ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 243, 13 October 1891, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE.

The foundation stone of the new Oddfellows' Hall will ba laicl to-morrow afternoon by the Mayor of Nelson. Mr P. Trask. Among those who will take part in the .joeremoney will be the Rev. F. 0. Chatter ton, who will offer prayer, Mr. J. G. Harkness. and Mr. 0 Y. Fell. Mr, J. A. Harley, P.P,G,M., will act aa Marshal of the Ceremonies. A prooession will be formed at the Church steps and will leave at half past two for the site of the hall, It will be headed by the Band of the Fire Brigade. Underneath the foundation atone will be placed the following documents :— Recobd of the Lodge, Nelson, 14th February, 1891. This hall is dedicated for the purpose of carrying on the noble work of the Independent order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, of which the Nelsou district forms a part. On the Ist of January, 1890, the total membership of the Unity, including 65,000 juveniles, numbered over 738,000, and its total funds had accumulated to £7,500,000. The officers of the order in England are : Grand Maßter, John Bytheway ; Deputy Grand Master, Brother Flowers; Corresponding Seoretary, Thomas Collins; Actuary, Reuben Watson. The Nelson district was established on the 7th of April, 1842, the pioneer members being Thomas Sullivan, Charles Peter Kearns, George Greathead, Joshua Sigley, Alexander MoGee, Eli Gropper, Enoch Niool, John Hanley, and Andrew Patterson, who arrived in Nelson by the good ship Martha Ridgeway. They held their first meeting at 4 p.m. in the fern on the Port Hills, near what is now known as Saltwater Bridge. Under great difficulties, in a new and unsettled country, they sue* coflsf ully inaugurated the movement which has been so far successful- that the membership on the 30th Juae, 1891, numbered 783, together with 118 juveniles, and possesses a oapital of £18,212. This building is being erected to replace the original hall, the | foundation stone of which was laid on the 6th day of June, 1854, by Mr, now Sir, Edward William Stafford, the then Superintendent of the Province. The foundation Btone of this building ia laid to-day by Francis Trask Esquire, Mayor of Nelson ; architect, Walter Thomas Good ; contractors, Messis Baker Brothers ; the Building Committee being the undersigned— Wm Moyes, P.G.M. ; G. B. Smallbone, P.D.G.M. ; Wm. Besley, P.C.T. ; nnd Chas. MoGee, Alfred Amos, Peter Cooke, A, R. Smart, A. M, Batchelor, H. V. Gully, Phil. Toplis3, Fr. Hounsell, H. Y. Wilkins, Francis Trask, J. A. MoArtney, B. O. Chisholm, Rob. Allan, and John Low, Past Provincial Grand Masters.

Copy of addres3 presented by Oddfellows, Nelson District, to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburg, April 15, 1869.

To His Koyal Highness Alfred Ernest Albert, Prince of tbe United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, K.G., &c, &c, &o. May it please Your Royal Highness. — On behalf of the members of the various lodges of the Nelson District of Oddfellows in connection with the Manchester Unity, we wish to offer Your Royal Highness our sincere and hearty congratulations on your safe arrival here. We would wish Your Royal Highness to convoy to Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen, your beloved mother, our feelings of decided loyalty and MtegfegMkto Her Majesty's throne and person, tk Your Royal Highness is doubtless well aware, the Sooiety to whioh we have the honour to belong extends its benefits 'to all parts of the world, and numbered amongst its members the name of your muoh esteemed and lamented father. That Your Royal Highness may experience much pleasure and enjoyment during your stay in this distant Colony, and that you may have a safe return to those nearest and dearest to you, is our most anxious and heartfelt prayer. J. A. Harley, Prov. G.M.; Chas. McGee, Prov. Dep. G.M. ; H. Edwards, P.C.5. ; J. William Wigzell, P.P.G.M, ; Jno. Percy, P.P.G.M.

Nelson, New Zealand, April 15, 1869.

Copy of reply of the Duke of Edinburgh,

Gentlemen, — I thank you sincerely fot the address which you have presented to me, Ia Her Majesty's name I thank you for the expressions of your loyalty and attachment to her Crown and person ; and for myself I am grateful to you for this welcome to the chief town of this fertile and beautiful province, bearing as it does the name of the great Admiral who is so distinguished an ornament of the profession whioh I have chosen for my own. Alfred.

To the members of the various lodges 01 the Nelson District of the Independent Order of Oddfellows.