CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14190, 26 April 1919, Page 5

CENTENARY CELEBRATIONS

1.0.0. F. (AC.)

In the Orient Hall last evening, the local Orient Lodge celebrated the Centenary of the Independent Order of Oddfellows (American constitution) of which the local Orient Lodge is a branch. There was a very large attendance of members, delegates from all kindred local lodges, Rangitikei Lodge (Bulls), Kiaora (Dannevirke), Awarua (Taihape), and from the Manawatu Friendly Societies' Council and Dispensary Board. X. G. Bro. F. L. Buck presided.

In a brief introductory speech, N.G. Bro. Buck welcomed all present, after which the guests partook of the sumptuous repast provided. When tho toast of "the King" had been honoured, P.G. Bro. J. W. Rimmer proposed the toast of "The Centenary of the Order'' (Sovereign Grand Lodge and Grand Lodge of New Zealand) He said he appreciated the honour bestowed upon him in moving this important toast. It was not his intention to forget what the Friendly Societies stood for. In order to remind himself and other brothers present he would quote the principles of all good oddfellowship: '' Whatsoever ye would that men have do unto you, do so unto them." He traced back in the early days of the Order and told of the great, industrial strife that had been experienced. They had only to look back at that great and glorious individual, the founder of the Order, Thos. Ridgely, who had together with others, done a great service to the working man, and, in fact, for humanity.' To those men they owed a deep debt of gratitude. He traced the history of the Order since its inception. He would have them look back on those men nearer home, such as P.G. Sire Bro. Win. Rcid. Grand Secretary of New Zealand, who had been a staunch man from the very inception of their Order. Let them still come nearer home. He alluded to the late Bro. France, who had been a devoted grafter for the Order and for tho. local lodge. There were also Bro. Davis, Bro. Ax, Bro. Harris, who we're present with them. By the aid of those members they had been able to forge ahead. But there was more to be accomplished in the future. In this regard he urged younger members to get in the van and make progress like the veterans had done. .The work was not yet complete and it was for them to play their part. He asked them to drink the toast coupled with the name of Bro. SmilTic, the local secretary. (Applause). D.D.G.M. Bro. D. F. Smillie, in response, dealt with the historic aspect of the Order. He referred back to 1745 when the first *igns of fellowship had begun to present itself and later in 1788 when a man known as Montgomery, interested in the movement had written these words: ''friendship, love and truth," which was the foundation of the Order and remained their watchwords to-day. Later, in 1804, Thomas Wildey, who was then a member of the Manchester Unity, was forced to leave England for America owing to industrial strife. It was in the latter country he had founded the American oddfellowship with a membership of live. That was in Baltimore. To-day the membership had reached 2,230,231, which would undoubtedly speak for itself. The ritual to-day was published in eight languages. The income for 1917 (the last available Tetum) totalled £5,022,230; relief paid in 1917 was £1,301,978. The total relief paid from 1830 to 31st December, 1917, was practically £35,945,500. The invested funds to December 31st, 1917, was £14,601,530. There had been established 40 Homes of the Order throughout the world, where 2554 aged men, women and orphans were "guests of the Order." Turning to the* lodge to which they were directly connected, the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, there were 92 subordinate male lodges, with a membership of 6578/ the membership only decreasing to the extent of 313 during the war period. The financial aspect of the lodge vras in a strong position. The balance to the Sick Fund on 31/12/18 was £BG,47S, the balance to Funeral Fund to the same date was £33,794. That showed an increase of during the past four years, in spite of the extraordinary expenditure caused by the war and the epidemic. Ml soldier members were kept financial without, levying other members or drawing on the benefit fund. The cost to the Grand LCdgc for four years in respect to same, totalled £6850. The Grand Lodge paid away during 1918, £2l3—"old members' " dues. The invested funds to December. 1918, on real estate was £109.232, war bonds £IB9O, making a total 'of £111.122 The BebekalTLodge in New Zealand 1/, had a membership of 816. (Applause). PG. Bro. John Ax piopcsod the toast of "Kindred Societies," and said they were pleased to have representatives of kindred societies present. In regard to operations in Palmerston North, it was a pleasing feature that they all worked harmoniously together. They were all out to perform the same function to humanity. (Applause.) There was no doubt the training derived from a friendly society was a grand thing for any man. (Applause) He instanced several public men in support of his contention. Some said it; would be a good thing to do away with societies individually and merge them into one, with an open door. He did not think the time was yet ripe for that. He trusted that every member would do his best, to return Bro. F. Bycroft to the Hospital Board, a body from which they had not received a fair deal. (Applause.) The toast was responded to by Bros. Aitchison (Forresters), W. F. Cutler (Dispensarv Board), Bro. D. P. Jones (Druids). Bro. F. Pycroft (Druid, and candidate for Hospital Board on behalf of the Friendly Societies). The toast '-Orient Lodge" was proposed by Bro. W. F. Cutler. He referred to the loss the Oitent Lodge had suffered by the death of Bros. Beck, Dawick and Rutherfurd. who had done noble work of their Order. Although there was a friendly rivalry, he was certain it did not matter to which lodge one belonged; there remained that good feeling of fellowship. The work of the "skippers" of the local Orient Lodge was also eulogised. Other toasts honoured were those of "Sister Lodges," proposed by P.O. Bro. O. W. Harris, and responded to by Bros. Old (Kia Ora, Dannevirke), Bro. McCutcheon (Rangitikei Lodge, Bulls), and Bro. Thomasou (Awama, Taihape), and "Tho Press." An excellent musical programme was arranged. Items were contributed by Bros. Harris, Better, Biorro, Prentice,

F. W. Cutler, J. Fahey, and Booker. The accompaniments were played by Bro. H. Spencor.