THE PROTESTANT ALLIANCE FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

North Otago Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 776, 19 July 1890, Page 3

THE PROTESTANT ALLIANCE FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

The fourth anniversary of fcho Proteatant Allianco Friendly Society Star of Oaraaru Lodge was celebrated by n soireo and concert in Sfc. George** Hall last evening. Tho soiree took place at 6,30., and tho tables were filled to overflowing. The cencert was a very good one, and bho programme was carried out without a flitch, ihe proceeding* openod with an oddrewjfrom the chairman, YV.O.M. Bro. C, A. Arnold, of tho Triumph Lodge, Dunedin. In opening his remarks ho upoke of tho position of the Society throughout tho Australian, colonies.

From tho last Federal Council's report it appeared, lio said, that there were 18,351 members, nnd tho lodges Imd a orodit of L(H,GB9, representing about L8 tite 9d por monibor. Thoro wore 11 lodges in Now Zealand, 57 in Now South Wales, 25 in Victoria, iM in Qucouslimd, and 9 claowhorc, making a total of JOG lodges. Mr Arnold also spoke of the benefits of tho lodge, mid monlionod hi conclusion that •■heir meeting in Rtich largo numbers that nicjhfc showed that they were bound together with Iho true bond of brotherhood. (Applause). Mr ftrowuloo, of tho M.U.1. 0.0 F., oxprcsisod his pleasure at boing prenont, and sneaking on bcinlf of his Lodge, wished tho Star of Oamaru ovory BUCCCSS. The Secretary (Mr Oliver) road tho annual roport. Tl. showed that while List year tho membership stood ab 02 with fivo hon. members, this year thero had | boon an increase to 82 working mombors. LCO hnd boon paid in flick nionoy during tho pant oight months. At tho beginning of tho your tho sick fund stood at L9B 11s 9d and had increased to L 203 15s Bd, out of which, hud boon paid LB4 4s ; leaving a credit balance of Lll9 Hi Bd. From tho goncral management fund L 127 10m 2d had boon expended, and thoro remained a credit balance of L2O 16? lOd. Tho provious evening tho W.G.M. had conferred tiio sucond dogrco upon 21 mombe rs of Iho lodge—being the first meeting in the second degroo hold in tho South (eland. The roport w«a recoived by acclamation. Tho choir, led by Mr Frith, tho accompatnmonts boiug played by Miss Oliver, sang four glees in a highly creditable munnor— tho best perhaps being "Tho Fisherman's Gloe." Mrs Oliver and Mr Swinard gave a pleasing rendering of "Tho Pilot Brave" as a duet. Messrs Frith and Slator sang "Tho Friar of Orders Grey " and " Plymouth Sound " respectively, both gontkmen being enthusiastically encored. Just before- tho interval kho Chairman presented Mr Alex. Familton with a Pan* Master's collar in recognition of bin Bervicos in that oflice during tho past twelve months. Mr Familton appropriately thanked tho members of tho lodgo for thoir gift and tho honor thoy had done him. Tho concluding portion of tho programmo consisted of tho first appearanco of a company of christy minstrols. Tho singing of tho minstrels, with their jokes and antics, created no ond of morriment. The best songs were "Smiling Tom," " Dinah, she said Yah," "Pretty Httlohigh hoeled boots," ( "Who's dat a callin'," and " Rocked in tho cradlo of tho deep." The best connundrum was " llow would the upsetting of a gentleman's Christmas dinnor tnble bo like tho greatest political crisis tho world over saw?" — "It would bo tho upsetting of Turkey, the scattering of Groeco, and a general smash up of China." ]fc should bo montioned that Mr King at tho piano, assisted by other musicians, playod tho accompaniments to tho various songs. Votes of thanks wero passed by acclamation to all who helpod to mako the annivorsary a success.