MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 20020, 10 November 1928, Page 3

MANCHESTER UNITY

The Standing Committee of the Otago District, M.U.1.0.0.F., met on Monday evening in the District Chambers, Stuart street, the P.G.M., Pro. W. J. Johnston, presiding over a fair attendance of delegates. An application was received from the Loyal Maniototo Lodge for a dispensation to open a female lodge at Hanfurly to ho styled the “ Loyal Queen of Maniototo Lodge.” Several country lodges wrote supporting the application, and the dispensation was granted, the date of opening the new lodge to bo arranged by the district executive, and the Loyal Maniototo Lodge. An invitation from the Loyal Upper Clutha Lodge to hold the next animal district meeting at Pembroke was discussed, the general opinion of delegates being in favour of the proposal, which was left in the hands of the district executive.

The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Centenary Lodge was held in the Forbury School Hall on Tuesday evening. The N.G., Bro. Hartstonge, presided, and there was a _ good attendance of members and visiting brethren. CorreI spondence relating to the membership campaign was received from the P.C. Secretary. One candidate was initiated. It was decided to pay an official visit to the Loyal Princess Mary Lodge on Tuesday next, and to hold an impromptu speech evening next lodge night. The meeting then adjourned, and an evening by P.G. Bro. Mercer, G.M. Bro. Farquharson, and N.G. Bro. Hartstonge, was held, this taking the form of a progressive euchre tournament, in which P.G. Bro. Corbett and V.G. Bro. Pearce proved the prizewinners. The visitors’ toast was responded to by members of Loyal Valley, Albion, and Dunedin Lodges. At the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Upper Clutha Lodge, there was a good attendance of members. A letter was received from the secretary of the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge, in which it was stated the latter proposed paying an official visit. It was decided to fall in with the proposal, and to make application to the district executive for permission to alter the date of the regular meeting to this evening. One candidate was initiated. Arrangements were then completed for entertaining the Roxburgh brethren. There was a good attendance of members at' the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Albion Lodge, held on Thursday evening, the N.G., Bro. W. Longworth, presiding. Correspondence included a return from the P.C. secretary, showing the number of members initiated up to September 30, to be 601. A letter was received expressing thanks on behalf of P. Sec. Bro. James Brown for the good wishes and sympathy tended to him by members at the last meeting of the lodge. Advice was received that the district executive had made a grant of £lO for the distress fund to a member in needy circumstances. The resignation of V.G. Bro. G. Horwood, owing to his removal to Auckland, was received with regret, and nominations were received for the vacant office. P.G. Bro. E. Longworth stated that the Campaign Comnuttee had discussed the matter of suitably celebrating the eightieth anniversary of the Hand and Heart Lodge, which was also the anniversary of the founding of the order in Otago. It was proposed to hold a special eveng for the members who had been connected with the order for forty years and over, and also to hold an Oddfellows’ picnic at Quarantine Island on December 8. The Hand and Heart Lodge had presented the sum of £SO to the Campaign Committee iit order to assist the celebrations. FinaUdetails would be settled at the next meeting of the committee. Visiting brethren from Loyal Valley and Dunedin Lodges responded to the visitors’ toast. A degree meeting was set down for the next lodge night. One candidate was initiated.

There was a full attendance of officers and members at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge on Tuesday evening. N.G. Bro. F. J. Allen presided, A letter was received from the Loyal Upper_ Clutlia Lodge expressing its appreciation of the proposed official visit, and promising a real Oddfellows’ welcome. Twentyseven members will make the trip, and a contingent from Loyal Vincent Lodge will also attend the function, which promises to be successful. Two candidates were initiated. lu announcing

the total initiations for the district to the end of September, the P.S. reminded brethren that three meetings remained in which to make four members to complete the lodge’s quota for the half-year. Ho exhorted members to make a special effort to secure the desired quota. An invitati; n to the anniversary of the Loyal Princess Victoria Lodge was received, but, owing to the close proximity or the official visit to Upper Clutha, it was regretted that the lodge could not bo represented. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge was held on Tuesday evening, and attracted a large attendance of members, the N.G., Pro. Jack, in the chair. The meeting opened in mourning out of respect for the late grand master. Pro. V. C. Parker, who had passed away since the last meeting of the lodge. Several members paid tribute to the sterling qualities of the late brother, who was a great worker in all matters connected with the order. Pro. Parker was keenly interested in the juvenile movement, having been an excellent worker since the inception of the juvenile lodge. Of a cheerful, but quiet and unassuming disposition, Pro. Parker’s service as a sick visitor was much appreciated by all with whom ho came into contact. A motion of condolence with the late brother’s widow and family was passed, and it 'was decided that the lodge observe mourning until the end of the year. At a church parade which wms held on Sunday in the Port Chalmers Congregational Church, and which was Largely attended by adult and juvenile members, the Rev. Finch spoke on ‘ Oddfellowship,’ and made ' sympathetic reference to the passing of the late brother. The balance-sheet of the dispensary was submitted and discussed, disclosing a satisfactory financial position. A welcome was extended to Mr R. Paul, the new dispenser. On Thursday evening a concert in aid of the children’s Christinas tree fund was held, and -attracted a Jarge and appreciative audience.. The]

programme was contributed to hy members of the order, assisted by visiting artists. During an interval the N.G., Pro. Jack, on behalf’ of th* lodge, thanked all those whose effort* had resulted in a successful function including the artists, the Social GolB» mittee, and the secretary (Pro. L. Jack).