PROMINENT ODDFELLOW HONOURED.

Clutha Leader, Volume XLIII, Issue 92, 1 June 1917, Page 7

PROMINENT ODDFELLOW HONOURED.

FARBWELLED BY MEMBERS. P.O. BRO. GOOD WORK. Over 40 members of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, M.U.,1.0.0.F., were present in the lodgeroom on Monday eveuiug to do lionour to Past Grand Bro. W. Bain, who has severed his connection with the Dalton Lodge. o\ving to his departure from the district. Bro. Bain lias accepted a position with the firm fl f .Messrs Eitchie 'Bros, (late of Bal-. chirha) at Oamaru. X.G. Bro. D. Sinclair occupied the c hiiir. and in his opening remarks apologised for the absence of those prevented from attending .on account of the lloods an.d the inclement weather. After the toast of "The King,'' pronosed by the chairman, had been honoured an excellent supper was done ample justice to/ The chairman than explained the object of the gathering. Bro. Bain (he said) would be leaving shortly, and the lodge members felt that they could not let him depart without recognising in some way the meritorious services he had rendered. It was through such men as Bro. Bain that the lodge had attained its present strong position. The chairman in proposing the toast of "The Manchester Unity" referred to the great, work the Order had accomplished and was accomplishing during the strenuous times the nation was passing through. The toast was responded to by I'.P.G.M. Bro. I'. J. Wood, who gave an outline of the great j benefits received liy lodge members during recent years. The Otago district was represented at the front by up- | wards of 700 members. I • "The Boys at the Front" was pro- \ posed by V.G. Bro. W. Henderson, who referred to the splendid work done by our boys at Gallipoli *aud in France. They had accomplished all that was asked of them and more, and no honour was too great for them. These men upon their return to their native land should he adequately provided for, and this miestiou should be a national one. It was merely our duty to do this. (Applause.) Several gentlemen present who have sons or other relatives at the front responded to this toast, namely, Messrs E. Sanderson, D. WMlocks, G. Anderson, W. Wren, R. Houliston, D. Sinclair, .1. Cross, :D. Watt, W. Bain, J. Guest and W. Wright. THE GUEST OF. THE EVENING. The toast of "The Guest of the Evening" was next honoured. This was proposed by the chairman, who iu a very capable speech referred to the excellent work accomplished by Bro. Bain in the interests of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, and Oddfellowship in general. Their guest had been instrumental in gaining a great number of new members for the lodge, and they felt that they could not let him depart without showing in some tangible way that his services had been appreciated. The speaker then presented Bro. Bain j on behalf o'f the lodge with a purse of sovereigns. In doing so he wished Bro. Bain and family health aifd prosperity iu their new home. He also assured Bro. 'Bain that a hearty welcome would await him if ever he returned to Balelutha. 1 The recipient was . heartily applauded. Y.G. Bro. 'Henderson, in speaking to the toast, also paid a tribute to Bro. Bain's sterling worth as au Oddfellow. During his long connection with the lodge Bro. Bain had added upwards of 200 members to the Order. Per. Sec. Bro. 1). Watt also referred to Bro. Bain's good work. The following gentlemen also spoke, endorsing previous speakers' remarks: —P.P.G.M. C J. Wood, P.G.'s ,1. Guest, J. Knowles, W. Finn, G. Dowues, Bros. R. Houlistou, W. Wren, F. Christie, G. Ludlow, W. Raitt, .1. Tamlbyu and R. tulbert. P.G. Bro. Bain in rising to reply received an ovation. He said his work in connection with the lodge had been a labour of love,, ami he would always remember the happy times he had .spent since becoming an Oddfellow. Secnr- \ iiig new members was not such a difli- j nilt matter if the benefits to be derived were properly explained. Ale • considered that he had merely done his j duty as au Oddfellow in this direction. ; He deeply, regretted severing his connection with the Dalton Lodge, but wouhl always watch its progress and ; take an interest in its welfare. He ' tanked the members most heartily for • tie present and the kind remarks made about him. On resuming his seat Bro. Bain was greeted with prolonged cheering. The health of Mrs Bain and family Was then enthusiastically drunk by the 'brethren. . ■ _ OTII'EK TOASTS. "The Visiting Brethren" was proPosed by P.G. Bro. 'Bain, Bros. Oulbert, Bortliwick and Proctor replying.' Per. Sec. Watt proposed the toast of '"The Ladies," Bros. George Harvey, Sinclair and Knowles responding. The toast of '' The' Chairman'' was proposed by P.G. Bro. J. Guest. During the evening an excellent propamine of musical and elocutionary items was rendered. The following ass'sted in this direction, an- encore beiug accorded cadi performer:—'Bros. 3. Guest, Anderson, Waldio, Henderson, Cations, Wright, Ureu, Bain and Culbert. A verse of the National Anthem and' Auld 'Lang Syne" brought a very Pleasant function to a close. j