I.O.O. F.

Evening Star, Issue 17488, 20 October 1920, Page 7

1.0.0. F.

. GRAND LODGE OF AUSTRALASIA. The arrival of the New South Wales and Queensland representatives by the first express yesterday forecasts the imminence of the first session of this body to be he'd in New Zealand. The arrivals included Bro. Geo. Clarke, Past Grand Sire of Australasia, Grand Secretary of New South Wales; Bro. Carl Glasgow, Past Grand Master of New South Wales: Bro. T. Casey, Past Grand Muster and Grand Treasurer, New South Wales: Bros. E. W. Flower and H. C. Caines. Past Grand Masters, New South Wales : Bro. M. WeddersDOon, Past Grand Patriarch. New South Wales: Bro. Mildwater, inspector of workings, New South Wales ; and Bros. A. Casey and A. W. Bale, P.G.s. Three of the visitors (Bros. Glasgow. Clarke, and Bale) were accompanied by their wives. Many New Zealand brethren were on the_ platform awnifinc the arrival of the train, conspicuous amoncr them beins Bro. W. Reid. Grand Secretary, Bros. R. C. Gray (of Auckland) and A. H. Valentine. Past Grand Masters. The train steamed into the station right on time, and thq visitors on alishtinj: received tho heartiest of welcomes. Bro. Clarke is an old Dunedinite. but the majority arc in New Zealand for the -first time. The(=e were enthusiastic in their admiration of the countrv as viewed from the railway car. the beaut-'fnl freshness of the country and the wonderful variety of green tints exhibited bv the fresh verdure of the paddocks, the occasional avenues- of trees, and the patches of bush calling for special mention.

The remainder of the Australian delegates (15 in number) are on the Wcstralia, due at Wellington to-morrow, and are expected to arrive in Dunedin on Friday. The session, which will be held at Unity Hill, Kensington, will probably open on Saturday. D.D.G.M. Pro. Ripley and his committee have been busy ' during the past week making arrangements for the entertainment "of the visitors. On Friday evening they will visit Portolie.Uo, where the local lodge (Herewekal are holding their anniversary social. On Saturday, at 11.SO. His Worship the Mavor will accord the visitors a civic reception in the To'"n'nl chamber, and citizens, particularly Oddfellows, are invited to be present. On Saturday evening a banouet will be given. On Sunday it is proposed to take the visitors to view some of the beantv spots of Dunedin. On Monday evening n social and dance will be held in the Art Gallery and on Tuesdav a smoke conceit at Pioneer Lodge meeting. The Grand Lndcce of Australasia was instituted in 1878. the purpose being to form a connecting link between the subordinate Grand Lodges of the several States of Australia and New Zealand. These six constituted bodies are federated by the Grand Lod<re of Australasia into a more or less cohesive unit, .and there can be no doubt that many substantial benefits have been achieved bv this unison of effort. Onlv recently a table of transfer values has been compiled, bv which it. is possible for an Oddfellow of one Australian State to transfer his membership to a lodcre in another State or in New 'Zealand without any loss of benefit. The sessions are held triennially, but owing to the war it is six years since the Grand Lodge met.