ODDFELLOWSHIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10082, 18 March 1896, Page 5

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

A yep.v pleasing coreraony took place laat night at the Loyal Fountain of Friendship Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., when the twin sons of Mr. J. M. Syms, of Wellealey-

street, were initiated into the Lodge. The initiation marked the entry into the Lodge of the third generation, all meeting in the same building last evening. This is a very singular circumstance, and some particulars will doubtloss bo of interest. Probably

thore are nob half a dozen lodges of any Friendly Society in the whole world, where three generations meet under blia name roof. The grandfather of the youni; men is Mr. H. J. Syms, one of Auckland's old identities, of Mount-street. Mr. Syms joined the Fountain Lodge in Q«een-streot, Auckland, in tho year 1850, at the age of 19, and has filled all the elective offices of the lodtro. Ho is also a Past Provincial Grand Mastor of tho Auckland district, and has for many years been a deputy from his Lodi/o to that body, being also on tho committee ol the "Premier" picnic for four yoara. For tho past twelve years Me. Syms has been the treasurer of the Lodge, a very onerous position, haying the control of over £2000 yearly. He enjoys the confldertce of tho moiubors having beon re-elected as treasurer without) apposition since his first election. He wa3 also for many years a trustee of the Auckland District. Mr. Syms has two sons, both of whom have filled tho highest elective offices of the Lodge. Ho has also two sons-in-law, members of tho lodge, one of whom, Mr. W. Whitfield is one of the Lodge trusteoa, and aUo a Past Grano. The new members were proposed by P.P.G.M. J. J. Holland (His Worship tho Mayor) who expressod tho great pleasure it gave him to be present and speak on behalf of tho young men, and he eulogised Mr. H. J. Syms and Mr. J. M. Syms, hofch as good Oddfellows, enjoying the confidence of all his fellow members, and also as good citizens. Among the other members of the Lodge present wpro P.P.G.M. Seering 11. Matthews (who seconded the nomination of the young men), P.P.DG.M. C, S. Wright, P.P.G.M. 'a Leahy, Hobson, Syms, and Clark, P.P.D.G.M. McNab, and P.G.'s Middlebrook, Chappell, Leaning, Whitfield, and Owen, besides many brethren. The officers of the lodgo aro:—N.G., Thomas Battorsby; V.G., W. H. S. Cole; Per. Sec, C. S. Wright; E.S., T. E. Short; Trustees, Brothers J. J. Holland, G. H. Powley, and W. Whitfield; Auditors, Brothers A. H. Chftppell, Carl Westpfahl, and John Clark. Tho Fountain of Friendihip Lodge is the oldest in the Auckland district, having beon established in the year 1844. It is a very wealthy lodge, having a total capital value of £17,800. During the year 1895 this lodge paid in sick pay the sum of £791 5? and £99 in funeral monoyi; £12 was also paid in distress gifts. The total number of members at the oloae of the year was 368. The number of lodges in bhe Auokland district is now 14, including one juvenile lodge, and tho membership is over 1400, with a capital value of £50,000.