FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXII, Issue 22098, 2 May 1935, Page 17

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

ACTIVITIES IN AUCKLAND INSTALLATIONS OF OFFICERS INCREASES IN MEMBERSHIPS The movable conference of the New Zealand branch of the Manchester Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows was held at Cbristehurch, opening on Easter Monday. The following delegates, accompanied by friends to the number of over 20, left for Christchurch on Good Friday afternoon: T. W. Thompson, John McLeod, J. A. Allen, F. A. Smith, F. Hard, W G. Pitcher, 11. T. Scott and Jas. A Gray. Bro. W. McMillan, a director of the society, and Sister McMillan left by motor-car earlier in the week. It was reported at the meeting the first day that the membership had increased in the branch by 357. It is only fair to the Auckland district to say that 267 of the increase is to be credited to the various lodges in the Auckland district for the past year, leaving only an increase of 90 members among all the other lodges in the various districts of the New Zealand branch.

The Youthful Enterprise Temple, 1.0. G.T., met on Thursday evening, the C.T., Sister G. Legg, presiding over a good attendance of members. One new member was initiated and duly welcomed. Arrangements were made for a surprise visit to Fearnought Temple, which at the present time_ is in the need of some assistance. Being Anzac Day the programme was a sacred one, and Bro. Pace, G.S.J.W., explained the real meaning of Anzac and urged the children to work for the cause of peace.

Bro. V. Potter, noble grand, presided at the opening of Epsom Lodge, No. 88, 1.0.0. F., on Tuesday evening, a fair attendance being recorded. The various committees for the new term were elected.

Another progressive step in the life of the Loyal Papakura Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., was -witnessed at the last meeting by the opening of a new and larger lodge room in the Star Theatre Building. The noble grand, Bro. S. A. Smith, in welcoming a large number of visitors from surrounding lodges, gave an outline of the progress made since the lodge' opened in 1922. Bro. J. E. Allen, P.D.G.M., group officer, declared the new hall formally open. Matters relating to the D.G.M.'s visit to the group on May 21 and the ritual competition were completed. At the close of lodge the whole company was entertained at a dance.

The district grand master, Bro. T. W. Thompson, accompanied by some of the district officers, took the opportunity to pay a visit to an ordinary meeting of the Loyal Renmera Lodge, Manchester Unity Oddfellows, on April 17. There was an attendance of about 40 members, the presiding officer being Bro. V. R. Sellwood. The grand master addressed the meeting, congratulated them on the fine progress of tbeir lodge, and asked them even to better their good work during the coming year. This lodge is gaining .additional members every meeting, two being initiated the previous lodge night, two more at this meeting, and three honorary members were also admitted to full financial membership, making a total of seven new financial members for the last two meetings. The financial secretary of the lodge, Bro. J. A. Gray, is an efficient propaganda officer. He has been responsible for the initiation of over 200 members, winning over the period of six years, three gold jewels for having been responsible for more new financial members for each period of two years than any other Oddfellow in New Zealand Branch, which has over 24,000 members in the various lodges under its jurisdiction, Auckland district alone having 7811 members at the end of last year.

The Light of Manukau Lodge, U.A.0.D., met as usual on Wednesday evening in the Friendly Societies' Hall, Onehunga, the arch Druid, Bro. G. Rose, presiding over a good attendance. One new member was initiated. Owing to business obligations the outside guardian, Bro. Tolladay, P.A., was forced to resign his position, the members accepting this with regret. Bro. Webb, P.A., was appointed to fill the vacancy, and was installed by the D.P., Bro. Wells. Arrangements were made to attend the installation of the new district president. A report was given by the lodge's delegates to the Rechahites' jubilee, a very enjoyable time being experienced.

The installation of officers of Rawhiti Lodge, No. 145, 1.0.0. F., took place at the last regular meeting, in the presence of a large number of members and visitors. Bro. A. R. Willcox, N.G., presided and after formal business had been dealt with, a welcome was extended to Bro. A. J. McLean, C.P., Special Deputy G.M., who entered accompanied by a team of past grands from Aroatea Lodge. The installation ceremony was ably carried out. The now officers are:—J.P.G., Bro. A. R. Willcox; N.G., Bro. A. Moncur; V.G., Bro. R. Young; recording secretary, Bro. F. Rose, P.G.; financial secretary, Bro. C. A. Johnson, P.G.; treasurer, Bro. C. Courtcnay; warden, Bro. Lewis; conductor, Bro. Harding, P.G.; chaplain, Bro. Noyor; R.S.S., Bro. Kireher; L.S.S., Bro. K. Smith; R.S.N.G., Bro. H. Pink, P.G.; L.S.N.G., Bro. It. Trebv, P.G.; R.S.V.G., Bro. Waring; P.G.; L.S.V.C., Bro. B. Yates; J.G., Bro. J. McAneany, P.G.; 0.G., Bro. A. Penny. Bro. McLean, C.P., congratulated the officers and wished them a successful term: Bro. G. Arnott, D.D.G.M., presented past grand certificates to Bros. J. McAneany, F. Rose, C. Courtcnay, H. Pink, R. Treby, and J. Waring. Bro. Hartmanu, degree master, also congratulated the brothers and conveyed fraternal greetings and best wishes from the District Degree Lodge.

The Enterprise Lodge, 1.0. G.T., met on Thursday evening, the V.T., Sister Arden, presiding in the absence through illness of the C.T., Sister Barnett. Arrangements for the anniversary were left in the hands of the harmony cominitteo. The programme for the evening was a sacred one, in keeping with Anzac Day, and a number of the members contributed items, community singing also being onjoyed.