Norwich bulletin., 1913-05-22
GRAND LODGE OF ODD FELLOWS Session New London-Frank Roys of Wnsted Elect ed Grand Master-Reports Show Year Good One in Membership Gain and in Finances.

With 269 registered delegates ln tne convention, the grand lodge of Con- necticut, I. o. o. F., opened its annu- al convention on Wednesday morning in New London. The convention was held in Lawrence hall
 The annual report of Grand Master Frederick c. Burrows of New London was in part as follows:
 Representatives It is with eX- treme pride and pleasure that I well come you to my home city, believing from many years association with its people, that your pleasure will be their pleasure and your every want anticipated: and when you leave us I am confident it will be with feelings that your visit has been pleasant as we'll as profitable, and l trust you will carry with you enjoyable recollec- tions of the people of New London as a whole.
 In order to impress on your minds that Odd Fellowship is ever nov ing forward, I would take the occa- sion to quote from the report of Grand Master Hutchinson in 1902 the following: Eighty eight subordinate lodges with 176S1 members; funds, S5O4,55719; relief. $77.9S2.32; 49 Re- bekah lodges, with 5,e3S members; funds. 32,2S547
 Today I am pleased to report 93 subordinate lodges with a member ship of 22,SS9; funds, $S82,319.60; relief, s111.277.ss: 55 Rebekah lodges with 7.494 members and fund of s41,25O.32-
 I am pleased to report, as you will note from the report of your grand secretary. a substantial gain both in membership and funds during the year; and the prospect for advance ment of our order in this Jurisdiction was never brighter than at the present time.
 Secret Work
 I have noted in my visits to the while the secret work has been given in a commendabIe manner in most cases, there is still a great chance for improvement in uniformity, and would urge upon the deputies the i'm portance of attending the meetings of instruction held each. year that they may learn the secret work properly, and be enabled to instruct their lodges in this most essential part of our work.
 Suspensions.
 It is with regret I note that our suspensions for non payment of dues Curing the year were 356; while this Is not as many as in some preceding years, it is too large. Many remedies time, but none seem to avail to the extent desired.
 Rebekah Lodges,
 am pleased to report the Re bekah branch of the order in a most prosperous condition. You will note by the report of the grand secretary they have in the past year, made the largest gain in membership in a long period of years. and their financial conditions are most excellent.
 The interest in this branch of the order has been great during the year, and the degree work is up to a very high standard; all are working in the interest of the home and are con- tinually labortng for an orphanage. is right, have an institution of that nature that will be a credit to Odd Fellowship.
 institution of Lodges.
 There has been no subordinate lodge instituted during the year. A petition signed by a number of brothers of South Norwalk asking for a charter to Institute a subordinate lodge in that city was received by the grand secre- tArv. but after careful consideration the executive council deemed it mad visable to grant the charter.
 May 24, 1912, assisted by Deputy Grand Master Roys Grand Secretary President of the State As senbly Sister Katherine Lammerhirt
  stituted Queen Esther Rebekah lodge, No. 43. at Canaan.
 Jan. 15, 1918, assisted by Deputy Grand Master F. E. Roys, Grand Sec retary William S. Hutchison and all of the elective officers of the Rebekah assembly. I instituted Our Sisters Re- oekah lodge. No. 55 of Norwalk-
 |. 0. 0. P. Home.
 The home on the banks of the Thames is the crowhing glory of Con necticut Odd Fellowship and under the careful management of Brother Blake man and its efficient board of man agers is a home indeed as well as in name It was u1y pleasure in company with President Biakeulan, Grand Patriarch Prince, Secretary W R. Johnson, Brother Charles F. Gates and many other members Of the order, to take part in the Christmas day exercises and to witness the distribution of the presents provided by the generosity of the Rebekah lodges of this iurisdic- ton The exercises were fine and the 1 residents of the home certainty appre- -iated them
 Grand SecretaFy's Report. Grand Secretary Hutchinson present ed the following report: RepT Sen tativeS> In accordance with l he requirements of the constitution, herewith submit my report for the l rear To4al number of lodges .... 93
 Finance Tcrsl assets subordinate lodges. Jan i. 1912 ....$ S44,198.91 Total receipts subordinate lodges for the year 1912 240,443.44 Add increase in valuation of real estate. regaiia, para phernalia, etc. ...- S,936.1 1 LCbSl dSeGI> 3 l,UJo, , i D. A0 ] From which deduct: 4 mount paid for expenses 104, ,276.02 | Amount paid for relief ... 6,9S2.83 l
 5 211,258.S5 1 Total assets, Jan. i. 1913 5 882, ,319.60 l Net gain in assets for the year ,..,4..,.,......... 38,120.69 Total invested funds e.. 71S,301.S4 l " amt To 1