FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20484, 11 August 1928, Page 9

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

DRUIDISM. Otago Lodge by reason of the zeal and assiduity displayed by its members has placed itself in an enviable position among the lodges of Otago and Southland. The popularity of the lodge was amply demonstrated by the attendance of members and visitors at the meeting held on Monday night in the Orchestral Society s Hall, Rattray street, where A.D. Bro. A. R. Rankin received Linden Lodge which was present “on bloc ” to fulfil its challenge for the District Euchre Shield. Before proceeding to this section ot the evening’s entertainment, business of a routine nature was dealt with, and among the correpondence was an invitation to attend the opening of the new juvenile lodge in St. Kilda, which was accepted. At the request of Royal Oak Lodge a candidate for admission to the Order was present and, on its behalf, initiated by A. D Bro. Rankin and his officers, Royal Oak Lodge thereafter returning thanks for the favour which had been granted. The lodge was then adjourned. After an hour’s play the visitors proved victorious by 20 games to 13. A.D. Bro. Rankin thereupon presented the shield to A.D. Bro. Owens, of Linden Lodge, and in so doing, congratulated his team on its meritorious performance which, he said, could be very appropriately _ described by the Latin phrase “Veni, \'edi, Vici.” A.D. Bro. Owens, in rising to reply, was accorded an ovation, and referred briefly to the vast amount of good which evolved from the interchange of visits between lodges. He also thanked the Otago members for their sportsmanship and hospitality, and, hoped that they would again have an opportunity of showing their prowess at no far distant date. A.D Bro. Clark presided over a good attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of Ivanhoe Lodge on Wednesday. A large amount of correspondence was quickly disposed of and the bards gave a full report on the members on the sick fund, the sick pay as submitted being passed for payment. The lodge having lost an old member by death, harmony was dispensed with, and the lodge went into mourning out of respect to its departed brother. The secretary was instructed to send a letter of sympathy and condolence to his relatives. Five candidates presented themselves for initiation, the rendering of the various charges being very efficiently performed by the officers concerned. The Lodge Committee was asked to prepare a syllabus of meetings for the 1929 booklet and submit same to the lodge at its nest meeting for approval. Several matters pertaining to the good and welfare of the Order were fully discussed, most of the members present joining in the discussions, and this augurs well for the general efficiency competition. The secretary was instructed to challenge Linden Lodge for the Euchre Shield.

Progress Juvenile Lodge held its meeting on Wednesday night in the Methodist Church Hall, Wesley street. South Dunedin. A.D. Bro. Maybee presided over a well attended meeting of officers and members. An invitation to attend the open of, the new juvenile lodge in St. Kilda was accepted, many members signifying their intention of being present. The resignation of Sro. G. Wilson from the position of M.C. was accepted with regret and the lodge wished him every success in bis new position as superintendent of Southern Oak Juvenile Lodge. Two candidates for membership were in attendance, and the ceremony of initiation was very efficiently carried through by A.D. Bro. Maybee assisted by his officers. A pleasant night was spent in sports of various kinds. MANCHESTER UNITY. The fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F. was held in the hall, Stuart street. The N.G. Bro. Boyce presided over a fair attendance of .members. Visitors included several members of the Loyal Albion Lodge, who later contested a card shield match with Hand and Heart members, resulting in victory for the visitors. Two candidates were duly initiated and five propositions received for membership. Correspondence included an invitation to the annual ball of the Loyal Milton and Princess Victoria Lodges. It was decided to take the usual number of pages in the Official Handbook and insert the photographs of three P.G.’s— Bros. Fraser, Poyntz, and P. Thomson. A motion of condolence was carried with the relatives of the late Bro. John Thomas, who was a member of the lodge for over 50 years. It was announced that the single brethren would entertain the married members next lodge night. At the meeting of the Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge there was a good attendance of members. The N.G., Bro. C. MTntyre was in the chair. The annual balance sheet of the lodge was submitted, and it "was decided to discuss this at the next lodge meeting, when the question of suitably celebrating the anniversary of the lodge would also be dealt with. One nomination for membership was received, and a maternity claim was passed for payment. A circular was received from the Handbook Committee, and it was decided to draw up a programme for the next year's meetings. During the winter months a series of euchre parties was held, and these contributed greatly to the social side of the lodge. The 1000 membership campaign was discussed, and members promised active support in the endeavour to obtain the desired quota. There was a good attendance of members at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Milton Lodge. N.G. Bro. V. R. Clark presided. Correspondence was dealt with, and clearances in' favour of two members approved. It was agreed that the same programme with corresponding dates for next year should be printed in the Official Handbook, and that the photographs of P.G.’s Bros. William M'Lean and D. Lockhart should bo inserted. An official visit was arranged to the Loyal Queen of Otago Lodge for August 16. Bro. R. C. Raw-son was granted a clearance to the Loyal Prince Alfred Lodge. P.G. Bro. Cockerill reported that he attended the annual M.U.1.0.0.F. ball at Dunedin, and other Brethren reported having represented the lodge at various other social functions. It was decided to forward a letter of sympathy to Bros. G. and T. Sanson in the recent bereavement they sustained. The Ball Committee reported that arrangements for the annual ball on August 31 were well in hand. During the evening two candidates were initiated. The meeting of the Loyal Prince of Wales Juveniles drew a good attendance of members. N.G. Bro. Brown was in the chair. A cordial welcome was extended to P.D.G.M. Bro. Young, and to a visiting member of the Loyal Albion Lodge. The P.D.G.M. addressed the boys, expressed pleasure at the manner in which they conducted their meeting, and read extracts from the Grand Master of the Order (Bro. White’s) message to overseas Oddfellows. Specially dealing with the juvenile movement. Bro. Young also spoke on “ Sports and Character,” and received an attentive hearing. At the close of his address a hearty vote of thanks was accorded by the P.D.G.M. The team for the initiation competition then had a rehearsal and was complimented on the excellence of its performance. At the close of its business the boys took part in various games. The official visit of Sister Lodges to the Loyal Dunedin Lodge on Thursday evening drew- a very large gathering of Oddfellows, representative of the city and suburban lodges, close on 200 brethren attending. The meeting was presided over by N.G. Bro. Barrowclough, who expressed pleasure at the large attendance and extended a cordial welcome to the visitors. He also welcomed P.P.G.M. Bro. Archbold, P. Sec. of the Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge, and a director of the New Zealand branch of the M.U. Bro. Archbold, who was warmly received, stated that ho deeply appreciated the honour of being welcomed and received by such a large meeting of Otago brethren, and conveyed fraternal greetings from the Christchurch lodges and the North Canterbury district. At the conclusion oi the ordinary meeting, during which a candidate was initiated and one proposition received for membership, a first rate programme of song and story was submitted, after which supper was dispensed. The district executive was represented by the P.G.M. Bro. Johnston, P.D.G.M. Bro. Young, P.P.G.M. Bro. Stabb, P. Sec. Bro. Hqpcraft. and Prov. Treas. Bro. Sligo. The P.G.M., in responding to the toast of the District Officers, referred to the large gathering as an indication of the enthusiasm and keenness which at present prevailed in the district. He referred to the approaching anniversary of the Loyal Valley Lodce. and announced that the annual Juvenile Initiation Competition would be held on August 25. The remaining members of the executive also responded. Brethren from Loyal Centenary, Valley, Princess Mary, Mos-

giel, Caversham, Albion, Prince of Wales, and’ Hand and Heart acknowledged the toast of Sister Lodges. The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Queen of Otago Lodge was held od Thursday evening. N.G. Sister Grimshaw presided over a good attendance of was decided to extend an invitation to sister lodges to attend an official visit on August 16, when a degree meeting will also be held. The balance sheet for the half year was read and adopted. Warden Sis. Kennedy reported that she attended 1 the annual M.U. ball and Sis. Smith re- ; ported that she visited the Pride of Kaii laugata Lodge. P.G. Sis. Clements resigned the office of publicity correspondent, and Sis. Kennedy -was appointed to the vacancy. After routine matters wert dealt with the monthly dance was held, this being largely attended. Good music was supplied by Mr Barclay. FORESTRY. The fortnightly meeting of Court King Edward’s Pride was held on Thursday evening, the C.R., Bro. Ross, presiding. The efficiency competition on which the court is to be judged at their next meeting was the chief topic of the evening. It was impressed upon the members that a large attendance was necessary to encourage the officers on such an occasion. Several members spoke on the membership campaign and stressed the importance ot each member sharing in this work. One new member was initiated during the evening and two candidates were proposed for membership.