ODDFELLOWSHIP

Evening Star, Issue 20666, 13 December 1930, Page 32

ODDFELLOWSHIP

•The following meetings of the 1.0.0. F. lodges were held during the past' fortnight:— St. Kilda. Lodge. No. 87.—8r0. W. Scott.'N.G., presided over a good attendance of members and visitors. Bro. G. D. Smart, secretary of the Social Committee, reported that the final balance, in connection with the recent Social would enable the lodge to donate £2 10s to the District Lodge special fund. A vote of thanks was passed to those who had assisted in m ..... , the social a success. Cprresnondeneo .. as received from the Pioneer Lodge congratulating St. Kilda Lodge on being first winners of the . Kirknam Shield, presented for card competition between the lodges of the district. The following members were nominated as candidates for Grand Lodge representatives to G.L. Session in Auckland: —Bro. H. 6. Carson, P.G.; Bro. H. H. Johnson, P.D.D.G.M.; Bro. R. K : ’khani, D.D.G.M.; Bro. J. MTvor, P.D.D.G.M.; Bro. G. D. Smart, R.G.; Bro. W. Smith. P.D.D.G.M.; Bro."A. H. Valentine, P.G.M. A , < t welcome to the visitors was ’•-sm-mlcd tu by Bro. H, H. Johnson (Leith), Bro, R. Kirkham, D.D.G.M., Bro, E. Harborne (Linden). Leith Lodge, No. 4.—N.G. Bro. M Gray presided over an excellent attendance. Correspondence .-re.tided an invitation fr6m Maori HiH to attend the twenty-first anniversary, also from Unity Lddge invitum Leith Lodge to take charge at the next meeting. The routine business was transacted promptly to allow Bro. A. H. Valentine to take charge and carry out a programme. After the lodge was. closed N.G. Bro. M. Gray welcomed a large number of Rebckall sisters. and explained that Bro. Valentine’s evening l’."' 1 now become an annual function, being p nr '"- 1 known as “The Old Firms’ Night.” Bro. Valentine, who proved n very genial host, expressed bis pleasure ■’* seeing so many visitors present. n>’d evnhiteed that the absence of ’"embers of the Rehek.ih, Lodges at previous functions was an oversight on Ills part. A very comprehensive program-" ’"id been rarranged,' and consist '’ ' ■ ,petitions. nrJ. musical items ns follows:—Mrs Isaacs, Mr J. Paterson, Bro. J. Swan (songs), Bro. L. Beath (violin solos). Sister " acted as accompanist, . Sister J, Anderson

and Bro. I L. Doans i>... . winners of a popular eompetit.oii. Sister Dobson, L.D.D.G.M., ext- • ..en to Bro. Valentine the thanks of the visiiing sisters for the -t evening provided. A hearty vote of ti was also moved by Bro. JL Jones on he half of the male members. Mm. J,. Deans Ritchie, in proposing a vote of appreciation to Mrs Valentine, said that her contribution to tile supper table indicated a il" _ al consideration. Bro. Valentine, in ncknow lodging the thanks, said that ary ■'■aim derived that eveni l " • ■ doe to the very kind manner the various performers had coat - items, and especially referred to the nonmembers, who always seemed happy when contributing for the pleasure of others. Maori Hill, -No. 80.—Acting N.G. Bro. W. Smith presided over the twenty-first anniversary mating of this lodge, held in the Coronation flail, Maori Hill. The lodges visited officially:—Pioneer No. 1, Linden No. 19, and Leith No. 4. ' Bros. L. Deans Ritchie. Grand Sire, Bro. D. M- Miller, P.G.M., and Him. A. 11. Valentine,, P.G.M.. , gi a.., ‘ entntives of the Grand i.no • of Australasia, were received with full honours of the order. Bro. J. M‘lvow;!' . also introduced Bro. W. F. Crooke, Grand Secretary and Mro. R. Knkham, D.D.G.M., who represented the. Grand Lodge of New Zealand. Bro. W. Smith, P.D.D.G.M., acting N.G., extended a hearty welcome to the visiting members, and read the minutes of the first meeting of the lodge, which -showed that a number (die foundation members were still taking an active interest. Bro. ...noth, who was tho first N.G. of the lodge especially referred to the work 'dleton, Chittleburgh, Beeby, and to the valued assistance of Br • . M‘Arthur, of Pioneer Lodge, and '■ associate members from various lodges. Bro. C. Beeby, V.G., proposed the toast of the Grand Sire of Australasia, and said that Maori Hill Lodge owed a debt of gratitude to Bro. Ritchie, who in tho early days gave much needed assistance. Bro. Ritchie, in reply, said that as Grand Siro ho welcomed the opportunity at all times of visiting lodges, and particularly at anniversaries, w' interesting reminiscences bore to the many, difficulties overcome by steady perseverance of the members. All lodges experienced the same trouble by members moving away from a district. He explained that the territory

over winch the Grand Lodge of Australasia had .jurisdiction laid now been defined by Sovereign Grand Lodge afrom .certain longitudinal- positions on the equator to the far south, and he read an interesting letter from a new l\\ formed lodge of the order at ,lava 'in Dutch Fast, Indies. _ Bro. Ritchie stated the .reference in the letter to “•goers and coiners ” indicated thatlodges of other nationalities experienced the same (ronmes as Maori Hoi. In proposing tho toast of “ The Grand Lodge of. New Zealand, lira. Middleton, P.G., referred in high terms el praise to the work dune in the earlv days by tho late Bros. Reid, Alexander, and Wilkinson, also to the work now being done hy the ■ rend Score-' tarv, Bro. W. F. Crooke, and Bros. D. M.'Miller,.P.G.M.. and A. JL Valentine, P.G.M. Bro. Crooke, m replying, referred to his early associations with Maori Hill Lodge e'e organising secretary,'and expressed the apprecia-' tion of the Grand Lodge fo the steadfast loyalty of Maori Hill Lodge, winch with other smaller I " doing excellent-outpost duties. He referred to tins letter from tho Java Lodge as an intensely interesting one, which gave ii vivid conception of fraternity overseas. Bros. Millc "id Valentino, also expressed their pleasure at being present, and recounted early roolleotions of the lodge and its members. Bro. V, M‘Artliniv P.G.. proposed the toast of “The South’ Otago District Lodge,” Bro, R. Kirkliam. D.D.G.AL, and Bro. If. H. Johnson, P.D.D.G.M,., responding. Bro. L. Gv'rg (secretary), proposing tho toast of the visitors, said it was a unique scene to have such a large gathering at Maori Hill Lodge. Tho following members r( , wa Bro. N. Mcining. N.Ga (Pioneer), Bro. W. M‘Dona Id. V.G. (CindoiO. Bro. 11. Jones, P.G. (Leith' 1 P"n. G. D. Smart, P.G. (St. Kilda). A short musical pro gramme, comprising songs hy Bros. C. Beebv and R. M'Kin'v. h" trnmental items by Bros. G. and L. Smart and J. Olson, also recii"-;e by Bro. C. Smith, in addition tn community singing. Bro. W. M'Donald acted as accompanist