah Lodge has not met during the year.\nExcelsior Lodge's membership has decreased owing to the suspensions for non-payment of dues.\nFinancially we are in good standing and with the upward tendency\nof things in general we expect a prosperous year.\nI am, fraternally yours,\nA H. GILLANDERS, j\nD. D. G. M.\nVancouver, B. C, June 7th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F., Vancouver, B. C.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094As your D. D. G. M. for District No. 6,\ncomprising Lodges 8, 10, 19 and 26, I beg to submit for your approbation, a statement of my official acts during my term of office.\nJuly 3rd, 1896, granted a dispensation to Mount Pleasant Lodge,\nNo. 19. to elect a Third Degree member to the office of Noble Grand, as\nall those eligible for the office declined nomination.\nJuly 3rd, 1896, assisted by several Past Grands, installed the Officers of Vancouver Lodge, No. 8.\nSeptember 18th, 1896, I visited Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 19, for\nthe purpose of installing into office their newly elected Vice-Grand in\nplace of Bro. R. H. Carscadden who resigned owing to his having to\nleave this Jurisdiction. A. Mackenzie, D. D. G. M., Vancouver. B. C:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have been instructed to write you and\nask for your interpretation of Article XX., Section 4, of our By-laws including the following sentence: \"If no funeral expenses are incurred\nby the death of a brother, wife, or widow, no appropriation shall be\nmade from the Funds of this Lodge.\nIn response to the above I sent the following reply:\nVancouver, B. C, 12th Nov.\nMr. J. D. McTaggart, Rec. Secretary Western Star Lodge, No. 10.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094Your communication of October 29th,\nunder the Seal of your Lodge, came duly to hand.\nYou ask me for my interpretation of Section 4, Article XX., of the\nBy-laws of your Lodge, particularly the following sentence. \"If no\nFuneral expenses are incurred by the death of a brother, wife or Widow\nno appropriation shall be made from the funds of this Lodge.\"\nI regret that the instructions you convey are so indefinite as to force\nme to reasonably think that the Lodge should have instructed you to\ntell me what was its own interpretation of this particular Section of its\nBy-laws\u00E2\u0080\u0094the Lodge is the interpreter of its own By-laws, leaving the\nright of appeal to any one of its members.\nHowever, I take it for granted that you leave all contention aside\nand ask me to give my decision as to what is meant by the sentence\nabove referred to. In order to explain it is necessary for me to refer to\nthe first clause of Section 4, Article XX., which reads. \"On the death\nof a brother entitled to benefits a sum not exceeding $60.00 shall be appropriated and paid by the Noble Grand towards defraying his funeral\nexpenses.\"\nYou will observe that this appropriation is made by the Lodge \"towards defraying the funeral expenses,\" but \" if no funeral expenses are\nincurred by the death of a brother, wife or widow, no appropriation\nshall be made from the funds of the Lodge.' *554\n'* What does this mean ?\" you ask me. #1 construe it to mean this.\nWhen a Brother has been buried by some one, other than an immediate relative, by an Employer, Society, Corporation or Institution, etc.,\nand assume the expense of the funeral (as per Undertaker's bill) no appropriation shall be made from the funds of the Lodge. Allow me to\nillustrate. Brother A was killed in an accident while in the discharge\nof his usual occupation; his employers paid the undertaker for the funeral expenses. In this case his relatives incurred no funeral expenses,\nand to make an appropriation from the funds of the Lodge in connection with such a case wrould be a violation of the By-laws of the Lodge\nas per Section 4, Article XX.\nIn support of this I beg to refer you to Sections 99 and 100, White's\nDigest, 1889.\nI am, dear Sir and Brother,\nYours fraternally,\nALEX'R. MACKENZIE,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 6.\nJanuary 8th, 1887, assisted by several Past Grands, I installed the\nOfficers of Mount Pleasant Lodge, No. 19.\nJanuary 11th, I installed the officers of Pacific Lodge, No. 26.\nJanuary 14th, I visited Western Star Lodge, No. 10, and installed\nthe officers.\nOn March 26th, I received the following letter from Pacific Lodge,\nNo. 26.\nVancouver, March 26th, 1897.\nMr. A. Mackenzie, D. D. G. M.< Vancouver:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have been instructed by our Lodge to\nask you whether or not it is within the jurisdiction of Subordinate\nLodges to excuse the Warden from saluting the Chairs when passing\nfrom the Lodge room to the ante room on errands for the Lodge.\nYours in F. L. & T.,\nT. S. BROWN,\nRec.-Secretary.\nTo this communication.I replied as follows:\nVancouver, April 12th, 1897.\nMr. T. S. Brown, Rec.-Secretary, Pacific Lodge, No. 26:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I duly received your letter of March 25th,\nunder Seal of your Lodge asking me, \" whether or not it is within the T555\njurisdiction of Subordinate Lodges to excuse the Warden from saluting\nthe Chairs when passing from the Lodge room to the ante room on errands for the Lodge.\"\nIn reply I have to say that a Subordinate Lodge cannot by resolution or otherwise add to, or deduct from the ancient usages of the Order.\nI therefore decide that no officer, including the Warden, is permitted to\nenter, or retire from the Lodge room without addressing the Chairs except where this is specially permitted\u00E2\u0080\u0094in the Initiatory Degree, for instance, where the Warden retires to the ante room with the Candidate.\nI am also guided to this conclusion by Section 1483, White's Digest,\n1895.\nYours fraternally,\nALEX'R. MACKENZIE,\nD, D. G. M., District No. 6.\nOn May 30th, 1897, I received the following letter from Western\nStar Lodge, No. 10.\nVancouver, B. C, May 28th, 1897.\nMr. Alex'r. Mackenzie, D. D. G. M., District No. 6:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I am instructed to write and ask you if it\nwould be against the laws of the Order, or is there anything in the Constitution to prevent Subordinate Lodges from taking part in Public Processions. For instance, we have an invitation from the Sons of England\nBenevolent Society to attend a commemorative service. What our\nLodge would like to know is, would they violate any of the laws of the\nOrder by accepting the invitation. Please answer at your earliest convenience, and oblige.\nYours fraternally,\nJ. D. McTAGGART,\nRec.-Secretary.\nIn reply to the above I wrote as follows:\nVancouver, June 7th, 1897.\nMr. J. D. McTaggart, Rec.-Secretary, Western Star Lodge, No. 10:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094Your letter of May 28th, came duly to\nhand. I regret that pressure of work prevented me answering it before\nnow.\nYou ask me if there is anything in the laws of the Order to prevent\nyour Lodge \" taking part in a Public Procession,\" for instance, as you\nstate, \"accepting an invitation from the Sons of England jBenevolent\nSociety to attend a commemorative service.\" \u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00E2\u0096\u00A0$.\u00E2\u0096\u00A0 *556\nThere is nothing, to my knowledge, in the laws of the Order bearing on this question, the general law allows the Grand Master to use\nhis discretion, and before your Lodge can participate in the services, a\ndispensation must be secured from the Grand Master.\nYours fraternally,-\nALEX'R. MACKENZIE,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 6.\nI am pleased to report that the Lodges of this District are in a fairly\nprosperous condition.\nMount Pleasant Lodge, No. 19, although fighting against adverse\ncircumstances, is holding its own, which is certainly a credit to those\nwho so faithfully and perseveringly attend its meetings.\nVancouver Lodge, No. 8, is working along energetically and is in a\nsound condition, both numerically and financially.\nWestern Star Lodge, No. 10, has made decided progress during the\npast year\u00E2\u0080\u0094having initiated quite a number of Candidates.\nPacific Lodge, No. 26, has not been as prosperous as we could have\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2wished, the initiations have been few, and the membership has slightly\ndeclined. During the past year a great deal of sickness has been encountered by No. 26, making heavy demands upon the treasury.\nNo. 26, is still, however, the Banner Lodge, and is%in a sound financial condition.\nI am also very pleased to report that the most absolute harmony\nhas prevailed among the membership in this District during the past\nyear.\nThe frequent fraternal visits among the Lodges during the past\nwinter has had a very salutary effect upon the membership.\nIn conclusion I beg to thank you most sincerely for the confidence\nyou reposed in me in appointing me as your District Deputy, the duties\nof which, though inadequately performed, have been a source of the\ngreatest pleasure to me.\nRespectfully and fraternally submitted by\nYours, in F. L. & T.,\nALEX'R MACKENZIE,\nD. D. G. if., District No. 6. *557\nKamloops, B. C, May 25th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master G. L. of B. C, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to submit the following\nas a report of my official acts as your Deputy for this District.\nI installed the officers of Tatnai Lodge, No 9, at the commencement\nof each term.\nOur Lodge is working along harmoniously with small increase in\nmembership, and we hope the Grand Lodge meeting here will have a\ntendency to an increase in our Lodge.\nYours fraternally,\nW M. BIRD,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 7.\nUnion, B. C, May 13, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. O. 0. F.:\nDkar Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094As your District Deputy for District No.\n8, I beg to submit the following as~my Report:\nOn July 3rd, 1896, assisted by several Past Grands, I had the pleasure of installing the officers of Union Lodge, No. 11, into their respective chairs.\nJanuary 8th, 1897, being unable to attend Lodge the N. G. requested P. G. Bro. Wm. Cessford to instal the officers of Union Lodge, No. 11.\nThere was only the matter of what constituted legal funeral expenses submitted to me for decision, which I referred to you for your decision.\nYours in F. L. & T.,\nCHARLIE WHYTE,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 8.\nDonald, B. C, May 31st, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I beg to furnish you with my report as\nyour Deputy for District No. 9, for the past year.\nOn July 2nd, 1896, installed the officers of Selkirk Lodge, No, 12.\nOn January 14th, 1897, installed the officers of Selkirk Lodge, No. 12. f 1558\nOn January 24th, 1897, granted dispensation to confer the Three\nDegrees on Bro. Fee in one night on account of his leaving town.\nYours in F. L. & T.,\nJOHN PALMER,\nD. D. G. if., District No. 9.\nCloverdale, B. C, June 3rd, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to submit for your approval the following report of my official acts as your Deputy for District No. 10.\nJuly 10th, 1896, with the assistance of P. G. Bro. ). C. Murphy, and\nP.G. Bro. Patterson, I installed the officers of Cloverdale Lodge, No. 15.\nJanuary 2nd, 1897, assisted by P. G. Bro. J. C. Murphy and P. G.\nBro. A. B. Smith, I fulfilled a similar duty at Cloverdale Lodge, No. 15.\nI am pleased to state 1 have not been called upon to decide any\nquestions of contention during my term of office, which is in itself evidence of the harmonious manner in which the affairs of this Lodge is\nmanaged.\nI also take much pleasure in recording your official visit to this\nLodge which was (it is needless to say) a source of very great pleasure\nto all the Brothers present on that occasion.\nIn conclusion I might state, that though the various callings of life\nhas scattered many of our members far and wide, a fair attendance is\nstill maintained and the Lodge is in a sound healthy condition financially.\nFraternally submitted,\nin F. L. & T.,\nR. D. MACKENZIE,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 10.\nNelson, B. 0., May 26th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master G. L. of B. C, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother :\nI have much pleasure in furnishing you with a report of my official\nacts during my term of office. At the commencemeiit of each term assisted by the Past Grands of our Lodge 1 installed into their respective\nchairs the officers of Kootenay Lodge, No 16. On March 3rd 1 instituted Silver City Lodge No. 39. x559\nKootenay Lodge, No. 16 is making steady progress, during the last\nterm the Lodge has built for itself a Hall which, I am proud to say, is\npaid for, and still the Lodge is in a good financial condition notwithstanding the heavy drain on its resources during the first term through\nsickness. The Lodge is working harmoniously.\nTrusting this report will be satisfactory,\nYours in F. L. & T.,\nWM. HODSON,\nD. D. G. M.j District No. 11.\nVernon, B. C, May 27th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F., Vancouver:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to submit the following\nreport of my official acts as your Deputy for District No. 13.\nOn July 5th, 1896, and January 21st, 1897 I installed the officers of\nVernon Valley Lodge, No. 18.\nOn April 23rd, 1897,1 granted a dispensation to Vernon Valley Lodge\nNo. 18, to confer 2nd and 3rd Degrees in one night on Bro. D. Mclntyre.\nVernon Valley Lodge, No. 18, is doing very well at present, your\nvisit last Spring was a great pleasure, and was a great help to the Lodge.\nYou were the first Grand Lodge officer that has officially visited this\nLodge since it was instituted four years last April. We have added five\nnew members this term, but I regret to say that the older members, or a\ngreat many of them when they have gone through the chairs seem to lose\nall interest in the Lodge. Hoping to be able to meet you on the 9th of\nJune at Kamloops, I remain,\nYours fraternally,\nS. C. SMITH,\nD. D. G. M., District, No. 13.\nLadner's Landing, B. C, May 31st, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour'i Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the pleasure to submit the following report of my official acts as your Deputy for District No. 14.\nOn July 13th, 1896,1 installed the officers of Delta Lodge, No. 21 into thfeir respective chairs.\nOn January 4th, 1897, I installed the officers of Delta Lodge, No. 21. 1560\nI have not been asked to decide any questions, so have no further\nreport to make.\nI am pleased to state that Delta Lodge, No. 21, is holding its own\nfairly well.\nFraternally submitted,\nJ. F. STAINTON.\nD. D. G. M., District, No. U-\nNorth Bend, B. C, May 28th, 1897.\nE. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I beg to submit for your approval my official acts as your Deputy for District No. 15, for the past year.\nAugust 1st, 1896, and January 2nd, 1897,1 installed officers of Gold\nRange Lodge, No. 22.\nI am pleased to state that Gold Range Lodge is still holding its own\nin membership and finances, the attendance as a rule being small owing\nto the majority of the members being absent from town, and scattered as\nthey are, I must give them credit for sticking to their Lodge and the\nOrder in the manner which they are doing.\nYours fraternally,\nJ. Z. CHOATE,\nD.D G. M., District No. 15\nAshcroft, B. C, 2nd July, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master G. L. of B. C, I 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have much pleasure in submitting my\nreport as D. D. G. M. for District No. 16.\nOn 4th July, 1896, installed the officers of Ashcroft Lodge, No. 23.\nOn January 2nd, 1897, installed the officers of Ashcroft Lodge, No. 23.\nNo legal points for decision were brought up during my term of\noffice.\nI am, dear Sir and Brother,\nYours fraternally,\nJOSEPH WM. BURR,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 16. f 1561\nGolden, B. C, May 27th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094Replying to yours of 2nd inst., would say :\nJuly 6th, 1896, installed officers of Rocky Mountain Lodge, No. 34,\nI O. 0. F.\nJanuary 31st, 1897, installed officers of Rocky Mountain Lodge, No.\n34,1. O. O. F.\nOn May 15th, Rocky Mountain Lodge lost a Brother by drowning,\nand there being no time to write to you, granted permission to wear regalia\non the occasion of funeral on May 16th. My District is not large, and\nof a peaceful nature, so have had smooth sailing with only an occasional\nlittle fuss just to deep things alive. Hope to see you in Kamloops, although I am not the Representative this year.\nYours in F. L. & T.,\nCHAS. A. WARREN,\nD. D. G. M.\nRossland, B. C, May 26th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nMy Dear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to report the following during my term as D. D. G. M., District No. 22, at Rossland, B. C.\nJanuary 4th, 1897, the installation of officers (present term.)\nOwing to the resignation of our Treasurer, a new Treasurer was installed April 12th, 1897. Other than the above, little or no business was\nhad at the \"direction of D. D. G. M.\nFraternally yours,\nJOHN JACKSON, JR ,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 22.\nCarson, B. C, May 27th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master G. L. of B. C, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094As D. D. of District 23,1 have the honor\nto report that I instituted Boundary Valley Lodge, No. 38, February last\nwith a membership of 15, which has since been steadily growing. It is\ncomposed of a very good class of men, and will be \u00C2\u00A3 successful and prosperous Lodge. A report of officers was sent the Grand Secretary. 5 1562 .\nIn January I installed officers in Carson Lodge, No. 37. This Lodge\nis doing very well considering circumstances, it is not in as populous a\ndistrict as Boundary Valley, and cannot be expected to grow quite as\nfast.\nThe Order in this new but growing country, I believe will from now\non prosper and grow steadily.\nRespectfully submitted in F. L. & T.,\nYours fraternally,\nO. B. NELSON,\nD. D. G. M., District, No. 23.\nVictoria, B. C, May 31st, 1897.\nJET. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, 1. 0. 0. F. of B. C:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094In submitting a report of my official acts,\nas your District Deputy for District No. 1, Rebekah Lodges, I have but\nlittle to report.\nOn the 14th of July, 1896, and also on the 12th of January, 1897,1\nhad the honor as well as the pleasure of installing the officers of Colfax\nRebekah Lodge, No. 1, into their respective chairs.\nYours fraternally,\nMAGGIE E. GLOVER,\nD. D. G. M. District No. 1.\nNanaimo, B. C, May 30th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094It gives me great pleasuse in submitting\nto you the following report of my official acts during my term of office as\nD. D. G. M.\nJuly 14th, 1896,1 installed the officers of Miriam Rebekah Lodge,\nNo. 3, Nanaimo.\nJanuary 12th, 1897,1 installed the officers of Miriam RebekaJi Lodge,\nNo. 3, Nanaimo.\nOn January 26th, 1897, I installed the Vice Grand of Miriam Rebekah Lodge, No. 3, Nanaimo.\nIn tendering you my report of the year ending June 30th, I have\nmuch pleasure in stating that Miriam Rebekah Lodge is progressing\nnumerically and financially. The membership is increasing slowly,a few members have dropped out\nand we are initiating others in their place. I regret very much that our\nbrethren of Nanaimo take so little interest in the Rebekah work. I\nwould cordially invite our young members of the Odd Fellows to join in\nthe good work, and make Miriam Lodge one of the strongest Lodges in\nthe jurisdiction.\nFraternally submitted in F. L. & T,\nISABEL FULTON\nD. D. G. M., District, No. 3.\nNew Westminster, B. (\, May 29th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to present to you the following report of my official acts during the past year.\nJuly 7th, 1896, installed the officers of Fidelity Rebekah Lodge. No.\n10, Ladners.\nJuly 8th, 1896, installed the officers of Alpine Rebekah Lodge, No. 6.\nJuly 14th, 1896, installed the officers of Beulah Rebekah Lodge, No. 5.\nJanuary 8th, 1897, installed the officers of Fidelity Rebekah Lodge,\nNo. 10, Ladners.\nJanuary 12th, 1897, installed the officers of Beulah Rebekah Lodge,\nNo. 5.\nI am pleased to report that I have not been called upon to decide\nany questions which shows that peace and harmony exist among our\nmembers.\nDispensation granted once during the year to Fidelity Rebekah Lodge,\nNo. 10, Ladners, to hold an Ice Cream Social.\nI regret to note the falling off from our past record, but the prospects for the future are most encouraging.\nWe had three initiations during the past month and only two withdrawals during the year.\nAlpine Rebekah Lodge, No. 6, surrendered its Charter in February,\n1897.\nIn conclusion permit me to tender my warmest thanks to all those\nSisters that have so kindly given their assistance in the performance of\nmy duties.\nMost earnestly do I thank Past Grands, Sister Ferguson, Sister U ' J564\nGilley, and Sister Foulds, for their kind assistance in all the work during\nthe year.\nThanking you for the honor conferred upon me,\nI remain,\nFraternally yours,\nIDA M. PEARCE,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 5.\nWellington, May 25th, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour, Esq., Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother.\u00E2\u0080\u0094In tendering you my report, as your District Deputy for District No. 6, I have much pleasure in stating that\nLaural Rebekah Lodge. No. 9 is progressing very favorably. A few of\nour older members have dropped out but younger members are\ntaking their places who will, I think, make better members as they are\nable to attend better.\nOn July 9th I had the pleasure of installing the officers for the term\nending December 31st, 1896, and in January I installed the officers for\nterm ending June 30th, 1897.\nI am very sorry not to have met you during your short stay in Wellington on account of sickness.\nYours in F. L. &T.,\nMARION MUIR,\nD. D. G. M., District No. 6.\nUnion, B. C, June 3rd, 1897.\nH. B. Gilmour% Esq , Grand Master, I. 0. 0. F.:\nDear Sir and Brother,\u00E2\u0080\u0094I have the honor to report to you my\nofficial acts during the last year.\nI installed the officers of Union Lodge, No. 11, in January, 1897.\nI am pleased to report that our Lodge is in a good condition socially\nand financially.\nLONELLA STEVENS,\nD. D. G. if., District No. 7 Constitution\nOF THE\nGrand Lodge of British Columbia,\nINDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODD FELLOWS.\nIncorporated under the Benevolent Societies' Act, 1891;\n10th February, 1896. CONSTITUTION\nOF THE -\nGRAND LODGE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, I. 0. 0. I\nIncorporated under the Benevolent Sooietie's Act, 1891,\n10th February, 1896.\nPREAMBLE.\nWhereas, The Sovereign Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of\nOdd Fellows, possessing original and exclusive jurisdiction\u00E2\u0080\u0094the source\nof all true and legitimate authority in Odd Fellowship\u00E2\u0080\u0094did, by its warrant, bearing date the 25th day of April, in the fifty-fifth year of our\nOrder, grant authority to certain Past Grands of the Order, resident in\nthe Province of British Columbia, to form a Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, to be known and hailed by the name,\nstyle and title of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd\nFellows of the Province of British Columbia, giving and granting to\nthem and their successors, by the name, style and title aforesaid, full\npower and authority to grant warrants for opening Lodges subordinate\nto it, for the propagation of the established principles of the Order;\nwith power and authority also, to cause all honorary and the first three\ndegrees of the Order to be conferred on deserving members, according to\nthe laws, customs, and ancient usages of the Independent Order of Odd\nFellows; and as the Grand Legislative Head of the Order in the Province of British Columbia, to have and to exercise full powrer and authority to enforce upon its subordinates a strict adherence to the laws\nof the Order, and to make and establish such rules for their government as in the opinion of the said Grand Lodge may be for the advancement of the Order and in conformity to the directions of the\nSovereign Grand Lodge of the I. 0. 0. F.\nNow, therefore, we, the Past Grands, residing within said jurisdiction, do hereby make and declare the following as the Constitution of\nthe Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, for the\nProvince of British Columbia.\nARTICLE I.\nOF THE GRAND LODGE.\nSection 1. This Grand Lodge shall be known by the name, 1568\nstyle and title of \"The Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd\nFellows of the Province of British Columbia,\" and shall be composed of\nall Past Grands who are contributing members of the Lodges subordinate to this Grand Lodge, and in good standing, and who have been admitted as required by this Constitution.\nSec 2. The Grand Lodge has jurisdiction in Odd Fellowship over\nthe territory known as the Province of British Columbia, and over all\nSubordinate Lodges situated within the said territory or Province, or\nworking under the authority of the same, and is the Supreme Tribunal\nof the Order in its jurisdiction.\nSec 3. To entitle a Past Grand to be admitted to the Grand Lodge\nhe must produce satisfactory evidence that he is such, and is a contributing member in good standing of a Lodge subordinate to this Grand\nLodge at the time of his admission.\nARTICLE II.\nOF THE SESSIONS AND BUSINESS OF THtfl GRAND LODGE.\nSection 1. The Grand Lodge shall hold regular Annual Communications to begin on the second Wednesday of June in each year at such\nhour as the Executive officers shall determine, due notice thereof being\ngiven to all Subordinate Lodges at least two weeks prior to the meeting\nof the Grand Lodge, and shall continue to meet at such hours as may be\nagreed upon from day to day (Sundays excepted) until the close of the\nsession.\nSec 2. The business of the Grand Lodge shall be transacted by\nthe elective and appointed officers of the Grand Lodge, and the representatives elected, in the manner hereinafter provided. All Past Grands\nin good standing, who have received the Grand Lodge Degree, may be\npresent at the session; but none except officers of, and representatives\nto, the Grand Lodge, and Past Grand Masters of this Lodge in good\nstanding, shall have the right to vote, or, without permission, to speak\non any subject at the Session.\nSec. 3. Every Subordinate Lodge shall be entitled in this Grand\nLodge to one representative for its members of fifty; also one representative for every fifty members over and above said first number of fifty\nmembers in good standing. Representatives must be Past Grands in good\nstanding, and shall be elected by the Lodge at the first regular meeting\nin May of each year to serve one year from the beginning of said Annual Communication. Provided that no new Lodge shall be entitled to\nrepresentation in this Grand Lodge until it has paid at least one semiannual tax. Each Lodge shall at the same time elect one alternate for\neach representative elected, and, in case a representative shall be unable to attend the session of the Grand Lodge, then the alternate re- 1569\nceiving the highest number of votes may attend in his place and have all\nthe powers and privileges of a representative. Vacancies may be filled\nat any time to serve the remainder of the term.\nSec 4. Each elective and appointed officer, except the Grand\nMaster, who is not also a representative, and each representative, shall\nbe entitled to one vote. The Grand Master shall be entitled to vote in\nall cases of a tie. In case of the absence of any representative, the representatives of his Lodge present may cast the vote of the absentee, providing they have his written authority to do so. In the election of\nGrand Officers, each Past Grand in attendance, at the annual communication, shall be entitled to one vote only.\nSec. 5. Special sessions may be called at the option of the Grand\nMaster. Such sessions shall be for the transaction of extraordinary business only, which shall be specified in the call, and not less than fifteen\ndays' notice shall be given by letter to each representative, which fifteen\ndays shall begin from the date on which said letters are mailed. Such\nspecial session shall be held at the place as specified in the notice calling the Session.\n. Sec 6. The Grand Lodge cannot be opened unless representatives\nfrom three Lodges are present, including ten members, in addition to\nthe Grand Master, or his Deputy.\nARTICLE III.\nOF OFFICERS.\nSection 1. The elective officers of this Grand Lodge shall be:\n1st. Grand Master.\n2nd. Deputy Grand Master.\n3rd. Grand Warden.\n4tli. Grand Secretary.\n5th. Grand Treasurer.\nThe Grand Representative or Representatives to represent this\nGrand Lodge In the Sovereign Grand Lodge shall be elected in accordance with the Constitution and Laws of the Sovereign Grand Lodge,\nand in the form and manner herein prescribed for the nomination and\nelection of Grand Officers.\nSec 2. The appointed officers shall be:\nGrand Chaplain.\nGrand Marshal.\nGrand Conductor.\nGrand Guardian.\nGrand Herald.\nDistrict Deputy Grand Masters for each District, provided, that 1570\nPast Grands may be appointed to discharge the duties of District Deputy Grand Masters previous to being admitted to membership. But\nDistrict Deputy Grand Masters are not thereby made ex-officio Officers\nor members of this Grand Lodge.\nSec 3. Any Past Grand a member of the Grand Lodge shall be\neligible for any elective or appointed office in this Grand Lodge.\nSec 4. The election>for elective officers of the Grand Lodge shall,\nbe held at nine o'clock, p. m., on the first day of the session, by ballot,\nin the following manner:\nWhen open in that order of business, each Past Grand present having the privilege to nominate, there shall be provided a ballot box, in\nwhich to deposit the ballots, with two tellers; and all shall proceed to\nvote: and when all have voted, the Grand Master shall proclaim the\nballot closed, and the tellers shall immediately canvas the votes, and if\nthere be no choice for the officer balloted for, a new ballot shall be immediately ordered, which ballot shall be confined to the three having the\ngreatest number of votes (provided there are three voted for) and if there\nthen be no choice, the ballot shall be confined to the two receiving the\ngreatest number of votes. Any Past Grand qualified, having received a\nmajority of votes, shall be declared elected, and shall be installed into\nhis respective office on the last day of the session. Provided, that in all\ncases where only one person is in nomination for an office, the election\nmay be held viva voce. Provided also: That the Grand Lodge may,\nafter a four-fifths vote, install anv officer or officers at any time after his\nelection; but the duties of said officer or officers shall not commence until the last day of the session.\nSec 5. The appointed officers shall be appointed by the Grand\nMaster, by and with the consent and approval of this Grand Lodge,\nafter his installation.\nARTICLE IV.\nDUTIES of officers.\nSection 1. The Grand Master shall preside at all sessions of the\nGrand Lodge, and preserve order therein, and enforce a due observance\nof the Constitution and By-laws of the Sovereign Grand Lodge of the\nIndependent Order of Odd Fellows and of this Grand Lodge.\nAll questions of order, and all decisions made by him on any point\ngrowing out of the Constitution or By-laws of this Grand Lodge, shall\nbe subject to appeal from his decision to the Grand Lodge; and it shall\nbe his duty to put the question on all such appeals to the Grand Lodge.\nHe shall appoint Officers pro tern, to fill vacancies in the Grand\nLodge whilst in session, and all committees not otherwise provided for\nin this Constitution, or ordered by the Grand Lodge. He shall give the *57*\ncasting vote in all cases where the votes are equally divided, except in\ncases of election of officers. When any demand shall have been approved by a majority of the Finance Committee, he shall order the\nGrand Treasurer to pay the same. He may grant dispensations:\n1st. To confer degrees on a member without delay.\n2nd. To allow members of the Order to appear in public in regalia.\n3rd. To allow Lodges to apply to other Lodges for assistance.\n4th. To allow Lodges to admit to membership persons who reside\nnear some other Lodge.\n5th. To authorize the installation of officers in public.\n6th. To give entertainments for the benefit of the Order.\n7th. To authorize the balloting for, and initiation of, a candidate\nat the time his proposition is presented to a Lodge.\n8th. To allow Subordinate Lodges to change their place of meeting.\n9th. To allow a brother to be reinstated after expulsion.\n10th. To institute Lodges, and authorize them to work as such until\nthe next session of this Grand Lodge.\n11th. To empower Subordinate Lodges to elect Scarlet Degree members to any office in such Lodge, provided all qualified brothers refuse to serve.\nHe may^ in person, confer the Past Official Degrees. He shall decide all appeals on questions of law, which may be made to him from the\ndecisions of his deputies. He shall receive and act upon all complaints\nwhich may be made to him against his deputies or Lodges. He shall\ngive such instructions from time to time in the work of the Order to the\ndeputies, or to the Lodges, as may be necessary. When officialy visiting Subordinate Lodges, he shall be received with the honors of the\nOrder.\nSec. 2. The Deputy Grand Master shall support the Grand Master\nin presiding, and in his absence shall fill the chair for him. During the\nabsence of the Grand Master from this jurisdiction, or when he may be\nunder charges duly preferred, or during the incapacity of the Grand\nMaster arising from illness, or any other cause the Deputy Grand Master shall be invested with all his powers. In the event of a vacancy in\nthe office of Grand Master, the Deputy Grand Master shall become\nGrand Master for the balance of the term, and receive the honors of a\nfull term.\nSec 3. The Grand Warden shall assist the Grand Master in conducting the business of the Grand Lodge. He shall, under the Grand\nMaster, have special charge of the door, and in the absence of the Grand\nMaster and Deputy Grand Master, he shall preside.\nSec 4. The Grand Secretary shall make a just and true record of\nthe proceedings of the Grand Lodge at every session, and transmit 1573\nas soon as practicable after the close of the annual session, to the\nSubordinate Lodges, copies thereof; he shall keep the accounts\nbetween the Grand Lodge and its Subordinates, receive all moneys coming therefrom, and pay the same over to the Grand Treasurer; he shall\nissue all necessary notices and circulars to Subordinates, representatives\nand officers; he shall provide all stationery for the use of the Grand\nLodge, and superintend such printing as the Lodge shall direct; he\nshall perform such other duties as are herein provided for, or that may\nbe ordered by the Grand Lodge; he shall receive such salary as may be\nfixed upon at each annual session, which shall be paid quarterly; he\nshall, previous to installation, give bonds to the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows' of the Province of British Columbia,\nin such form and penalty as shall be approved of, for the faithful discharge of his duties.\nSec 5. The Grand Treasurer shall receive and take charge of the\nmoneys of the Grand Lodge, pay all orders drawn on him by the Grand\nMaster, under the seal of the Grand Lodge, make such investment of\nthe funds as the Grand Lodge may direct; keep his accounts in such a\nmanner as will exhibit the resources and amount of receipts, and by\nwhom paid, the purpose and amount of disbursements, and to whom\npaid ; have his accounts closed up on the Saturday preceding the second\nWednesday in June, annually, and submit them to the Finance Committee. He shall attend all regular sessions of the Grand Lodge; he\nshall, previous to installation, give bonds to the Grand Lodge of the\nIndependent Order of Odd Fellows, of the Province of British Columbia, in such form and penalty as shall be approved of, for the faithful performance of his duties.\nSec 6. The Grand Representatives shall attend the meetings of\nthe Sovereign Grand Lodge and faithfully represent the interests of this\nGrand Lodge and the Order generally; they shall attend the meetings\nof this Grand Lodge and submit a synopsis of the proceedings of the\nsession of the Sovereign Grand Lodge attended by them.\nSec 7. The District Deputy Grand Master shall, in the absence of\nthe Grand Master, or other elective Grand officer, install the officers of\nall Lodges in his District, and enforce a due observance of the Constitution, By-laws, and Resolutions of the Grand Lodge; be the organ of the\nGrand Master with the Subordinates in his Jurisdiction; have power to\ngrand dispensations to Lodges in his district to confer the three degrees\nin less time than may otherwise be permitted,when circumstances require\nit; he shall see that the work of the Order is performed uniformly, confer\nofficial degrees on Past Grands, collect from Lodges in his district all\nreturns and moneys due the Grand Lodge, and forward them immediately to the Grand Secretary; decide ail questions of law that may be submitted to him by Lodges under his charge, and report annually to the 1573\nGrand Master his proceedings. He shall forthwith report to the Grand\nMaster all cases of violation on the part of Subordinates of the Constitution and By-laws of the Grand Lodge, orvdisobedience to its lawful\ncommands.\nSec 8. The appointed officers of this Grand Lodge shall perform\nsuch duties as are required by their charges and the usuages of the\nOrder.\nARTICLE V.\nREMOVALS AND VACANCIES.\nSection 1. Any Grand Officer may be removed from his office by\nthe Grand Lodge for misconduct or neglect of duty, but he shall be entitled to a fair trial, and two-thirds of the votes of the members present\nshall be necessary for removal.\nSec. 2. No officer shall officiate in the Grand Lodge during the time\nof his trial. Whenever the Grand Master, or officer acting as such, shall\nbe on trial, or whenever a resolution for the removal of the Grand Master\nor officer acting as such, shall be submitted, the Grand Lodge may direct\nany Past Grand Master, (in case the Deputy Grand Master or Grand\nWarden are incapacitated) to occupy the chair. ^\nSec 3. ' Any member may be expelled from the Grand Lodge as\nsuch for misconduct upon the vote of two-thirds of the members present\nat any meeting, after a copy of the resolution of expulsion shall have\nbeen served upon him.\nSec 4. Vacancies in the office of District Deputy Grand Master\nshall be filled by the Grand Master. Vacancies in the other Grand\nOffices, except that of Grand Master, shall be filled by the Grand Lodge,\nif in session; if not, them by the Standing Committee, for the remainder\nof the term. Provided, That in case of a vacancy in the office of Grand\nRepresentative, the appointee of the Standing Committee shall only hold\noffice until the succeeding session of this Grand Lodge.\nARTICLE VI.\nCOMMITTEES.\nSection 1. The elective Grand Officers, shall constitute the Standing Committee to act in the recess of the Annual Session of the Grand\nLodge, and perform such duties as may be assigned to them. Of said\ncommittee the Grand Master shall be chairman, and he may call meetings thereof at his discretion. Provided, that when it shall be necessary\nto convene a meeting of the Standing Committee the Grand Master is\nempowered to draw on the Grand Treasurer a sufficient amount to pay\nthe actual expenses of the members which shall not exceed the rate allowed for attendance at the session of the Grand Lodge. Committee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\nCommittee on\n*574\nSec 2. There shall be appointed, at each annual session, the following regular committees, from among the members:\nCredentials.\nFinance.\nAppeals and Grievances.\nLaws of Subordinates.\nPetitions.\nthe State of the Order.\nLegislation.\nPrinting.\nJudiciary.\nMileage and per diem.\nSec 3. The Committee on Credentials shall consist of five members, who shall be appointed by the Grand Master who is holding over,\nor the incumbent of the chair at the time of opening of the session, and\nwhose duty it shall be to examine and report to the Grand Lodge on the\ncredentials and certificates of members.\nSec 4. The Committee on Finance shall consist of five members,\nwhose duty it shall be to examine and report on all accounts and claims\nagainst the Grand Lodge: to examine the accounts of the Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer, annually, and report the result of their examination, and the condition of the finances immediately thereafter to\nthe Grand Lodge; to ascertain and report at the commencement of each\nannual session, the amount required for the expenses of the Grand\nLodge for the ensuing year, and suggest such measures of finance as they\nmay deem expedient.\nSec 5. The Committee on Appeals and Grievances shall consist of\nfive members, whose duty it shall be to examine all appeals and grievances referred to them, and report thereon such action as may be proper in the Grand Lodge.\nAll appeals taken from the action of the Subordinate Lodges shall,\nas fast as the same are received by the Grand Secretary, be transmitted\nby him to the chairman of the Committee on Appeals. If the Committee on Appeals find the papers defective in any essential particulars,\nthey shall certify the fact to the Grand Secretary, who shall remit the\npapers to the respective Subordinate Lodge, requiring it forthwith to\ncorrect the defects complained of, and return the amended papers to\nGrand Secretary, who shall immediately transmit the same to the chairman of the Committee on Appeals. It shall be the duty of the Committee on Appeals to report, at the earliest practicable day of the Annual\nSession, their action upon the appeals transmitted to them during the\nrecess of the Grand Lodge.\nSec 6. The Committee on Laws of Subordinates shall consist of 1575\nfive members whose duty it shall be to examine and report on the Bylaws and amendments thereto of Subordinate, Rebekah and Degree\nLodges referred to them, and to direct such alterations therein as will\nmake them conform to the laws and regulations of the Order, subject\nto the approval of the Grand Lodge.\nSec 7. The Committee on Petitions shall consist of five members,\nwhose duty it shall be to examine all applications for charters referred\nto them, and report to the Grand Lodge such action thereon as may be\nproper.\nSec 8. The Committee on the State of the Order shall consist of\nfive members, who shall examine the reports of the District Deputy\nGrand Masters and reports of Subordinate Lodges and such other matters as may be referred to them, and report thereon to the Grand Lodge,\nand they shall annually present to the Grand Lodge an exhibit of the\ncondition and progress of the Order under this jurisdiction, and recommend such measures for the Good of the Order as from time to time\nthey shall judge proper.\nSec 9. The Committee on Legislation shall consist of five members, who shall examine and report on all proposed amendments of the\nConstitution, By-laws, Rules of Order and Resolutions governing this\nGrand Lodge, and such other matters as may be referred to them by the\nGrand Lodge or Grand Master.\nSec 10. The Committee on Printing shall consist of five members,\nof which the Grand Secretary of this Grand Lodge shall be one, and\nshall be chairman thereof. They shall decide all matters of printing,\nand none of the proceedings of this Grand Lodge shall be given to the\npublic press without having first received the sanction of a majority of\nsaid Committee.\nSec 11 The Committee on Judiciary shall consist of five members,\nwhose duty it shall be to consider all questions in relation to the construction of the Laws of the Order and the decisions of the Grand Master upon questions of law.\nSec 12. The Committee on Mileage and Per Diem shall consist of\nfive members whose duty it shall be to examine and report the amount\neach Officer and Representative is entitled to receive for attendance upon the Sessions of the Grand Lodge.\nARTICLE VII.\nOF VOTES.\nSection 1. Each Elective and appointed Officer, except the Grand\nMaster, and each Past Grand Master of this Grand Lodge in good standing shall be entitled to one vote. All questions and votes before the\nGrand Lodge not in this Constitution otherwise provided for shall be de- 1576 if \\ntermnied by a majority of the votes given; and when five of the members call for a vote by yeas and nays, or when the same are in this Constitution required to be taken, they shall be so taken and recorded on the\nJournal.\nARTICLE VIII.\nOF REVENUE.\nSection. 1. The revenue of this Grand Lodge shall be raised for the\npurpose of defraying the necessary expenses thereof.\nSec 2. The fee for a charter for a Subordinate Lodge shall be Thirty j\nDollars, to accompany the application for a charter, Fifteen Dollars for a\nDegree Charter, and Ten Dollars for a charter for a Rebekah Degree\nLodge.\nSec 3. At each regular Annual Session of the Grand Lodge, the\nFinance Committee shall submit estimates for the appropriations for the\ncoming year, and shall recommend such assessment per capita upon the\nmembership as may be necessary with other sources of revenue, to meet\nthe estimated expenditures.\nSec. 4. No Lodge under this jurisdiction shall be entitled to have\nits officers installed, or to receive the Travelling or Term P. W., until\nthe reports to the Grand Lodge shall have been placed in the hands of\nthe Installing Officer and assessments paid.\nARTICLE IX.\nOF SUBORDINATE LODGES.\nSection 1. On the written application of five or more brothers of\nthe Order, who have attained the Scarlet Degree, praying for a charter\nto open a Lodge, the Grand Lodge may grant the same, and such Lodge\nshall receive its charter and the necessary charges and instructions from\nthe Grand Master, or the Deputy Grand Master of the District, or by a\nPast Grand specially deputed. All necessary expenses, if any, of the installing officer, to be borne by the Lodge so opened ; Provided, always,\nthat the cards of the petitioners, or a certificate of the deposit thereof\nwith the District Deputy Grand Master of the district, shall accompany\nthe application.\nSec 2. The Grand Master or his duly commissioned and appointed\nDeputy may, under such rules and regulations as may be prescribed by\nthe Grand Lodge, initiate and confer the three Degrees of the Order for\nthe purpose of instituting a new Lodge in a locality not less than teni\nmiles from any other Lodge, a sufficient number of applicants to constitute such new Lodge, provided such persons shall first make regular application for membership in the Lodge nearest such locality, and upon\ndue reference of such application, examination and report of such com- 1577\nmittee, according to the by-laws of such Lodge, the said Lodge shall recommend such persons to membership by the constitutional vote required for the election of members, which vote shall be certified to the Grand\nMaster by the Noble Grand and Secretary of such Lodge, under seal.\nSec 3. An application as provided in the first section hereof, shall\nbe presented to the Grand Lodge, if in session ; if not to the Grand Master through the Grand Secretary, who shall, on receipt thereof, if advisable, have power to issue a Dispensation to open such Lodge, subject to\nconfirmation at the next session of the Grand Lodge, in which case, if\nconfirmed, a regular charter shall be issued.\nSec 4. At the end of each term, every Subordinate Lodge shall report to the Grand Lodge, on the form supplied for the purpose, the work\nthereof for such term, which shall include the names of those initiated,\nadmitted by ca\u00C2\u00BBd, as an Ancient Odd Fellow, rejected, withdrawn by\ncard, reinstated, and deceased ; the names of those suspended and expelled, with the cause thereof, together with the number of degrees conferred, the whole number in membership, the amount of receipts, and the\nresult of the election of officers, accompanied by whatever amount may\nbe due the Grand Lodge.\nSec 5. Ev.ery Lodge shall report in addition, on the forms supplied\nfor the purpose, up to the first day in January, a full return of members,\nwith their names ranked according to the degrees they have taken, and\na statement of the number of brothers relieved, widowed families relieved, and brothers buried, and amount of money applied to each of these\npurposes, designating the amount paid for the education of orphans, and\nfor current expenses, together with the total value of the assets of the\nLodge, also the statistics required by the Sovereign Grand Lodge respecting the property of the Lodge.\nARTICLE X.\nOF DEGREE LODGES.\nSection. 1. Upon the written petition of five or more Past Grands,\nand five or more Scarlet Degree members of the Order, praying for a\nwarrant to open a Degree Lodge, the Grand Lodge may grant the same ;\nand such Degree Lodge shall receive its charter, and the necessary lectures and instructions in the same manner as is provided for Subordinate\nLodges.\nSec 2. The Grand Master shall have the same power in reference\nto the approval of applications and issuing of dispensations to open Degree Lodges as in the case of Subordinate Lodges.\nSec 3. No Degree Lodge shall admit or retain in membership any\nperson who is not at the time a regular contributing member of a Sub- 1578\nordinate Lodge under this jurisdiction, unless his card is in the possession of the Grand Lodge or its officers, as an applicant for a charter.\nSec. 4. Any Degree Lodge shall have power to adopt necessary Bylaws, Rules and Regulations for its government, conformable to the Constitution of this Grand Lodge, and to the laws and usages of the Order,\nand shall be subject to all the laws applying to Subordinate Lodges in\nthe matters of sessions, terms, returns, trials, penalties and forfeiture of\nCharter in so far as the same may be applicable, except that its terms\nshall be annual and that it shall not be required to pay per capita tax to\nthe Grand Lodge.\nB ARTICLE XI.\nOF OFFENCES OF SUBORDINATE, REBEKAH OR DEGREE LODGES.\nSection 1. Whenever an}' Subordinate, Rebekah or Degree Lodge\nshall violate the Constitution, By-laws, Rules, or Regulations of the Sovereign Grand Lodge, or of this Grand Lodge, such Lodges hall be liable\nto a trial and punishment, as herein provided.\nSec 2. Upon the suspension or expulsion of a Lodge, or surrender\nor forfeiture of its charter, it shall be the duty of its last installed officers\nand members, having the custody of the charter, books, papers, property\nand funds of the Lodge, to assign, transfer and deliver the same, on demand, to the Grand Master, or the District Deputy Grand Master, or to\nsuch Past Grand as may be specially deputed by the Grand Master or\nGrand Lodge to receive the same; and the same shall be held subject to\nthe order of the Grand Lodge. i\nSec 3. All the effects or funds received by the Grand Lodge from\nany Subordinate, Rebekah or Degree Lodge, under the last section, shall\nbe kept separate and apart from the property or fdfids of the Grand\nLodge, and such funds shall not be estimated as a part of the funds of\nthe Grand Lodge, but shall be held iu trust to be restored, should such\nLodge be reinstated, or upon the expiration of the period of suspension;\nProvided, however, that in the event said Lodge should not be restored\nto fellowship within one year, the funds of said Lodge shall be placed in\nthe Aged Odd Fellows Fund of the Grand Lodge.\nSec 4. Any Subordinate Lodge failing to hold its meetings for six\nmonths, or to make its returns as required by Article IX., of this Constitution, for one year, shall be deemed an extinct Lodge, and its charter\nshall be forfeited.\nSec 5. Members of a suspended or expelled Lodge, or of a Lodge\nwhose charter has been surrendered or forfeited, who were in good standing at the time of such suspension or dissolution, or who may have paid\nall arrearages, then due to the Grand Lodge, shall, upon the reoommen-\nmendation of the District Deputy Grand Master of the district in which 1579\nsuch suspended or extinct Lodge is located, receive from the Grand Secretary a certificate, under the seal of the Grand Lodge, to enable them\nto make application for admission to membership in any other Lodge;\nProvided, such members were not implicated in breaking up the Lodge or\nin any illegal distribution or use of the funds of the same.\nSec 6. Upon the application to the Grand Lodge of any five or\nmore members of an extinct Lodge which has not been merged into or\namalgamated with any other Lodge for the resto ation of such Lodge to\nfellowship, accompanied with satisfactory evidence that a fair opportunity has been given to all who were members in good standing at the time\nthe same became extinct, to unite in such application, such applicants,\nor such portion thereof as the Grand Lodge may approve of may be restored to fellowship in said lodge, together with the charter and effects\nbelonging to such lodge at the time of its extinction ; unless such effects\nshall have been placed in the aged Odd Fellows fund of the Grand\nLodge, as provided by Section 3 of this Article.\nARTICLE XII.\nBY-LAWS AND RULES OF ORDER.\nSection 1. The Grand Lodge may enact, alter or amend such Bylaws as may be necessasy to carry into effect the provisions of this Constitution, and of regulating the proceedings of its officers, and of committees, and of providing for the safety and security of the funds and\nproperty ; Provided, at least one day's notice in writing be given at the\nAnnual Session, of such By-law or amendment, and that the same do not\nin anywise contravene this Constitution.\nSec 2. The Grand Lodge may, in like manner, make such Rules of\nOrder as may be necessary for the regulation of its sessions, and for\nsecuring good order and the dispatch of business. Such Rules of Order\nmay be suspended at any meeting by a two-thirds vote; Provided, that\nsuch suspension shall not extend beyond the meeting which voted\ntherefor.\nARTICLE XIII.\nAMENDING CONSTITUTION.\nSection 1. This Constitution shall not be altered or amended\nexcept by a proposition therefor, made in writing, signed by three or\nmore representatives from not less than three lodges, and delivered to\nthe Grand Secretary not less than three months prior to the Annual\nCommunication of the Grand Lodge, and it shall be the duty of the\nGrand Secretary to forward a copy of all such proposed amendments to\nall the Subordinate Lodges in this jurisdiction at least two weeks before\nthe meeting of the Grand Lodge ; such notices shall be presented to the\nGrand Lodge when in session when, if agreed to by a vote of two-thirds\nof the legislative members present, it shall be adopted; Provided, it i58o\nshall be competent for this Grand Body by a majority vote of its legislative members present at any regular Annual Session to amend any part\nof this Constitution, to make the same conform to the Laws and Regulations of the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Such propositions to be submitted\nin writing and to lay over one day before being acted upon.\nSec 2. All propositions, submitted for the amendment of this Constitution, to receive consideration, must specify the Section or Clause to\nbe amended, with the words to be struck out or inserted, and the Section must be given in full as it would read when so amended. BY-LAWS\nOF THE\nGrand Liu of Britisl Coliiia. 1.0.0.R\n1. Each Elective and Appointed Officer, the Grand Representatives\nand the properly accredited Representatives shall receive the sum of\n$2.00 (two dollars) per diem for each days attendance at the sessions of\nthe Grand Lodge, and also five cents per mile for each mile actually\ntravelled to and from his place of residence to the place of meeting of the\nGrand Lodge by the shortest available route, except where transportation cannot be obtained at that rate, when actual transportation expenses\nby the most practical and cheapest route shall be allowed, provided that\nthis shall have reference to fare only, lodging and board not to be included. Representatives of Lodges located in the place where the\nGrand Lodge meets shall not be entitled to mileage. The Roll of Officers\nand Representatives shall be called at each meeting.\n2. The Grand Master, before granting a Dispensation, for the institution of a Subordinate Lodge, in a city or town where other lodges\nexist, shall consult such existing lodges as to the advisability of instituting such lodge, and if a reasonable objection is offered, he shall not\ngrant the Dispensation, but shall refer the Petition to the next Session of\nthe Grand Lodge.\n3. All orders for supplies on the Grand Secretary must bear the\nSeal of the Lodge ordering the same, and must be prepaid, and the\nGrand Secretary is forbidden to forward the supplies until these contentions are complied with. All goods purchased for supplies to Lodges\nshall be sold at 25 per cent, above cost. All monies payable or due to\nthis Grand Lodge shall be forwarded to the Grand Secretary in cash, by\nmoney order or draft, and shall not be liable to deduction for discount or\nexchange.\n4. The Grand Secretary and Grand Treasurer shall furnish Bonds\npayable to this Grand Lodge in an approved Guarantee Society, in such\nsums as the Grand Lodge may direct, the premium of such Bonds shall\nbe paid from the funds of this Grand Lodge, and the Bonds shall be deposited with the Grand Master for the time being for safe custody. i58a . |\n5. The Grand Treasurer shall deposit all monies he may have on\nhand belonging to this Grand Lodge in some Chartered Bank to be approved by the Executive Officers of the Grand Lodge, and all cheques for\nthe withdrawal of such monies shall be countersigned by the Grand\nSecretary.\n6. Every Lodge of this Jurisdiction shall have a suitable seal, and\nall official communications must bear an impression of it.\n7. The number of copies of the Proceedings of this Grand Lodge to\nbe printed shall be decided by the Printing Committee, and they shall be\ndistributed as follows:\u00E2\u0080\u0094Four to each Subordinate Lodge. One to each\nRebekah Lodge. One each to the N. G. and V. G. of each Subordinate\nLodge. Twenty-four to the Representatives of this Grand Lodge to the\nSov. Grand Lodge. One to each of the Officers and Representatives of\nthis Grand Lodge; and to each Subordinate Lodge a number equal to\n50 per cent, of its Past Grands in good standing.\n8. A Lodge desiring to surrender its Charter and be merged into\nsome other Lodge, shall present to the Grand Lodge, or during recess to\nthe Grand Master, a petition over its seal and the signature of its Noble\nGrand aid Recording Secretary to that effect, showing that the question^\nof mergement had been voted upon and approved, after due notice sent\neach membe ; and that there are not five qualified members able and\nwilling to retain the Charter and work the Lodge ; and giving a atate-\nment of the amount of its funds and effects, and of its assets and liabilities. There shall also accompany the petition a certified statement from\nthe Lodge into which the petitioners desire to merge, setting forth its\nwillii gness to receive the members and assume the liabilities and responsibilities of the petitioning Lodge, and further certifying that the names\nof said members have been submitted to an Investigating Committee,\nhave been reported upon, and have been severally approved and accepted\nby a majority vote by ballot.\nOn receipt of said petition and resolution, the Grand Lodge, or\nGrand Master during recess, may grant the prayer of the petition, and\nauthorize the local District Deputy Grand Master, or a Special Deputy,\nto superintend the proposed mergement.\nThe said petitioning lodge shall, within one month after the\ngranting of its petition, transfer, convey and deliver up to the Lodge in\nwhich it proposes to merge, all its assets, funds, furniture, regalia, books,\npapers and effects, except its Charter and Rituals, which shall be delivered up to the District Deputy Grand Master, or a Special Deputy ;\nand the names of all its members who had been previously balloted for\nand accepted by the Lodge into which it proposes to merge, shall be at\nonce entered upon the roll of membership of the last mentioned Lodge,\nwhich shall thereupon assume all the liabilities and responsibilities of the 1583\nsaid merging Lodge ; and the members so received shall have such rank\nand standing as the books of said merging Lodge will show.\nFrom and after the entry of their names upon the roll, as aforesaid, each and every member whose name shall have been so entered,\nshall be deemed and taken to be a member of said Lodge, and subject to\nthe same laws and entitled to the same rights, benefits and privileges to\nthe like extent as if he had joined said last mentioned Lodge by card,\nand as provided in the terms of the preceding clauses of this By-law.\nUpon the completion of the mergement, the District Deputy\nGrand Master or Special Deputy shall immediately make report thereof\nto the Grand Master, certifying that he has witnessed the transfer of\nassets by the one Lodge, and the entry of the names of members on the\nroll of the other Lodge; and he shall return the Charter and Rituals of\nthe Lodge which has been merged, together with the names and standing of those members who have not entered into the mergement, if there\nshould be any such ; and said members may, upon application to the\nGrand Secretary, receive a Card, as provided for in the case of members\nof extinct Lodges.\n9. When two or more lodges desire to be united, each lodge shall\npresent a petition to that effect to the Grand Lodge, or during recess, to\nthe Grand Master; such petition shall set forth that the question of\nunion had been affirmatively voted upon after due notice sent each\nmember, and that there were not five members able and willing to retain the Chartar and work the lodge; and shall also give a statement of\nthe funds and effects, and assets and liabilities of the lodge, and a list of\nmembers, with their rank and financial standing and P.O. address.\nOn receipt of said petition the Grand Lodge, or during recess, the\nGrand Master, may grant the prayer and authorize the amalgamation\nof the petitioning lodges.\nWhen the union of said petitioning lodges has been approved, the\nGrand Master shall cause notice to be sent to each unsuspended member of the several lodges at least one week prior to the date fixed for\neffecting such union, and shall summon him to be present in person at\nthe time and place appointed for that purpose; and shall also notify\nthe officers of the several lodges to produce and surrender at said time\nand place all the funds, effects, books, papers and Charters of the\nsaid lodges.\nOn the production and surrender of all the said funds, effects,\nbooks, papers and Charters, the Grand Master shall issue a dispensation\nfor a lodge to the members of the several lodges present and desiring to\nbe united, and shall, in person or by Deputy,, institute the same; and\nshall transfer to it, as soon as instituted, all the funds, effects, books\nand papers of the united lodges; and said lodge shall therewith assume 1584\nand pay all the liabilities and responsibilities of the several lodges out\nof which it has been formed, and its members shall have such rank and\nstanding as the books of the uniting lodges shall show.\nAny member of any of the uniting lodges who shall fail to be present at the institution of the united lodge may, on application to the\nGrand Secretary, receive a Withdrawal Card, as provided for members\nof extinct lodges, and should he apply for admission by such card to the\nunited lodge within six months from the date of its institution, the vote\nnecessary for his election to membership shall be a majority vote by\nballot of those present and voting.\n10 No Lodge of this Jurisdiction shall be entitled to representation at the Sessions of this Grand Lodge if the Per Capita Tax and\nReports due from it have not been received by the* Grand Secretary at\nthe time of the meeting of the Grand Lodge.\n11. The Grand Secretary shall on the 1st day of January, April,\nJuly and October, prepare an abstract of the names of persens rejected,\nsuspended, and expelled, that have been furnished him by the Subordinate Lodges in the preceding three months, and shall forward a\ncopy of the same to each Subordinate Lodge in this Jurisdiction. RULES OF ORDER.\n1\u00E2\u0080\u0094ORDER OF BUSINESS.\nThe Order of Business of the Annual Session, shall be:\nFIRST DAY.\n1st. The Grand Master shall request the members to clothe themselves in proper regalia, and direct the officers to take their respective\nstations, and fill vacancies pro tern, and shall then, after all have been\nexamined, call up the Grand Lodge.\n2nd. While standing, the Grand Chaplain shall address the Supreme Ruler of the Universe in prayer.\n3rd. Proclamation shall be made by the Deputy Grand Master of\nthe opening of the Grand Lodge.\n4th. The Grand Secretary shall present, and read, if required, the\ncredentials of members.\n5th. The Committee on Credentials shall forthwith examine and\nreport on the eligibility of members.\n6th. New members of the Grand Lodge shall be admitted,\n7th. Roll of Officers and Representatives shall be called.\n8th. The record of all Special Sessions shall be read and passed\nupon by the Grand Lodge.\n9th. Vacancies in committees and among the appointed officers,\nshall be filled.\n10th. The reports of the Grand Officers shall be presented.\n11th. Petitions, Communications, Appeals, and Financial Accounts,\nshall be presented, and referred in the order above mentioned.\n12th. Miscellaneous business, and nomination and election of\nofficers.\nSECOND DAY.\n13th. Reading and approval of Minutes of preceding day.\n14th. Reception and reference of Credentials, reports thereon,\nadmission of new members, and roll call.\n15th, Resolutions of inquiry of Standing or Special Committees. 1586\n16th. Reports of Standing Committees; in the order in which they\nare named in the Constitution.\n17th. Reports of Special Committees by seniority.\n18th. Consideration of proposed amendments to the Constitution\nof the Grand Lodge.\n19th. Consideration of proposed amendments to the Constitution\nof Subordinate Lodges.\n20th. Petitions, Communications, Appeals and Financial Accounts,\npresented and referred.\n21st. Unfinished business.\n22nd. New business.\nthird day.\n23rd. Reading and approving Minutes of preceding day.\n24th. Reception and reference of Credentials, reports thereon, admission of new members, and roll call.\n25th. Reports of Standing and Special Committees. '\n26th. Additional business in the same order as on second day.\n27th. Miscellaneous business.\n28th. Should the foregoing order of business not be concluded on\nthe first or second day, it shall be commenced on each succeeding day\nwhere it left off on the preceding; except that the reading and approval\nof minutes, and reception, reference, reports on credentials of members,\nand roll call, shall be the first business in order on each day, and that\nthe nomination and election of officers shall be the last business on the\nfirst.day of the session.\n29th. On the last day of the session, the officers shall be installed,\nand committees appointed, before it shall be declared closed; the\nminutes of the day shall be read and approved, if correct.\nII.\u00E2\u0080\u0094OF DECORUM.\nDuring the continuance of the meeting, the most decorous silence\nmust be observed; the officers and members retaining their respective\nseats, and no one leaving the room without the permission of the Grand\nMaster, nor entering without the consent of the Grand Warden.\nNo member shall, by conversation or otherwise', interrupt the business of the Grand Lodge, or refuse to obey the chair. Every officer and\nmember shall be designated in debate, or otherwise, by his proper office\nor title, according to his standing in the Order. 1587\nNo member shall be permitted to vote or speak, unless clothed in\nregalia, or wearing a badge or ribbon appropriate to his rank and\nstation.\nIII.\u00E2\u0080\u0094OF THE CHAIR.\nThe Grand Master, while presiding, shall state every question coming before the Grand Lodge, and immediately before putting it to vote\nshall ask, \"Is the Grand Lodge ready for the question?\" Should no\nmember rise to speak, and a majority indicate their readiness, he shall\nrise to take the question; and after he has risen, no member shall be\npermitted to speak upon it. He shall pronounce the votes and decisions of the Grand Lodge on-all subjects. He shall decide questions of\norder without debate, unless entertaining doubts on the point he invite\nit, and shall have the privilege of speaking only on such questions from\nthe chair. When his decision has been appealed from, the question\nshall be put thus: \" Will the Grand Lodge sustain the Chair in its\ndecision? \"\nIV.\u00E2\u0080\u0094OF DEBATE.\nEvery member when he speaks or offers a motion, shall rise and\nrespectfully address the Chair. While speaking he shall confine himself to the question under debate, avoiding all personality and indecorous language, as well as any reflection upon the Grand Lodge, or its\nmembers.\nShould two or more members rise to speak at the same time, the\nChair shall decide which shall be entitled to the floor.\nNo member shall disturb another in his speech, unless to call him\nto order for words spoken.\nIf a member while speaking, shall be called to order, at the request\nof the Chair, he shall cease speaking, and take his seat until the question of order is determined, when, if permitted, he may again proceed.\nNo member shall speak more than once upon the same question,\nuntil all the members wishing to speak shall have had an opportunity\nto do so, nor more than twice, without permission of the Chair. But no\nmember shall have the privilege of speaking more than once on a question of order, after appeal from the decision of the XDhair.\nV.\u00E2\u0080\u0094OF QUESTIONS AND VOTES.\nWhen any communication, petition or memorial is presented, before it is read, or any vote taken on it, a brief statement of its contents\nshall be made by the introducer or the Chair, and after it has been\nread, a brief notice of the purport shall be entered on the Journal.\nNo motion shall be subject to action until seconded and stated by\nthe Chair, and at the desire of any member, shall be reduced to writing. i588\nWhen a blank is to be filled, the question shall be taken first upon\nthe highest sum or number, and the longest or latest time proposed.\nAny member may call for a division of a question, when the sense\nwill admit of it.\nWhen a question is before the Grand Lodge no motion shall be received, unless to adjourn, the previous question, to lie on the table, to\npostpone indefinitely, to postpone to a certain time, to refer or to\namend, and shall have precedence in the order herein arranged; the\nthree first of which shall be decided without debate.\nAfter any question, except one of indefinite postponement, has been\ndecided, any two members who voted in the majority, may, during the\nsame communication, move for a reconsideration thereof.\nThe previous question can be called for by two members, if seconded by a majority, and shall be put in this form: | Shall the main\nquestion be now put?\" If carried, all debate shall cease, and the vote\nshall be first upon all pending amendments, beginning with the one last\nproposed, after which, upon the main question.\nWhen five members rise in favor of taking a question by ayes and\nnays, they shall be ordered to be so recorded.\nEvery member present shall vote on any question before the Grand\nLodge, unless he is personally interested in the result, or has been excused by the Grand Lodge, or is otherwise incapacitated.\nNo more than two amendments to a proposition shall be entertained\nat the same time\u00E2\u0080\u0094that is, an amendment, and an amendment to an\namendment\u00E2\u0080\u0094and the question shall be first taken on the latter.\nWhen the ayes and nays are ordered, the names of the representatives shall be called by the Lodges.\nPast Grands, not representatives, have no right to vote upon any\nquestion before the Grand Lodge ; that right is confined to those whose\ncredentials as Representatives are reported correct by the Committee on\nCredentials, Elective and Appointed Officers and Past-Grand Masters of\nthis jurisdiction in good standing.\nAll unimportant questions and answers reported upon by the committee on the State of the Order, are to be entered on the secret Journal.\nAfter a substitute has been accepted by the Grand Lodge, in place\nof the report of a committee, further action on the report would be out of\norder, without first reconsidering the vote by which the substitute was\nadopted.\nWhen a substitute is adopted in place of an amendment, it is not\nnecessary to take action on the amendment. 1589\nAll resolutions laid on the table, and not acted upon before the\nclose of the session of the Grand Lodge at which they were presented,\nexpire with the session, and would have to be renewed at any subsequent\nsession, before any action could be had thereon. CONSTITUTION\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2OF-\nSUBORDINATE LODGES.\nPREAMBLE.\nFor the purpose of effecting uniformity in the administration of the\nprivileges, honors aud benefits of Oddfellowship within this jurisdiction,\nthe Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of\nthe Province of British Columbia ordains the following Constitution\nof Subordinate Lodges under its jurisdiction.\nARTICLE I.\nNAME, etc\nSection 1. This Lodge shall consist of at least five members of the\nThird Degree, including one qualified to preside at its meetings, to be\nhailed and entitled [Name and Number of Lodge,] Independent Order of\nOdd Fellows, holding a legal and unreclaimed charter, granted or sanctioned by the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of\nthe Province of British Columbia. It cannot voluntarily surrender its\ncharter, or dissolve, so long as five brothers in good standing object\nthereto.\nARTICLE II.\nOF MEMBERSHIP.\nSection 1. All candidates for initiation must be free white males,\nof the age of twenty-one years and upwards, of sound health, of good\nmoral character and industrious habits, having some known reputable\nmeans of support, and believe in the existence of a Supreme Being, the\nCreator and Preserver of the Universe, and is not a saloonkeeper, a bartender, or a professional gambler, and be proposed in the lodge nearest\nhis residence, except that lodge grant permission for his joining another\nlodge; Provided, that application for membership may be made to any\nlodge nearest the residence of the applicant, in the same district. A\nperson may be admitted to any lodge in the city or village in which he\nresides ; but all candidates for initiation must reside in this jurisdiction,\nexcept such candidates as may apply from any other Province, State or\nTerritories, where there is no Grand Lodge or District Deputy Grand\nSire located, or permission be first obtained from the officers of the jurisdiction in which the candidate resides. !59i\nSec 2. All candidates for membership by deposit of card, or certificate of dismissal, or as Ancient Odd Fellows, whose cards or certificates\nof dismissal have be^n granted more than twelve months, shall deposit\ntheir cards or certificates with their proposition, or furnish satisfactory\nevidence that such card or certificate has been lost. In the case of the\napplication of a brother who, within six months previous to such application, has been a member of a lodge which has merged into or united\nwith this lodge, the vote necessary to receive shall be a majority vote.\nSec 3. No suspended or expelled member of the Order can be admitted to membership in this lodge, except on a dismissal certificate, or\non being reinstated, and receiving a withdrawal card from the lodge\nwhich suspended or expelled him, or from the Grand Secretary, as prescribed by law, and this lodge shall not admit to membership any member of an expelled lodge without permission of the Grand Lodge of\nBritish Columbia.\nSec 4. A non-affiliated Odd Fellow who has been regularly initiated in the Order, and who at the time of making application for reinstatement to membership shall be over 50 years of age, may be admitted\nto membership in this lodge as a non-beneficial member, upon such\nterms as the by-laws may prescribe, by presenting a petition as required\nunder Section 1, Article III, for proposals for membership by initiation,\nwhich shall be disposed of according to said section.\nThe membership of a brother admitted by deposit of card, or as a\nnon-affiliate, shall date from the time of his signing the Constitution\nand By-laws of the lodge he joins.\nSec 5. When an application for membership is received from a\nperson residing nearer to another lodge than to the one to which the application is made, the lodge receiving such application shall communicate the fact to the lodge nearest the residence of such applicant, and\nshall enquire whether such person is a fit and proper person to be admitted into our Order, and if in the same district, shall also ask the\nconsent of such lodge to receive and act upon such application; and it\nshall take no further action upon such application until an answer is\nreceived to such communication. The lodge receiving such communication shall appoint a committee of three to investigate the character,\nstanding and health of the petitioner, in the same manner as if the application were made directly to such lodge. Such committee shall report at the next regular meeting of the lodge, and a certified copy of\nthe report, together with a certified copy of the minutes showing the\naction of the lodge upon the request for consent to receive and act upon the application (if such consent was necessary) shall be forthwith\nforwarded to the lodge in which such application is filed, and said last\nnamed lodge may then proceed upon such application as in other cases,\nexcept that, if it be a case where the consent of the other lodge is *592\nnecessary, and that consent be refused, the petitioner's money (if any\nhas been paid) shall be returned, and no furthfer action shall be had in\nthe premises\nSec 6. Every applicant for membership must furnish a certificate\nof good health from a qualified medical practitioner before being\nballoted for.\nARTICLE III.\nOF PROPOSITIONS FOR MEMBERSHIP.\nSection 1. The name of a person offered for membership, with his\nage, residence and occupation, must be proposed by a member in\nwriting, signed by the applicant with the names of two persons as references attached and entered upon the record; and forthwith be referred\nto a committee of three members for investigation, who shall report at\nthe next succeeding regular meeting, (unless extraordinary circumstances prevent), when the candidate may be balloted for with ball ballots, and, if no more than two black balls appear, the candidate shall be\ndeclared elected; but if three or more appear, he shall be deemed rejected.\nSec 2. No reconsideration of an unfavorable ballot can be had unless all the brothers who may cast black balls against an applicant for\nmembership voluntarily make a motion for a reconsideration of the\nballot at the same meeting, and never more than one motion for the reconsideration in the same case shall be allowed; and in such case the\nvote on the reconsideration shall be taken by ball ballots, and if the balls\ncast be in favor of it, the reconsideration shall be had; whereupon the\napplication shall lie over until the succeeding meeting, when another\nballot shall be had with ball ballots, and if the same be unanimously\nin favor of the applicant, he shall thereby be elected; but if one or\nmore black balls appear in either ballot, the applicant shall be rejected.\nA favorable ballot can be reconsidered at any meeting prior to the admission of the candidate, provided a majority of the members present\nagree thereto.\nSec 3. If it is alleged that an error has ber village in which he or she resides. The name of any person\nqualified as above offered for membership, with his or her age, residence\nand occupation, must be proposed by a member in writing, signed by\nthe applicant, with the names of two persons as references attached,\nand entered upon the record. If the applicant be an Odd Fellow, or\nthe wife of an Odd Fellow, the application must be accompanied bfty a certificate of such Odd Fellow's good standing in his Subordinate Lodge,\nunder its seal, and signed by its Secretary. Such proposition shall be referred to a committee of three members for investigation, who shall report at the next regular meeting (unless further time be gran ted), when\nthe candidate shall be balloted for with ball ballots, and if no more than\ntwo black balls shall appear, the candidate shall be declared elected;\nbut if more then two black balls appear, the candidate shall be deemed\nrejected. Should black balls appear, the Lodge may by a majority vote,\nimmediately retake the ballot, in order to verify the fact that black balls\nwere, or were not, cast in error, but the Noble Grand nor Vice Grand\nshall not be required to state the number of black balls cast. Should\nthe candidate be elected, he or she shall become a member on signing\nthe Constitution and paying the dues provided by the By-laws. Applicants for membership by deposit of card (such card having been issued\nby a regularly constituted Rebekah Lodge), may be admitted in the same\nmanner as provided for the admission of other members. Provided,\nthat no certificate from a Subordinate Lodge, for a Sister applying for\nmembership by deposit of card, is necessary.\nSec. 2. No reconsideration of an unfavorable ballot can.be had,\nunless all the brothers and sisters who may have cast black balls against\nan applicant for membership voluntarily make a motion for a reconsideration of the ballot; provided such reconsideration be had within four\nregular meeting nights next succeeding such rejection; and in such\ncase the vote on the reconsideration shall be taken by ball ballot, and\nif all the balls cast be in favor of it, the reconsideration shall be had;\nwhereupon the application shall lie over until the succeeding meeting,\nwhen another ballot shall be had with ball ballots, and if the same be\nunanimously in favor of the applicant, he or she shall thereby be elected ; but if one or more black balls appear in either ballot, the applicant\nshall be rejected; and in no case shall a reconsideration be had, except\nupon a voluntary motion of all those who cast black balls; and never\nmore than one motion for a reconsideration in the same case shall be allowed. A favorable balloting can be reconsidered at any meeting prior l6l2\nto the admission of the candidate, provided, a majority of the members\npresent agree thereto.\nSec 3. This Lodge shall confer the Degree of Rebekah only on\nsuch persons who apply for and are duly elected to membership therein.\nSec. 4. Candidates rejected in this Lodge may renew their application for membership therein at the expiration of six months after\nsuch rejection.\nARTICLE IV.\nPOWERS AND PRIVILEGES.\nSection 1. This Lodge shall possess the powers and enjoy the privileges following:\nClause 1. To confer the Degree of Rebekah on properly qualified\napplicants as hereinbefore specified.\nClause 2. To elect and appoint its own officers in the manner prescribed by this Constitution and the By-laws of the Lodge.\nClause 3. To hold regular and special meetings as provided by\nthe By-laws.\nClause 4. To fix and establish dues, to be paid monthly, quarterly, semi-annually, or annually, as the By-laws may provide: and to provide by By-laws, when those in arrears for dues for one year may be\nsuspended for non-payment thereof.\nClause 5. To pay and disburse from the funds of the Lodge, from\ntime to time, as a majority of the members present shall by vote determine, for any of the declared purposes of this Degree as set forth\nin Article II.\nClause 6. To establish such By-laws and Rules of Order, not inconsistent herewith, or with the rules, usages and general regulations of\nthe Order, as it may deem proper ; subject, however, to the approval of\nthe Grand Lodge of British Columbia.\nClause 7. To grant Withdrawal cards to members who are clear of\nthe books, and on receipt of the price of the card. Members may apply\nin person, or by letter, for such cards. Should objection be offered for\ncause the Lodge may suspend issue of the card until an investigation is\nheld. Visiting Cards shall be granted upon application in open Lodge,\nor they may be issued by the Noble Grand and Recording Secretary to\nmembers in good standing upon application in writing, but in either case\nthe dues of the applicant must be paid up to the end of the time for\nwhich the card is granted, which time shall not exceed one year from the\ndate of the card. 1613\nClause 8. To try charges preferred against members for the violation of the Constitution and By-laws of the Lodge, or the general rules,\nregulations aud usages of the Order, as provided in the following\nsections:\nSec. 2. Auy member who shall violate any of the principles of the\nOrder, or offend against the Constitution, By-laws or Rules of Order of\nthis Lodge, or the penal laws of the land, shall be fined, reprimanded,\nsuspended, or expelled, as the By-laws may direct, or the Lodge\ndetermine.\nSec. 3. All members shall be entitled to a fair trial for any offence\ninvolving reprimand, suspension or expulsion. Members shall not be put\nupon trial, unless charges duly specifying the offence, so as to fully\napprise them of the nature thereof, and to enable them to prepare for\ntheir defence, shall be submitted to the Lodge, in writing, and signed by\na member of the Order, and a copy thereof, under seal of the Lodge, be\nserved upon them.\nSec. 4. Such; charges shall be referred to a committee of five members, who shall, without unnecessary delay, summon the parties and try\nthe case. They shall keep full minutes of the evidence and of their proceedings, and report the same to the Lodge, with their verdict. A witness, if a member of the Order, shall give evidence on the honor of an\nOdd Fellow ; if not a member of the Order, then on oath or affirmation,\nand the proceedings must state that such obligation or oath was administered. No testimony shall be taken without notice, or opportunity for\ncross-examination by the opposing party. Upon the report being made,\nnotice thereof shall forthwith be given by the Secretary, to the party\nagainst whom the verdict is rendered, and he or she shall have two weeks\nin which to file exceptions. If no exceptions are filed within two weeks,\nthe Lodge shall proceed to pronounce judgment upon the verdict and\naffix the penalty. An appeal from the judgment of the Lodge may be\ntaken at any time within two weeks thereafter, to the Grand Lodge ; and\nif no such appeal is taken, the judgment of the Lodge shall be final.\nWhen a bill of exception to the report of the committee is filed, as above\nprovided, the Lodge may determine upon its merits, and either sustaiq\nthe report of the committee, or refer the same back to the same or another committee, or grant a new trial. If the Lodge deems the exceptions\nnot well taken, it shall proceed to pronounce its judgment and affix\nthe penalty.\nSec. 5. If the accused refuse or neglect to stand trial, when duly\nsummoned, the committee shall report him or her guilty of contempt of\nthe Lodge, which report shall be conclusive, and the punishment shall\nbe expulsion.\nSec. 6. If a specific penalty for an offence be provided in the Constitution or By-laws, the Noble Grand shall enforce it. If none be so 1614\nprovided, the Lodge shall decide by paper ballot whether the penalty\nshall be expulsion, suspension or reprimand and fine. During the ballot, the accused shall withdraw from the Lodge-room. The ballot shall\nbe first taken on expulsion, and if it shall appear that two-thirds of the\nballots are cast for ex pulsion, such shall be the penalty. If two-thirds\nof the ballots are not cast for expulsion, then the Lodge shall proceed\nto ballot for suspension, and if two-thirds of the ballots are cast for\nsuspension, suspension shall be the penalty, and the Lodge shall proceed to fix the duration of such suspension, which shall not exceed one\nyear. If neither expulsion nor suspension is determined as the penalty\nas above provided, then the penalty shall be reprimand, fine, or both,\nto be determined bya majority ballot; if fine is determined upon, then\nthe Lodge shall fix the amount, not exceeding ten dollars; if reprimand\nis decided upon, then the accused shall be reprimanded in open Lodge\nby the acting Noble Grand. No ballot held under this section shall be\nreconsidered. All fines imposed under this section shall be charged to\nthe member's account, and considered, in determining his or her standing in the Lodge, as dues; and when the fine thus imposed, added to\nthe dues, brings him or her under the penalty provided in the By-laws,\nhe or she shall be notified, and allowed the usual time to make payment. In all cases, as^above, if membership ceases, the member, prior\nto reinstatement, shall pay the whole amount of such fine and dues.\nSeo. 7. When a member shall be subject to the penalty of reprimand, he 6r she shall be summoned to attend at some regular meeting,\nto be fixed by the Noble Grand, to be reprimanded from the chair of\nthe Noble Grand; and until he or she so attend and be reprimanded,,\nshall be suspended from all benefits and privileges of membership.\nSec. 8. An expelled member can be reinstated only after a prop-'\nosition, reference, and election by ballot, as in the case of a newly proposed member, permission having first been obtained from the Grand\nMaster. A member suspended for any cause, may be reinstated on the\nremoval of the cause or the expiration of the term for which he or she\nwas suspended, without action of the Lodge, and the Noble Grand shall\ndeclare in open Lodge his or her being reinstated.\nS;bc 9. Any member intending to appeal from the action of the\nLodge, either on a decision of law, or where charees have been preferred, shall file with the Secretary a notice of appeal and the grounds\nthereof; upon which the Secretary shall forthwith send the notice or a\ntrue copy of the same, together with a certified copy of all charges, reports, evidence, and proceedings of the Lodge relating to the case to\nthe Grand Secretary, to be presented to the Committee on Appeals of\nthe Grand Lodge. 1615\nARTICLE V.\nOFFICERS.\nSection 1. The elective officers of this Lodge shall consist of a\nNoble Grand, Vice Grand, Secretary and Treasurer, and if so provided\nin the By-laws, a Financial Secretary. Provided, that no member shall\nhold any two of said offices at the same time, except that of Secretary\nand Financial Secretary. The Lodge may also elect Trustees to have\ncharge of its funds.\nSec. 2. The appointed officers shall consist of a Warden, Conductor,\nOutside Guardian, Inside Guardian, Right and Left Supporters of Noble\nGrand, and a Chaplain who shall be appointed by the Noble Grand, and\nRight and Left Supporters of Vice Grand, who shall be appointed by the\nVice Grand.\nSec. 3. Any member of the Lodge in good standing shall be\neligible to any office in the Lodge provided that no member shall be\neligible to the office of Noble Grand unless he or she shall have served a\nterm in the office of Vice Giand in a Rebekah Lodge. To be eligible to\nthe office of Vice Grand a member must have served a term in some\nelective or appointed office in a Bebekah Lodge, other than Trustee.\nSec. 4. All officers shall hold their offices for six months, except\nthe Financial Secretary, and Trustees, who shall hold office as provided\nin the By-laws.\nSec. 5. All officers shall be clear of all pecuniary charges on the\nbooks at the time of installation.\nSec. 6. Nominations for elective officers shall be made only on the\ntwo meetings immediately preceding that of the regular election, except\nwhen the nominees for an office all decline.\nSec. 7. Officers shall be elected at the first regular meeting in June\nand December of each year, and be installed at the first regular meeting\nin January and July of each year, provided the installing officer be present; if absent, the Lodge may, by vote, defer it until the next regular\nmeeting, or call a special meeting for the purpose, at the request of the\nDistrict Deputy Grand Master.\nSec. 8. Any officer being absent from the Lodge for three successive meetings, except in case of sickness, or any officer for misconduct or\nneglect as such, may be removed by a vote of two-thirds of the members\nvoting at the next meeting after a resolution therefor has been offered in\nthe Lodge.\nSec. 9. Vacancies in any elective office may be filled by the Lodge\nby nomination and election at the next regular meeting after nominating, and until so filled* the N.G. shall appoint a member to the office\npro tern. i6i6\nSec. 10. The duties of the various officers shall be as laid down in\nthe charges of office, and as specified by this Constitution and the Bylaws of the Lodge.\nSec. 11. The N.G., or member acting as such, shall appoint the\nmajority, and the V.G., or member acting as such, the minority of all\ncommittees on candidates and charges.\nARTICLE VI.\nFUNDS and property.\nSftEonoN 1. The funds and property of this Lodge shall be held exclusively as a Trust Fund, to be devoted to no other purpose than the\ncharitable uses of the I. O. O. F., and expenditures legitimately made\nfor Lodge purposes and the advancement of the interests of the Lodge or\nthe Order. The funds may be invested from time to time as the Lodge\nshall direct; but no part thereof, or of the Lodge property, or the proceeds of any sales of such property, shall ever be divided among the\nmembers, and in case of a surrender or forfeiture of the Lodge Charter,\nall the funds and property of the Lodge of whatsoever kind shall be immediately surrendered and delivered up to the Grand Lodge of this\njurisdiction, or to its officers or agents properly authorized to\nreceive them.\nARTICLE VII.\nTERMS.\nSection 1. All terms shall commence on the first day of January\nand July in each year, and end on the day on which the succeeding one\ncommences.\nARTICLE VIII.\nRETURNS.\nSection 1. It shall be the.duty of the officers for the term about\nexpiring on 31st December of each year to prepare for the Grand Lodge\nand deliver to the Installing Officer a regular report of the work of the\nyear ending as aforesaid, in accordance with the blanks furnished by the\nGrand Lodge and authenticated by their signatures and the seal of the\nLodge. And no Lodge shall be entitled to have its officers installed, or\nto receive the Pass-words, until these returns are completed and delivered\nto the Installing Officer.\nARTICLE IX.\nBY-LAWS.\nSection 1. This Lodge may make, alter or rescind such By-laws,\nRules and Resolutions; from time to time, as may be deemed expedient j\nprovided, that they do Dot in anywise contravene this Constitution, or\nthe Constitutions, By-laws, or Regulations of the Grand Lodge of the\nProvince of British Columbia, or of the Sovereign Grand Lodge. 1617\nSec. 2. The By-laws of \u00E2\u0080\u00A2this Lodge shall be in force from the time\nof their approval by the Committee on Laws of Subordinates subject to\nthe approval of the Grand Lodge, and manuscript copies of such By-laws\nbefore being printed, and copies of all alterations and amendments shall\nbe transmitted to the Grand Secretary, in duplicate, to be submitted to\nthe Committee on Laws of Subordinates ; one copy shall be retained on\nfile in the Grand Secretary's office, and the other returned to the Lodge\nwith the decision of the Committee noted thereon.\nARTICLE X.\nAMENDMENT OF CONSTITUTION.\nThis Constitution shall not be altered, amended, suspended, or annulled except on motion made in the Grand Lodge at a regular session,\nand carried by a two thirds vote. i6i8\nABSTRACT OF REPORTS OF\nUnder the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of British\nName and Number of\nLodge.\nLocation.\nNight of\n1vi eeting.\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 rH\nh-1\nT3\nr-\no\n1\n-a\n<\nAdmitted as Ancient Odd Fellow.\nT3\n\n2*\nfi\noo c\noj \u00E2\u0080\u0094\n0)_C\no *\u00C2\u00BB\nw\n14\n5\n13\n13\n2\n4\n1\n3\n5\n6\n14\n14\n125\nr*\n \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\n.Q OO\nS \u00C2\u00AE\n*\u00C2\u00A3\no\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2n\n\u00C2\u00AE\nS3\ns-\na>\nt3\nc\no\no\n0)\n9)\nOQ\n\u00E2\u0096\u00A0H\na\ntt\n0)\nc\nReceipts.\n134\n161\n124\n110\n135\n141\n30\n116\n66\n175\n67\n71\n80\n97\n35\n42\n47\n34\n38\n114\n47\n35\n34\n34\n30\n253\n177\n50\n29\n5-1\n90\n24\n154\n37\n46\n25\n23\n2950\n13\n6\n6\n9\n1\n15\n9\n6\n3\n5\nDues.\nAdmis's\nand\nDegrees.\n36\n35\n25\n29\n25\n20\n14\n15\n12\n20\n13\n12|\n12\n15\n9\n8\n$\n12\n8\n3\n9\n13\n12\n8\n1\n6\n6\n6\n4\n4\n4\n23\n4\n6\n5\n4\n4\n8\n2\n27\n3\n4\n8\n5\n6\n2\n3\n2\n32\nI\n1\n243\n402\n834\n886\n635\n447\n511\n793\n158 80\n552 00\n338 00\n921 00\n401 00\n636 00\n395 15\n457 25\n'85 (10\n245 50\n245 00\n208 00\n228 00\n667 00\n179 50\n207 00\n170 50\n180 45\n230 42\n1346 50\n878 00\n275 00\n184\n284\n464\n133 65\n825 00\n159 r\u00C2\u00BB0\n241 20\n10 00\n5 00\n00\n'0\n50\nRents\nand\nInvested\nFunds.\nTotal.\n10 00 $\n143 on\n44 00 .\n50 00\n111 00\n128 00\n27 00\n196 00\n85 00\n60 00\n32 00\n36 00\n66 00\n60 00\n116 00\n20 00\n120 00\n10 00\n10 00\n40 00\n45 00\n145 00\n50 00\n10 00\n38 00\n1*65 00\n4500\n76 00\n27 50\n345 00\n475 00\n$15519 17 $ 2785 50\n896 48\n559 27\n145 30\n1231 00\n664 05\n376 33\n60 40\n138 00\n125 00\n84 00\n7 00\n5 00\n38 00\n61 00\n157\n75\n31\n27\n48\n00\n60\n00\n89\n00\n75\n103\nHI 00\n3 50\n13 16\n103 00\n$ 4998 59\n23\n27\n25\n05\n00\n30\n80\n45\n96\n15\n50\n1971\n1693\n682\n643\n1742\n1717\n158\n1324\n1502\n1198\n624\n836 45\n827 75\n509 00\n195 00\n\u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00C2\u00B0R 50\n00\n00\n50\n50\n50\n60\n25\n30\n40\n50\n25\n75\n00\n55\n80\n15\n16\n00\n70\n00\n05*\u00C2\u00BB\n366\n334\n427\n789\n220\n248\n\u00E2\u0080\u00A2274\n279\n382\n1499\n1040\n388\n184\n361\n677\n137\n883\n339\n387\n355\n480 00\n$ 26210 5\n0/ 1620\nABSTRACT OF REPORTS OF\nUnder the Jurisdiction of the Grand Lodge of British\nName and Number of\nLodge.\nLocation.\nNight of\nMeeting.\na\n.2\n1\u00E2\u0080\u0094t\n*~\nc3\no\n>>\\n1\nSI\n\n\u00C2\u00A3 Q\n4-3\nCS\nO\nH\n0?\n0\nO\nX\nH\n\" 8 9\n\" 9 8 l'|\n\" 10 19: 2l\n\" ii. ..m: 6\n\" 1*2 ft 14\n\" 13 6\n\"14 12\n\" 15 3\n\" 16 4\n\" 17 4\n\"18 1\n\"19 8\n\" 20 8\n\" 21 6\n\"22 8\n\" 23 ..\n\"24 3\n\"25 4\n\"26.. ... 35\n\" 27 23\n\"28 8\n\" 29 3\n\"30 5\n\"31 15\n\"32 5\n\" 33 22\n\" 34\t\n\"35 8\n\"36 1\n\" 37 2\n363 12\n5\n406\n2\n163\n1\n101\n176\n1\n96\n1\n215\n1\n2\n47\n1\n106\n2\n98\n85\n144\n9\n2\n100\n3\n1\n18\n8\n3\n1\n20\n32\n37\n44\n16\n32\n203\n1\n91\n29\ni\n21\n36\n88\n15\n123\n29\n4\n3\n22\n2601\n2306\n1357\n688\n1743\n917\n1636\n56\n386\n1035\n850\n488\n1134\n72\n657\n12\n153\n80\n30\n180\n225\n314\n357\n00|$\n00\n50\n00\n50\n50\n00\n00\n00\n00\n50\n00\n50\n401\n00\n00\n00\n00\n00\n00\n00\n83:\n168 00\n323 00\n1971 38\n739 86\n220 00\n190 00\n300 00\n777 50\n90 00\n1059 00\n227\n50\n24\n00\n22\n50\n120 00\n27 45\n10 00\n80 00\n335 00\n100 00\n20 00\nr12 45 1623\nANNUAL RELIEF REPORTS.\nColumbia, I. 0. 0. F., for the Year ending 31stDec., 1896.\nTotal Paid For.\nTotal\nRelief of\nBurying\nEducat\n'n Special\nTotal\nRelief\nPaid\nCurrent\nAssets\nOrphans\nthe Dead\nof Orh'\nns Relief\nExpenses\n$ \t\n$ 370 00\n$ ....\n..% 409 75\n$ 3205 75\n$ 604 90\n% 36.\">88 24\n220 00\n47 00\n1624 00\n792 37\n35000 00\n75 00\n55\n00 210 00\n1055 95\n150 10\n498 00\n39 00\n1792 00\n416 38\n10000 00\n129 50\n170 00\n.. 267 00\n1564 00\n685 50\n27500 00\n87 00\n1723 50\n1617 90\n9947 49\n50 00\n106 00\n55 00\n2650 00\n185 00\n.. 10 00\n531 00\n923 75\n6512 88\n75 00\n1110 00\n496 60\n4458 61\n120 00\n75 66\n1400 00\n671 14\n4730 18\n57 35\n545 85\n743 60\n2100 31\n27 00\n1161 00\n260 65\n3303 22\n35 00\n10 00\n117 50\n476 95\n2642 34\n120 00\n877 40\n12 00\n395 45\n193 90\n946 47\n2350 20\n75 00\n35 00\n263 00\n248 00\n2040 00\n10 00\n90 00\n30 00\n371 40\n325 00\n2000 00\n881 90\n60 00\n240 00\n225 00\n314 00\n357 83\n\t\n362 55\n497 75\n202 55\n63 30\n244 12\n1000 00\n3836 33\n1039 41\n1591 36\n2147 15\n5 00\n173 00\n323 00\n132 00\n304 78\n1442 00\n1040 00\n30 00\n8 25\n2009 63\n839 55\n5214 78\n75 00\n814 86\n661 47\n3147 31\n75 59\n295 59\n184 65\n1670 45\n75 00\n25 00\n290 00\n155 50\n377 45\n\t\n77 37\n377 37\n797 50\n90 00\n1059 00\n172 20\n417 57\n65 40\n608 20\n117 12\n978 00\n1208 12\n5()0 00\n1448 00\n1330 04\n30 00\n257 50\n24 00\n150 40\n716 10\n1058 95\n571 20\n16 90\n39 40\n220 40\n482 70\n% 129 50\n$ 1914 49\n$ 55\n00 $ 1342 72\n1\n$ 24896 63\n% 15544 20\n$184233 09 1624\nELECTIVE OFFICERS OF\nOf the Grand Lodge of British Colombia,\nName and Number of Lodge.\nVictoria Lodge,\nColumbia \"\nN. Westminster \"\nDominion\nBlack Diamond \"\nHarmony \"\nExcelsior ''\nVancouver\nTatnai \"\nWestern Star '.'\nUnion *'\nSelkirk\nRoyal City \"\nAcme\nCloverdale \"\nKootenay \"\nDuncan ' *\n'Vernon Valley \"\nMt. Pleasant \"\nCentennial \"\nDelta\nGold Range\nAshcroft\nIsland\nRevelstoke \"\nPacific ''\nAmity \"\nCheam \"\nFriendship \"\nBanner \"\nPeerless ' *\nRocky Mount'n \"\nCedar\nRossland \"\nCarson \"\nBound'y Valley \"\nSilver City \"\nSlocan\nNo. 1\n2.\n3.\n4.\n5.\n6.\n7.\n8\n9.\n10.\n11.\n12.\n13\n14.\n15\n16.\n17.\n18\n19.\n20.\n21.\nLocation.\nVictoria\t\nVictoria\t\nNew Westm'r..\nVictoria\t\nNanaimo\t\nWellington\t\nChilliwack\t\nEburne\t\nRevelstoke...\nVancouver...\nNew Westm'i\n24...\n25...\n26...\n27...\n28 lAsassiz.\n30...\n31...\n33..\n34...\n35...\n36...\n37...\n38...\n40.\nNanaimo\t\nWellington\t\nVictoria\t\nGolden\t\nCedar District.\nRossland\t\nCarson City.. ..\nGreenwood\t\nSandon\t\nSlocan City....\nNoble Grand.\nE. Shaper\t\nJ. S. Smith. i.\nR. L. Reid..\nF. Kermode..\nR. Gillard ...\nJ. Woods\t\nJ. C. Henderson,\nP.G.\nVancouver | Thos. Wheeling\nKamioops....\nVancouver....\nUnion\t\nDonald\t\nNew Westm'r.\nVictoria\t\nCloverdale.. ..\nNelson IS\nDuncan I J\nVernon ....\nMt. Pleasant\nNanaimo....\nLadner's.. ..\n22 North Bend.\n9^ ishcrof t\t\nH. McLean\t\nW. G.Elliot\t\nJ. Fulcher\t\nW. E. Woodhouse\nD.Walker\t\nF. Rillingsley\t\nA.N. Anderson...\nP. Shaw\t\nH. Blythe\t\nBond\t\nHutson\t\nBell\t\nJ.\nJ.\nR.\nC. Barry\t\nJ. W, Burr, P.G....\nCO. P. Olts\t\nR. S. Wilson\t\nH. J. Rickard....\nW. C. Calhoun...\nR. McDonald....\nW. F. Norris\t\nT. Brvant\t\nH. Siddall\t\nC. A. Warren, P.G.\nJ. G. Petherick..\nJ. Edgren\t\nJ. McLaren\t\nR. Smailes\t\nH. C. Holden....\nA. Teeter\t 1625\nSUBORDINATE LODGES,\nI. O. O. F., for the Term Commencing 1st July, 1897.\nVice Grand.\nRecording Secretary Treasurer. Permanent Sec'tary\nJ. E. Sabine...\nW. Adams\t\nR. Sample\t\nA. Meyer\t\nW. H. Lemin..\nJ. Glen\t\n8. Mellard\t\nG Walker\t\nW.J. Mclver..\nJ. L. McTaggart\nM. Piersey\t\nJ. McLeod\t\nJ. Perdue \t\nC. D. Christie.\nR. Coilishaw..\nE. C. Traves...\nD. R. Hattie..\nH. W. Knight.\nW. J. Hart\t\nmN. Crossan....\nK Malcom. .\n?J. B. Bryson\nEI. Trotter...\n|W. Sargent.\n|J. Ramsay. .\n|D. McPherson\nH. L. Calvert..\nR. Booth...\nIS. Thompson.\nI G. ET. Harrison\n|| R. White .\njW. Richards.\n-J. R. Jones..\nP. B. Nelson.\n?W. M. Law..\nF C. Sewell..\nP. Hanck\t\nDavey. P.G A.\n. W. Fawcett, P.G. A.\n. Furness |J.\nBamford, P.G. ..P.\nr. H. Morton, P.G. J.\n. F. Haggart. P.G.. H.\nH. Ashwell, P.G..\n. W. McCain S\nT. W. Pearse, P.G.. M.\n. McDonald |A.\n, A. Anley, P.G...\nMathie, P.G\t\nr. H.Lewis, P.G..\nW. Edwards, P.G\n. T. Thrift, P.G...\n. J. McGrath. P.G.\nM. Campbell. ...\n. Mclntyre .*.\n. A. Miller\t\n. S. Whiteside, P.G\nH. Cancellor...\nW. Shaw, P.G.\nD. E. McKay..\nT. J. Graham..\nT. S. Brown...\nE. W. C. Cotham.\nH. Fooks, P.G..\nW. McGirr, P.G.\nF. W. Hawes..\nT. Waller, P.G.\nJ. Jackson\t\nJ. Hunter\t\nJ. Jackson, Jr.\nC. A. Coulson.\nW. J. Harber..\nM. L. Grimmett.\nT. B. Linton\t\nStewart, P.G....\nHenderson, P.G.\nE. Phillips, P G.M\nA. Babington, P.G..\nCrossan, P.G.M..\nMitchell, P.G...\nHollander\t\nP Gordon\t\nParker, P.G\t\n,. Cessford, P.G...\n. W. Denman\t\n[.Phillips\t\n. E. Church, P.G..\n, I. Breen\t\n. H.Dickie, P.G..\n. B. Jacques, P.G.\n, G. Johnstone....\nI H.Thorpe\t\n. Z. Choate, P.G..\n1. D. Fearn, P.G\n. Churchill....\nT. Woodrow.\n. R. Simpson.\n. Adams\t\n, T. Hubbard.\n.. Adam\t\n[. Matheson\t\nf. R. Mackintosh, P.\n. McHattie\t\n[. N. McDonald...\n. Langholm\t\n. B. Nelson, P.G.\n[. J. Phelan\t\n. Mckinnon\t\n7. Clough\t\nF. Davey, P.G \t\nW. Jackson\t\nT. Bamford, P.G.. ..\nW. H. Morton, P.G.\nT F. Haggart, P.G..\nW. E. Johnstone, P.G.\nE. T. W. Pearse, P.G..\nC H. Mouat, P.G..\nF. A. Anley, P.G...\nJ. Mathie, P.G\t\nW. H. Lewis, P.G..\n0 Chislett \t\nH. T. Thrift, P.G...\nJ. M.Campbell\t\nJ. E. Matheson\t\nR. Hoar\t\nF, S. Whiteside, P.G..\nH. Cancellor \t\nW. Shaw. P. G\t\nW. H. Gregory\t\n!'. .1. Graham\t\nH. M. Henderson...\n|E. L. Webber\t\nH. Fooks, P.G\t\nW. McGirr, P.G....\nF. W. Hawes\t\njT Waller, P.G\t\nD. McRae\t\nJ. Jackson, Jr\t\nC. A Coulson\t\nW. B. Paton\t\nA. G. Brown\t\nW. Meldrum\t INDEX.\nPAGE.\nAdmission of members at 21 years of age 1581\nAged and Indigent Odd Fellows 1502,1517\nAlpine Rebekah Lodge 1455, 1470\nAppeals\u00E2\u0080\u0094Ray v. Acme Lodge 1471,1518\nJohnson v- Amity Lodge 1471, 1517\nAyes and Nays 1538\nBadges in lieu of Regalia 1523\nB. C. Odd Fellow 1468, 1470, 1504, 1535\nBenefits and Dues 1520, 1580\n\" attentive 1459, 1529, 1586\n\" to lunatics 1459, 1460, 1503, 1515\nBonds 1471\nBoundary Valley Lodge 1455, 1470\nBy-laws of Grand Lodge 1504, 1513, 1514, 1520, 1521, 1527, 1581\nCarson Lodge, refund to 1538^\nCipher and Key 1528\nCommittees, appointment of 1453, 1469, 1499, 1517. 1520\nConstitution of Grand Lodge 1471, 1506^ 1507, 1568\n\" \" Rebekah Assembly 1528\nI I \" Lodges 1528,1610\n\" . \" Subordinate Lodges 1525, 1527, 1590\nCunningham, Bro. R.S., case of 1512, 1516, 1517, 1529\nDefunct Lodges, sale of effects of 1517\nDegrees Grand Lodge 1452, 1453, 1518\nDistrict Deputy Grand Masters, appointment of 1454, 1540\n\" \" \" \" Digests for 1471,1585\n| \" \" \"\u00E2\u0096\u00A0 Reports of 1464, 1512, 1547 Dues and Benefits 1520,\nDuty on Supplies from Sovereign Grand Lodge\t\nDyas, Bro. R. H., case of 1517,\nElection Grand Lodge Officers\t\nFunerals, carriages for\t\nGrand Lodge, meeting of\t\nI \" Officers, installation of 1526,\n\" Master, appointments by\t\nbills of I\t\n\" \" decisions of\t\n\" \" dispensations by\t\n\" \" installations by .\n\" | miles travelled\t\n\"- \" proclamations by\t\n\" % report of \t\n\" \" travelling expenses of\t\n\" \" visits of\t\n\" Representatives, instructions to 1523, 1530,\n\" \" report of\t\nI Secretary, \u00C2\u00A7 \"\t\n\" Sire, decisions of\t\n\" Treasurer, report of\t\nInsurance Association of B.C\t\nJubilee Celebration\t\nJuvenile Degree 1467, 1501,\nLunatics, benefits to 1459,1460, 1503,\nMembers of Defunct Lodges, liability of\t\nMileage 1534,\nMission City Lodge 1455,\nOdd Fellows Home 1471,\n\" \" Relief Association of Canada\t\nOfficial Certificate 1456, 1461, 1471, 1495,\nPerseverance Lodge 1455,\n1530\n1498\n1529\n1513\n1459\n1538\n1540\n1540\n1503\n1458\n1456\n1456\n1465\n1466\n1453\n1465\n1464\n1531\n1478\n1470\n1479\n1477\n1523\n1503\n1531\n1515\n1462\n1537\n1470\n1535\n1536\n1520\n1470 Reports\u00E2\u0080\u0094Committee on Appeals..\n\" \" \" Credential\n\" \" \" Cases of Bros. Cunningham and Dyas\t\n\" \" \" Distribution 1469,\n\" \" \" Finance 1534,\n\" \" \" Juvenile Degree ... i ~'0t-\t\n\" \" \" Judiciary 1515, 1520, 1522, 1529, 1536,\n\" \" \" Laws^)f Subordinates 1499,\n\" \" \" Legislation \t\n\" \" \" Mileage and per diem\t\n\" \" \"Petitions\t\n\" \" \"Printing\t\n\" \" \" Revision of Constitutions $7%\n\" \u00C2\u00AB u statistics re dues and benefits\t\n\" \" \" State of the Order .1505,1512,\nReport of Grand Master \t\n*' \" \" Representatives\t\n\" \" \" Secretary\t\n\" \" \" Treasurer\t\nRituals, revised 1471, 1494,\nRules of Order, Grand Lodge\t\nSaloon Keepers, etc 1459, 1462,\nSecret Work, exemplification of 1527,\nSilver City Lodge 1455,1470,\nSovereign Grand Lodge, Biennial sessions of\t\nThanks, votes of . 1589,\nWarden, addressing chairs 1S26.\n1518\n1450\n529\n499\n535\n501\n538\n1501\n602\nII:\n1501\n502\n1506\n509\n516\n1458\n478\n470\n477\nJ20\n4','\n42\n2fl Past Grand Masters .\n-OF THE-\nGRAND LODGE OF B.C., I.O.O.F.\n*J. S. Drummond ':&'-.. .1874.. K. Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nJohn Weiler 1875 Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\ntJ. P. Davies. .'Jk 1876 Columbia Lodge, No. 2.\nR. Roberts !ft 1877 Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\ntW. J. Jeffbee 1878... ^Columbia Lodge, No. 2.\n\u00C2\u00A7Charles Gowen 1879 Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nJ. Wriglesworth 1880 Dominion Lodge, No. 4.\nB. W. Shiles 1881. .^.New Westminster Lodge, No. 3.\nHenry WAftdLER^ft. <$*M|p 1882 Columbia Lodge, No. 2.\nAlexander Philips 1883 Victoria Lodge, No. 1. $|pgj\nW. D McKillioan gpg .1884 Dominion Lodge, No. 4.\nWm. McCoftLL 1885 New Westminster Lodge, No. 3.\nFred'k Cabne. J|f......... .1886 Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nIIJoshda Davies '!\u00C2\u00A3;\u00E2\u0080\u00A2- -1887.. .W.Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nJoshua Davies (re-elected). .1888 Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nJ. H. Meldram ftffeft 1889...... Columbia Lodge, No. 2.\nE. Quennell 1890 Black Diamond Lodge, No. 5.\nJ. E. Phillips -Jj&.i. 1891..... .Dominion Lodge, No. 4.\nJ. E. Phillips. .' $st.-'- -1892 New Westminster Lodge, No. 3.\nJ ames Crossan. ... ~s\u00C2\u00A7p 1893..'&\u00C2\u00A3'. Black Diamond Lodge, No. 5.\nT. C. Gray l|ll% \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 1894 Western Star Lodge, No. 10.\nW. E. Holmes'.^^^^E-; .. 1895.. M'. Victoria Lodge, No. 1.\nH. B. Gilmour ..;|| T . 1896 Western Star Lodge, No. 10.\n* Died 6th February, 1884. t Died 20th September, 1879.\nt Died 18th March, 1885. \u00C2\u00A7 Died 8th December, 1892.\n|| Ceased membership. ADDRESSES OF THE OFFICERS\n\u00E2\u0080\u0094OF THE\u00E2\u0080\u0094\nGRAND LODGE OF BRITISH COLUMBIA, 1.0.0. F.\nW. H. Morton, Grand Master Box 34, Nanaimo.\nA. Henderson, Deputy Grand Master.. ,$%... Victoria.\nE- C Davison, Grand Warden Kamloops.\nFred'k Davey, Grand Secretary.... fi. Burnside Road, Victoria.\nS. W. Edwards, Grand Treasurer Victoria.\nD. Welsh, Grand Representative New Westminster.\nT. F. Neelands, Grand Representative... .^Vancouver.\nA. H. Gillanders, Grand Chaplain .$\u00C2\u00A3'\".Chilliwack\nA. Wilson, Grand Marshal Nanaimo.\nW Hogg, Grand Guardian Vancouver.\nD. D. Griffiths, Grand Conductor Wellington.\nW. B. Skinner, Grand Herald. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2'Ig/^iSjpl&s* \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 Ladners. Mali\nThe next Annual Communication of the Grand Lodge of British\nColumbia will be held at New Westminster, commencing Wednesday^\nthe 8th of June, 1898.\nSUPPLIES.\nThe following rates will be charged for Supplies, all orders for\nwhich must be signed by the Secretary, bear the Seal of the Lodge, and\nbe accompanied by the necessary amount to pay the same:\nSubordinate Lodge Rituals ~*\u00C2\u00AB^.' M $\nRitual for Rebekah Lodges only '!^^rf|N\nVisiting and Withdrawal Cards aud Dismissal Certificates *!l|I\u00C2\u00A7\nVisiting and Withdrawal Cards for Rebekah Lodges\t\nBook of Forms ......... ^ \u00C2\u00AB. \u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00E2\u0099\u00A6^^W^Mw^^'^^l\nBook of Odes with music .,. \u00C2\u00AB.;IJ|^....&|l\u00C2\u00A73^iwft Tf'^|f|js\nWhite's Digest Edition 1895 ^^^ft-i^^^^^^\nLodge Odes (Subordinate and Rebekah) \u00E2\u0080\u00A2<|fl\u00C2\u00A7|[& \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 v^sSlpySsf^\u00C2\u00ABii\nOdes with music Subordinate and Rebekah Lodges.. i|||; ft. oyjS&i\nAnniversary Odes \"\u00E2\u0080\u00A2ujjf^ \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 vjrv'\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 V^Pi^M^^*^!\nFuneral Hymns, with Responses T^fl||\u00C2\u00A7^|ii| \u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00E2\u0096\u00A0'-\u00E2\u0080\u00A2\u00E2\u0080\u00A2'\nFuneral Ceremony.. .j| , ft... j?\u00C2\u00A30)... :\nAnniversary Ceremony.. ft..: .. ..;.. ..;. \"v&'$$0v,. \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 |\nMemorial and Decoration Ceremony sfc* .....\nBurial Ceremony, Daughters of Rebekah.....'.,... ft .'\t\nCertificate of Membership, on Plate paper\t\nRebekah Certificates, on Plate paper i^S^^^^^^w^*!\nOfficer's Roll Book.. ,Sg['^^|^>tt.. Wm \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 ^Sf^\"' -''Jill\nQuestion Book.. vsrafifarai^fc. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \"\u00E2\u0096\u00A0!*\u00E2\u0080\u00A2$?\u00E2\u0096\u00A0\u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 \u00E2\u0096\u00A0 ^^^^^^^^^^\nOrder on Treasurer's Book, 250 orders ^^iv^^^^^^^^^\nInitiation Petitions, form recommended by S.G.L. .\'~V--.'v;\".; .per 100\nSubordinate Lodge Degree Chart..... ft... ft. .^-WM'- \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 ^M each\nBound Proceedings, Grand Lodge of B.C., 1874 to 1885..'.'l&PPfp\nSubordinate Lodge Floor Work..TS-.'.,...... tlt'.ft.. T J^ga^,.\nRebekah Floor Work... -^^^^M- \u00E2\u0080\u00A2 \u00E2\u0080\u00A2^^S\u00C2\u00BB^l^^*<\t\nBlack Book. \u00E2\u0080\u00A2\"^&*^i. ....... j|L ',|J\u00C2\u00A7:'!~..'. \u00E2\u0096\u00A0. ft.... \u00C2\u00ABft$|$-\t\nCode for government of Rebekah Lodges\t\nOfficial Certificates and Receipt for Dues, in books of 100\t\noar-\n25\n25\n2{S\n00\n50\n5\n15\n5\n\u00C2\u00A7\n30\n30\n25\n20\n75\n30\n25\n50\n50\n50\n00\n00\n50\n50\n00\n25\n00"@en . "Includes index.

Other Copies: http://www.worldcat.org/oclc/10071079"@en . "Annual reports"@en . "HS1051.C26 B7"@en . "I-0468-1897"@en . "10.14288/1.0221846"@en . "English"@en . "Vancouver : University of British Columbia Library"@en . "Victoria : T. R. Cusack"@en . "Images provided for research and reference use only. For permission to publish, copy, or otherwise distribute these images please contact digital.initiatives@ubc.ca."@en . "Original Format: University of British Columbia. Library. Rare Books and Special Collections. HS1051.C26 B7"@en . "Independent Order of Odd Fellows"@en . "Proceedings of the twenty-third annual session of the Grand Lodge of British Columbia, of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows : held at Kamloops, B.C., June 9th, 10th, 11th, 1897"@en . "Text"@en . ""@en .