INAUGURATION OF HAWKE'S BAY DISTRICT, I.O.O.F., M.U.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5161, 24 August 1878, Page 2

INAUGURATION OF HAWKE'S BAY DISTRICT, 1.0.0. F., M.U.

The district was opened in the Napier Lodge-room at 2 p.m. yesterday, J^.G.M. Waters, of Wellington District, presided. It was decided that the district officers , should hold office until January 26, 1880.j^ Bro. P.G. Grigg was elected Grand Master of the Hawke's Bay District; Bro. P.G. Robb was elected Deputy G.3VE. ; and Bro, P.S. Bee was elected Corresponding Secretary. The officers having been duly installed by D.G.M. Waters, the district officers and delegates then proceeded to the election of examining officers, trustees, treasurer, and auditors. The following

brothers were duly elected :— P.G. Mogridge as Examining Officer ; P.G. Mo^ridgeandV.G. Fielder, Trustees; P.<j. W, Miller, Treasnrer ; Bros. H. J. Baker and S. W. Hardy, Auditors. The District Lodge then adjourned to the 19th September next at 10 a.m., at Waipawa. A. number of brethren then received the Purple Degree in the usual manner from D.G.M. Waters. A subsequent lecture was given at 6.30 p.m., for the convenience of those brothers who were unable to attend the former one. A BANQUET Was held at the Protestant Hall in the evening, at which 68 members of the order and visitors were present. Grand Master Waters occupied the chair, and Provincial Grand Master Grigg the vicechair. The dinner was served in excellent style by Mr J. T. Johnson. After the cloth had been removed, the Chairman proposed the toast of " The Queen," which was drunk with enthusiasm, the whole company singing the National Anthem. The Chairman then, in a neat speech, proposed the toast " The Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows. " In course of his remarks he said the order numbered about 500,000 members. The Vice-Chairman then proposed the toast of " The Grand Master Wellington District," coupled with the name of the chairman. He thought they would all j acknowledge the efficient manner in which the chairman had performed his duties that day in forming Hawke's Bay into a district. (Hear, hear.) He had himself known the worthy chairman for many years. The toast was drunk with Lodge honors. The Chairman returned thanks, and in doing so he said he could reciprocate what had fallen from the Grand Master of the Hawke's Bay district. It gave him very great pleasure to see him at the head of such a fine district as they appeared to possess in Hawke's Bay. He had seldom seen Oddfellows more zealous than he had seen in Napier. It repaid one for the trouble and sickness incurred by coming here. He thought a great future was before Napier, and that before long they should have to form another district similar to that formed that day. (Cheers). The Chairman then gave the next toast, "The Hawke's Bay District," coupled with the names of the District officers. It gave him great pleasure to see that there was some competition for these * offices. Although an old friend of his own was elected as Grand Master, he bore testimony to the fitness of Past-Master Wilkie, and of Deputy Past Master Robb. (Hear, hear.) The Vice-Chairman returned thanks, and in doing so heartily thanked them for electing him, to the high office they had appointed him to that day. ' When he looked back to what Oddfellowship was when he came to Napier, and saw the extent to which it had now spread all over the province, it was very gratifying to him, as they numbered in Hawke's Bay alone over 300 members. (Hear, hear.) Deputy Grand Master Robb and Corresponding Secretary Bee also returned thanks. The Secretary stated that there were now 327 members in the Hawke's Bay District, with an invested capital of £2900.. (Hear, hear.) Deputy Grand Master Robb proposed the next toast, that of the "Mother Lodge." In doing so he humorously remarked that he had no time to make a long speech, and if he had the time he could not make one. (Laughter). The toast was drunk with Lodge honors. Grand Master Combs returned thanks on behalf of the Napier Lodge. He regretted it had not fallen to the lot of an older member to reply. He said that by their own efforts they nowhad their Lodge in as satisfactory a position as almost any Lodge in the world. He also referred to the decorum with which the affairs of the Lodge were conducted. During the last 12 months they initiated 35 members, and they had now on the books 119 members, with a capital of £1600. V.G. Fielder proposed the next toast, the " Sister Lodges." He referred to the large increase in the number of Lodges now in the district. At the district meeting that day an application was made from Porangahau to form a new Lodge. It was also expected that Lodges would Bhortly be formed at Woodville, Havelock, the Spit, and other places. (Hear, hear.) Brother Collett, on behalf of the Waipawa Lodge, briefly returned thanks. The Waipawa Lodge now numbered about 150 members, although they had been only established a comparatively short time. He thought if the Waipawa Lodge had met the Napier one half-way, they would have been able to drive them back. (Laughter. ) Brother L. A. Tiffen, on behalf of the Meanee Lodge, also returned thanks. They had now 43 members. (Hear, hear.) Brother Hardy returned thanks on behalf of the Olive Lodge. They had now been in existence nearly four years, and during the whole of that time he was happy to say they had not paid away a penny for sick pay. (Hear, hear.) Brother P. G. Miller proposed the toast of " Kindred Societies." He should like to see unity amongst all such societies, and that all their anniversaries should take place at one time, so that a proper demonstration might be got up. (Hear, hear.) The Order of Oddfellowß was in nearly all places where he had been the leading society. Mr Kemsley replied on behalf of the Foresters. He was glad to see such a good feeling between the different societies. The Chairman also thanked them, being a Forester himself. He thought that if all the societies joined together they would be able to carry their own way in any Parliament. Brother Mogridge proposed the next toast, that of " The Widows and Orphans and poor and distressed of the Order." He had been a member of the Lodge for many years, but he found they had hitherto very few widows and orphans amongst them. Numerous other toasts were proposed and responded to, amongst them being "The Visitors," "The Ladies," "The Press," " The Banquet Committee," " The Caterer," &c. In the course of the evening a large number of songs and duets were sung, and a most enjoyable evening was brought to a close about mid-