MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 19795, 20 February 1928, Page 13

MANCHESTER UNITY

The regular meeting of the Loyal Alexandra Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. (Port Molynenx), was well attended, the acting N.G. (Bro. G. Wright) presiding. An invitation was received for an official visit at Loyal Dalton Lodge on February 28, and members promised to attend in full forco. A circular was received from the Prov. C.S, on behalf of the thousand members’ campaign, and a meeting of the Lodge Campaign Committee was afterwards held, at which a plan of action was decided on, which should prove beneficial. A further spur in this direction is the fact that the diamond jubilee of the lodge will bo celebrated next year, and members arc desirous that the membership should reach 130 before then. Next lodge night a card match, N.G. v. y.G., will bo played.

The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Centenary Lodge was presided over by N.G. Bro. Farquharsoii. Correspondence included notification of the annual district meeting at Roxburgh on Easter Saturday, and it was decided to send three delegates from the lodge. Notification was also received that the juvenile picnic would bo hold at Waihola on March 0. It was reported that no members were at present on the sick funds. P.G. Eronde reported representing the lodge at the official visit tr the Kakauui Lodge, and gave an account of the proceedings at the meeting of the District Standing Committee. At the close of business “Elective Officers’ Evening” was held,members and visiting brethren taking part in a friendly game of cards. The District Standing Committee met on Tuesday evening in the ALU. Hall, Stuart street, to consider a remit from the Loyal Cromwell Lodge, that a dispensation be granted to open a branch of the order at Pembroke. The P.G.M. (Bro. P. Stabb) presided over an attendance of delegates from the various city and suburban lodges, and briefly reviewed the events leading to the application to form the new lodge, stating that a largely attended meeting at Pembroke passed a resolution in favor of the project, and that some forty prospective members would be initiated at the opening. -It was decided to grant tho dispensation to enable the new lodge, to be known as “The Upper Clutha Lodge,” to be opened on Saturday, February 25th, and it was resolved that a letter be forwarded to the Loyal Cromwell Lodge, expressing appreciation of its efforts. A letter was read from the G.M. of the Order in England (Bro. H, White) acknowledging greetings from the district | meeting at Port Chalmers in October. The executive was authorised to procure some cases of Otago apples, to be forwarded as a present from the members of tho order in Otago, to the annual movable conference of the ALU. in England, which is to bo held at Douglas, Isle of Alan, in Alay, at which some 800 delegates from all parts of Great Britain will be present. At the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Cavcrsham Lodge, a good attendance of members and visiting brethren greeted the N.G. (Bro. Emmerson). It was resolved to send five_ delegates to tho annual district meeting at Roxburgh, nominations for the position of delegates being opened and held over until next lodge night. Two new members were initiated into the lodge, and one proposition _ for membership received. An invitation was received to a progressive euchre tournament at the Loyal Valley Lodge on Alarch 5, and to "the annual quoits match with Centenary Lodge on February 28. The arrangements in re a card match with the members of the Unity Lodge (1.0.0. F.) next lodge night, were left in the hands of the elective officers. The N.G. reported on the proceedings at the meeting of the District Standing Committee. The permanent secretary (Bro. Souness) and the treasurer (Bro. Rennie) afterwards entertained brethren at a card evening There was a large atendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, over which N.G. Bro Moffatt presided. A considerable amount of routine business was transacted, including the recommendation for payment of two maternity claims, white three members were declared on the funds, and one off. lb was decided to send three delegates to the district meeting at Roxburgh, their appointment being left over till a later date, live new members were initiated, the ceremony being conducted very creditably by the various officers. Five proposals for membership were also received, making a total of eight candidates awaiting admission to the order. Discussion ensued on the matter of holding a combined church parade, and P.G. Bro. Craig was deputed to interview the other friendly societies in tho matter. it was announced that the District Executive would probably be fully represented at the next meeting, on the occasion of the official visit from sister lodges, which is expected to be a record meeting, many lodges having_ signified their intention of attending, including a strong representation from the city lodges. Copies of the annual balancesheet were distributed to members, showing the lodge to have again had a very successful year, the funds now totalling £14,713, the sick and funeral fund standing at £14,559, an increase of £750 for the year! Of this fund £BOO was transferred to the district surplus account. The lodge is in a very sound position, both numerically and financially. Owing to tho cessation of “ Sidey time ” next month, it was decided to commence future meetings at 7.30 p.m. The usual meeting of the Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge was fairly well attended, the N.G., Bro. Parker, in the chair. The annual report and balancesheet were submitted by the auditors, Bros. APDonald and Jack, and adopted. Satisfaction expressed at the favorable position as disclosed by the report, the membership now standing at 324, there being 55 initiations during the year. The assets have now reached the £lO,000 mark, the increase for 1927 being £B2O. Several brethren attending the military camp at Alatarae announced their intention of being present at the meeting of Loyal Aliddlemarch Lodge on Saturday, and it was stated that the lodge would b° strongly represented at tho opening of the new lodge at Pembroke on the 25th inst. Two new members were initiated, and three nominations received for membership, after which a degree meeting was held. It was resolved to send a full quota of delegates to tho annual district meeting. The Loyal Albion Lodge mot on Thursday evening, the N.G., Bro. Gifford, presiding over a fair muster of members. Correspondence included an invitation from the Cromwell Lodge to attend the opening of the Upper Clutha Lodge at Pembroke on the 25th inst., and. notification of the annual initiation competition in the AI.U. Hall on Alarch 24. It was decided to forward a letter of congratulation t 0 Cromwell Lodge on the occasion of the opening of the new branch of the order. The P.G.AL, Bro. Stabb, announced that the efficiency shield competition for 1927 had been won by the Loyal Prince Alfred Lodge (Waikouaiti), the Dunhack Lodge being a close second, with Lodge Almon third. The P.G.AL expressed pleasure that the country lodges, which had to contend with many difficulties and disadvantages, had succeeded so well in the competition. Fuller details of the results would be announced at a later date. Congratulations were extended by the P.G.AL and members to P.G. Bro. A. J. Smith, who this year celebrates his fiftieth year of membership in the Albion Lodge. Reference was also made to P.G. Carrington, a member of fifty-six years standing, who stil! attends regularly, and takes an active interest in lodge affairs. At the close of business a “question box” was held', which provided good entertainment, the standard of the speeches being high. _ P.G. E. Longworth was the prize winner. A vote of thanks was accorded the

P.G.M., Bro. Stabb, who donated the prize. Messrs P. Stabh, J. Johnston, J. Hopcraft, A. Sligo, and J. H. Clarke, of the. District Executive, M.U.T.0.0.F., left Dunedin on Saturday on their annual visit to lodges in the Otago Central district. They will also conduct the ceremonies in connection with the opening of a new branch of the order at Pembroke on February ' 25. They expect to return to the city on Monday, 27th inat.