CUST ODDFELLOWS' LODGE.

Press, Volume LIX, Issue 17938, 5 December 1923, Page 5

CUST ODDFELLOWS' LODGE.

JUBILEE CELEBRATION. Hie jubilee of tie Loyal Cust Lodgt> of Oddfellows was celebrated on Monday evening in an enthusiastic manner, and frith a success that canst have been most gratifying to thoso members of the lodge on whom ilovolvcd tho arrangements for tho gathering, and to tlie brethren generally. The celebration proceedings consisted of a pnblio dance in the Institute Hail, and a banquet in the Lcdgo Hall, tho attendance at which was confined to local and visiting member?, oi tho Order. Thcro was & very large attendinco at the dance, and between forty and fifty Oddfeilows 6at down to tho banquet, most of tho younger members of the Order preferring tho company of tho ladies at the other place of entertainment. Amongst tho visitors were Bros. W. R. GaiuiL'an, Grand Master of tho JN'ew Zealand Branch, D.D.G.M. Bro. J. A. Ivory and District Secretary Bro. C. I. Jennings, P.G.M. Bro. J. Marshall, P.D.G.M. Broa. C. W. Bell, W. Smith, B. J Archer, M. C. Derbidg* and P.P.G.M. Bro. Eli Scott, of tho Lyttelton District. Bro. W. Fletcher, G.M. of the Ashley District, was unable to be present. Tho proceedings were opened tie grr.nd march, led by Grand Master Gahagan and Mrs Ray Brunsden. Before leaving the hall to attend, tho banquet, the Grand Master addressed the full gathering', and warmly congratulated the Ledge upon attaining its jubilee, giving some interesting information regarding the magnitude of the Manchester Unity as the for®" 1 most friendly benefit society in tie world. . It stood, he said, for the great principles I of philanthropy, and self dependence, and J had been inculcating those principles for over a century, He urged the young people present, and especially the ladies, to_ become membere of the Order and participate in its benefit-3 and influences for good, and concluded an eloquent address by adjuring the rnember3 of the Unity to ba faithful to God, to their country, to humanity, to tbeir society and to themselves. P.D.G.M. Bro. C. W. 801 l also addressed fbe gathering on the aims and objects of the Unity, basing his remarks on its motto, "Friendship, Love and Truth," and on the various emblems of the Order, a full set of ■which was used in tho decorations of the room. Or. behalf of the Lodge, P.D.G.M. Bro. E. W. Cooper heartily thanked the Grand 1 Master for his presence and inspiring -address, and also Bro. Bell. Tho dancing was then resumed to tho music of Hunnibell's Jazz Band, and those who participated epent a thoroughly enjoyable evening. At the Oddfellows' Hall a party of ladies intereste®* in tho Lods*e had an excellent repast ready, tho tables being bountifully furnished with good things, and tastefully decorated. After the spread had received the attention its merits deserved a toast list was opened with the health of the King, prcposed by tho chairman, Bro. H. Heenisch, the N.G. of the Lodge. P H. Tallott (proposed the toast of '_Tho Manchester Unity," to -which P.G.M. Bro. J. Marshall responded. Bro. Cooper proposed "The Grand Master and Board of Directors," to which. G-.M. Bro. responded, and Bro. H. Innfl, jun. Ashley District Officers," to which Bros. Ivory and Jennings responded. __ P.G. Bro. A. D. Hassall, in proposing tne toast of "The Old Members of the Cust Lodge," made special mention of Bros. W. Cooper, H. McClinton, Wm. Crysell, Chaa. Webster, J. Saunders and C. Gox, who were epecially active in the early days in furthering the interests of the Lodge. Ho also referred to the fact that for many years tho Oddfellows' Lodge took the lead in promoting movements for the welfare and pleasure of tie community of the <UbBro. Cooj>er responded to the toast. PD G M Bro. G. K. Crysell proposed the'toast of "Visitors and Sister Lodges, which was responded to by members of the Kangiora, Oho Oca, Woodend, Pigeon Bay, Albion (Dunedin) and Outram Lodges. P.D.G.M. Bro. Bell proposed the toait of "Continued Prosperity to the Lodge," to which Bros. A. Chudley (secretary) and H. Tallott responded. The toast" oi "The Ladies." was also

1 Lodge, it may bo noted, was on December 2nd, 1673, and none of th® foundation member are now liivm*1 iivm* Cliaa. Webster, who -was xnitiated tUe second meeting, was present at the gathering and was heartily congratulated upon that fact. The haa a. membership of 52 and funds to the amount of £2250- In the course of the evening the district ««oretarv stated that the valuation of the Lodgo a3 at December Slat 1920. "howeda surplus of £530 7s. Out of this about £4OO would bo available for appropriation, and he recommended the Irodge to set aside buificient to redeem the future contributions to tho Sick and Funeral Fund of eight members who had attained the age of 65 years and over. Ho toped that the refill' of the next valuation &t the end. of 1925 ■would tpermit of the contribuione of thcsa 60 years and upwards being redeemed.