MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Evening Star, Issue 11609, 20 June 1902, Page 7

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

The Star ol Freedom Lodge, 1.C.G.T., heid their fortnightly session in thel.O.O.F. Hail, lioslyn, on Wednesday evening, Bro. Smyth, C.T., presiding. Members and representatives from the different sister lodges were present, in addition to which an official visit was received from tho G.L, Executive, consisting of Bros, i), C. Cameron, G.S., J. Thom. Q.T., T. Dalton, G. 0., Sis. Thorn, G.JJ.AI., and Sis. Cameron, G.S.J.T. Communications were received from the D.L., and four candidates were initiated, after which the business of the lodged was adjourned, the special feature of the evening being to afford a hearty welcome to returned trooper Bro. S. J. Sell after his eighteen months’ jeetive service at the front with the Sixth Contingent, N.Z.M.I. The hall was tastefully decorated with Tags, evergreens, and mottoes of welcome, and friends of members being admitted on invitation, the hall was comfortably packed- The programme opened with an overture (piano) by Sis. M. Freeman, after which songs were rendered by Alias Thom, Miss Jphnson, and Bros. Johnson and Morris, recitations given by Sisters M. Gemraill and L. Whale, and a humorous reading contributed by Bro. U. B. Lindsay. Tea, refreshments, etc., were handed round by the sisters of the lodge, after which Bro. D. C- Cameron, on behalf of the members of the Star of Freedom Lodge, presented Trooper Bro. S. J. Sell with a gold medal, beautifully engraved. In a neat spech he eulogised the patriotism of the members of the Order generally in their devotion to the cause of the Empire. The medal was handed to Sis. Whale, who fastened it on Trooper Sell’s breast amidst much cheering. Trooper Sell suitably responded, thanking the lodge for their presentation, and their appreciation of his sendees at the front. Bro. Whale expressed the pleasure it gave him in welcoming Bro. Sell home after his arduous duties at the front. The Star of Freedom Lodge had been well represented in the war, four members having joined the contingents to do battle for the country’s rights, one of whom had given his life, another had now returned, whilst two were still serving in South Africa. He concluded by wishing the brother, on behalf of tho lodge, long life and prosperity. Mr L. Kemnitz, deputy-mayor of Itoslyn, in welcoming Trooper Sell to the district, spoke of the unity and patriotism of the colony as a whole, and of the future benefits of liberty and progress as the result of their action- A Maori war cry was given by two members of the lodge, after which a sketch entitled ‘An Unwel come Intrusion ’ was well carried out by seven members of the lodge. Votes of thanks to the G.L. Executive and all taking part were then given, a very enthusiastic meeting being closed hy the singing of the National Anthem.