MANCHESTER UNITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 16213, 24 October 1914, Page 5

MANCHESTER UNITY.

Occasionally we hear statements Dy those who do not take an interest in the -work of Oddfellowship that a few men run tho lodge, and it is therefore not any use trying to do anything. To a certain extent it is true that a low men run the lodge, because if they didn't thero would not be any lodge to run. A lodge is exactly what its members make it, and the majority rules. If your lodge is a large, progressive one it is because the members want it that way. If it is small, weak, straggling for existence, it is because the memDers aro content to havo it so. What Oddfellowship still has . room for in its ranH is the Jong-tried, active, and consistent worker, and here is an example, and an interesting record of 50 years' voluntary work as an Oddfellow, also one that requires some beating. The record is that of Bro. W. Funnell, of Brighton, England. The brother was initiated in the Loya.l Hanover Lodge, Brighton District M.U., on September 10, 1£64. He was Inside Guardian till December, 1E64; Elective Secretary to March, 1865; Vicegrand to June, 1865; R.S.N.G. to September, 1865; Noble Grand to December, 1865; Grand Master to March. 1866. His name appears on the Merit Board, 1866. He was elected a trustee from 1867 to 1870;' financial secretary from 1870 till 1873; again a trustee from 1873 to 1875; again financial secretary from 1875 to 1876; again trustee from 1876 to 7891. He was elected Treasurer from October, 1894, and has held that office to the present time —20 years. His name appears on the Merit Board eight times in a 11—1866, 1869, 1871, 1883, 1889, 1893, 1898, and 1891. In addition, he has represented his lodge on a. Juvenile Committee for 50 years, and has held the office of trustee for 27 years. The United Brothers' Lodge (Cambrians) had an excellent muster at' a recerffi meeting. . District Deputy Lecture Master Bro. Newman, of Naseby, conferred the inferior degrees to the minor officers, and the Purple Degree to the P.G.'s. All the lectures were given extemporanously and impressively, and were highly appreciated. P.P.G.M. Bro. R. S. Black assisted Bro. Newman, and the lodge expressed the hope that other brothers visiting the Goldfields would attend their meetings, and assist as Bro. R. S. "Black had done. The lodse has several representatives in tho Expeditionary .Force. Bro. Black gave the report of the District meeting on behalf of the lodge deputy, who was unable to be present. The principal business at the recent meeting of trie Loyal Maniototo Lodge (Ranfurly) was tho election of Bro. J. Millar to the position of secretary, vacated by Bro. M'Lcan. Tho Loyal Middlemarch Lodge met in full force at their recent meeting. The principal business centred around) the question of holding the annual balL A special committee was s4t up to decide whether it was advisable to go on with the function, and to act accordingly. The attendance was good at the meeting of tho Loyal Moegiel Lodge, held on Tuesday evening.' N.G. Bro. Alexander presided. The amount of business to transact was small, and 1 the lodge adjourned for a game of cards. The members of the Loyal Centenary Lodge were the guests of the South Dunedin Druids on Wednesday evening at tho lodge-room at Kensington, and a pleasant social evening was spent. The seating accommodation of the Stuart Street Oddfellows' Hall was taxed to its utmost on Tuesday evening by the various city and suburban lodges paying an official visit to the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge. N.G. Bro. S. J. Lyon presided. A clearance was granted to a brother removing to Auckland. Dr Macphorson's resignation as lodge surgeon was accepted with regret. A letter was sent to the Loyal Alexandra Lodge expressing, regret that they had lost the services of two of their oldest officers— P.G.'s Hay and Patterson. A letter of condolence was sent to the relatives of a deceased! 'brother. Two oandidates were proposed- for membership, and another candidate wag (inifciajtcd. P.G. 'Bro. B. Rodger acted as Conductor and Bro. Olliver •as Lecture Master. P.G.M. Bro. Palmer, on behalf of the M.U. Ball Committee, presented' the secretaries of that function (Bros. Sullivan and Davidson) with sets of military brushes as' a mark of appreciation of their services. Both brothers suitably replied. The -visitors'' toast was responded to by N.G. Bro. Longworth (Centenary), N.G. Bro. Galland (Valley). N.G. Bro. Alexander (Mosgiel), N.G. Bro. List (Caversham), N.G. Bro. Anderson (Albion), E.S. Bro. Rush (Dunedin). The District officers replied to their toast. A musical programme was then indulged in, and was contributed t> by Bros. Waldie, Jacobs, Sligo, Abbot, Broom, and Longworth. A little light refreshment was dispensed. Tho fiftieth anniversary of the. Loyal Albion, Lodge was held at the Rattray Street Oddfellows' Hall on Thursday week. N.G. Bro. Anderson presided over a good gathering of Oddfellows. Congratulatory letters were received from the Loyal Hope and l Loyai Albion Lodges, both of Adelaide, South Australia-! Tho District Executive (represented by P.G.M. Bro. Palmer, D.P.G.M. Bro. Smith, and P.P.G.M. Bro. Coughlan) also offered officially the congratulations of the Ota go District to the lodge on its attaining its fiftieth birthday. The Pro. C.S. wrote thanking tho lodge! for their part in farewclling the Otago Oddfellows going to t!w front. A letter of sympathy was sent to the relatives of a deceased brother. A lettei* of recommendation was granted to Bro. Smiley. I'.P.p.M. Bro. Calvert (judge of the initiation competition) wrote congratulating the lodge on winning, and also giving a few oomments and hints for their future benefit. A welcome visitor to the lodge was P.G. Bro. Redmond, a former member of tho lodge, now tho N.G. of the Loval Hope Lodge, South Australia. The following brethren of the Loyal Albion Lodge have gone with the Expeditionary Force :—Bros. T. Beauchamp, L. H. Campbell, W. F. Faithful, L. Graham, D. M'lntyre, L. Mason, P. Toms, A li. Ward, J. J. M'Arthur, T. J. Greenfield, J. K. Wilson, R. H. Ross, and J. Tucker. A fair muster was present at the meeting of the Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge (Port Chalmers), presided over by N.G. Bro. T. M'Nio. The ordinary business was of a light nature, and was quickly disposed of. The sum of £2 was voted ty the Huntiy Mining Disaster Fund, and a donation o{ £1 each was voted to two aged brothers. The interval was taken up with gramophone selections supplied by P.G. Bro. Gibbs. A very enjoyable evening was thus spent. At tho meeting of the Loyal Milton Lodge on Monday evening there was a good attendance of officers and brethren. Two candidates were proposed for membership, and another two were initiated. The lodgo has unfortunately lost tho services of an active worker in Bro. R. Duff, who has

removed to Wellington It was intimated by N.G. Bro. A. S. Powlcy, who presided at the meeting,' that at next lodgo night the return card match with Court Bruce, A.0.F.. would take place, and that it was to be hoped the Milton Oddfellows would do better than on the previous occasion, when the Foresters won.