THE MANCHESTER UNITY.

Evening Star, Issue 14963, 24 August 1912, Page 10

THE MANCHESTER UNITY.

The third annual combined ball of the city and suburban lodges, aJl__being well represented, was held in the Early Settlers' Hall last night, and was in every respect a most successful function. Over 100 couples took part, the grand march being led by His Worship the Mayor (P.P.G.M. Bio. J. Wilson) and the District officers, with their partners. The decorations of Mr M'Laughlan were tip-top, the handsome banners of two of the city lodges adding to the effect. G.M. Bro. Sullivan and P.O. Bro. Marshall (secretaries), assisted by others of the committee, controlled the dances, while for the nondancers other avenues of enjoyment were provided. A good floor, up-to-date music by Fox's Band, and satisfying catering by Mr Kroon all contributed generously to the evening's enjoyment. At Monday's meeting of the Loyal Valley Lodge, held in their room at the Gardens, a good deal of time was taken up in discussing the recommendations of the Munro Memorial Committee, who have received gratifying response from lodges and individual members in Otago. The other business was merely routine. An excellent programme of sonts and recitations was submitted by P.G. Bro. C. H. Russell, P.G. Bro. Johnstone officiating at the piano. The lodge was presided over by N.G. Bro. H. Smyth, and the only visitor was the P.G.M. of the Otago District. P.G. Bro. W. A. Taylor, of the Hand and Heart Lodge, provided the evening's programme at Tuesday night's meeting of the Loyal Centenary Lodge, St. Kikla. It took the form of an exhibition of lafctern views, and the audience were both interested and amused with Bro. Taylor's varied collection, local and otherwise. The pictures included some snapshots and groups at the Roxburgh District Meeting. At the conclusion of the display Bro. Taylor received the hearty thanks of the lodge. N.G. Bro. Bishop presided, and the attendance was fair, including N.G. Bro. W. Read and P.G. Bro. Marshall, of tho Albion Lodge. The meeting resolved to forward a remit to the Balclutha District Meeting to the effect that the initiation fee#be reduced by 5s for all ages. Three candidates were initiated into the Order at Tuesday's meeting of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, Balclutha. N.G. Bro. Pennycook presided, but the attendance was only moderate. After the routine business was disposed of the brethren indulged in games of cards, an outcome of which was a challenge from the married members to the 6ingle ones, and this was accepted for next lodge night. TheDnlton Lodge are looking forward with keen interest to tho forthcoming half-yearly meeting of the District Committee in Balclutha, and are making complete arrangements for the attendant functions. The attendance at the meeting on Wednesday night of tho Loyal Caversham Lodge was excellent, in view of the annual encounter with Court St. Andrew, the local branch of the A.0.F., over the card tables. The latter also had a good muster, and after fraternal greetings had been exchanged a most enjoyable social hour was 6pent. The contest ended in a win for the Oddfellows by 26 games to 19. At the lodge meeting proper, N.G. Bro. A. Selby presiding, two candidates were initiated, P.G.M. Bro. Cole and G.M. Bro. C. Bragg giving the charges. The visitors included P.P.G.M. Bro. Breadfoot (Hand and Heart), V.G. Bro. Scott (Centenary), and P.G. Bro". Marshall (Albion). The syllabus item—a. debate with the Cavers-ham Lodge—was carried out at Thursday night's meeting of the Loyal Albion Lodge, held in the Rattray Street Hall. TheTe was the usual good mueter of members and officers, and among the visitors were P.G. Bro. Tavlor, of the Loyal Hastings Lodge, Napier. The subject of the debate was the universal Saturday half-holiday movement, and the speakers were : G.M. Bro. Bragg, N.G. Bro. Selby, V.G. Bro. Hudson (Caversham), G.M. Bro. Sullivan, P.G.s Marshall and Waldie (Albion). While the debater© showed some lack of preparation of the subject, the discussion was interesting and some of the arguments wore novel. The judge (P.P.G.M. Bro. Calvert) gave his decision in favor of the Albion Lodge, who took the negative side. A letter was forwarded to Bro. Winter sympathising with him in the illness of his wife. One candidate was initiated, G.M. Bro. Sullivan giving the obligatory charge. The visitors' toast was acknowledged by G.M. Bro. M'Connell (Centenary). P.G. Bro. B. Rosevear (Hand and Heart), and N.G. Bro. Selby (Caversham).