ODDFELLOWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XLVIII, Issue 4473, 14 February 1917, Page 7

ODDFELLOWS.

MANCHESTEII UNITY. There was a large attendance of members and also several members of the Loyal Patutalii Lodge present at tlie annual meeting of the Loyal Gisborne Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., 6087. Brother W. T. Withers. N.G. presided. The election of three deputies to represent the lodge at the next annual conference to he • held on February 23, at Auckland, resulted as follows : —Brothers AY. A. Robertson , P.G; Brother Archie Kirk, P.G; Brother W. T. Withers, N.G. A member of the Gisborne lodge was also appointed to represent tlie Patutahj Lodge at the meeting, and is expected to be in Auckland on that date. Brother TV. J. Cox, P.G., retiring auditor, was re-elected, and congratulated on his 20 years’ service in this capacity. The auditor’s report and balance sheet, also the special book examiner’s report, wore received.

It was unanimously decided to give the secretary an increase in salary. The Lodge has lost six members killed in action, five wounded, and there are 30 at present on active service, and others arc shortly to go into camp.

Brother C. IT. Ainbridge, Pro. G.M., leaves.for Auckland at the end of the week to complete his term of office and preside at the annual conference of the 45 Lodges, wjiich takes place on February 23, at Auckland. , At the conclusion of the business," tho meeting adjourned to Findlay’s Tea Rooms, where a social evening was held on the occasion of the relinquishing of office as Provincial Grand Master of*the Auckland District by Brother C. IT. Ambridge. Brother J. Warren presided, and tlie proceedings opened with the singing of the National Anthem.

The Chairman, in a short address, referred to the early day difficulties in connection with Oddfellowship in tlie Auckland district and told how these were overcome. The Gisborne Lodge had £IO,OOO accumulated capital, but what benefit was the members getting ? Only an assurance of £1 and a respectable burial. He urged the bringing about of a scheme to increase. the sick pay and also for members to attend the meetings and so get down to something more than the ordinary routine.

In calling upon the retiring Provincial Grand Master to address the gathering, the Chairman characterised hjm as “the lion-hearted Oddfellow of Gisborne, one of the men who secs no difficulties in front.” Brother Ambridge, who was greeted with long applause, thanked the Chairman for his remarks. It was nearly 12 months since, he had been appointed to the position and during that time he had gained a large amount of experience. He had taken the office of one who had laid down his life on GallipoliHe said there was no Lodge in tlie Dominion that was not suffering the loss of someone at the front. The 44 Lodges in the Auckland district had sent 50 per cent of their members to the front. The Manchester Unity had to pay every member sjck pay from the time lie was wounded. Brother Ambridge instanced a ease in Auckland where a married man was discharged at Rotorua without a shilling and was wondering, as to what he could do after being laid up for 22 weeks. The man received £22 from one of the Auckland Lodges. They were endeavouring to help tlieir soldier brothers in other ways and in this respect lie was anxious to get a reply from the Government in order to make a definite statement ,at the meeting held at Auckland. Brother Ambridge urged members to take the advice of the Chairman. He paid a warm tribute to the.long, faithful, and effective services rendered the Lodge by Brothers "Warren, McLeod and Alorgan. Brother Ainbridge called P.O. Brother C. Walker, and P.G. Brother A\ . Robertson and presented them with a framed emblem of the club and P.G. collars. He also mentioned that the Lodge was presenting P.G. Brother Al. G. Nasmith with a framed emblem to replace the one lie lost in fiis fire at Wellington.

During the evening items were given by Airs Paul Schwabe and Mr Selnvabe jnr. * Alessrs Mae Gibbon, AY. Harris. IT. J- Grieve, A. IT. Clarke, and F. O. Yorke. Supper was provided and a pleasant function was concluded with the singing ot Auld Lang Syne and the National Anthem.