THE MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 15651, 16 November 1914, Page 7

THE MANCHESTER UNITY

The meeting of the Valley Lodge on Monday last was noteworthy in that two popular officers were honored by the lodge in recognition of past services. P.G.M. Bro. A. W. Palmer first presented P.G. Bro, J. H. Stewart with a sash, star and apron, and in doing so said' that Bro. Stewart’s work as a trustee and the keen and intelligent part he had taken in lodge affairs for many years past had been a great factor in the financial and social progress of the lodge. The other presentation was to P.G. Bro. C. H. Russell, the gift of a sash and star being subscribed to by the members of the various banner competition teams, who had benefited from his instructions as coach on four occasions. Bros. Stewart and Russell wpre musically toasted, and each modestly returned thanks for the honors conferred. P.G. Bro. F. J. Lyon (Hand and Heart) and P.D.G.M. Bro. C. \V. Smith (D.E.) added their congratulations, A pleasant function closed with musical and elocutionary items by P.G.s Bros. Moore, Young. Stewart,"Russell, and M'Callum. The Milton Lodge struck a wintry night for their meeting on Monday, but the attendance was hardly affected. The officers and members of Court Bruce, A.0.F., attended to take part in the. return card tournament, which ended in a draw — 15 games all. It was a pleasant reunion, and the visitors were afterwards entertained at supper and harmony. At the meeting of the Outram Ledge on Monday evening, X.G. Bro. Watson had the pleasure of welcoming the members of the. local bowling dub to a match over the card tables, ami the visitors won by 25 games lo 17. The president of the dub (Mr D. M’Lean) briefly returned thanks for the hospitality of the Oddfellows, and suggested that the ret game ho with bowls. Complete arrangements were made for the fitting reception of town and country lodges, who will officially visit live lodge next week. There were representatives of all the local lodges at the meeting of the Centenary Lodge on Tuesday, together with a good muster of the home members. N.G. Bro. Longworth presided. It was decided to request the attendance next meeting of a member to explain an alleged breach of the rules governing sick pay. Arrangements were pul in hand for tne nnited official visit to Outram next week. Progressive euchre occupied the latter part of the meeting, and the winter turned up in Bro. E. Griniman (Centenary).

On Tuesday evening the Loyal Mosgicd Lodge received an official visit from their brethren across the plain at Outran). The attendance of both lodges was excellent. The evening was devoted to song and story, and wound up with a friendly game of cards. On Wednesday night. at the (,'avorsham Lodge, the annual debate with the Centenary members took place. After the initiation nf a. candidate and the hearing of a report of the dispensary delegates (Bros. Souness and Russel), the Centenary representatives (Bros. Longworth (2) and M‘Connel!) took the affirmative, and Bros. Bond, List, and Sounoss the negative side on the. desirability of National Prohibition. I’.G.M. Bro. A. W. Palmer judged the speeches, and had no hesitation in awarding victory to the aliinnntivo debaters. Framed emblematical certificates were presented by the Tnpanui Lodge on Thursday to P.G.s Bros. Chas. Peake and W. Ritchie, and in handing over tho emblems N.G. Bro. G. Steel referred in complimentary terms to the zeal and energy with which the brethren had undertaken the duties of the various offices. The .sum of £2 was voted to the Belgian relic! fund.

The Loyal Albion Lodge are making strenuous efforts to attain the maximum marks in the current lodge competition, both as regards meniberstip and official visits. On Thursday a candidate was initiated, and three more will be accepted next meeting, and official visits were arranged for JUinedin this week and Outrani next. It was decided to forward a letter of condolence to the relatives of the late Bro. o‘Rawe. Fraternal greetings wore received from P.G. Bro. Lilley, who is now in the Canterbury district. The next meeting of the lodge falls in Show Week, and a hearty invitation is extended to all country members who m.,v bo in town to visit the lodge, in the Rattray Street Hall. Tho Cromwell Lodge on Friday night increased their membership roll by one. the initiation being in the hands of P.G.s Bros. Jolly and Ritchie. A welcome visitor was P.G. Bro. T. Weir, who was cordially received after an absence of three and a-half years in Siam, and lie delighted his brethren with some of ids experiences in that far-distant land. He returns to his duties there at the end of the month, and his lodge wished him further successes. Ho and P.G. Bro. .bo. Wood received emblematical certificates, ami both briefly thanked their brethren. An invitation from the Masonic Lodge in a return card tournament was received with pleasure, and it, is hoped to avenge the previous defeat. .V.G. Bro. R, Rav presided over a good attendance. Tho anniversary social of the Aliddlemnreh Lodge on Friday night was a great success, and tho proceeds (£2O) were handed over to the relief fund. This creditable result was mainly due to the efforts; of P.G. Bro. G. Horn, who ha./ prepared an excellent programme, and had also secured free from Oddfellows and townspeople all tho necessaries to a successful function-—music, hall, supper, pic. The singing of the famous ‘ Tipperarv ’ ditty brought in £\. The parade of members on Sunday to the Presbyterian Church was not. well attended, ‘ Imavv rain falling at the critical time, and preventing tho more distant members from turning out.