MANCHESTER UNITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15827, 28 July 1913, Page 8

MANCHESTER UNITY.

Tho adjourned half-yearly summoned meeting of the Loyal tiutvam Lodge was held last Monday. N.G. Bro. Kofoed was in the chair, and notwithstanding the very wet night all officers and supporters were punctually in their places. 'The Treasurer presented the halj-yearly balance sheet, and the Auditor's report on the state of the lodge finances was exceedingly favour able; the sick and funeral fund being well over £5000, which sum is invested at an average rate of 5i- per cent. The management fimd which had been steadily on the decrease has apparently recovered itself, and now stands.at £57. The lodge increased its membership by seven during the last half-year, while on Monday night four new members were initiated and two others were proposed; conductor P.G. Bro. R. Neill and T.M. P.G. Bio, T. Johnstone discharging the respective duties in connection with Uie initiation ceremony. On Tuesday evening the lodge held a Ladies' Open Night, this taking the form of progressive euchre, supper, and musical items. Over 50 couples were present, and the function passed off as one of the most euccessful yet held, Miss Grant proved to be the winner of the ladies' prize, whilt. Miss M'Diarmid annexed minor honours. Mr M'Hattie was first among the gentlemen, and Mr M'Kochnie "also started." The Outra-m orchestra rendered a very acceptable item, and songs were also given by Miss Bagley and Mr Bathgate. Quite a feature of the evening was the presentation of framed emblematical certificates to P.G.'s Bros. M'Laren and Miller, and the lodge is indebted to P.P. G.M. Bro. Lawry for coming out and making the presentations.

A well-attended meeting of the Loyal Valley Lodge was held on Monday evening, -N.G. Bro. J. Macdonald presiding. The' half-yearly .balance sheet was presented, and the members present were gratified at the progress (financially and 1 numerically) the lodge is ma-king.' The management committee renorted that the required alterations to make the new hall suitable for lodge purposes were well in hand,' and that everything would be in •readiness for the official opening next lodge night. It is expected that the brethren of the citv and suburban lodges will attend in large numbers and assist in the ceremony of dedicating the building to the service of Oddfello'wship. It was decided to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the lodge by attending divine service at St. Martin's Churc, North-East Valley, on Sunday mornnig next. The members of the Social Committee of the Loyal Centenary Lodge arc to be congratulated on the result of their efforts to make the holding of the third anniversary of the lodge a success. A sumptuous repast was tastefully set out on the table, round which sat a large number of visiting brethren. N.G. Bro. D. Trainor made a most efficient chairman, and song, story, and toast succeeded each other right merrily under his guidance. The toast of the evening, "Centenary Lodge," was ably proposed by P.G.M. Bra. Coughlan, who paid high tribute to the zeal and energy of the young officers and members of the lodge, as indicated bv the figures showing on the half-yearly balance sheet, which was submitted to the lodge earlier in the evening. The -toast., "St. Kilda Borough Council" was responded to by Deputymayor Thomson and the several councillors present, Other toasts honoured were the_ "District Officers," "Sister Lodges," "Kindred Societies," etc. The singing of "Auld Lang Syne" brought to a close one of the most successful gatherings held by the lodge. The Loyal Caversham Lodge met in its hall, Forbury Corner, on Wednesday evening. _ N.G. Bro, Bond . presided. A cordial invitation was received from the Valley Lodge to attend its anniversary celebrations at the beginning of next month. It was decided to take six pages in the new handbook, and P.G. Bros. C. Bragg and A. Selby and P.S. Bro. H. B. Renfree were selected to have their photographs inserted therein, 'Bro. Renfree was thus honoured owing to the fact that he had that night entered upon his thirty-first year as secretary of the lodge. A strong committee was set up to make arrangements for next meeting, which will be "ladies' night" The lodge decided to enter for the initiation competition, and rehearsals were arranged for. The Chairman presented P.G. Bro. Selby with a sash and apron in token of the lodge's appreciation of his labours while going through the chairs a second time. Bro. Selby briefly replied. P.P.G.M. Bro. Lawry, one of the auditors, presented the balance sheet for the past term, and after a brief discussion it was adopted. The sick and funeral fund totals £5985, an increase of £262 for the term, and the management funds amount to £44, of which it was decided to 'transfer £30 to the hall account. There are 319 members on the roll.. Bros. Lilley, Broadfoot, and Cole replied to the toasts.

Per, !sec. Bro. James Brown (auditor) presented the balance sheet for the halfyear to the members of the Loyal. Albion Lodge on Thursday night, and it was adopted without much discussion. The principal items are:—Membership, 430; worth of sick and funeral fund, £7818 (an increase of £352 for the term); sick pay disbursed, £193 12s 6d; worth of management fund, £432 15s lOd. G.M. Bro. Scott, on behalf of the lodge, presented P.G. Bro, W. Read with a framed emblematical certificate on the completion of his term in the various chairs, and spoke of his zeal and energy in everything pertaining to the good of the lodge and order. Bro. Read returned thanks.

It was decided to placo wreaths on the

graves of P.G. Bros. G. Allen and K. Ferguson. Three candidates wero initiated,- G.M.' Bro. Scott giving the obligatory charge, P.G. Bros. WaTdm and Sullivan acting as conductors. A number of those present signified their, intention, to attend the anniversary functions of the Loyal Valley Lodge. V.G. Bro. Guild (JDunedin).and P.G.M. Bro. G. A. Coughlan (D.E.) responded to the toasts. The business transacted at the meeting of the Loyal Centenary Lodge included the election of a new member. The initiation ceremony was ably conducted by Lecture-master Bro. Scott, assisted by P.G. Bro. Palmer, who acted as instructor to the candidate. The half-yearly balance sheet was presented, and showed that the lodge was in a very prosperous condition. A hearty invitation* was received from tho Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge (Port Chalmers) to attend its next meeting, when an open night (taking the form of a 6ocial and dance) will be held.' Several representatives from the city lodges were present, and the district«officers paid an official visit. During the evening Per. Sec. Bro. G. Palmer was presented by his fellow members with a. marble clock •as a marriage gift and in token of appreciation of pa6t services to. the lodge. For the gift and the accompanying expressions of good-will Bro. Palmer-briefly returned thanks. N.G. Bro. M'Curdy controlled the meeting of the Loyal 'Dalton Lodge on Tuesday evening, 25 members being present. ' A letter of recommendation was granted to a brother in the North Island. One- candidato was initiated, and two proposed for next meeting. A vote of &'i 2s, surplus from the ball, was handed to the local ambulance waggon fund. A challenge from the members of tho Foresters' Court to a card match next week was accented. A degree meeting, was held, and the lectures were greatly appreciated by. the members receiving their degrees.