ODDFELLOWSHIP

Evening Post, Volume CXI, Issue 105, 4 May 1926, Page 12

ODDFELLOWSHIP

NEW LODGE FORMED AT TRBNTHAM.

. The fifteenth male branch of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand in the Wellington district of the society was instituted in St. John's Hall, Trentham, last Thursday evening, under the title of Waiwhetu Lodge, No. 136, giving the district, with its six ladies' (Bebekah) lodges, twenty-one adult branches. A large party of officers and members from the city and suburban lodges proceeded to Trentham per special motor-bus and cars, the new lodge having a very auspicious opening. Candidates present having been enrolled, the meeting was declared an 1.0.0. F. lodge for the purpose of 5- itiation under dispensations by the District Deputy-Grand Master (Bro. H. Dames, ,P.G.), and the initiation ceremony was conducted in regular form oy Bro. G. F. Budkin, P.G., acting N.G., and a sui/ of officers- drawn from the various local lodges. The Deputy-Grand Master of New Zealand (Bro. W. Simmons, Christchurch) was then officially received by the D.D.G.M., being escorted by Bros. J. Nind, P.G., P.C.P., D.D.G. Marshal, F. J. Jones, P.G., G.L. Bep., and G. F. Rudkin, P.G., G.L.H., and instituted the new lodge in the prescribed form, proclamation- being made accordingly by the D.D.G.M. The charter members were Bros. H. Finch, A.D.D.G.M., \V. Cowley, J. J. Bolt, Charles Grover, Moran, Beil, and Stroud. Officers for the first term were then elected and installed in regular form by the D.D.G.M. and district officers, the executive officers being: Bros. H. Finch (1.P.G.), W. Cowley, N.G., Charles, V.G., J. J. Bolt, F. •F;oc, Croft, E. Sec, and Moran, treasurer. A further batch of candidates will be initiated on Thursday, after which the: lodge will meet fortnightly. The D.D.G.M. extended a hearty welcome to the Deputy-Grand Master (Bro. W. Simmons),, this being his first official visit to the district since assuming that.office, and congratulated the organisers and officers of. the new lodge on their very, successful opening. The Deputy-Grand Master gave an interesting address on the scope and progress of the Order, and congratulated the district on its further achievement, incidentally mentioning that Star of Eangiora Lodge, No. J34, had just been instituted in the North Canterbury dis-tricts-while another lodge was also in process of formation at Kaiapoi. The District Secretary^ conveyed telegraphic greetings from the Grand Master (Bro. D. Boy Cooper, Auckland), and gave district membership progress to date during- the current term, the figures showing all lodges to be making most satisfactory gains. Senior officers were pros' from Southern Cross, Zealandia, Cleveland, Wildey, Maraenui, Bellevue, Otaki, and Wellesley Lodges, and from Port Nicholson Encampment, conveyed greetings from their branches, and the meeting closed, with the "fourth degree.^' :