NEW ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 245, 15 October 1891, Page 2

NEW ODDFELLOWS' HALL.

(.Continued) The Mayor's speech vr&a reoeived with applause. Mr Trask then called upoa Mr Foil to addreßß those present who said that although not verj old, he waa one of the oldest inhabitants in Nelson. Ho said that the order of Oddfellows had 760,000 members, and property to the value of 366,000.000. It was stated that the colonies had 3000 members, but he thought the number must be greater, as they had in the Nelson district 700. In 1841 or 1842 a friend of his happenned to be walking by the present Saltwater Bridge when he saw several men in the fern talking together. Theße men were the founders of the Oddfellow Lodges iv Nelson. He referred to the manner in which the order had grown iv Nelson since that date, and said that a great step was made when the Oddfellows built the old hall for the purpose of holding their meetings there. He referred to the many uses that old Hall had been put to. He also spoke of the speech whioh Sir Harry Atkinson had made about compulsory insurance. He stated that the fact of there being 700 Oddfellows in Nelson proved that provision had been made for a great number in time of sickness and need. He urged upon all the necessity of joining a benefit sooiety. The Mayor said he would ask a gentleman who had done a great deal for Nelson during the last few months to speak a few words He referred to the Hon. it, Seddon. Minister of Public Works, (Applause.} The Hon. R. Seddon stated that, being an Oddfellow himself, he took a delight in assisting, as the Friendly Societies had for their object the amelioration of Buffering and the binding together of men, worn* n and children for mutual benefit. He referred to the emblematio words of the Order " Friendship, love, and truth." The peonle of Nelson would do well to assist those whose foundation waa laid upon such a solid basis. He said the society of Oddfellows was not a seoret society. There must how« ever, be some signs between brothers 'living in various parts of the world sa that they could at once recognise each other He referred to the attempts made recently by' large employers of labour to undercut friendly societies. Speaking of the present Government; he said that they would not take part in anything likely to injure the friendly societies of New Zealand It, thought it was not wise for the Government to interfere in the work whioh was now so well managed by the vari OUB Societies; Government machinery was very cumbersome and expensive. He thought it better, for the Government to keep a wß.fcohf.ul eye upon thg fiaaaoial

portion of the societies, and see that they oarried out what they were pledged to perform. He called for three cheers for the Friendly Societies of Neleion, whioh were heartily given. Mr Harkneas M.H.R. aaid he wished to speak about the past, the present and the future of Oddfellowship. The strides they had taken in the past were wonderful. He referred to the know* ledge imparted to Brothers in the lodge room where they all met in one great brotherhood, irrespective of class or creeds. He said the educational powers of the Societies in the past had never beea recognised, The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows was the strongest benefit society. The total receipts last; year amounted to £11,800,785. , The gross capital in hand was £7,358,853. ] Total membership was 738,193, showing an i increase of 21,183 for the last 12 months Coming closer home he might say that in Nelson they had a membership of 783 members and a capital of £1800. If they in« eluded Motueka, Takaka, and Collingwood, , and he thought they should, as they were all offshoots of the Kelson Lodge, Nelson would have a membership of 1200 or 1300 and a capital of nearly £30,000. During the last fifty years £28,000 had been disbursed in the Nelson district. He referred to the great amount of suffering and want whioh had , been obviated by the Friendly Societies. ( They were lodges of mutual protection, mutual provision, and mutual intercourse. He urged upon all young men the necessity of joining one of the Friendly Sooieties. He referred to the name of the society. He said that unity meant strength. In spite of their small subscriptions their funds accumulated. They were called Independent. He stated they were independent of State aid, they were independent of the poor house, they oould help themselves. He spoke of the future of the Order. Their past success had been phenomenal, but he thought that their future would be more so. Oddfellowship, he stated was yet in its infancy and those who lived for tbe next 20 years would be surprised to see the strides the Order would take. He finished his remarks by again alleging that the Order was not dependent either upon State aid or charitable aid. He moved a hearty vote of thanks to his Worship the Mayor which was oarried by acclamation. Mr J. Harley, on behalf of the Committee, expressed thanks t3 Mr Fell, the Hon, Mr Seddon Mr Harkness, and Rev F. W. Chatterton. The proceedings then terminated,