THE DINNER.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3642, 15 March 1883, Page 3

THE DINNER.

At S o'clock the delegates "were entertained at dinner in the Theatre Royal. About forty brethren and visitors were present, Bro. W. Miller, District Treasurer, occupying the chair, and P.G-. Bro. W. H. Cooper the vice-chair. The catering -was entrusted to Mr D. B. Watt, of Napier, who fulfilled his duties in his usual good style, and gave every satisfaction. The wines and liquors supplied were also of excellent quality. The usual loyal and patriotic toasts having been duly honored, Bro. Waddell, D.P. G. M., proposed " The Manchester Unity." In proposing the toast Bro. Waddell said the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows numbered amongst its members the rich and the poor, the old and the young. He would strongly recommend every man who desired to make provision for the " day of adversity " to do so by becoming a member of the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows.

Bro. Collctt, P.G.M., in responding, said lie could do little more than endorse the remarks that hud fallen from the mover of the toast. He had been a member of the Manchester Unity for a great many years, mid was proud to know it was the foremost friendly society in the world. He was in no way bigoted, however, and must heartily acknowledge the good that had been effected by other kindred societies. They all promoted habits of independence amongst their members, andtheir relief funds were ever available at the right time. The present available capital of the Manchester Unity amounted to the very respectable sum of ,£o,o-13,277 7b sd, the membership numbered some 54G,70<>, -while the total amount paid for sick and funeral benefits for the past year represented a sum of £230,0150. Bro. P. G-. Johnson proposed "The Hawko's Bay district." One great benefit that had been derived from having a separate district here was the very efficient manner in which the district officers conducted the local business and promoted the welfare of the lodges in Hawke's Bay. Ho was pleased to notice that, notwithstanding the inducements held out by other friendly societies, the Hawko's Bay district was progressing. Prov. C. S. Fielder responded, and quoted certain statistics to show the position of the Hawke's Bay district as compared with that of Nelson and other places. The sick and funeral fund showed an average of over .£0 per member, or equal to that of the Manchester Unity, which was highly creditable to them. During the half-year just'ended the district had disbursed £13G in siivk pay, and £252-in surgeon's fees. Some of the lodges grumbled at the levies for the , .expense fund, but if these would oiily consider that the total sum paid ,in.a year for medical attendance on himself, ' his wife, and family was not more than would bepaidtoadoctor for one or two visits, members would be less inclined to complain. There was one thing the district delegates had done at their meeting that morning, at .which he (Bro. Fielder) must express himself well pleased. It had been resolved that a. sum of money should be appropriated for ■ the purelia.se of a testimonial to be presented to P.P.G-.jM. Bro. Frank Bee. The delegates could not have done a more gracious act. Bro. Bee might fairly be called the '' father of the district, for it was due to his efforts that, what might be ctilltid "local selfgovernment" was obtained for the Hawko's Bay lodges. For two years Bro. Bee was .in constant communication with Wellington and England before he could obtain the boon he sought. Since he succeeded the Order had made great strides in Hawke's Bay—strides it never would and never could . have made had Hawke's Bay still been attached to the Wellington district.

Bro. Girdlestone proposed "The Delegates '' hi an appropriate speech, in the course of which he remarked that district meetings such as that held to-day formed a bond of friendship that united the brethren more closely together. P.G.s Millierand Johnson and P.P.G.M. Robb briefly responded on behalf of the delegates.

P.G. Tong proposed "The Napier Lodge," coupled with the names of Bro. F. Beo and P.G. W. H. Cooper, who suitably responded. P.G. Sidey proposed the health of Bro. Fielder, P.C.S., remarking that the toast was one which he hoped would be drunk with enthusiasm. Bro. Fielder was a worthy officer, and one in whom could be placed the utmost reliance. He always carried out his duties faithfully and without bias of any kind.

Bro. Fielder confessed liimself completely taken aback at the toast of his health being proposed. He was, however, none the less gratified at the kindly ■ expression of favor tbat bad been extended, towards liim, and

hoped that both he and his brother district officers would ever act so as to meet with the cordial support of the several lodges under their control.

Bro. Bee, P.P.G.M. proposed "Kindred Societies," a toast that ho felt sure would be most cordially received. . Although the Oddfellows Society was the oldest and most wealthy in the world, it had within the last year been topped, so far as strength of numbers was concerned, by the Foresters Society. But even this fact should be gratifying to them, as slaving tho energy that a" kindred society much younger than their own was putting forth in the interests of humanity and tho cause of self-depen-dence. Mr H. Gifford, as a member of the Protestant Alliance Friendly Society, returned thanks in a felicitous speech, as did also Bro. R. H. Robinson on behalf of the sor:ictv of Loyal United Friends.

The" remaining toast were '' Our Visitors,'' proposed by P.P.G.M. Cooper, and responded to by Mr Dryden ; "The Ladies," proposed by P.G. Brown, and responded to by Bio. B. Buchanan ; "The Press;" "The Chairman,'' and '' The Caterer. Songs were given at intervals during the evening by Bros. Fielder, S. E. Cooper, Tattershall, Robinson, Lowe, Wilson, Stccvens, Henderson, Sidey, W. H. Cooper, B, Buchanan, and W. Brown, Mr George Garry xn'csidinp: at the piano. Tho proceedings terminated shortly after midnight.