EARLY ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Auckland Star, Volume XLI, Issue 166, 15 July 1910, Page 8

EARLY ODDFELLOWSHIP.

CENTENARY CELEBRATION. The Loyal Good Intent Lodge, No. 4309, of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, succcssfuUy celebrated the centenary of the Order and its own diamond jubilee by a very largely-attended social gathering in the -Masonic Hall, Eden Terrace, on Wednesday evening. A very enjoyable musical and literary programme •was presented by Meredith's String Band, scd Messrs Mollard, Moore, McDowell, Brongh and Edwards (the t-wo latter being encored). Addresses were delivered by Bros. John Clark. Deputy Grand Master for iNew Zealand, «nd John iMcLeod, (Past Grand Master. Bro. John McLeod gave an interesting account of the first seven years of the Lodge's history. He stated that the Lodge was opened by the officers of the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, No. 3920, on 15th July, ISSO, with seventeen members. One of the charter members (the late Bro. Charles Bruce, Past Grand! subsequently established the Loyal Charles Bruce Lodge, which has been named after him. The fees for initiation ranged from £1 1/ to £4 10/, according to age. Very cordial relations existed between the Fountain of Friendship and Good Intent Lodges. The lodge made steady progress, both in membership and friends. In 1554 a movement was made by the Nelson district to obtain legislative .protection for friendly societies, which was cordially supported by ■the Auckland district- From that movement had sprung the present elaborate and. valuable denartment in charge of the Registrar of Friendly Societies. In 1555 the lodge purchased the land upon which the lodge room stands in Cook-street, at a cost of £175. Its present value exceeds £3000. After sixty years of useful labour, the lodge remained, in the opinion of the highest authority, absolutely solvent, with a capital exceeding £10,C00. and paying benefits exceeding £1700 per annum.