LODGE MEETING

Evening Post, Volume CIV, Issue 11, 13 July 1922, Page 10

LODGE MEETING

The usual meeting of the Newtown Alpha, No. 1 Branoh of th© Grand United Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand, was held at the lodge-room at St. John's, Newtown, last week. The financial secretary read tlie correspondence, amongst which wa9 a very gratifying letter from the Grand Secretary of the Order in Now South Wales, congratulating the branch on its increase of membership. The meeting ateo expressed its appreciation of the lodge officers' and members' work in introducing new oandidatee for initiation. At the close of the routine business of the lodge, the organising secretary gave some very interesting data of activities ot the Order in New South WalcS. It was with gratification, he said, that he was able to announce that the branches in New South Waleß now numbered 398, with a total membership of 38,000 and_ a capital of £380,000, while the annual income exceeded over £140,000. With the closing of tho lodge meeting, card games and other 6ocial amusements were the order. However, this did not .prevent the social committee making good headway with the evolution of an entertainment programme, and it was decided to make the "big foature" for the next month a 500 tournament, the prizes to bo two silver trophies, both to bo emblematical of the Order. At next meeting of the branch it is hoped to initiate some 20 new candidates.