ODD-FELLOWS AND FORESTERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2607, 13 May 1869, Page 2

ODD-FELLOWS AND FORESTERS.

The dinner intended to commemorate the felt recently carried-out by the Odd Fellows and Foresters in- aid of their respective Widow and Orphan’s Funds, took place in the hall of the latter, Oxford Terrace, last night. There were upwards of 120 brethren and visitors present, the chair being occupied by Bro. J. C. St Quentin, of the Odd Fellows, supported on the right ,by his Honor the Superintendent, Bro. W, Hislop, Freemasons, and Bro. Ness, Secretary A.0.F., and on the left by his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch and Mr G. Gordon, Town--Clerk. The vice-chairs were occupied by Bro. Grantham, P.G.M., of the 1.G.F., and Bro; Crooks, Treasurer of the A.O.F. The hall was tastefully decorated with the banners--of the Orders, trophied flags, and pennants, and the tables were supplied with a number of pot plants, the whole having a pleasing and effective appearance. An excellent dinner was laid by mine host Osborne, of the Oxford Hotel, and the general arrangements were satisfactory. On removal of the cloth the usual list of loyal toasts was submitted, and -enthusiastically drunk.

The Chairman then rose to propose the health of his Honor-the Superintendent. He said it was always -a delicate matter to praise anyone present, but he thought his H >nor would on that occasion give him credit for saying that they were proud of his company that evening. (Applause.) His Honor had shown a desire to identify himself with the industrial classes quite as much as with those in a higher sphere (applause), and the province had great reason to be proud of their head officer paying so much attention to cvfery individual part of the district under his charge. (Applause.) That was not the time or place to enter into political matters, nor did he intend to do so, but he would say that his Honor took the helm when the greatest care was necessary in the management of affairs, and he haid proved ■ himself capable of fulfilling the trust reposed in him. (Applause). He (the speaker) hoped soon to see the clouds which are now hanging over the province, clear away, the sunshine of prosperity again appear, and that his Honor might live long to be their Superintendent. (Applause). Without further preface, therefore, he would ask them to drink the health of the Superintendent of Canterbury. (Loud Applause). His Honor, on rising to respond, was received with loud cheers, and said' it was a great satisfaction to him when large bodies of his fellow citizens such as the one assembled recognised the interest which he felt in all classes of the community. It had always been his endeavour since assuming office to be a reflex of the people. From the time of leaving England he had never been other than a working man* and so long as he continued Superintendent of the province he should use his best energies to promote the interest of all classes. (Cheers.) Official life had its sunshine, and-clouds, its aweets and bitters, but meeting men willing to overlook shortcomings, was one of the brightest spots in that life, and gave additional stimulus to' tibed who regulated public affairs. (Appiauife). - He felt that the present time was a difficult one to all in the province, but they were wisely putting their shoulder to the wheal, and doing well computed With other parts of the colony. When he sa# the statistics of the colony a short time he was proud of - the province, for there was none other in New Zealand making the wae progress, in proportion to population, as they were, -(Cheers.) The

great work of colonisation in all its phases is being carried out here better than in any other part. In their schools, churches, agriculture, and horticulture, and in fact in every branch for the development of the country, they excelled any other province. (Loud cheers.) Not even Otago was equal to them in the production of wheat, and, altogether, they had done more to subdue the earth than any other community in the colony. There was a financial difficulty at present, but that would be surmounted in time. They had seen worse in other times, and the Government had every confidence that if hard work and strenuous exertions were continued, the province would come satisfactorily through the ordeal. The Government were but a reflex of the people, and, one and all, they must work sedulously to attain this. (Cheers.) The Chairman next proposed the health of his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, who was one of themselves, having risen from the ranks. (Applause) If they had occasion to be proud of their Superintendent they had equal reason to be proud of their Mayor, because he had shown that each and every man, if he addressed himself zealously to work might rise toa distinguished position in society. (Applause.) He had practically shown in fact, that by exercising industry and care much might be acquired—not only in wealth and station, but in the respect of their fellow citizens. (Applause.) His Worship had during the past few weeks been engaged in most important matters, and had not only acquired honour himself, but bad shed lustre on every citizen in the city. (Loud cheers.) The Mayor, in returning thanks, acknowledged the pride he felt in being a working man. He was an employer of labour, but he should never feel comfortable in other than active work. The Chairman had alluded to several of his presumed acquirements, but he could assure them that he appreciated none so highly as possessing the esteem and respect of his fellow working men. (Cheers.) Bro. Crooks proposed the “Freeand Accepted Masons of Canterbury,” which was responded to by Bro. W. Hislop, in terms expressive of pleasure at the bond of union existing between the respective Orders, and wishing that each year might cement it more firmly.

His Honor called upon the company to toast the “ Ancient Order of Foresters” remarking that it would not require any words from him to commend it to them. He was not one of the initiated, but on that and other occasions he bad opportunities of becoming acquainted with the objectsof the Order, which satisfied him as to its worth. (Applause.) It was enough to notice that their banners boie the mottoes “ Unity ” “ Benevolence ” and “ Concord ” and it was enough to know that their measures were for the benefit of the sick and needy, the widows and orphans, and consists of men banded together free from political strife, and religious acrimony or anything but a desire to ass : st their brethren in distress. (Cheers.) Bro. Allison, District Secretary, acknowledged the toast, in a speech reviewing the social benefits which the Benevolent orders also afforded to those leaving friends, and taking up their residence in a foreign land, but pointing out that they were considerably crippled in their efforts by the want of men of business experience and social status in their ranks. Their progress had been great in Canterbury, but it would be much more rapid could this be secured, and he suggested honorary members as one plan of doing so. The Mayor briefly proposed the Independent Order of Odd Fellows, Manchester Unity, which was replied to by Bro. Grantham.

The Chairman said he had then to submit what was ready the toast of the evening, for it was for the purpose of raising money for (he Widow and Orphan’s Funds, that the recent fete had been carried out, and he had the pleasing duty of handing over the proceeds to the treasurers of the respective funds, proposing Jat the same time success and further increase to them. (Cheers). He was quite sure they would do full justice to the toast, but in acknowledging this feeling, he more especially addressed himself to those who did not belong to either order, but who had so fully shown their sympathy with the object in view at the fete. (Hear, hear.) He was not selfish, but he claimed this unhesitatingly for these funds which, although the widow and orphan had lost their natural protector, would act the part of a substantial friend in relieving their afflictions. The nett proceeds of the fete he was gratified to say amounted to £59 for each fund, and he had great pleasure in handing the amounts to the respective treasurers, hoping that they would bear interest and compound interest, bnt that it might be many years before they were called upon to pay any of it away. (Loud cheers.) In conclusion he would refer to Messrs Ness, Slade, Crooks, James, and Wade, whom he thought it just to particularise, as having with others he could not then name, done so much in carrying out the fete. (Cheers.) The Treasurers of the two funds having each received £59, briefly returned thanks and promised to exercise that care in fulfilling their portion of the trust which the object deserved. Several other toasts, including “ The district officers ” of the two orders, “ The Fete Committee,” and “ Our visitors ” were subsequently drunk, and acknowledged. All the speeches were interspersed with songs, and many of these were so well rendered as to form a very noticeable feature in the evening’s amusement. The company did not separate until a late hour.