ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XIII, Issue 285, 17 November 1923, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

INITIATION OF LADY MEMBERS. The largest meeting ever held in Hastings in connection with Manchester Unity Oddfellow ship took place in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Market street, on Wednesday evening. Alter many lengthy discussions during the past few months it was decided to admit female members into the Lodge and Wednesday evening was chosen as the most suitable evneing for such an important event in the Lodge’s history. The initiation of sisters to the order having been Heralded throughout the district, a large number of visitors honoured the Loyal Hastings Lodge by their presence, it soon became evident that the lodge room was fair too small to hold all those present and .so the lodge adjourned to the large front hail where, by the consent of the D.G.M. Bro Quigley, the business of the evening was most successfully conducted. When the 15U visitors and local members were assembled the lodge was opened in due form and lodge honours were extended to D.G.M. Brp. Quigley and his Hawke’s Bay district olheers, to D.G.M. Bro. Gledhill, of Wellington district, and to the various visiting sisters and brethren from different parts of the district. x\.G. Bro. S. R. Ball conducted the proceedings in his usual capable manner, with the result that the initiation ceremony was cairned through splendidly by the various officers concerned, live ladies and one gentleman presenting themselves for initiation. ’ At the close of the initiation cere-

I nioiiy D.G.M. Bro. Gledhill delivered a t splendid address on “Oddfellowship ( a.id what it means to those in the Order.” It was listened to very ‘ closely and thoroughly enjoyed by all s present. 1 A pleasing feature of the ceremony s was the hearty singing of the odes, ’ accompanied by a fine orchestra coms posed by members of the order. As * soon as the lodge had been closed the s garnering made its way to the supper f room, where a dainty supper had been i) laid., A happy time was spent at sup--1 per, during which several toasts were 1 Honoured and several instructive and , humorous speeches- were listened to. ■ The following toasts were honoured: - “The Kung,’’ proposed by W.G. Bro. >■ Ball; “The Manchester Unity,’ ’ coupled with the name of Bro. H. , Bull, proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro. G. Love; “The District, coupled with the, , names of the district officers D.G.M. , Quigley, D.B. Bro. Marten and P.G.M. . Bro. Bryce, proposed by P.P.M. Bro. T. Keith; “Newly Initiated Sisters . and Brothers,” proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro. G. D. Love and replied to by ; l .G. Bro., Lee; “The Visitors,” 1 coupled with names of the conductors and other sisters and brethren present, proposed by the acting financial secretary, Bro. Morris, and replied to by P.G. Bro. Bolton (New South A* ales), JD.C.M. Bro. Glenhill (Wellington district) and N.G. Bro. Darrock (Napier). . After supper all adjourned to the dancing hall, where dancing was carried on until 1 a.m., when the party broke up after a most enjoyable evening’s instruction and entertainment. A very hearty vote of thanks was to the ladies, Mesdames Henry, Keith and Sharp, who helped with the supper and carried out;.many duties at supper time, thus ensuring such a successful evening.