INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21457, 26 April 1935, Page 10

INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS

LARGE GATHERING IX RADIANT HALL A large and representative gathering of members of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, New Zealand branch, and friends, filled the Radiant Hall on Wednesday evening to witness the installation of newly-elected officers of the society. The gathering was the final one of the seventeenth movable conference of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. Special seating and grouping arrangements for the officers and members formed a centre round which the main ceremonies took place. Punctually at 8.15 p.m. the retiring Grand Master of the New Zealand branch, Bro. T. J. Archbold, the installing master, accompanied by past grand masters and assistant officers, was announced by the director of ceremonies, Bro. A. G. Shrimpton, granC secretary, and escorted to the chair. Bro. A. C. Blair, of Wellington, the Grand Master-elect, was duly presented, obligated, invested, and proclaimed Grand Master of the New Zealand branch, Manchester Unity, Independent Order of Oddfellows, until the next period of election, or until a successor shall be regularly and dulv installed in his place. The immediate Past Grand Master, Bro. Archbold, was presented with a past grand master's jewel, and was duly invested by the Grand Master, Bro. Blair. The Deputy-Grand Master, Bro. W. McMillan, of Auckland, was invested, and addressed by Bro. F. Pritchard, a past grand master. The investiture of the three new directors, Bros. C. J. Holsey, of Christchurch, F. A. Smith, of Auckland, and J. E. Allan, of Auckland, was conducted by the grand master. The address , to the. grand master was delivered by Bro. W. I. Clark, a past district grand master, of Wellington, and the address to the officers by Bro. John McLeod, a Past Grand Master, of Auckland. An address on the three foundation principles of Oddfellowship—friendship, love, and truth—was delivered by Bro. L. P. Longuet, a Past District Grand Master, of Christchurch. The newly installed officers addressed the gathering, returning thanks for their election. Bros. T. W. Thompson, of Auckland, W. B. Brown, of Wellington, and C. R. Golding, of Rangiora, extended greetings to the Grand Master and his officers on behalf of the lodges and members in the North and South Islands. His Worship the Mayor, Mr D. G. Sullivan. M.P., who attended by invitation, in thanking the society for its welcome to him, said that the society had rendered great service to people throughout the world. It was actuated by the principle of service and he wished that principle was more widely practised. A library chair and a set of crystal ware were presented to the Immediate Past Grand Master, Bro. Archbold, in appreciation of his work during his two years' term of office. Presentations were also made to the members of the entertainment committee. Interspersed with the addresses and presentations, items were given by Messrs L. Scrimshaw, G. Bradley, and G. Titchener, Mrs L. Scrimshaw, and N. Carson's orchestra. Supper and dancing concluded the evening. THE NEW OFFICERS BIOGRAPHICAL DETAILS (Contributed) The following are the biographical details concerning the newly-elected officers for the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity cf the Independent Order of Oddfellows: — The Grand Master. Bro. A. C. Blair —Honest effort coupled with the requisite ability will win success in any walk in life.' Service freely given will usually meet with approbation, and when that service is combined with

an earnest zeal to secure the greatest good for the greatest number and to help the less fortunate brother, any organisation will seek to recognise and reward the giver. Never was this more clearly demonstrated that in the elevation to the position of grand master of Bro. A. C. Blair, of Wellington. At a time when the juvenile activity of the Order is attracting considerable attention it is interesting to note that the first introduction to Oddfellowship the new grand master received was on his initiation as a foundation member of the Loyal Antipodean Juvenile Lodge of the Wellington District in September. 1886. Members of that juvenile lodge who have attained to high office in the New Zealand branch are Bro. G. Read, who is now grand treasurer, and Bro. W. I. Clark, a grand trustee. It is thus an added pleasure to Bro. Blair to have with him in his dignified office the support of members with whom he enjoyed the pleasures of juvenile membership. This significant fact—the elevation of these brethren—is only another proof that the highest offices are open to those who seek, by the paths of service and knowledge. That Bro. Blair early assimilated the principles of the Order was exemplified early in his career, when as a juvenile member he won a prize—a writing desk presented by Past District Grand Master Bro. Todd, of Southland—for an essay entitled "The Benefits of Oddfellowship." This competition was open to all juvenile members in New Zealand in March, 1888. About 1890 Bro. Blair was transferred to the adult lodge. His early training proved advantageous and he very rapidly passed through the various offices. The nature of his work at this period clashed with his desire for further service to the Order in general, and for many years he had to content himself with lodge work. The effluxion of time, however, again brought an opportunity for entering the lists, and in 1922 he attended his first conference as a delegate to a Wellington district conference from his lodge. At that meeting he was elected a member of the district management committee. Two years later Bro. Blair was appointed to district office, and in l. r 25 he was district grand master of the Wellington district. He has for many years been a trustee of the Loval Antipodean Lodge, of the Wellington district; and also of the Widows' and Orphans' Society. In 1924 he attended his first movable conference at Nelson as a deputy from his district, and there he was further honoured by his election to the position of grand trustee. All of these positions he still holds. Since that conference at Nelson Bro. Blair has attended every conference as a trustee and a delegate from the Wellington district, until at New Plymouth in 1933 he was elected deputy-grand master. In 1934, in the company of Bro. A. G. Shrimpton, grand secretary, and Bro. J. McLeod, past grand master, he attended the London conference as a delegate from the New Zealand branch.

The Deputy-Grand Master, Bro. W. McMillan —Many aspire to, but only a few can possibly attain to, the very high offices of the Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows, New Zealand branch. Consistent service and proved ability are essential qualifications, and the new deputy-grand master has passed the test with honours. Bro. McMillan first owed allegiance to the Independent Order of Oddfellows. American Constitution, as he joined that Order in Tasmania in 1894. The following year he returned to New Zealand and was persuaded to join the Loyal Hauraki Lodge in the Coromandel district. Passing through the respective offices of the lodge he was elected financial secretary and held that post for two years. After gaining much valuable experience at district conferences, Bro. McMillan transferred to Auckland in 1906, and attached himself to the Loyal Good Intent Lodge. Since then he has held office continuously. The first movable conference attended by Bro. McMillan was held in 1926, at Auckland, and he has become a familiar figure at these periodica] gatherings, as he has been present at every succeeding conference. Further experience of a valuable nature was gained when in 1931 be visited England and attended the Unity conference at Scarborough. His selection as deputygrand master is a tribute to his ability. The New Directors Bro. F. A. Smitn: The elevation of this member to the directorate of the society is a fitting rew ,rd for faithful service. Bro. Smith early imbibed the principles of Oddfellowship, as his father was a member of the order for 66 years. The new director has 36 years' membership, having joined the unity in 1899. He has been almost continuously in office, and is a past officer of the largest lodge of the Auckland district since 1904. His next effort for the order was the formation of the Loyal Dominion Lodge in 1909, Fo:- 10 years he acted as F.S. of this lodge. In 1916 his brethren conferred the honour of district grand master of the Auckland district on him. At that time the district carried consolidation 'of its sick and funeral funds. Since then the district has grown from 33 lodges to C 8 lodges. Bro. Smith has attended almost every moveable conference since 1914 as a deputy for his district. For the period 1924-26 he was a director, but pressure of business necessitated his retirement. The Auckland district management committee has had the benefit of his services for 22 years, and he is also a trustee of the district, which controls assets totalling £106,000. In ordinary life Bro. Smith is a .successful business man, being the managing director of the Stone Shoe Company, Ltd., of Auckland. s' Bro. J. E. Allan: On his raurn from active service in 1919, Bro. Allan joined the Loyal Good Intent Lodge of the Auckland district. He did not take much interest in unity matters for some time, but once his interest was aroused he set out on a course of service to the order. He passed through the chairs of his lodge in 1928. During his term as N.G. of his own lodge the Loyal Mount Albert Lodge was opened, and to gain further experience Bro. Allan accepted the office of F.S. in the new lodge, a position he relinquished after 18 months owing to business calls. He later removed to the Avondale district, and lent invaluable assistance in establishing the Loyal Avon Lodge. He was first immediate past noble grand and treasurer of this lodge, and still holds the lastmentioned office. In 1931 he was elected a trustee of the Loyal Good Intent Lodge. Bro. Allan has gained much conference experience in his own district, as he has attended every district conference in Auckland since 1927. He has served on the district management committee since 1930. and has just completed his term of office as district grand master. His first attendance at a moveable conference v*>s at New Plymouth in 1933. business reasons preventing him going to Palmerston North in 1930. This year Auckland elected him as nominee for the directorate, a choice the deputies endorsed. Bro. C. J. Holsey: The North Canterbury representative on the board of directors has had a rapid rise to the higher councils of the order, due no doubt to the adoption of the name of his lodge as the motto of his career—he having joined the Perseverance Lodge in 1920. Bro. Holsey went through the offices of that lodge immediately, and has been in office continually. His election to the management committee of the district came in 1930, and such was the quality of his work for the constituent lodges that he was elevated to the office' of deputy grand master of the district in 1932. His term of office as the senior officer in North Canterbury was filled with credit to himself and his coworkers. His appointment to the beard of directors will give him an opportunity to gain further valuable experience and opportunities for service, and it is confidently anticipated that his ultimate goal will be that of grand master of the New Zealand branch.