FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22615, 31 December 1936, Page 15

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

LODGE FESTIVITIES CHRISTMAS GATHERINGS INSTALLATION OF OFFICERS " Scribe " wishes to thank all who have helped to make this column a continued success throughout 1936 and trusts that the new year may be the best ever experienced in the Friendly Society world. The Temple of the Kings, 1.0. G.T., was extremely fortunate in holding its Christmas trco just prior to the necessity for the health authorities' advice against young people's gatherings. Uniting with the Three Kings Methodist Sunday School a very successful party was held. The superintendent of the temple, Sister N. Gallagher, welcomed the guests, who, with their friends, filled the hall. Alter tea the parents and adult friends were admitted, the district superintendent, Sister E. Cant, receiving a special welcome. An apology was received from the grand superintendent, Bro. Pace, who was engaged elsewhere. The great attraction of the evening was the arrival of Santa Claus, accompanied by three fairies, the party being greeted with great applause. Gifts were distributed to all the young people and a most enjoyable programme was provided by the members. The adults were afterward entertained at supper.

The Light of Manuknu Lodge, U.A.0.D., always provides such a good entertainment for the children of members at Christmas that great disappointment was expressed this year when it became known that the proceedings would have to be considerably abridged. However, it was made possible for the young people to meet Father Christmas and receive their presents at his hands and then depart again with an extra ice cream and bag of sweets. It needed only a glance at the happy faces of the departing children to repay the trouble taken by the officers and members in arranging the function.

Enterprise Lodge, 1.0. G.T., was not able to hold its proposed children's function so the young people will be entertained when it becomes advisable. The adults, however, held a lodge meeting over which the C.T., Sister Cant, presided. A fair amount of business was dealt with before the lodge adjourned for the holidays. After the meeting, the chief templar distributed gifts to all the members, who then gathered around the piano for carol singing. The serving of supper brought a happy evening to a close, the usual compliments and seasons greetings being exchanged.

On December 17 the Alberta and Clematis Ilebekah Lodges, 1.0.0. F., combined their efforts and gave the children of members of both branches a very happy time. The Morningside Hall was filled to capacity and young and old enjoyed to the full the fun and merriment of the gathering. Under the popular social convener of the ladies' lodge, Sister G. White, P.N.G., a.. ..highly*.,energetic and very efficient committee of sisters and brothers had in preparation for some time nJI the items which combined to make the event successful. Everything went with a swing from the opening; balloons, caps, sweets, ice cream, the tree itself and the presents were thrill upon thrill for young and old alike. The games, supper and children's dialogues filled three crowded hours. Father Christmas distributed presents from the tree with assistance from the ladies' committee. Presents were given by the social convener to her committee, and the noble grand and vice-grand of the Alberta Lodge made gifts to the officers of the Clematis Lodge in appreciation of the ladies' efforts in advancing the cause of Oddfellowship in the district.

Tho Endeavour Lodge, 1.0. G.T., held a very successful Christmas week meeting, the chief templar, Bro. G. R. Simpson, presiding over a large attendance of members and visitors. A number of sick members were reported to have been visited and most of them were making satisfactory progress. Greetings were received from tho grand chief templar, grand secretary, G.S.J.W., G.S.E.W., Bro. Gore (Diinedin), sister lodges and temples, and many others. The business was speedily dealt with and a visit from Santa Claus resulted in each one receiving a gift. Carols were sung and then everybody sat down to supper. Sister Wearing, secretary, was responsible for the evening's arrangements, which proved very successful and enjoyable.

A very pleasant function was held at Litchfield by Group 16 of the M.U.1.0.0.F., for the purpose of installing new officers of the Selwyn, Patctcre and Matamata Lodges. Jlro. H. Hobman, noble grand of Loyal Selwyn Lodge, presided over an attendance of more than 60 members of the lodges concerned, and a good number of "visitors. Among the latter wore Bro. S. D. Eade, district grand master of Auckland, Bro. Neals, P.p.G.M., Tiros. Bates and Stanley, P.G.'s, members of tho district management committee, and representatives from Loyal Mamaku. Hot Springs, Kereone, Ponsonby, Papulce and Howard (Nelson) Lodges. After a cordial welcome, the honours of the Order being given to the district officers and other visitors, Bro. Eade, D.G.M., assumed control of tho meeting and conducted the installation ceremony. Tho new officers of the lodges are as follows:—Loyal Selwyn: 1.P.N.G., Bro. IT. Hobman; N.G., Bro. IT. Peters; V.G., Bro. Roberts; E.S., Bro. B. Fordo. Loyal Patetere: 1.P.N.G., Bro. H. Goodwin; N.G., Hro. Ramsey: V.G., Bro. F. Morris. Loyal Matamata: 1.P.N.G., Bro. Cooper; N.G., Sister C. Quigg; V.G., Bro. F. Henderson; E.S., Bro. Jones. The visitors responded to tho welcome and conveyed their greetings, together with the season's compliments. During the evening, Bro. Eade, D.G.M., was presented with an engraved cigarette case as a token of the esteem in which he is held by the members of Group 16. Bro. A. J. Ellis, financial secretary. Loyal Selwyn Lodge, received a jewel from the Auckland District for introducing .30 new members into the Order. Bro. H. Goodwin, P.G., Loyal Patetere, received a P.G.'s jewel from his lodge for meritorious services rendered The Loyal Selwyn Lodge received the Ritual Shield which it won in the group ritual competition. After tho meeting supper was served and then a very pleasant dance followed.

The Devonport Lodge, U.A.0.D., closed its activities for 1936 with a verv successful Christmas social, to which the members, children and friends were invited. IJro. Budge, J.P.A., extended a welcome the visitors and the M.C., JJro. S. Clark, soon had games going with a swing. Each child in the grand march received a balloon and sweets, and at 8.30 Father Christmas arrived by way of the chimney with a hugo bag of toys. Judging by the happy expressions, as the young people received their presents, all were quite satisfied. Ice cream and supper were served.