THE PASSING OF THE CENTURY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 77, 9 April 1942, Page 4

THE PASSING OF THE CENTURY

ODD FELLOWS’ CEREMONY At four o’clock on Tuesday afternoon, the conference of Odd Fellows was ad - journed for the purpose of marking the passing of the first century of the work of the Order in New Zealand. It was at four o'clock on 7th April. 1842. that nine Odd Fellows met in Nelson to hold the fifst meeting of Odd Fellows in New Zealand. The Grand Master, Bro N. B. Bellringer, called upon Bro John McLeod, the first Grand Master of New Zealand to address the conference. Bro McLeod, in describing the circumstances surrounding the establishment of Odd Fellowship in New Zealand. paid a tribute to the pioneers. Thomas Sullivan. Chas. P. Kearns, Eli Cropper. George Greathend, John Harley. Alexander McGee. Andrew Paterson, Joshua Sigley and Enoch Nicol. On jibe motion of Bro McLeod the foliow--i ing motion was carried: “That this con- | ference of the Manchester Unity. Ini dependent Order of Odd Fellows of New | Zealand place on record an appreciation of its high fraternal regard and | sincere appreciation of the loving and

gratuitous service which the founders of our Order in New Zealand have ren- j dered towards the amelioration of the ; condition of our common humanity by ' the establishment of this society whose operations are characterised by the al- ’ leviation of sickness and distress, the , promotion of friendship, the encour- , agement of thrift and the prevention i of employment and whose every en- | : deavour lias been the realisation of the significance of its motto. Friendship, t Love and Truth.” After paying a solemn tribute to the J I pioneers who have passed on, the short 1 but impressive ceremony was brought ;to a close by the singing of n specially j I selected ode.