THE LOYAL ABBOTSFORD LODGE, I.O.O. F., M.U., WAIPAWA.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXI, Issue 5796, 17 September 1880, Page 3

THE LOYAL ABBOTSFORD LODGE, 1.0.0. F., M.U., WAIPAWA.

(tfJROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT). The above lodge, organised in 1873 with a roll of seventeen members, held its seventh anniversary yesterday, which was celebrated by sports, dinner, and ball. During the lodge's existence its membership ha 3 increased to over one hundred ' and fifty members. In 1876 they built the present hall afc a cost ,of £800. The ' Loyal Abbotstord Lodge is the strongest ''■ in this province, and in proportion to the size of the district is the strongest in the [ colony. At noon the members, headed by the Waipawa drum and fife band, paraded the town, playing several selections very nicely, and halted in Mr Maroney's paddock, adjoining Mr Coward and Co.'s repository, where the , following events were decided : — . Flat race, 100 yards^ for boys under 10 years of age.— Wpn by J. M'Greevy. , Flat race;, 300 yards. —First prize, bridle and 7s 6d, Peeblea j. 2nd, pair spurs and 3s 6d, Barry. ■ Vaulting match.— First .prize", whip and 75.6d,A. JNicholls; 2nd, .pocket-book and . '3s- 6d;'-F. Newton. NicHolls cleared 8 feet 9 inches. : • ; Girls' race, 66 yard's.-;— First prize, locket, A. r Peebles j 2nd,' ls, J. Sebley. : Hop,. step, and' jump] -^-First prize, 10s, Peebles, 38 feet 7 inches'; 2ndj 5s Barry, 38. feet 2 inches ;" 3rd., box. pills, Belcher, 37 feet 9 inohe's. '...... r ' '' ' Old MenV-RacS;— Prize, 53, J. Smith. 'This, event- caused great amusement. : Boys' race' (under 14).— 1st prize, ss, -Gowper ; 2nd, 2s 6d ; Peebles. Girls' race.— ls't prize) -pair gold earrings, Jane Sebby ; 2nd, bottle scent. 0. } Peters. 5 .' ' V '"■ . ".'" • " -'■ ' ■■' v " ' /' High' j vimp for men.— lst prize, 10s,' .' Peebles j.4' feet 7 inches ; 2nd, ss, EUing-ham'j-.^.^eet 3 inches;.' "' , Flat , irace, 600 yards. — Ist prize, £1, Goldsmith. ; 2nd, lQs, .Barry,: ■/ . -/ .-■ „'. The Dinner.... : -- : • : [by - telegraph. ] - „ At 4.3Q abdut'se^ejaty guests sat down to an excellent ' dinner, provided by Mr Brighouse. Bro; W. Ritchie, N.G., presided. Thegueste having clone full justice, to the dinner, the Chairman gave ",The Queen and Royal Family," which wa3 drunk with musical honors. "Hi 3 Excellency the Gpvernor " was next given by the Chairman, who remarked that, though Sir Hercules Robinson's stay here was short, he won the good-will of all, and would carry with him universal good wishes to the Cape. The Chairman next gave " The Army and Navy," attributing England's commercial supremacy to the strength of her Army and Navy. Song, Bro. Henderson, "The White Squall.'? Bro. Coward gave "The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows." He said that all were proud to see the great strides Oddfell@wship had made all over the world in the last few years. The membership was the strongest and the funds the largest of any Friendly Society in the world. In the absence of Bro. Collett, treasurer, Bro. O'Leary read the Treasurer's Statement, which showed that ©n January Ist of this year there were 533,820 members of the ' Order, jvhe increase during the year having been 8961. In Hew Zealand there were over 8000 Oddfellows. Song, . Mr Dunn—" Shout my Irish Boys." " The Abbotsford Lodge " was next proposed by Bro. Monteith, secretary of the Waipukurau Lodge. The toast was drunk musical honors. Bro. W. F. Wilson responded. He said the lodge now numbered 80 single members, the rest being married. The Abbotsford Lodge was the parent of Oddfellowship in the district, and had fostered.

four other lodges, each of which v/as now in a flourishing condition. There had nob been a single death in the present lodge during the year. The funds of the lodge, invested and in hand, amounted, fo ovet £1000. "Sister Lodges" wz<i the next to.t3t, Bro. Peebles saying it gavo him the greater pleasure to propose it since it was owing to the Abbotsford Lodge that thers were any " sister lodges " in the district to propose. Bro. Brown, in . rsgpondlng, gave a brief history of Oddfeilottship in the Waipawa district: Song, MrtWeiv^'ltiin for the doctor.-" The remaining toasts were (i Kindred Lodges," proposed by Bro. Bickerton, and responded to by Dr Von Mirbach ; " The Honorary Members," proposed by Bro. i Wilson, and responded to, by Bro, Harwood ; "The Yisitiiig' Brethren,' proposed by Bro. Robb, and responded to by Bio. Brown (Porangahan) ; " The Hawke's Bay District," proposed by Bro. Brown and responded to by Bro. llobb ; " The Press," proposed by Bro. Harwood and responded to by Bro. Wilson ; ' ' The Caterer," proposed by Mr Johnson and responded to by Mr Brighouse ; " The Chairman aud Vice-Chairman," proposed by Bro. Peebles. Mr Goldsmith gave a song, " Mamma says I mustn't," and tho dinner part of the proceedings terminated with the singing of " Auld Lang Syne." After dinner the room was cleared for a ball, and about 70 couples took the floor, and, at the time our telegraphic message was despatched, appeared likely to kcep''it up until morning.