FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 82, 8 April 1931, Page 15

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

MANY VISITORS TO LODGES.

RECHABITES' JUVENILES

ENTERTAIN.

ACTIVITIES OF THE ORDERS.

The Waitemata Encampment 1.0.0. F. had an extra busy time last month. The ordinary meeting was held a week earlier than usual to avoid clashing with the Grand Lodge sessions. The chief business at this meeting was the installation of the High Priest, Bro. W. L.

Harding, this being most impressively carried out. A good amount of routine business was dealt with and as a number of social representatives to the Grand Lodge were desirous of obtaining the encampment degrees, a special meeting was. held on Saturday last, March 21, when nine candidates were admitted, advanced and exalted to the three degrees of Patriarchal Odd Fellowship. The candidates came from as far north ae Kawakawa, and as far south as Invercargill, and all expressed an inter-

est in the teachings

and beautiful

ritualistic work of the degrees. A pleasant time was spent around the supper table at the close the proceedings. On the following Tuesday (24th) an official visit was paid to the Epsom Lodge by the Chief Patriarch and members, an interesting and happy time eventuating.

A fine fraternal spirit was shown by a band of juvenile entertainers from the Bud of Promise Tent 1.0. R. (Onehunga), when an official visit was paid to the new juvenile tent of the district, Pride of Roskill. The party, under the control of Bro. H. Campling, superintendent, were accorded a great reception from the Roskill members, whose greetings were expressed by Bro. Jenkin. One new member received initiation and the usual routine business was dealt with, after which the visitors took charge of the programme. Some very good items were presented and the whole of the entertainment reflected great credit on the performers. Those taking part were Sister M. Vazey (piano and elocutionary items), Sister N. German (elocution), Sisters M. Hayward and E. Pace (elocutionary items), Bro. 0. Fletcher

(violin and elocutionary items), and Bro. H. Hall (elocution). Comic songs were given •by a number of the visiting girls and boys, whilst all present took part in a candle game. All the items were much enjoyed, some of the dialogues creating great amusement. Thanks were expressed on behalf of the Roskill officers and members, who were greatly encouraged by the splendid spirit of cooperation and fellowship which permeated the whole of the proceedings. The Epsom Lodge, No. 88, 1.0.0. F., held its usual fortnightly meeting on Tuesday last, March / 24, the evening being marked by the extraordinary large attendance of members and visitors. The Noble Grand, Bro. Sinclair, presided, and the following visitors were introduced, received according to the honours of the Order, and cordially welcomed:—Bro. D. Smillie, Immediate Past Grand Master; Bro. A. J. Guy, Deputy Grand Master; and Bros. M. J. Hooper and R, Cooper, P.G.M.'s. Among the other visitors who were welcomed were:—Bro. W. Reece, P.G., Bay of Plenty; Bro. Persons, P.G., Palmerston Nojth; Bro. Newbiggin, P.G., Star of Napier; Bro. Steele, P.D.D.G.M., Wairarapa; Bros. McLean and Dean, P.G.'s of Aroatea Lodge, Birkenhead; Bros. Joyne and Bellchamber, P.G.'s, Star of Eden; Bro. S. Bellchamber, V.G., Rawhiti; Bro. Dennis, P.G., Star of Auckland; and Bro. Bey, N.G., Star of Otahuhu Lodge. The Waitemata encampment was represented by the C.P., Bro. Barker, senior warden, Bro. Whale, junior warden, Bro. Bond, and several patriarchs. The elections were held for the various offices for next term, Bro. I. Whale being the chosen nominee for the Noble Grand chair. For the vice-grand position two members tied, and after drawing lots, Bro. Cooper was declared elected. Bros. Eastman (secretary), Whale (treasurer), and Jessop (recording secretary) were reelected. The Lodge was then raised to the third degree for the purpose of conferring that degree upon three candidates, the ceremony being admirably carried out by the Epsom degree team. Bro. Smillie gave an interesting address on the work accomplished during the recent Grand Lodge sessions, and also complimented the degree team members on the excellence of their Avork. Short addresses were also given by Bros. Guy, Cooper, Hooper and Persons, whilst C.P. Bro. Barker spoke on the principles involved in the patriarchal branch of the Order. Fraternal greetings were conveyed by the representatives of the visiting. lodges, these being suitably replied to by Bro. Sinclair, N.G. The members and guests then adjourned for supper, the arrangements for which were in the capable hands of Bro. Gribble, who, of course, carried them out in his usual excellent fashion. The remainder of the evening was spent in playing some enjoyable games of indoor bowls. The Gordon Tent, 1.0. R., met at Onehunga on Tuesday evening, a very good attendance being presided over by the Chief Ruler, Sister M. Campling. One new member was received on transfer from the juvenile branch, the initiation ceremony being well carried out. Reports of the District Council meeting were given by tho delegates, who received the thanks of the tent. The bowling tournament for the T. Ashe trophy was declared finished, and Bro. G. Vazey announced as the winner. The tent proposes to carry out a series of fraternal visits in the near future, some eood times being looked forward to. At the conclusion of the business the members had several games of indoor bowls, a game on which nearly all are very ke ßa'whiti Lodge, No. 145, 1.0.0. F., had a memorable time on its last meeting nio-ht, as a visit was received from a party of Grand Lodge officers and visitors These were introduced by Bro. C. A. Johnston, Grand Lodge representative, and included in the party were the Grand Master, Bro. Smillie, Dep. G.M. Bro. J. Sommerville, Grand Sire Bro. L. Dean Ritchie, Bro. Simmonds, IP.G.M., Bro. S. Morris, G.L. Rep., Bro. Crooks. Grand Sec, Bro. M. J. Hooper, D.D.G.M., and Bro. H. Johnson, P.G., of Leith Lodge, Dunedin. On the usual introductions being made, a cordial welcome was extended by Bro. S. Belchamber, the young and efficient N.G. of Rawhiti Lodge, after which seats were provided on the dais. As the visitors had a further engagement the same evening, business was suspended to allow those °of them who wished to addres the meeting. Bro. Smillie, G.M., congratulated the young lodge on its splendid attendance and enthusiasm, special mention being made of the way in which the X.G., Bro. Belchamber, controlled the business of the lodge. Bro. J. Dean Ritchie expressed his pleasure at beins able to be present, thereby giving Rawhiti the honour of having a visit from the Grand Sire of Australasia. He conveyed the greetings of the Grand

Lodge and wished the lodge every prosperity. Bro. Crooks, the Grand Sec, congratulated the lodge on the efficiency of its officers, the- secretary, Bro. C. Johnson, receiving special mention. Short addressee and fraternal greetings were conveyed by Bros. Hooper, Sommerville, Simmonds and other visitors. When the visitors had retired, the routine business of the lodge was dealt with and a very interesting evening epent.

The Light of Manukau Lodge, U.A.0.D., met on Wednesday last, the Arch Druid, Bro. G. Stone, presiding over a good attendance of members and visitore. The latter included representatives from Star of Newmarket, Star of Otahuhu, Roskill and Wanganui Lodges. Two candidates received initiation into the mystic rites of Druidism, the ceremony being impressively carried out by the sitting officers. After the usual business had been transacted, the brethren adjoined for refreshments and harmony, quite a number of well-re-ceived items being rendered by visitors and members.

Haeata Rebekah Lodge, No. 03, 1.0.0. F., met on Thursday evening last, March 26, at Point Chevalier, the N.G., Sister Nunn, presiding over a good attendance of members. The officers of the lodge, having entered for the ritual competition, the judges were in attendance, and on the degree work being put on, a very fine performance wae witnessed, and the officers are to be highly complimented upon their work. Sister Newbold, L.D.D.G.M., congratulated the sisters, as did other visitors, while fraternal greetings were exchanged with a number of sister lodges. The evening, was brought to a pleasant conclusion with the serving of eupper by the social committe, under the direction of Sister Humphrey. The usual fortnightly meeting of the Star of Otahuhu, U.A.O.D. Lodge, was held in the lodge rooms, Station Eoad, Otahuhu, and was presided over by A.D. Bro. G. Goldsmith. A letter was received from the district president, Bro. J. Blakemore, notifying the lodge that the date arranged for the ritual contest with the Grey Lynn Lodge for the Glass silver roosters was unsuitable, and suggesting that the contest should be held on Tuesday, April 28. It was agreed to adopt that suggestion. Bro. F. Hatton's resignation from the office of steward was accepted with regret, and he was accorded a very hearty vote of thanks for his services, which extended over a period of two and a half years. P.A. Bro. Cooper, of the Northern Oak Lodge, was received with the usual Druidic welcome, and conveyed to the lodge fraternal greetings from the Dargaville brethren. The evening was observed as "gramophone night," and after supper an excellent gramophone recital was given, the records being supplied by the brethren.

Representatives of Lodges P,apakura, Franklin, Manurewa, Papatoetoe, Mamikau, Waiuku, Combined Forces and several city lodges foregathered at Drury to attend the installation of Bro. L. W. Legg as Worshipful Master of Lodge St. James. The installing master, Wor. Bro. O. Nicholson, P.G.M., was assisted by Wor. Bros. A. J. Pople. P. M. Hobson, J. C. Pelham and E. W. Dyer. Officers installed were: —W.M., Bro. L. W. Legg; 1.P.M., Wor. Bro. W. R. Bremner; D.M., Wor. Bro. R. Flanagan; S.W., Bro. H. Hamilton; J.W., Bro. A. A. Best; chaplain, Bro. S. Adock; treasurer, Bro. T. H. Brookes; secretary, Wor. Bro. D. F. Lundon; D. of C, Wor. ■Bro. F. J. Langford; S.D., Bro. J. S. Doull; J.D., Bro. J. W. Crawford; organist. Bro. W. J. D. Sharp; 1.G., Bro. R. M. Cossey; S.S., Bro. W. H. Nowcombe; J.S.,*Bro. A. C. Snedden; A.S., Bro. A. L. Learning; tyler, Bro. R. Armiger. A temple is to be erected shortly on a eite acquired by the lodge.