MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 21786, 31 July 1934, Page 12

MANCHESTER UNITY

There was a large attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Princess Mary Lodge, held in the ■ Oddfellows’ Hall For bury Corner, N.G. Sister. Edna Lopgworth presiding. The Loyal Prince of Wales (Port Chalmers) Lodge invited members to a social evening, the nature of the function being left to the ladies to decide. A vote of thanks was conveyed to the married sisters who entertained members the previous lodge night. Two candidates were initiated. It was resolved to forward a letter of sympathy to Sister Foster in the loss or her father. Under the half-yearly summoned meeting the auditors (Bros. Isaac and Millar) read the half-yearly balance-sheet and, auditor’s report. With a membership of 119, the funds showed an increase for the period under review, and the auditors reported that the lodge was administered on sound lines. A tribute was also paid to the excellent manner in which _ the secretary had performed iris duties. A presentation of a P.G.’s collar was made to the retiring G.M., Sister I. Douglas, reference being made to her work for the lodge as an officer. Later .Sister Douglas was also the recipient of a tea set from the lodge in appreciation of her assistance in the social activities of the lodge. On behalf of the Loyal Caversham Juvenile Branch, P.G. Bro. C. Isaac also thanked the recipient for her services in assisting the Juvenile Lodge. Owing to the lengthy business dealt with, the debate set down to be contested with the Loyal Valley Lodge was held over until a future date. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Albion Lodge was held in the M.U. Hall, Stuart street, N.G. Bro. L. A. Joseph in the chair. There was a good muster of members and visiting brethren were welcomed, the latter including several members of the Loyal Milton Lodge. The secretary of the Friendly Societies’ Council wrote regarding the annual church parade of friendly societies on August 5, and also to the" recent conference of friendly societies and the B.M.A. Prior to commencing business reference was made to the death of Bro. F. Foster, whose membership extended over a period close on forty years. For very many years Bro. Foster took an active part in the lodge,' particularly the social side, many of the older members remembering the entertainments he organised. Members stood in silence for a few moments as a tribute of respect, and a motion of sympathy with the late brother’s relatives was carried. The half-yearly meeting was reopened in order to consider the _ report and balance-sheet, which elicited favourable comment. The lodge had slightly increased its membership for the period, while the sick and funeral fund showed an increase of £6OO, the total being £29,339. The lodge was fortunate in having a comparatively light sickness experience, the amount disbursed over this heading (£370) being the lowest recorded for some years. The management fund also made headway. The report w;\s adopted. P.P.G.M. Bro. C. L. Calvert, in making a presentation of an emblematical certificate and P.G.’s sash to P.G. Bro. L. Anderson, expressed appreciation of that officer’s efforts to bring the lodge to the high position it occupied. During his term as N.G. the lodge had won the Efficiency Shield for the district and he had proved an energetic and capable officer. Bro. Anderson, in responding, thanked his fellow-officers and members for their support and assistance. At the conclusion of the meeting the half-yearly purple lecture and past officers’ degree meeting was held in the lodge room. There was a large attendance of Past Grands and officers for the purpose of receiving degrees, including a number of brethren from country lodges. The meeting was opened by the P.G.M., Bro. A. Hart, supported by tbe district officers.- The degree meeting was later conducted by P.G. Bro. W. Hutton and officers of the Past Grands Lodge. An enjoyable function was held m the Loyal Cnversham Lodge Hall, when members of the various juvenile branches made an official visit to the meeting of the Loyal Caversham Juvenile Lodge. The attendance of juvenile members was large, and included visitors from the Loyal Taien, Albion, and United Juvenile Lodges.

N.G. Brb. Grey presided, and extended a welcome to, the visitors. P.G.'s Bros. Miller, and Hey represented the Juvenile Council. while many adult brethren from the Gaversham and Princess Mary Lodges were also present. After receiving the visitors the N.G. adjourned the lodge, when an excellent programme was presented by the following Sisters Edna and. Evelyn Lohgworth and Sister Edwards, sketch; Sister O. West, piano solo; Sisters E. Parker and J,. Meiklejohn, duet; Master .. M'Causlih, mouth organ selection; Miss Daphne Allen, clog dance and Irish hornpipe; Misses Milburn and : E. Lunam, recitations ; Sister West and Bro. Norman, instrumental duet. The president of the council congratulated tno lodge on the good attendance of members, and a hearty vote of thanks was accorded the performers. The monthly meeting of the Loyal Tapanui Lodge was well attended, a pleasing feature being the presence of a large number of the younger members. N.G. Bro. A. Fleming presided. An invitation was received from the local fire brigade to a card evening, and this was accepted, the secretary being deputed to make arrangements for a suitable date. P.G. Bro. W. Hancox reported attending the annual ball of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, and said that the function was one of the. largest attended for some years. Bro. Hancox was thanked for representing the lodge.