FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LX, Issue 141, 17 June 1929, Page 19

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

RECHABITE JUVENILE'S PROGRESS. INSTALLATIONS AND PRESENTATIONS. LADY MEMBERS SUCCESSES. Just over twelve months ago. on May JS. a new juvenile tent of the Rechabite Order was opened at Belmont. Takapuna, with an initial membership of 59. During it* first vear of activity this young tent has made great progress, the membership roll now standing at over 100, tne "tent holding the "Pascoe Challenge Shield 7 ' for the best work done during IMS in the district membership competition The first anniversary of this {St. Mi.-hael) Tent was held on 31st ult. in Parish Hall, Belmont, when about 170 vonna people, together with parents •Mid "friends attended. Many visitors v.e-e present from Auckland. Onehunga and Remuera. Bro. D. M. Bodlev, district secretary, presided and was supported by Bro." R- H. Wilson, district juvenile superintendent, Bro. G. F. Day. superintendent of the tent, Bro. \ . Disoa, CR. and Bro. F. Jeune. The latter, who is 8S vears of age, had travelled from Epsom" to be present and received a "reat ovation from the large company. from the Bud of Promise Tent Onehunza. undsr Sister Campling and Bros. Breeze and Hyland, entertained the audience with a very fine programme of instrumental and vocal items, interspersed with recitations and dialogues. The superior talent shown deliahted the gathering, one item in particular, the '"Bear Story/' gaming £reat applause. The serving ot supper brought a most pleasant evening to_ a dose? The St. Michael Tent has lor its" officers this term the following:— (\R Bro. V. Dixon; D-R.. Bro. G. larntoiK P.CJI-. Bro. H. Adams; assistant secretary, Sister U. Thompson: stewards, Bros J" Orraiston and K. Holloway; levite Bro D. McLeod; guardian. Bro. K McFadzen. The senior superintendent, BroT G. F. Day, is assisted by Sifter Mrs. Day, Sister Mrs. Thompson, and , Bros W. Sharp and J. Seagrass. _ Court Maid Marian, A.0.F., held their tfttarterlv meeting in the presen/ oi r-'-e of the largest and most representative Gatherings of Foresters seen for sometime. The chief item ot interest was "the election and installation ot officers for the ensuing six months. g,- ;ter g "Miller was elected to tne otnee of chief ranger and has a very capable and enthusiastic set of subordinate officers in the various chairs. The installation ceremony was impressively conducted bv Bro. M. Miller, brother of the new CR Bro. A. Osborne acting as presenting officer. The manner in which the installation was carried out was very favourably commented upon, the visitors and members all agreeing that a very hish standard ot ntua. work had "been" attained. The various officers had memorised their pans and all were agreeably surprised when the outgoing I-P.C.E. cave her difficult outgoing address without the aid ot the book, and also when the new UK. recited her part in a confident tone, without anv sien of nervousness. Sistet Miller is the first lady from the juvenile branch to reach the coveted chier chair. One pleasing feature of the ceremony was the act of Sister Stych in calling upon P.C.R. Sister Hawkins to officiate for her in the installation ot thej-tv. This is a ceremony that most officer? are only called upon to do once during their co"nnection with the order and is a highly prized privilege. The action or Sister Stych was most commendable, it enabled another sister to honour one v.-ho had been under her care ior many years as a juvenile. The evening con-Ili-l-d v.ith various iteme and dancing.

The quarterly meeting of the Loyal Thames" Lodge." iI.TJJ.OTO.P., was held on Tuesday last, when the following officers were elected for the ensuing term:—X.G.. Sis. E. Briggs; V.G., Bro. S. Hardman; E.S.. Bro. G. Isaacs; 1.P.X.G., Bro. J. Hill; 1.G.. Bro. Christie. The newly-elected officers were installed in an imposing manner by Bro. J. Briggs. P.5.G.. assisted by Bro. Strange as conductor. Sister Bsiggs i= the first lady member of this lodga to be elected N.G., and congratulations and best wishes for a successful term of office were showered upon her by the members. Bro. Briggs stated that it was a unique occasion, inasmuch as it ■was the first time in the history or New Zealand Oddfellowship that a father in the course of the reeular duties of his office had installed liis daughter into the chair of X.G. He said that he would perhaps be excused for having a certain amount of pride at seeing Sister Briggs in the chair, knowing that she hud attained that high position through sheer merit and as a result of the enthusiasm shown for some years past. A tribute was paid to the retiring X.G . Bro. J. Hill, for tie able manner in which he had discharged the duties appertaining to his office. The District Book Examiner's report showed that the books of the lodge were excellentl.v kept and quite free from errors. This reflects great credit on the financial secretary, Bro. G. Gilliard. and the X.G. and Bro. Pratt. P.G.. congratulated the secretary on the very fine report received. The . retiring LP.N.G, Bro. J. A. Briggs, was presented with a framed diploma and a certificate entitling him to take the Purple Degree and to have hi? name inscribed on the Merit Board. Votes o< sympathy were accorded the relatives of the late Bros. S. Dobb, R- Allen, and A. Thomas. The last meeting of the Loyal Papa- ! kura Lodge, M.UJ.0.0.F., was one of the largest and best attended meetings held for some time. Besides the local members there were visitors from Loyal Franklin. Manurewa and Drury Lodges. The visitors were welcomed by the Noble Grand Bro. Slessor, and all suitably replied. During the evening nine new membera were initiated into the Order, I following which the newly-elected officers were installed in their respective chairs by Bro. Vv". J. Eest, P.D.G.M., assisted by Bros. Hotham. P.G., and McDonald. P.G. The officers are:—N\G., Bro. Yeiavitch: V.G.. Bro. Scott: E.S.. Bro. Turner: 1.P.X.G.. Bro. Slessor; Warden, Bro. M. Alexander. After the meeting was closed a pleasant evening of daneIns and music was enjoyed by all. Items were rendered by -Miss Ashfor and Messrs. Sarelle, Turner and Slessor. During the evening Bro. Best. P.D.G.M.. presented Bro. F. W. Grant. P.G.. ou behalf of the Papakura Lodge, with a Past Grand's collar as a small token of their very deep esteem and gratitude for the splendid work he tiad done as finanefal secretary during the last six vears. Bro. Eest also asked lam to accept a tea wagon and emblem of the I Order for Sister Grant, P.G., who ■was unfortunately unable to be present. Bro. T. Wall. P.G... was also presented with an emblem cf the Order. Quite a larjre number of members of Hikuraii' T i Mountain tent and friends gathered" in the Parish Hall, Hikurangl, on Friday. May "24. to take part in the opening of a juvenile tent. The district superintendent of juvenile tents, Bro. R. H. Wilson, and district secretary. Bro. D. -3.1. A. Bodley, were present from Auckland and were given a very hearty -welcome. The D.S.J.T. briefly addressed the gathering and explained the object of the visit "and at once proceeded to J institute the tent. He was assisted by I the D.S.. also the following members of Mountain tent, who acted for the time being:— P.C.R.. Bro. A. Malcolm: D.R.. Bro. A. Pratt: levite. Bro. John Ross: guard, Bro. C. J. Beaver. Twenty-three boys and eleven giris answered to the candidates' call and i were dulv initiated juvenile members of

the Rechabite Order. Among the new members was a tiny baby in arms, six weeks old. who was accorded a special welcome, the parents presenting her to the officers with gladness of heart. This society accepts into membership children irorn birth up to It) years of ago. The D.S.J.T. cordially welcomed ail tue new members, after which the opening ode ot the tent was sung. Had the weather been tine —for the night was a very stormy ont —over -i) more young people would have attended for initiation. These will be accepted at the next meeting of the tent, therefore the actual opening membership of the new tent will be over 50 boys and giris. During May of last year two tents, Mayflower, at Otahuhu, and it. Michael, at Belmont, were opened with a similar membership, so the new tent at Hikurangi commences the work under most promising conditions. The name giveu to the tent is Bright Star, and will meet in the Presbyterian, schoolroom en alternate Fridays at 6.30 p.m., the next meeting being on" Friday, June 31. One very pleasing feature o"l the meeting was the keen, intelligent interest taken in the proceedings, especially the election of officers by the boys and" girls, one boy contesting three "offices when he was eventually appointed. The choice of officers for the rirst term was as follows: —Chief ruler, Bro. Thomas Jones; deputy ruler, Bro. Louis Martin; past chief ruler, Bro. John J. Pratt; secretary. Sister Alice Whykes: steward, Bro. Geoffrey Dale; levite. Bro. Edwin Raisbeck; guardian, Bro. Kitchener Martin. Bros. A. Pratt and A. Mackie are the superintendents, and they will be assisted by members of the adult tent and lady friends. The installation of officers was carried out by the D.S.J.T., assisted by the tent superintendents, after which the district secretary gave an address of welcome to newmembers and explained the purposes and value of membership in the juvenile section of the 1.0. K. It was pointed out that in addition to the teaching of the principles of the order, the value of total abstinence from alcoholic liquors was a great asset in the lives of young people. Ke also explained the benefits of the order, paying particular attention to the rules which provide for funeral benefit, and to the special transfer benefit of the order by which a member ox a juvenile tent of two years'" standing or over may, upon transfer to any adult tent in 84 district, receive benefit to the extent of the payment of one half-quarter's contribution to the adult tent for each year of juvenile- j I membership. This benefit being payable from the district juvenile benefit fund. The co-operation of parents and friends was sought and some of the parents offered to help in the work of the tent, lady helpers being particularly valuable, and will be welcomed at any of the juvenile tent meetings. The newlyi elected chief ruler, Bro. T. Jones, closed the tent according to ritual, after which a verv pleasant social half-hour was sper.t." refreshments being handed round by the ladies. "The Loyal Remuera Lodge, MX*., 1.0.0. F., met on Wednesday evening. After the routine business had been dealt with the installation of officers for the ensuins term took place, the installing officer being I.P.X.G. Bro. Metcalfe. The ceremony wae carried out in a vewr impressive manner. The following officers were installed: iX.fr., Sister Bricfcnell: 1.P.X.G., Bro. barley; V.G.. Bro. W. Mace; E.S., Sister W. Palmer: lecture master, P.G. Bro. J. Cocllin; warden, P.G. Bro. L. H. Grafton; Etiardian, Bro. Porter: conductor. P.G. Bro. Pitt: conductress. Sister M. Palmer; organist. P.G. Bro. Metcalfe; R.S.X.G., Bro. Frendergast; L.S3T.G-, P.G. Sro. Godwin: R.S.V.G.. Sister K. Dunning: L.S.X.G.. Bro. Blair. After the installation ceremony the newly-installed officers expressed" their appreciation of the confidence reposed in j them by the lodge. Sister Brirfmell was I congratulated on being the first lady to I occupy the Xoble Grand chair in the Remuera Lodge. Several members paid tribute to the service rendered to the lodge by P.G. Bro. R. Dinsie, who for some time past has

held the office of warden. Since the establishment of the lodge in 101:2 Bro. Dingle has, been in some otiiee every term except one. when he was absent from the country. Speakers also congratulated Bro. Dingle on his regular attendance. It was decided to place oil record the lodge's appreciation or Bro. Dingle's- services. Bro. Dingle suitably expressed his thanks, j. Members were reminded that the annual ball wouid be held in St. George'* Hall, Raniurly Road, Epsom, on June 13. j After the closing of the lodge supper was | served. The evening concluded with \ dancing.