I.O.O.F., N.Z. LODGES

Greymouth Evening Star, 9 October 1928, Page 5

I.O.O.F., N.Z. LODGES

BRO. & SISTER SMART HONOURED

After the usual business of the fortnightly meeting held last evening, of Brighter Greymouth Lodge, the ’combined subordinate Lodges of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, N.Z., in Greymouth, met in a social gathering to farewell Bro. G. D. Smart of Brighter Greymouth, and Sister Smart of the Golden West Rebekah Lodge, who are leaving shortly for Dunedin. Eighty members of the two Lodges were present, and the festive board had been tastefully set out by the combined social committees.

Bro. H. Harper presided, and aftei’ explaining the object of the gathering and eulogising the merits of their guests, called on D.D.G.M. Bro. G. E. Black to make a presentation on behalf of Brighter Greymouth Lodge. Bro. Black gave a resume of the activities of Bro. Smart to whom the success of thq Lodge was mainly due. He recalled many instances of hard pioneering work in the early days of the Lodge and the efforts of their departing guest to place the branch in Greymouth on a sound financial footing. It was due to his efforts that the Lodge had cleared off all outstanding arrears with the parent body incidental to the opening of all new lodges. Bro. Black also stressed the*co-opera-tion of Sister Smart in all the undertakings launched by her husband, especially where the welfare of the two Lodges were concerned. In wishing their guests prosperity and happiness for the future in their new sphere of labour, he added that the Lodge could not let them depart without some small recognition of their services and he found it a pleasant duty to invest Bro. Smart with a Past Grand’s Collar and Diploma of Office, which he felt sure Bro. Smart would be proud to wear when visiting the parent lodge in Dunedin. He spoke for one and all when he said they were very sorry indeed to lose such worthy members, but they would carry with them the sincere good wishes of the whole membership on the Coast.

The Chairman then called upon Sister Ogilvie, Noble Grand of Golden West Rebekah Lodge to make a presentation on behalf of both Lodges to Sister and Bro. Smart. Sister Ogilvie endorsed the D.D.G.M’s remarks and added that Sister Smart had always taken a prominent part in the work of hei - Lodge and probably was one of the best attenders. She stressed the fraternal spirit which had always existed and felt very keenly their guests’ departure, as it had been a pleasure to work with their departing guests. She was pleased to hand to Sister and Bro. Smart a- small token of their esteem on behalf of the members and wished them long life and happiness. P.G. Sister Black, P.G. Bros. Clarke and T. Jones and others added their quota in eulogising their departing

guests. Bro. G. D. Smart feelingly replied. He said that both he and Mrs. Smart felt keenly about leaving. He had become wrapt in the work of the two Lodges and found it always a pleasure to do anything for the Order. The Lodges in Greymouth had inspired him to aim at a high ideal, and in launching any function he was sure of the backing of the members and he would say they had never failed him. In Dunedin he would always look back to the happy gatherings held here, and would always have a tender spot in his heart for both Lodges. He reminded the members that he did not need any gift to remind him of them all, as he had made many friends whom he would never - forget.

During the evening musical items were given by Sisters Cogswell and Wright and recitations by Sister Black and Bro. T. Jones. Bro. F. Fletcher presided at the piano and dancing was continued till 1 a.m. when Auld Lang Syne terminated a very enjoyable evening.