FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Northern Advocate, 3 September 1919, Page 2

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

A GLAD GATHERING;

AND A POTENTIAL FUTURE,

A significant stir in Whangarei Friendly Society circles was strongly evidenced last night, when some fifty members foregathered in the Masonic Hall, where the Druids hold their meetings. Various forms of popularising entertainment made up the social syllabus of the-Order named, and it was a very-happy synchronising of events that last night's function was timed with the establishment of a Foresters' Lodge in the town. At the invitation of the Druids, there were present members of the Foresters, 1.0.0. F. (M.U.), and New Zealand Oddfellows. The Druidic brethren had rallied in good number at their preceding business meeting, when five nominations for new membership were put in, and the hosts of the evening subsequently had everything in order for the reception of their guests at 9 o'clock. Progressive euchre was the first section of the proceedings, ten tables being in use for the competition, which was opep. to all without any lodg£ distinction, while other tables were occupied by non-entrants in the tourney. Bro. , Thomas controlled the contest, which adduced keen rivalry for the 75 minutes of its duration. It was thsrdiscovered that four of'the players— Bros. F. Smith, Geissler, T. Reilly, and S. Fulljames—had eight "punctures" on each of their cards, and a "poker" hand to decide the issue resulted in Bro. Smith securing the trophy presented by the Druids' Social Committee. The prize took the form of a handsome tobacco pouch, which was later presented to the winner by P.D.P. Bro. A. C. Bevington, loud applause capping the ceremony.

Plentiful refreshment was served out by an active band of Social Committee members, and a brief toast list of three items was observed. The usual loyal toast took first place, and was followed by that of "Visiting Lodges," proposed by D.P. Bro. P. Thompson. It was in response- to this that the resuscitation of the local Friendly Societies' activities and policy of future progress disclosed themselves. Of the latter the public will be made more fully aware at no distant date. Acknowledgment was made by Bros. Steele (M.U.), Simons (N.Z.),and Walker (Foresters), several practical proposals for the utility of the Friendly Societies' growing power being made. A united conference was decided upon to deal with these proposals, the importance Of which may be measured by the fact that one of them is a Friendly Societies' Dispensary, the prospects of which were shown, by facts and figures, to be distinctly good.

The question was also mooted again of the gift of a piano to the Whangarei District Hospital by the Friendly Societies, and a scheme to consummate this kindly intent wiJl be set on foot very soon.

"The Ladies" came in for appreciable recognition by the respective proposer and respondee, Bros. J. Tremaine and J. Swinbanks; and the proceedings, which had done much to promote Lodge fraternity and community benefit generally, closed at 11.30 with the united chorussing (to the oldest known tune on earth) of "Auld Lang. Syne."

Songs, etc., were given by Bro. Thomas and others, and Bro. 0. E. Stout accounted expertly for the pianoforte accompaniments.