MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 21994, 2 April 1935, Page 13

MANCHESTER UNITY

The quarterly meeting of Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge was held at Port Chalmers, when N.G. Bro. J. Neil presided over a good attendance of members. The report of the delegates who attended the annual district meeting was presented,_ the proceedings of that meeting being fully dealt with by the lodge representatives. The secretary was instructed to convey the congratulations of the lodge to P.G. Bro. E. Hey, of the Caversham Lodge, on his elevation to the position of Provincial Deputy Grand Master. A report was presented by the Social Committee to the effect that arrangements for the forthcoming official visit from sister lodges were well in hand, and a large gathering of members from the various city And suburban lodges was anticipated. The visitors’ toast was responded to by two members of the Loyal Valley Lodge, who stated that the amial Anzac service would be held as usual in the Valley Lodge. The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Prince of Wales Juvenile Lodge was held in the Currie Street Hall, Port Chalmers, N.G. Bro. Morgan being in the chair. Two candidates were initiated. Satisfaction was expressed at tho splendid progress the lodge was making, and a cordial invitation was extended to members of sister lodges to visit the lodge. At tho annual district meeting held in Dunedin reference was made by P.P.G.M. Bro. T. P. Michelle (Roxburgh)" to an interesting feature of the efficiency shield contest, which this year was won by the Loyal Albion Lodge, which gained the maximum number of points, Loyal Roxburgh being second half a point behind the winners. Bro. Michelle said that on the first occasion on which the shield was contested Loyal Roxburgh were the winners, and it was worthy of note that the country lodge had entered for the competition every year since. On the first occasion Loyal Albion had been placed second. The meeting decided that a framed minute be forwarded to the Roxburgh brethren congratulating them on their fine effort and also expressing the delegates’ appreciation of tho lodge’s consistency in competing every year. During the district meeting congratulations were extended to P.P.G.M. Bro. W. Ibbotson (Loyal Dunedin Lodge), who recently celebrated his eightieth birthday. Bro. Ibbotson enjoys the distinction of being tho oldest Past Provincial Grand Master of the district, having passed through the district chair in 1887-88. As the celebrations in connection with the .settlement of Otago coincided with tho district meeting it was decided to forward a letter of congratulation to the Otago Early Settlers’ Association. To P.P.G.M. Bro. J. H. Hopcraft, who has now left on a holiday trip to the Homeland, delegates extended good wishes, and as a mark of appreciation of his services to the district over a period of forty years the sum of £IOO was voted to him. The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge was held m the M.U. Hall, Stuart street, N.G. Bro. Lyons presiding. Before commencing business the meeting passed a resolution of sympathy with the relatives of the late Bro. M'Kenzie. One candidate was initiated. The delegates to tho district meeting presented their report, and were accorded a vote of thanks for their services. _ The meeting was favoured with a visit from the members of the District Executive, tliis being tho first lod"o they had attended since the election at tho district meeting. The N.G. extended a welcome to the P.G..M., Bro. J. D. Cameron, who introduced the new P.D.G.M., Bro. E. W. Hey. As this was the last occasion on which Bro, J. A Hopcraft would visit the lodge before his departure for England, the N. 6.. on behalf of members, extended best wishes for a pleasant holiday and a safe return. _ The annual initiation competition for lodges in the central area was held in the M.U. Hall, Stuart street, on Saturday evening. Great interest was taken in tho competition, there being an attendance of some 1150 brethren. Among the visitors were the five members of the District Executive, headed by P.G.M. Bro. J. D. Cameron, also a number of.brethren from the Loyal Milton Lodge. Six lodges competed, and the placings were as follow: Loyal Caversham, 1671 points, 1; Princess Mary, points, 2; Star of the North (Oamani), 145 points, 3. The judge was P.P.G.M. Bro. C. H. Russell, who was assisted by P.P.G.MBro. G H. Clarke and P.G. Bro. J. Swan. In a brief review of the competition, tho judge stated that in his opinion the ritual work was below the usual standard, and there were nh really outstanding renderings. He promised to forward a detailed report to each competing lodge. The shield was then presented to N.G. Bro. Snook on behalf of the winners, who replied for the Caversham Lodge. _ A vote of thanks was accorded tho judges, and at the conclusion of the contest those present wore entertained at supper.