U.A.O.D. BANQUET.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 13846, 8 March 1907, Page 2

U.A.O.D. BANQUET.

o> TJIO annual banquet preceding the con. ferciico of tho'Grand Lodgo of Otago and Southland, U.A.0.D., tendered to the Giand Lodge representatives by the lodges of the city, was held last evening in the Garlton Dining Rooms. Bro. E. A. Gibson, P.S., presided, and there was a very largo • attendance , of brethren, among them beili" Bros.- J. Smith, D.G.1 , .; J. Mitcholf, D.G.AM'.; D. lariiach, D.G.S.; J. Haymes, D.G.G.; K. J. Bryant, P.U.G.P.: li Kcllett, P.D.G.P.; and T. Johns, P.D.G.P. Tho toast of "Tho King and tin Druids" having been honoured, tho company proceeded to do full justice to the amplo spread of good things provided by Mr K. .1. Todd, who did the catering. The toast of "The Grand Lodgo" was proposed by Bro. E. A. Gibson, and was drunk with nftjch enthusiasm. liro. Smith, D.G.P., in replying, said it gave him very much pleasure to sec such a large gathering of brethren from throughout the district. Ho had to offer his congratulations on the waj ; the Southland district was increasing, and' they wore glad to know that the- brothers in the -various lodges were working so harmoniously togolhor. He might also congratulate' the. baby lodges in the district on the way they were increasing their membership. Ho thought the city lodges might take a pattern by them, and if they did the order would be. much larger than it was. liro. Mitchell, V.G.I'., expressed his thanks for the manner in which tho toast had been received. It was not necessary for him to make any speech. Representatives would shortly see the balance sheet he had in his possession, ami he thought it, would speak well for itself. The Grand Lodgo and subordinate lodges were increasing rapidly, and as the worthy Grand had mentioned, tho big lodges were pleased to sen tho baby lodges, particularly one or two, making such rapid strides. In a year or two they would bo big lodges. Bro. Larnach, in thanking those present (or the reception. , accorded, -enid ho thought it was a pity the banquet had not been hold on tho following evening. He was pleased the' lodges in the district were going ahead by leaps and bounds. The Slar of Tuaiiekii Lodge tvas to. be congralu-. latcd upon the position it was taking , in Iho midst of the lodges. In had iherciuccl by 29 members in 12 months, The Bay Lodgo was also coming to the front rapidly, anil its secretary (Bro. Wilson) ' was to bo thanked for Iho position tho lodge was taking. There, was also the llainpdcu Lodge increasing rapidly in members, and its worthy'secretary, Bro. Lcwton, was to be thanked for it. Bro. Haymes said it was very encouraging to.the' Grand Lodge offers lo get Mich a liearty reception, and ho sincerely trusted that the confidence reposed in them would not bo found to have boon misplaced, and that they would carry out their duties in such a manner that tho confidence shown would Ik: further extended. 1 Bro. Bryant also' returned thanks for tho manner in which the toast had been received. He said there was one little point other speakers had .omitted to make reference to. They had been trying for some time to get the All Nations to join them, and they had succeeded at last, and they were now a united Otago district. Tho remainder of the evening, was devoted to musio and recitation, the performers being: Bros. Dwight, Gibson, J. D. S. Dicbon. 11. Broclcie, E. Gibson, A. T. Smith, F. It. Hobbs, Bcasley, Moss, and Matthews. "The. accompanist ,was Mr G. Leech. '