MANCHESTER UNITY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20355, 12 March 1928, Page 3

MANCHESTER UNITY.

The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge was presided over by the N.G., Pro. E. Weathera.ll. The appointment of delegates from the lodge to the animal district meeting at Roxburgh on Easter Saturday was held oyer until next meeting. A general discussion ensued on the membership campaign, and it was decided to pay a visit to Waitahuna at an early date. Some four years ago a v : sit was paid to that district, and considerable enthusiasm was manifested among the brethren in Waitaluma. The lecture master announced that he would hold a lecture next lodge night. At the usual fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Queen of Otago Lodge there was a good attendance of members. The N.G., Sis. Gilmour, was in the chair. The N.G. reported on the very fine meeting recently held at the Loyal Dalton Lodge, some 22 members of the Queen of Otago attending. A letter was received from the Loyal Roxburgh Lodge respecting arrangements for the district meeting, and it was dee'ded to send two delegates, Sisters Gilmour and Neil being appointed. A large number of members signified their intention of attending the official _ visit from lodges to the Loyal Albion Lodge on March 15. P.G. Bro. Jensen, of the Loyal Pride of Kaitangata Lodge, requested that the lodge should combine with his lodge in the formation of a dramatic and concert party. It was decided to comply with the request, and Sisters Gilmore, Clements, and Robertson were appointed a committee to attend a meeting to further the project. Numerous congratulations were received for the very fine rendering of the initiation ceremony at the Loyal Dalton Lodge meeting last week. At the conclusion of the ordinary mcethm the first degree lecture was impressively rendered by P.P.G.M. Bro. Middlemiss. It was decided that next meeting should take the form of a dance. The usual fortnightly meeting of tire Loyal Dunedin Lodge was held in the M. Hall, Stuart street, on Thursday evening. The N.G., Bro. M'Call, presided over a very good attendance of members. Two new members were initiated, and five propositions were received. Owing to unavoidable circumstances, P.G. Bro. Lazarus retired from the position of conductor, P.G. Bro. Cowie being appointed in his ste;.d. Nominations tor delegates to the annual district meeting at 3'laster were closed. A special visit was received from two members of the District Executive, the P.P.G.M., Bro. Stabb, and P.P.G.M. Bro. Clarke. These officers gave an interesting account of their tour through Central Otago with the executive and of the opening of the Loyal Upper Clutha Lodge at Pembroke. The district officers expressed their appreciation of the donation to the new lodfto made by the Loyal Dunedin Lodge. P.G. Alexander, who also attended the opening of the new lodge and conveyed fraternal greetings from the Dunedin Lodge, reported on the proceedings at Pembroke. , . ~, T , At the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge a large attendance of members was presided over hi' N. Bro. Pithie. A number of visiting brethren were also present from Loyal Caversham, Milton, Centenary, and Dunedin Lodges. It was resolved to send nine delegates to the annual district meeting, the following being appointed: —V.G. Bro. Boyce, C.B. Bro. Tate. G.M. Bro. Bcrtcnshaw, P.G.S. Bros. Cmnberbeach, W. Poyntz, A. Poyntz, Austin, Liddicoto, and P.P.G.M. Bro. Roseveare. The permanent secretary of the Loyal Milton Lodge, who was recently the recipient of a 60-membership medal, was accorded the Oddfellows toast. An interesting account of his travels through 18 - untries was given by P.P.G.M. Bro. R. S. Black. During the evening one proposal for membership was received. At Die close of business members took part in a game of cards. For some considerable time Loyaj Waikaka Lodge has been endeavouring to increase its mornbershp, and with this object in view it was suggested that members of tho district executive should visit the district and address prospective candidates In response to the request the P G.M. Bro. Stabb. P.D.G.M. Bro. Johnston, and P.P.G.M. Bro. Lawry attended a meeting in the local lodge hall. Some 17 members from the Loyal Tapanni Lodge were also present. Tho meeting took the form of a smoke concert. After the loyal toast had been honoured the P.G.M. delivered an eloquent Tho Manchester Unity, he said, was the outcome of tho fraternal spirit and desire to help one another. He traced the origin of the society in tho Old Country at tho beginning of the last century, when a lodge was” formed at Manchester. From this small beginning their society bad now spread throughout the British Empire. The financial security of the order was the outcome of tabulated sick experience of the past, and actuaries to-day could accurately state the amount of _ weekly payments necessary to provide sick and funeral benefits. Tho Otago district, he stated, was move than solvent. After dealing fully with the financial aspect of the society, Bro. Stabb appealed earnestly to members to foster the brotherhood and fraternal sido of tho Order. Ho stated that his Majesty the King had paid tribute to the splendid work the Manchester Unity had done in relieving sick and distressed cases and encouraging self-nclianco and thrift. There had been n magnificent response to the district’s appeal to initiate 1000 members in 1928, and the cause justified their best efforts. At the concluson of his address members rose and honoured the P.G.M. with the toast. The P.D.G.M. and others spoke appreciatively of the P.G.M.’s sterling address. The toast of tho district executive was proposed by an old member of the order, Bro. Peter Thomson, who referred to the great work work of the P.G.M. and the esteem m which he was held by members. Several other toasts were also honoured, interspersed with song and story, and tho singing of “ Auld Lang Syne ” brought a pleasant evening to a close. There was a good attendance of members at the Cenlral 1000 Membership Campaign Committee meeting. The P.G.M presided. Very encouraging reports were received from lodges throughout the district, tre total number initiated to date having exceeded anticipations. It was decided to have double clock indicator cards manufactured, one to he issued to each lodge, enabling lodges to know how the campaign was progressing. Suggestions were made regarding propaganda cards, but owing to different conditions existing in some of the country lodges it was deeded to refer the matter to a sub-cornmittoo for report at tho next meeting. It was also decided that the committee should be fully represented at. the official visit to tho Loyal Albion Lodge on March 15.