MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 20322, 2 November 1929, Page 11

MANCHESTER UNITY

The Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge held a largely attended meeting in the Lodge Hall, Stuart street, on Tuesday. The evening was a special one, being set down in the handbook as •“ Past Grands’ Evening.” The chairs were therefore occupied by past officers as follows:—N.G., P.G. Bro. T. Pearcej V.G., P.P.G.M Bro. G. Clark; G.M., P.S'. Bro. James Brown; E.S., P.G. Bro. W. Poyntz; warden, P.P.G.M. Bro. B. Rosevear; guardian, P.G. Bro. H. Pithie. Although many of these brethren have been out of office for many years, they showed that they had lost none of their skill,, and the business of the meeting was efficiently conducted. An initiation ceremony was held, two candidates being initiated into ■ the order. _ The ceremony was conducted in a dignified and impressive manner, the rendering of the lecture master’s charge by the veteran P.S. Bro. James Brown being the outstanding feature of the ceremony. One proposal for membership was also received. The new handbooks for the coming year were before the lodge and elicited favourable con meut, the opinion being expressed that this year s issue was a credit to the official Handbook Committee, to whom a vote of thanks was accorded. Special mention was made of the secretary (Bro. Rosevear) and the lodge representative, P.G Bro. I' Austin. In recognition of his long service as. permanent secretary of the lodge, Bro. James Brown is accorded pride of place in this year’s handbook. Bro. Brown is now in his fiftieth year as secretary of the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge. Several members reported on visits to the Loyal Prince Alfred (Waikouaiti) and Cromwell Lodges, from which fraternal greetings were conveyed. At Hie conclusion of an interesting- meeting the N T ,G. (Bro. Pearce) thanked the members for the privilege of occupying the chief chair of the lodge, and thanked members for their support. Au apology was receive! from an old member, P.P.G.M. Bro! J. H. F- Hamel. Members of Loyal Centenary, Caversham, Dunedin, and Albion Lodges responded to the toast of visiting brethren, after which the lodge was closed and members entertained at supper. The Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge held its monthly meeting on Tuesday evening with a good attendance of members, the N.G. presiding. An ofcial visit from the two Milton lodges was greatly appreciated, some twentyfive members being present. A member of the Loyal Alexandra Lodge was also welcomed. One new member was. initiated, the visiting officers conducting the ceremony in an impressive manner. Presentations of emblematical certificates were made to P.G.s Bros. E. Weatherall and Oarruthers. Considerable discussion ensued on the matter of the Pensions Department deducting sick pay benefits from a member m_ receipt of a returned soldier’s pension, and it was decided to make further inquiries into the matter. After the meeting closed a very pleasant social hour was spent, when old acquaintances were renewed. The Loyal Princess Mary Lodge met in the Lodge Hall, Forbury corner, on Tuesday evening, when there was _a largo attendance of members and visiting brethren. An invitation was received to attend the Loyal Caversham Juvenile Lodge-at the latter’s meeting on October 30, when juveniles and vis’iting adult brethren were present in force. Games were held, after which the boys were entertained at supper by the "Princess Mary members. Sister •Isaacs, in company with several other members, reported attending the opening ceremony of the loyal Queen of the North Ladies’ Lodge at Oamaru, which proved a successful function. A ■ cordial welcome was extended to Sister Isaacs, sen., on her reappearance in the lodge after a Tong illfiess. Visiting brethren were present from the Loyal. Centenary, Valley, Caversham, and Albion Lodges. The meeting was adjourned at an early hour, and a successful dance was held to celebrate the anniversary of the lodge.