The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1867. I. O. 0. R, M. U.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume II, Issue 233, 4 October 1867, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1867. I. O. 0. R, M. U.

Last evening some thirty Brethren of the Order sat down to a plentiful spread provided by P.P.G-.M. Jennings, at the London Taveru. The weather was decidedly inclement, but the pleasant business of the evening seemed to incite the company to throw off its depressing influence. N.G. Cooke of the Nelson Lodge presided, N.G-. Acton Adams of the Howard Lodjre filling the vice-chair.

The Chairman proposed the Queen, the Prince and Princess of Wales and Royal Family; the Queen's Representative in New Zealand, Sir George Grey; and the Array, Navy, and Volunteers, which were all loyally and heartily responded to.

The Vice-chairman then proposed the toast of the evening, viz., The Guests, the Oddfellows' Hull ißuilding Committee, which he did at some length, pointing out the difficulties the Committee had labored under in the early days of the colony, when money aud time were both so scarce, the energetic, business-like, and prudent manner iu which they had always managed the funds, which had been mainly derived from the various theatrical and other companies to whom the Hall had been let, culminating at last in the grand result of their being able to say to the Lodges at the close of June last that they were the unencumbered proprietors of a large Hall in the centre of the city worth over £1500. P.P.G.M. Graham aud P.G Webb (the Treasurer of the Committee) both responded to this toast, and some excellent songs were introduced at intervals,

The second event of the evening was the presentation by the vice-chairman, acting as the 2ST.G-. of the Howard Lodge, of a handsome watch and chain, bearing a suitable inscription, to P.P.G.M. Jennings, in recognition of his services for more than 15 years k 'as Treasurer to the Lodge. Mr Acton Adams congratulated Mr Jennings on so entirely possessing the esteem and respect not only of his own Lodge, but of all the Oddfellows in the district,.of which, they wished him to have some more lasting token than mere words, and adverting to the arduous duties he had performed in keeping the accounts of the Lodge for such a long time without any remuneration, said that he trusted that he would through his declining years always regard these objects as a symbol of the affectiou and regard to which his long services had entitled him. P.P.G.M. Jennings responded in a very feeling speech, aud said that, although not a public speaker, he felt constrained on this occasion to hunt up a few words in order to express his sincere and heartfelt gratitude to the Lodge for their handsome gift. P.O. Webb proposed the Board of Directors of the Manchester Uuity, alluding to the high position they held, exercising influence over 380,000 heads of families. P. G-. Jones proposed the Past and Present Officers of the Nelson district, and P.D.G.M. Joseph Harley, 'All Friendly Societies,' both of which were ably acknowledged by P.G. Syme, on behalf of the Masonic body, and by P. G. Jones for the Foresters. The Chairman very appropriately proposed the Ladies, and the Host and Hostess, and the Vicechairman having proposed the Chairman's health, who then proposed the Vice-Chair-man, these were enthusiastically received. Other "toasts and many capital songs contributed to the enjoyment of the evening; and the company separated shortly after midnight.