FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 153, 30 June 1934, Page 13

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

TITLE OF REBEKAH.

LODGE INSTALLATIONS. NEW RITUAL WORK. A general meeting- recently decided that the name of the Clematis Rebekah Lodge should be the title of the latest addition to the lodges of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand. Its members are throwing themselves energetically into the task of a successful opening. The headquaiters will be at Morningside, and Alberta Lodge, which has sponsored this movement, will have a sisters' lodge to assist them on all their lawful occasions. The Clematis sisters held their first at home on May 30, and a happy evening was spent under the very able conduct of Brother M. L. Pye, P. 0., assisted by Bio. W. MeCombie, juu., acting-N.G., of Alberta Lodge. The L.D.D.G.M., Sister L. Boles, was also piesent, as were other district lodge officers. The organiser, who has carried the movement up to this point and who will be responsible for the well-being of Ae lodpe until its officers are officially installed, is Sister 11. White. P.G. The officers who will

''take over" have been elected as follow: X.G., Sister Morris, P.G; V.G., Sister G. White, P. 0.; recording secretary, Sister Tremain; financial secretary, Mrs. C. M. MeCombie; treasurer, Mrs. E. Kingdom; trustees, Mrs. M. Clark. Mrs. E. Gear, and Bro. W. MeCombie, P.G. It is now practically certain that the lodge will be opened during the current session. To this end assistance has been given with a very generous hand by all the other subordinate lodges in the Auckland district, and further promises of help and aid have been given, and will be duly honoured when the time arrives.

The Youthful Enterprise Juvenile Temple, 1.0.G.T.. met on Thursday evenins, Bro. A. Dickson, C.T., presiding over a very good attendance of member*. Two more new members were initiated. the ceremony being ably carried out by the sitting officers. A letter was read from the late Assistant Superintendent, Sis. Mrs. Henricksen, who sent her greetings and best wishes from her new home in Cambridge. The harmony portion of the programme was in the hands of Sister Cant, and a very enjoyable time was spent with items and games.

The Loyal Manukau Lodje, 7479. M.U., 1.0.0. F., met on Monday last, for the installation of officers. Representatives were present from the Loyal Good Intent, Mount Albert. Avon. lieinuera, Kanfurlr, Parnell, Dominion. St. Helier'a and Past Grands Lodge?, Group Officer Bro. McKay also being present. After the usual business of the evening had been dealt with, the installation of officers took place, P.D.G.M Bro. Hawkins acting as installing master. The following are the officers for the ensuing term: N.G., Bro. R. Bawden; V.G., Bro. R. Mclntyre; E.S.. Sis. Webb. The remainder of the even ing was spent dancing, and an enjoyab-li evening was brought to a close with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne."

The Fountain of Friendship Lodge .1-39, had a very busy time at the last meeting, one new candidate beinp initiated. The second nomination of officers brought forward several mon candidates, and there is every prosped of some keen contests on election night The N.G., Bro. B. F. Rothery, requester" Bro. IT. 15. Halstead, P.G., to make r presentation to Bro. C. E. MeMurtrie or behalf of the lodge. In doing so, Bro Halstead spoke of the yeoman service rendered by Bro. MeMurtrie, and urged all the younger members in particula , to seek office, and thus do their part t< help the work onward. He then bander to Bro. MeMurtrie a gold jewel am' clasp, a P.G.'s collar and framed certi h'cate. Bro. MeMurtrie thanked th. members for their gift. In response t> general requests for another open bowltournament, Bro. Hoy Smith, P.G., inti mated that such a gathering would bi held next lodge night, when a good' crowd is expected.

The usual fortnightly meeting of the Mount Albert Lodge Manchester Unity. 1.0.0. F., was held in the St. Luke's Hal] Morningside, on Wednesday evening last, when a large number of members and visitors were in attendance. Tlie lodge was favoured with an official visit from the District Grand Master, Bro Allen, and Bro. Brown, P.P.G.M., from the South Canterbury district. Visiters were al:-o present from the Loyal Calliope, Avon, Kanfuvly, Dominion and Pjunell Lodges, to whom were extended' the honours of the order; suitable replies, being given. The D.G.M. gave a very interesting address on his visit South, and Bro. Brown also spoke briefly. The installation of the newly elected officers then took place, and the lecture master, Bro. Tapp, P. 0., installed Bro. Walker as noble grand, Bro. Houten as acting-vice-grand, Bro. Martin as elective secretary, and Bro. Wainhouse as I.P.N.G. Bro. Allen, D.G.M., addressed the officers upon their various duties. At the close of the business" a very happy time was spent in dancing to music supplied by the lodge orchestra.

The Gordon Tent, 1.0. R., had a good attendance at their meeting on Tuesday evening, the chief ruler, Bro. Ashe. presiding. A visit was received from Bro. Sinclair, district auditor, the judge in the recent ritual competition, who gave the members a short account of iiis findings. He received a cordial vote of thanks from the tent. An invitation was received from Mount Albert Tent. 1.0. R., to a social gathering, and from the 1.0. G.T. for their anniversary. Both were accepted with pleasure. When the business was concluded, some enjoyable games of bowls were played.

The Loyal Dominion Lodge, M.U.. 1.0.0. F., held its half-yearly installation last week, in the presence of a large gathering of members and visitors. Bro.

Wilson, P.G., conducted the installation ceremony, being ably assisted by Past Grand Sister Perkins and Bro. Clews, as conductors. Bro. Bellam, P.G.,. invested the officers with their regalia. The new officers are .as follows: Noble Grand, Sister Stubbing; Vice-Grand, Sister May; elective secretary, Bro. Jellard; warden, Bro. A. Smith; 1.P.N.G., Sister B. Taylor. Bro. Taylor, P.G., addressed the officers on the principles and benefits of Odd Fellowship. The business portion of the evening was followed by a splendid programme of vocal and elocutionary items by Mrs. Jcllard and members. The stewards then served a dainty supper, after which dancing and cards brought a pleasant , evening to a close.

For a long time past the interest in fitting, appropriate and proper presentments of the ritual work pertaining to the Independent Order o£ Oddfellows has been manifesting itself. Various lodges of this order and many officer* and members have been tackling the matter from several different angles. The ritual work was very carefully written and compiled in the first place, but periodical revision eo as to keep in tune with the spirit of the times ha<; been going on. Muck that in the pre-sent-day conception of the lit and proper! was considered super-dramatic hae been deleted, and the severe simplicity of the ritual now authorised by Sovereign Grand Lodge is to the majority more impressive than were- the older forms for ceremonial occasions. The seesion of Rawliiti Lodge on the evening of June 7 was an historic event in the annale of ritual work iii the Auckland district. Several new members having to be initiated into this lodge, a team composed of officers and members from most of the subordinate lodges in the district volunteered their services for a proper presentation of the initiatory degree. The result was the most perfect initiation from the ceremonial viewpoint that has been witnessed for some years. The G.M., Bro. A. J. Guy. was present, and warmly congratulated the team upon its work. The principal officers taking part were Bros. G. Ariiott. D.D.G.M. (aethig-X.G.), W. K. Monahan, P.G. (acting-V.G.), J. Hally, P.G. (act-ing-J.P.G.), C. A. Johnson, 1.P., D.D.G.M. (acting-conductor), G. Whale. P.O. (acting-warden>, F. S. Xewbold, G.L. representative, P.D.D.G.M. (aetingchaplaiu). The last-mentioned brother had acted as preceptor during the preliminary rehearsal. Bro. W. Dumper, P.G., presided as musical director, whilst eplendid eolo work was accomplished by Bro. A. Wright.