MANCHESTER UNITY

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, 3 October 1927, Page 9

MANCHESTER UNITY

HASTINGS LODGE. 49th ANNIVERSARY MEETING, The 49th anniversary of the Hastings Oddfellows, No. 6299, M.U. 1.0.0. F., which was celebrated on Thursday last with a ladies' night, proved to be one of the largest and most successful meetings held in this district. Bro. L. C. Eargher, N.G., presided and was supported by 200 members and visitors including a large number of sisters. The feature of the meeting was the initiation of five new members by a lodge composed of ladies who carried out the ceremony in a most efficient manner. Sister Richards N.G. of Napier Lodge occupied the chair and was supported by Sister Whitten and Campbell, of Meeanee Lodge; Sister King of Tikokino, as V.G., was supported by Sister Pearce and Blewett, of Napier, P.G. ’s Sisters Percy and M. Htanley, of Hastings delivered the I.P.N.G.’s charge, Bister N. Smith, acted as guardian and the conductors were Sisters Nicholson and Boyd, of Napier. Sister F. Cunnold, Hastings, was in charge of the music. The visitors present were accorded lodge honours. Bro. H. A. Pearce, District Grand Master, in reply, referred to progress made by the Hastings Lodge during the past few years. At the end of last yeax of the 843 lodges in the Dominion numerically it was 33rd from the largest and since then the interval had been considerably re ducod. He congratulated the lodge on completing its forty-ninth year, and expressed the wishes of the district that the jubilee year would be another bright and prosperous one. Bro. R. 8. M. Quigley, P.D.G.M., as one of the directors of the New Zealand branch, extended congratulations of the Grand Master and board of directors. He briefly referred to progress the Manchester Unity was making throughout the Dominion. The total worth of -funds was now £1 292,303, and the membership over 30,000. He urged the members to impress upon their friends that the M.U. nad no wish to hold on to its capital, the doors to membership were open, the qualifications were good health and character ,and they were only too willing co share their good fortune amongst those who joined their ranks. Bro. L. Stein, P.D.G.M., congratulated the lodge on its anniversary and the exCellent meeting, particularly the working of the initiation ceremony by the ladies. He pointed out although the Hastings Lodge occupied a prominent position amongst the friendly societies there was still more work to be done, and the members should not rest until their lodge held the premier position in tie Dominion. Replies were also made by the representatives of the following lodges: Napier Clive, Meeanee, Abbotsford (Waipawa), Tavistock (Waipukurau), Ruahine (Tikokino), Forest Home (Ormondvillo) Dannevirke, Takapau, Petone, Greytown, Howard (Nelson), Britannia (Wellington) btratford (England), Bernie (Queensland). Bro. J.’F. Bturn who joined the lodge in 1879, apologised for the absence of P.G. Bro. R. C. Sturn, one of the founder members of the lodge and now a resident of Nuhaka. Bro. H. Graham who was initiated into the City of Norwich Lodge, Lyttelton district, in 1876 was also amongst the visitors, and was aceom panied by ..Sister Graham.

The visitors accorded honours to the Hastings Lodge which vuere acknowledged by the N.G. At the close of the meeting a large number of the members’ friends were admitted, and the social committee took charge and the remainder of the evening was spun in harmony. Bro. G. McCormick had charge of .the dancing, the music being supplied by Sisters King and Cunnold and Bros. Kingston, Bond and A. A. McCormick. The cards and quoits were in charge of Bros. L. and R. Fargher. An excellent supper was provided, the preparation of which was in the capable hands of Sisters Keith Stanley, Adamson, Ball and Lee.