MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 23270, 19 May 1939, Page 4

MANCHESTER UNITY

Loyal Centenary met in the Wesley Street Hall. N.G. Bro. E. Bartlett presiding. Much interest was taken in the forthcoming special meeting of the Standing Committee to consider the matter of sickness benefits under the social security scheme. The N.G. reported on the recent debate with Loyal Albion, when Centenary was beaten by a small margin. Later in the evening members and visiting brethren engaged in a trump whist tournament, honours in the first round going to Bro. Graves, of Loyal Caversham. The finals will bo completed next lodge night. An average attendance greeted N.G. Bro. Bacbop at the meeting of Loyal Valley on Monday evening. The mock district meeting will be held later. Much time was spent in discussing the agenda paper for the special meeting of the District Committee. Opinions were freely expressed, and finally delegates were instructed to press for a referendum of members on the question of lodges servicing the machinery in connection with sickness benefits obtainable under the social security scheme. At the meeting of Loyal Albion it was reported that sick pay was again heavy, due to the prevailing epidemic. The N.G., Bro. Longworth, extended a welcome to Bro. Seymour, of Loyal Morrinsville Lodge. On the adjournment being taken, brethren engaged in trump whist, prizes being awarded to Bros. Fergusson andl Isaac. A dance will be held next lodge night. The seventy-seventh anniversary of Loyal Dunedin Lodge' was celebrated on Thursday evening. The occasion is familiarly known as “ old buffers ” night, and the oldest P.P.G.M ( in the district, Bro. Ibbotson, was in control, supported by P.G. Knox as V.G., P.G. Alexander as E.S., P.G. C. Arnold as warden, Bro. Boulton as guardian, and P.G. Crosbio as G.M., all veteran Oddfellows. Bro. George Crowe surprised the meeting by producing his doctor’s book, which, after 50 years of membership, contained not one single prescription. > P.G. Bro. W. Trewern presided over the social portion of the evening. P.G. Bro. Alexander handled the toast of the executive, responses being made by the P.D.G.M.. Bro. Masters, and LP.P.G.M. Bro. Sellar. The toast of the Loyal Dunedin Lodge was proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro. Robson, who introduced some interesting sidelights on ancient history and those connected with the lodge in earlier days. Quite a number of elderly members returned thanks and related humorous and other incidents in their career as Oddfellows. The accompaniments to songs and duets by Bro. A. Luugley and Mr M'Dougall were played by Mr A. Parnell, while elocutionary items were given by P.P.G.M. Bro. Russell.