ODDFELLOWS' DEMONSTRATION AT HELENSVILLE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XX, Issue 6816, 21 September 1883, Page 5

ODDFELLOWS' DEMONSTRATION AT HELENSVILLE.

; OPENING OF A NEW LODGE. RAILWAY ACCIDENT, [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN reporter.] Helensvtlle, Thursday. I left Auckland by the Kaipara train at half-past fonr this afternoon, en route for Helensville, accompanying a number of past grand officers of the Auckland District of 1.0.0. F., Manchester Unity, who were going to that township to open the new lodge Delta, in connection with the Order, under the auspices of the Loyal fountain of Friendship Lodge, Auckland.

As. the tram was going out of the Auckland station, the baggage ran off the railway at the points, causing some 6f the passengers to jump off the platform, believing the wheel had broken, and bringing the train to a standstill. No damage was done, however. Mr. Hanson, atationmaster. promptly ordered a fresh baggage, van Up, and the baggage having been transhipped, the train got away in less than ten minutes after the accident.

The party above referred to consisted principally of the officers of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge. Amongst others, Brothers G. R. McNab, P.G.M.; Seering H.. Matthews, D.PG.M.; H. G. Smith. Frov. C.S.; George Lsahy and H. J. Syms, P.P.G. M..'s; W. G. Connolly and C. S. Wright, P.P.D.G.M.'s; D. N. Carter and Alfred Aley, P.G.S.

On arriving at, Helensville North, the party found an excellent repast in readiness : for them at Mr, Walter Scott's Terminus Hotel, where they were met and welcomed by Brother Curtis Moore (Past Grand Loyal Waikato Lodge, Thames) on behalf of the new Lodge Delta. The lodge, which will start with about thirty member?, would have been inaugurated sooner, but it was desired not to clash with the opening of the new lodge atid the Order of Foresters, as it was a kindred society, and to enable it to be fairly established. A hall for lodge purposes will be erected at once, Mr. Isaac MeLeod, of Helensville, having generously presented the lodge with a valuable allotment, 40 feet by 150 feet, in Helensville South. One member of the new lodge has guaranteed the: labour to build the hall, and three other members have guaranteed to supply gratuituously a large proportion of the timber required, : so that the building will be erected at a small cost to the lodge. The ball will be a great convenience to the district, as it will be available for; public meetings and social gatherings. " After tea Constable Naughton courteously guided the party with a lantern to Flood's Hotel, Helensville South, in -which, a large room had been specially fitted up for lodge purposes, and the handsome new banner of the Fountain of Friendship Lodge displayed there. At nine o'clock the lodge was opened "in the lodge-room with the ritual of the Order, Brother George Leahy, P. f.G.M.,' presiding, supported by Brother Curtis ; Moore, P.G., and Brother D. N. Carter," P.G., when thirteen new members of the Lodge Delta Were initiated, and nine proposed. The new lodge then proceeded to elect officers. Those appointed were : Brothers H. j. Syms, .P.P.G.M., as Grand Master; Brother Curtis Moore. P.G,, as N.G.; Brother. R,;. J, .Vereoe, V.G.; Brother E. N. Lester,Treasurer ; and Brother V/. W. Naughton, Secretary. Committees were also appointed to frame Regulations for tho working of the lodge under the order.. Grand Master McN&b then installed the officers, read the charge, and handed over the dispensation, ' and the lodge then closed. " The brethren and guests afterwards sat dowii at eloveii o'clock to a splendid banquet in the supper room, which <ivag artistically decorated with' evergreens and flags. Brother G:. B. MeNab, P.G.M., occupied the .chair,? supported by Brothers H. G. Smith";: Provincial C.S., and George Leahy, P.P.G.M. - Brother S. H. Matthews, D.P.G.M., acted as Vice-Chairman. After the usual loyal and patriotic toasts had been given by the Chairman and Vice-Chairman, Brother G, Leahy, P.P.G.M . proposed the toast of " The Manchester Unity." He congratulated the assemblage on. the opening of the new lodge that night. The toast Was drunk With the honours of the Order.

Brother FT. J. Syms, P.P.G.M., responded. He said the Order had now five millions invested. In Auckland the property held: by the lodges was very large. Brother C. ■§. Wright, P.P. O.G.M , proposed the toast of " The Auckl&nd District." He. hoped : to see a representative of the Delta Lodge at' the next annual district meeting. ' toast ivafi drunk .with the honours of the Order. ' <

Tho Chairman responded. He said the lodge just "opened had had an auspicious commencement. He.hoped the members would work the lodge well, and when they sent a representative to the next annual district meeting" the officers of the Auckland district would;.feel it a pleasure to aid and counsel them. ? £700 a year was being added in interest on investments to the property of the '"district, and if it progressed as rapidly in the six years as in the past six years, it would become the wealthiest in the colony. : ;' s : The Tick-Chairman endorsed the remarks of the Chairman. He and his brother officers were prone of having the honour of 1 opening the IJelta Lodge during their term of office.

H."'G-. .Smith, Prov. 0.5., said : As the officer'who would have most to do with them in correspondence, he hoped he "and they would get on well together. He was - one of those who bad bis doubts as to the" wisdom of opening lodges in all country districts, having seen so many come to grief, But the heartiness and uuity displayed made him feel "confident the new lodge would prosper. The last time he visited the Franklin lodge he had used similar language of doubt and apprehension, which he would have to retract on next visiting, it, as the progress since made there had surprised him. Brother Curtis Moore, N,G., Delta Lodge, proposed the next toast, " Our Parent Lodge, the Fountain of Friendship," which was drunk With three cheers, and musical honours.

' Brother A, Alky, P.G., responded. He could promise, on behalf of the Fountain of Friendship, that whtn the Deltas came to Auckland they would receive a hearty welcome.

■ The Vick-Chairman proposed the toast of the evening, "Success to the Delta Lodge." He exhorted the newly-initiated brethren to live up to the principles of Oddfellowship, which they had heard, inculcated that evening. ; The Delta Lodge was the youngest lodge in the Auckland district, but he hoped it would not be th« least prosperous on their roll.""'.* I '' ■

The toast was drunk with the honours of the Order. ■ f Brother Curtis Moore, N.G. of the Delta Lodge, responded, and thanked, the ViceChairman for the kindly sentiments expressed. He concluded by proposing " Our Guests and Kindred Societies." They had to thank Mr. Isaac McLeod for his handsome gift of the site for the new hail for the Delta Lodge. That gentleman was, with his deceased brother, Mr. JPhilip MeLeqd,. one of the earliest pioneers of Helenaville, and had Hone everything in his power to promote the advancement of the district. He regretted Mr. McLeod's absence, which was due to Unavoidable causes. Along with the toast he would couple the name of Mr. H. C Power, Chief Banger of Star of Helenaville Lodge, Order of Foresters. Chief Sanger Powell responded. He thought there was plenty o£ room in Belensville for both Foresters ancl Oddfellows. On behalf of the Helensville Foresters he could only 'say be would be happy to cooperate with the Deltas in every possible way for the good of both lodges. Brother Leaiiy responded as one of the guests. Brother W. G. Connolly, P. P.T7.G.M., proposed "The Press," which was responded to by the Her*.ld representative. The toast of "The Host and Hostess," Mr. and Mrs. Flood, {was then heartily drunk, and the company broke up shortly after midnight. .