MANCHESTER UNITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20337, 20 February 1928, Page 12

MANCHESTER UNITY.

The regular meeting of the Loyal Alct* andra Lodge, M.U.IAJ.O.F. (Port Me!yneux) was well attended, the acting X.G. (Bro. G. Wright) presiding. An invitation was received tor an official visit to Loyal Dalton Lodge on February i;3 # and members promised to attend in full force. A circular was received from Lite Prov. C.S. on behalf of the 100 Q member campaign, and a meeting of the Lcdga Compaigu Committee was afterwards held, at which a plan of action was decided on, which should prove beneficial to the lodge. A further snur in this direction is the fact that the diamond iubilee of the lodge will he celebrated next vear, and members are desirous that the membership should reach ISO before then. Next ledge night a card match, X.G. v. V.G., will be played. The fortnightly meeting cf Loyal Centenary Lodge was presided over by X.G. Bro. Farqnhatson. Correspondence included notification of the annual district meeting at Roxburgh on Easter S" i ””day, and it was decided to send three fiom the lodge. Notification was also received that the juvenile picnic would he he’d at Waihola on March 3. It was reported that no members were at present on the sick funds. P.G. Bro. Fronde ronorted representing the lodge at tne official visit to the Kakanui Lodge, and save an account of the at the meeting of the District Standing Committee. At the close of business “elective officers’ evening” was held, members and visiting brethren taking part in a friendly game of cards. The District Standing Committee met on Tuesday evening in the ,M.U. Hall, Stuart street, to consider a remjt from the Loyal Cromwell Lodge, that a dispensation be granted to open a branch of the Order at Pembroke. The P.G.M. (Bro. P. Stabb) presided over an attendance of delegates from the various city and suburban lodges, and briefly reviewed the events leading to the application to form a new lodge, stating that a largely attended meeting at Pembroke passed a resolution in favour of the project and that some 40 prospective members would be initiated at the opening. It was decided to grant the dispensation to enable the new lodge, to be known as the Upper Clutha Lodge, to be ooened on Saturday, February 25, and it was resolved that a lett'-r be forwarded to the Lnval Cromwell Lodge expressing appreciation of its efforts. A letter was read from the G.M. of the Order in England (Bro. H. While) askuowledging creetiugs from the district meeting at Port Chalmers in October. The executive was authorised - <-n-no cases of Otago apples to be forwarded as a present from the members of the Order in Otago to the annual rno-able conference of the M.U in Knarland, which ’is to be held at Douglas, Isle of Man, in May, at which about 300 delegates from all parts of Great Britain will be present. At the fortnightly meeting of Eoyal Caversham Lodge a good attendance of members and visiting brethren greeted the N.G., Bro, Em arson. It was resolved to send five delegates to the annual district meeting at Roxburgh, nominations for the position of delegates being opened and held over until next lodge night. Two new members were initiated into the lodge, and one proposition for membership received. An invitation was received to a progres-ive euchre tournament at the Loyal Valley Lodge on March 5, and to the annual quoits match with Centenary Lodge on February 28. The arrartgements regarding a card match with the members of Lfiiitv Lodge (1.0.0. F.) next lodge night were left in the hands of th e elective officers. The X.G. reported on the proceedings at the meeting of Ihu District Standing Committee. The P.Sec., Bro. Souness, and the treasurer, Bro. Rennie, afterwards entertained brethren at a card evening. There was a large attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of Die Loyal Dalton Lodge, over which N.G. Bro. Moffatt presided. A considerable amount of routine business was transacted, including the recommendation for payment of two maternity claims, while three members were declared on the funds and one off. It was decided to send three delegates to the district meeting at Roxburgh, their appointment being left over till a later date. Five new members were initiated, the ceremony being conducted very creditably by the various officers. Five proposals for membership were also received, making a total of eight candidates awaiting admission to the Order. Discussion ensued on the matter of holding a combined church parade, and JAG. Bro. Craig was deputed to interview the other friendly societies in the matter. It was announced that the District Executive would probably be fully represented at the next meeting, on the occasion of the official visit from sister lodges, which is expected to be a record meeting, many Iddges having signified their intention of attending, including a strong representation from the city lodges. Copies of the annual balance sheet were distributed to members, showing the lodge to have again had . a very successful year, the funds now totalling £14,713, the sick and funeral fund standing at £14.558—an increase of £750 for the year. Of this fund, £BOO was transferred to the district surplus account. The lodge is in a very sound position, both numerically and financially. The meetitng of the Loyal Prince of Wales Uiodge was fairly well attepded, the X.G., Bro. Parker, being in the chair. The annual report and balance sheet was submitted by the auditors, Bros. McDonald and Jack, and was adopted. Satisfaction was expressed at the favourable position as disclosed by the report, the membership now standing at 324, as there were £5 initiations during the year. The assets have now reached the £IO,OOO mark, the increase for 1927 being £B2O. Several brethren attending the military camp at Matarae announced their intention of being present at the meeting of Loyal Micldlemarch Lodge cm Saturday, and it was stated that the lodge would he strongly represented at the opening of the new lodge at Pembroke on February 25. Two new members were initiated, and three nominations received for membership. after which a degree meeting was held. It was resolved, to send a full quota of delegates to the annual district meeting. The Loyal Albion Lodge met on Thursday evening, the X.G., Bro. Gifford, presiding over a fair muster of members. ■ Correspondence included an invitation from the Cromwell Lodge to attend the opening of the Upper Clutha Lodge at Pembroke on February 25, and notification of the annual initiation competition in the Manchester Unity Hall on March 24. It was decided to forward a letter of congratulation to Cromwell Lodge on the occasion of the opening of the new onucii of the Older. The P.G.M., pro. Stabb, announced that the Efficiency Shield competition for 1927 had been won by the Loyal Prince Alfred Lodge (Waikouaiti), the Loyal Dunback Lodge being a close second/ with Loyal Milton third. The P.G.M. expressed pleasure that the country lodyes, which had to contend with many difficulties and disadvantages, had succeeded so well in the competition. Fuller details of the results would be announced at a later date. Congratulations were extended by the P.G.M. and members to P.G. Bro. A. J. Smith, who this year celebrates his fiftieth year of membership in the Albion Lodge. Reference was also made to P.G. Carrington, a member of 55 years’ standing, who still attends regularly and' takese an active interest in lodge affairs. At the close of business a ' question box was held, which provided good entertainment, the standard of speeches being high. P.G.R. Longworth was the prize-winner. A veto of thanks was accorded to P.G.M. Bro. Stabo, who donated the prize. Messrs P. Stab, J. Johnston, J. Hopcroft, A. Sligo, and J. H. Clarke, of tha district executive, M.U.1.0.0.F., left Dunedin on Saturday on their annual visit to lodges in Central Otago district. They will also conduct the ceremonies in connectioii with the opening of a nqw branch of the Order at Pembroke on February 25. They expect to return to the city on Monday.