FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 66, 19 March 1931, Page 20

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

ODDFELLOWS' GRAND LODGE OPENS. INTERCHANGE of courtesies ACTIVITIES OF THE ORDERS.

The Independent Order of Oddfellows opened! its Grand Lodge week in Auckland on Monday evening, when a grand reception and welcome was held in the Orange Hall, Newton Road. Bro. M. J. Hooper, D.D.G.M., presided, and the hall was filled to overflowing, the male, Rebekah and juvenile lodges all being largely represented. Delegates from all the kindred societies had been invited, and these were present in their respective regalias. The scene was a gay one and the whole gathering marked by an extremely happy, fraternal spirit. The Grand Master, Bro. D. Smillie, entered accompanied by the Deputy-Grand Master, Bro. Somerville, the Grand Secretary, Br/. Crook, the Grand. Treasurer, Bro. Dean Ritchie, and the Grand Warden, Bro. A. J. Guy, the party being introduced by P.G. Bro. C. Johnstone. A welcome on behalf of the Rebekah Lodges was extended by the L.D.D.G.M. Sister E. L. Newbold, who expressed the sisters' pleasure at the opportunity of meeting their popular Grand Master again and thanking him for the many courtesies extended to their lodges during his term of office. Bro. Hooper, D.D.G.M., gave a welcome on behalf of the Auckland District in his characteristic style, after which lie asked Bro. Smillie to accept a beautfully illuminated and framed address, as a token of the love and esteem in which he is held by the whole of the members of the Auckland District. The address, richly coloured and beautifully executed, was the work of P.S. Bro. L. W. Beckett, and called forth many expressions of congratulation and praise. On rising- to reply, the Grand Master received a great reception, an'# in his humorous way he soon had the whole of the big audience with him. Thanking them for the many kind things that had been said, he remarked that he felt almost like a prisoner on trial, awaiting the judge s verdict. He had done his best for the order, and this week the Crand Lodge delegates would have an opportunity of pronouncing their verdict upon his work. Turning to Bro. Dean Ritchie, the Grand Treasurer, Bro. Smillie told his audience that whilst a welcome had been given hie worthy colleague in his Grand Lodge of New Zealand capacity, he wished to introduce him in a still higher position, that of Grand Sire of Australasia. Bro. Smillie expressed the hope that as lie was a firm believer in the personal element, he would be allowed to become even better acquainted with the members in the social portion of the functon. Bro Dean Ritchie was then called upon to speak, and in an eloquent, yet humorous, speech, he told of the pleasuie his service in the cause of Oddfellowship had brought him, and of the many lifelong friendships he had made through the order. In glowing terms, lie adjured the brethren to carry on the good work they had taken up, always remembering the three cardinal principles of the order, Friendship, Love and Truth. In closing, he conveyed greetings from the Australian Grand Lodge, and special sympathy with all who had suffered in tiie recent great disaster in Hawke's Bay. He said that he had received cablegrams from the Sovereign Grand Lodge of America and the Queensland Grand Lodge, both conveying sympathy and offering assistance if required. _ was the bond of unity which united the brethren in all parts of the world. In introducing the pext speaker, the chairman remarked that no less than eight past grand masters were present that evening and he called upon Bro. John Burchell, P.G.M., to say a few words. Bro Burchell is the oldest Irving P.G.AI. in New Zealand, and despite his great arre is seldom absent from the more important gatherings of the order On behalf of the P.G.M., he congratulated the Grand Master on the sticcess attending his term of office, and told a few interesting recollections of the difficulties of attending the various lodges when he himself first occupied the Grand Master s chair. Bro. E. Leydon, president of the Friendly Societies' Conference, thankee the brethren on behalf of the kindred societies for the opportunity of being present, and congratulated the Grand Master on his work, and the order on the great progress it is making. _ He wished the delegates every success in their conference this week. Some very fine vocal and instrumental items were given, including songs by Bro. Wright Scottish humour and songs by Bro. J. McSis' and instrumental music by the sisters The gathering then adjourned to the supper room, where a bountiful spread had been prepared, two sittings being necessary to cater for the large number present. The remainder of the evening was spent in dancing a flashlight photo-o-raph of the proceedings being taken during tlie . interval. The Loyal Good Intent Lodge M U.1.0.0.F. had a good attendance at its last regular meeting. This was really a continuation of the annual meeting which had to be abandoned through the recent disastrous fire in Hobson Stieet. The annual balance-sheet was read and despite the depressed economic conditions, an improvement was shown in all the funds. Many of the lodge members have felt the strain of the difficult times and hardly a meeting passes without financial assistance being granted to some in distress.

Bro. F. A. Smith, G. 0., made a presentation of a jewel to P.G. Bro. Hopkins for introducing twenty benefit members to the 01 der. Hav in c also introduced the most membeis to the lodge during the year, Bro. Hopkins received a handsome tea set, the' gift of Sister and Bro. McMillan. Fraternal greetings and felicitations were sent to P.G. Sister Shore, the first sister to pass through the chairs of the lodge and who has recently been married.

The Gordon Tent 1.0. R. met on Tuesday evening at Onehunga, the C.R., Sister Campling, presiding over a good attendance. The usual routine business _ receiveel attention, and a report received from the deputy-ruler (Bro. Pace) conveying fraternal greetings from tents in all parts of the country. It was explained that whilst in Duncdin recently, at the Methodist Conference, it was noticed that quite a number of Recliabites were present among the delegates. A gathering at luncheon was arranged and Bro. Gane, Otago provincial secretary, asked to be allowed to act as host. Greetings were exchanged and it was found that the following tents were represented: Enterprise (Christchurch), Ark of Refuge (Christcliurch), Mahurangi (Warkworth), Northern Star (Dargaville), Devonport (Auckland),

Kiwi (Motueka), Gordon (Onehunga), Hope of Dunedin, South Invei'cargill. Carterton. New Century (Levin), aiul Surrey Hills (Victoria, Australia). Arrangements were announced for the district council meeting and church parade. The Gordon members are to undertake the visitation of sister tents in the near future aim some good times are expected. At the conclusion of the business the members enjoyed some games of indoor bowls.

The fortnightly meetmg of the Hacata Rebekah Lodge, 1.0.0. F., was held in the Point Chevalier Hall on Thursday evening, Sister, Munn, N.G., presiding over an excellent attendance of members and visitors. The lodge was favoured with a visit from Sister Newbold, L.D.D.G.M., who was paying her last visit in her official capacity. Accompanied by Sister Tailby, P.L.D.D.G.M., Sister Newbold was escorted by the Deputy Grand Master, Sister Boles, and Deputy-Grand Conductor, Sister Bee, and received a warm welcome, with the customary honours. Two new candidates received initiation, the ceremony being capably carried out. Sister Newbold then installed Sister Humphreys to the position of I.G. A pleasant feature of the evening was the presentation of a jewel by Sister Tailby on behalf of Sister Newbold, to Sister I. Bee in recognition of her services as Deputy-Grand Conductor during the last four years. In presenting this, Sister Tailby referred to the excellent Work performed on behalf of the lodge and order by Sister Bee, and trusted the jewel would always remind her of the many pleasant times spent with the lodgo and with Sister Newbold. Sister Bee suitably replied and said she would always remember with pleasure her associations with the 'Rebekahs and Oddfellows of the Auckland district. Sister Newbold congratulated the members on their fine attendance and wished them luck in the forthcoming ritual competition. Sisters Scarborough and Jenkinson, N.G.'s of Mizpah and Lily of Eden, conveyed the greetings of their respective lodges. A very pleasant evening was brought to a close with the serving of supper. The A.D., Bro. G. F. Goldsmith, presided at the fortnightly meeting of the .Star of Otahuhu Lodge, U.A.0.D., which was held in the lodge room, Station Road, Otahuhu. Advice was received from the Grand Lodge that the biennial meeting, which was to have been held in March, had been postponed to 1933. The money thus saved will be given to assist the Hawke's Bay brethren, who have suffered through the earthquake disaster. Reports were presented by the secretary, Bro. Hickson and Bro. Hatton, in connection with visits made by members of the fraternity to the Auckland, Roekill and Star of Newmarket Lodges. Final arrangements were made for the ritual competition with the Grey Lynn Lodge for the Glass silver roosters. It wa3 suggested that the competition should be held on Tuesday, March 31, in the Auckland Lodge room. P.D.P. Bro. B. Sweet was appointed coach for the ritual practices. The newly installed D.P., Bro. J. Blakemore, was present, and received the usual Druids' welcome, P.A. Bro. J. O. Wells acting as Master of Ceremonies. A tie resulted between married and single members in a 500 card tournament, which was a great success. At the next lodge meeting a gramophone evening is being held, when each member is requested to bring a record. The report of the retiring D.P. was received. It paid tribute to the ability of the past and sitting officers, special reference being made to the work of the secretary, P.S. Bro. Hickson.