GENERAL NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19252, 16 August 1924, Page 19

GENERAL NEWS.

The members of the Royal Purple Degree, 10.0. F., hold their monthly meeting on Thursday night, July 2d. A degree was con'crred urion a candidate and greetings were received from Hobart, Tasmania. Exceptional interest centred in the last two meetings of Linden Lodge, No. 19, a departure from the customary routine attracting very largo attendances. P.G. Bro. 11. o, Wardiop had in the past been instrumental on several occasions in providing the brethren with musical programmes of outstanding merit, and bis syllabus "night” again illustrated hia abilities as a dispenser of enjoyment. The major part of the programme comprised gramophone selections front the latest records, given under the skilled direction of Air Thompson, of Begg and Co., who generously supplied the instrument. A quartet party from the Commercial Travellers’ Choir quickly won popularity with the audience, and had to respond to encores. The meeting on August 6 was in many respects a memorable one, and was attended by a very large and representative gathering of 1.0.0. F. brethren to witness a special intiatory ceremony carried out by the Linden officers. Nine candidates were duly admitted, the number including several wellknown citizens of Dunedin, on one of whom the lodge conferred honorary life membership. The ritual portion of the degree, with its accompanying impressive ceremonial, was capably given by a specially chosen team, earning encomiums from experienced ntualists for the manner of the presentation. The recess which followed was diversified, a short programme being given by the Linden musical brethren. Refreshments were then served, and the company dispersed about 11 p,m A very pleasant and successful evening was spent at Unity Lodge, 1.0.0. F., on Monday night, July 28, the occasion being the celebrating of the 49th anniversary of the lodge. After routine business and official visits hod been received from sister lodges an adjournment was declared and the social function was proceeded with. Over 200 members and friends weie present. The visitors included a large number of members from Portobcllo, who journeyed up by motor. Noble Grand Bro. I>. Hall officiated as M.C., and dancing, interspersed with songs contributed by Messrs Paris, M’Caskill, Smith, and M'Donald, was kept up until a late hour. There was a large attendance of members at tho meeting of Court Prido of the Leith, A.0.P., on Wednesday last, under the charge of th© acting-C.R., Bro. H. 0. Williamson. The ..accommodation of the hall was severely overtaxed. A considerable amount of business appertaining to the court, and especially in connection with the forthcoming diamond jubilee, was transacted. A sample of jersey (with monogram) to be used by the court’s football teams was approved of. Eleven new members were initiated, and one accepted by transfer, while the nominations of five others were received. Under the baton of P.C.R, > Bro. T. F M’Natty, a successful “community sing” was hold, with the assistance of the secretary at the piano, Bro. R. K. Walker (violin), and Bro. M. M. Marks (clarinet). The toast of the visitors was responded to by P.C.R. Bro. W. Himmel on behalf of Court Enterprise. Following the close of the meeting a social hour was spent as cards, and instrumental items were rendered by Bros. Himmell, Walker, and Marks. After supper a most successful meeting closed at 11 p.m. A meeting of the committee of the Men’s Mission House was held on Thursday, Mr A. A. Finch being in the chair. The following members were present: Messrs R. B. Williams, F. O. Bridgman, Rev. S. Waymouth, Rev. V. G. Bryan King (chaplain ir. charge), and Rev. G. E. Moreton (hon. secretary and treasurer). The hon. treasurer reported that 67 subscriptions had been received since March 31, and the amount expended in relief of the poor and administration amounted to £236 5s fid. For th© year ended March 31 tho amount expended in relief from th© sick and needy fund was £244 17s 6d. Special thanks were due to the Commercial Travellers’ Association for its donation of £127 10s, and also the Otago Rugby Union for its donation , of £3O 7s 7d towards the poor relief fund. The treasurer pointed out that this fund showed a debit balance of £B6 19s lid. It was decided to make arrangements for mission services at a time and place to be arranged later. The Rev. V. G. Bryan King referred in complimentary terms of tho splendid assistance rendered by the Rev. S. Waymouth since he joined the mission staff, and also spoke of the long association of nearly 20 years of the Rev. G. E. Moreton with the mission. It was most gratifying to report that a true spirit of brotherhood prevails amongst the accredited social workers in tho city; this is borne out by the Rev. G. E. Moreton acting as probation officer during the illness of the Rev. F. G. Gumming, the representative of the Patients and Prisoners’ Aid Society. The committee agreed that the mission should have a greater measure of support from the citizens, and tho chaplain and hia assistants were most grateful for the help given in the past. Donations of money, food, and clothing were urgently needed so as this “community service” could carry on the work in the cause of the fallen, the relief of tho and the comfort of the sorrowful.