ROXBURGH NOTES.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1692, 26 June 1929, Page 5

ROXBURGH NOTES.

(From Our Own CorreDpondent.)

Loyal Roxburgh Lodge. M.U.1.0.0.F. DIAMOND JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS. 1869—1929. For some time past the members o£ the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge have been preparing for the fitting celebration of its diamond jubilee. Determined that .the celebrations would bo worthy of such an important occasion no effort was spared in order to make them a success and taking the form of a grand social on the evening of Friday, the 21st and a banquet on the following evening, the suceess which attended both functions must have 'ljeen ex-; tremely gratifying to the lodge. At the social the hall was quite inadequate to hold with comfort the large crowd which had assembled. Nevertheless, the greatest enjoyment prevailed) and a more sociable and convivial gathering could, not be imagined. The hall, which had been artistically decorated, by willing workers, under the supervision of Miss Horsewell and Mr Webster, presented a most .attractive appearance and the 1 grand march led off by N.G. Prank Laloli and Miss C. Cormack was a fitting introduction to an enjoyable night's dancing. Many visitors were present and excellent music was provided by Miss Gordon and Messrs Gordon and Crossan. Dancing was indulged in till the small hours of the morning, i P.G's George and Dunlay had charge of the floor. During the supper interval the P.G.M. Bro P. H. Young, of Dunedin, presented emblematical certificates to Bros. Galvin, Allen, Omond | and Kitto, each briefly replying. The banquet took place on Saturday i evening and was one of the most sue- j cessful functions that has ever taken i place in the district. In all 220 people ' sat down to dinner." A sumptuous repast was provided and great credit is due to Mrs Strachan who had charge of the arrangements aud her staff of waitresses for the very prompt manner in which the wants of everyone were ' attended to. At the conclusion of dinner a comprehensive toast list was honoured. N.G. Bro. F. J. Laloli presided and he was supported by His Worship the Mayor of Roxburgh, P.G. Bro. F. Laloli, tlje Mayor of Dunedin, P.P.G.M. Bro. R. S. Black, the P.G.M. of the Otago District, Bro. P. H. Young, D.P.G.M. Bro. T. P. Michelle, Prov. C.S. Bro. J. A. Hoperaft, Prov. Treasurer, Bro. A, Sligo and P.P.G.M. Bro. Johnstone. The proceedings were opened with the toast of "The King," after which the chairman extended a hearty welcome to all present. In a neat speech' he referred to the jubilee the lodge was celebrating making special reference to certain outstanding events in its history. He paid a tribute to the foresight of those early pioneers who founded the lodge and to the work it had accomplished during the past 60 years. He remarked that the future) Vas full of promise and that the present day members recognised the great trust which had been handed down to them and could be relied upon to do their duty. He asked those present to stand in silence for a few minutes as a mark of respect to those thirty' members who founded the lodge. On resuming letters of congratulations were read from the following:—P.S. Bro. Jas. Brown and P.P.G.M. Bro J. F. H. Hamel (Dunedin), G.M. Bro. Jack (Port Chalmers) P.G's. E. A. Hart and F. Laloli (Cambridge), G. Coup (Victoria), J. Rainham (Dunedin), J. M'Combe, H. Alpine B. George, R. Woodhouse, G. A. Coughlan, Court Roxburgh and W. A. Bodkin, M.P. The toast of M.U. Oddfellowship and the Otago District was proposed by the, Mayor, P.G. Bro. F. Laloli, who congratulated the District Executive upon the great progress being made in the Otago District. Witli a-membership of 6236 and accumulated funds amounting to £313,127, the society occupied a proud position and prospective members had an absolute guarantee that the society could meet its obligations even under the most adverse conditions. P.G.M. Bro. Young, D.P.G.M. Bro. Michelle and Prov. Treasurer Bro. Sligo replied to the toast. The principal toast of the evening, that of the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge was introduced by the P.G.M., who congratulated the lodge on the attainment of its jubilee. He also congratulated it upon the fine spirit of Oddfellowship that it had always manifested and paid a tribute to its founders and their groat work of self-sacrifice during its early years. Supporting the toast P.P.G.M. Bro. A. R. La wry gave a stirring address on Oddfellowship, making special reference to the high standard shown by the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge. He traced-ihe history of the Order back to its inception in 1839 and its establishment in Otago in 1848 and the formation of the local branch in 1869. He eulogised its members for the great enthusiasm they manifested at all times and for their very ■ high conception of the spirit of Oddfellowship. The reply to the toast was in the hands of P.G. Bro. J. H. Waigth, Jun., who traced the history of the lodge from its inception down to the present day. The toast of P.G. Bro. H Martin, who joined in 1873 and is the oldest surviving member was proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro Sligo. Bro. Martin, who was present, took an active part in the, lodge during its trying period and was ono .of a few members who made a- voluntary donation to assist its funds. The toast was honoured with great enthusiasm and replied to by-Bro. Martin's son, also a member of the lodge. Other toasts honoured were: "tlie, Parlia s

ment of New Zealand," proposed by P.P.G.M. Bio Stabb and responded to by P.P.G.M. Bro. Sligo. "Visiting Lodges," proposed by P.G. Bro. T. Waigth and responded to by P.G. Bro. T. Bead (Vincent), P.P.G.M. Bro. A. Wylio (Port Molyneux), P.P.G.M. Bro. Johnston (Port Chalmers), P.P.G.M. Bro. H. Russell (Valley), P.P.G.M. Bro. J. G. Briggs (Caversham), aud P.G. Bro. Moore (Tuapeka Pioneer). "Local Bodies," proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro. Clarke and, acknowledged by P.P.G.M. Bro. Blaok (Mayor of Dunedin), P.G. Bro. T. Waigth (Borough of Roxburgh) and P.G. Bro. George (Teviot Power Board). "The Ladies," was proposed by Prov. C.S. Bro. Hopcraft and responded to by N.G. Sister Wilson (Queen of Otago), and "The Chairman" was proposed by the P.G.M. During the evening songs were given by P.P.G.M. Bro. Sligo, P.G.M. Bro. Young, P.G. Bro. Edwards and Sister Kennedy; recitations by Miss Stabb and P.P.G.M. Bro. Bussell and P.G. Bro. Button.

A pleasant interlude in the proceedings was the occasion of a presentation to P.S. Bro. J. H. Waigth, jun., who has occupied the position of secretary of the Roxburgh Lodge for 29 years. D.P.G.M. Bro. T. P. Michelle made the presentation which consisted of an illuminated address and spoke in appreciative terms of the recipient's long service to his lodge and to all movements for the benefit and advancement of the district. Ho was supported by P.G. Bro. J. George and by Prov. C.S. Bro. Hoperaft. The latter made special reference to the good work being done by the secretaries of lodges and to P.S. Bro. Waigth's abilities as lodge secretary. P.P.G.M. Bro. Stabb followed with an acknowledgment from brethren outside Roxburgh of the many kindnesses and services received by visitors from Bro. Waigth. He referred to his long association with Oddfellowship and his outstanding qualifications as secretary and asked his acceptance of a polished oak barometer and a gold mounted "Swan" pen as a mark ef their appreciation. Bro. Waigth, who was taken completely by surprise, thanked the donors for their gifts and the speakers for their kind remarks. He appreciated the references to his connection with the Order and expressed the pleasure he had always felt in being associated with Oddfellows both locally and outside his own lodge. Ho would treasure tho gifts as mementoes of the happiest associations of his life and thanked his brother Oddfellows for their kindness.

HISTORY OF THE LODGE. The lodge was opened on June 16, 1869, in Beighton's Assembly Riom. The Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, Lawrence, was sponsor and the following officers took part in the opening ceremony: D.P.G.M. Bro. Sherwin, of the Otago District, assisted by P.P.G.M. Bro. H. Bastings and Bro. F. H. Marriott, of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge, Bro. Cornish (Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge, Ballarat) and Bro. Chadown, of the Loyal Australian Felix Lodge, Port Philip, Victoria. Thirty candidates were initiated and the following were the first officers: N.G. Bro. John Beighton; V.G. Bro. A. C. M'Kenzie; G.M. P.P.G.M. Bro. Bastings; Treasurer, Bro. Jas. Woodhouse and Secretary, Bro. Geo. Bidgood. The lodge carried on for a few years under the rules of Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge and in 1879 it adopted its own rules. In 1896 the building in which the lodge held its meetings was destroyed, by fire and practically all its books and papers were lost. Very little information is therefore available as to its early history. The following is a list of its secretaries:—Geo. Bidgood (1869-1870). J. M. Kiaaston (1870-1875). E. Morrison (1875). J. Forbes (1875-1882). W. Morgan (1882-1883). W. Pool (18831890). G. Telford (1890-1892 and 18921895), J. M'Combe (1892), W. Malone (1895-1896 and 1898-1899). C. R. M'Kenzie. (1896-1898). E. A. Hart (1899-1900)~and J. H. Waigth, jun from 1900 to the present date.

The membership of the lodge to-day is 127.