ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21148, 4 October 1930, Page 21

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

At the meeting of Unity Lodge N.G. Bro. E. Sudden presided over a good attendance. The Visiting Committee reported on a considerable number of sick cases. The Grand Sire of Australasia (Bro. L. Deans Bitchie) was introduced into the lodge officially and was invited by N.G. Bro. Sudden to occupy the chief chair of the lodge. The Grand Sire, in reply, said he appreciated the hearty welcome, and remarked on the many previous happy occasions on which he had visited Unity Lodge. He gave a short but interesting account of his recent visit to Australia, where he had presided at a meeting of. the G.L. of Australasia. A deputation from the District Lodge was present and placed before-the lodge the details in connection with the purchase of indoor bowls. After a short discussion the lodge decided to support the proposal, and a donation was granted to assist in the purchase of the bowls and mat. One candidate was proposed for membership. The halfyearly card match ' for the Gillespie Trophy was played during the recess, the result being a win for the V.G. (Bro. Holley’s) team. A vote of welcome to the visitors was • responded to by D.D.G.M. Bro. Kirkham, P. 6. ’• Bro. A. Beveridge (Leith), V. 6., Bro. W. Scott (St. Hilda).

N.G. Bro. H. Jones presided over a good meeting of Leith Lodge. The Visiting Committee reported on sick members, special reference being made to Bro. Randel, the oldest member of Leith who appreciated such visits and who continued to watch with interest the doings of hia lodge. The correspondence included a letter from the District Secretary, forwarding a full report of the judges, and declaring Leith Lodge the winners of the Kilpatrick Cup for the initiation competition. Congratulations were extended to the N.G. and the team for the good work put into the competition. It was decided that Bro. Valentine should be requested to arrange for the " Old Firms ” night on a suitable evening. A vote- of welcome was responded to by V.G. Bro. E. M'Hardy (Maori Hill) and Bro Harborna (Linden. ■ -

N.G. Bro. A Q. Gallie presided over a good attendance at the meeting of Linden Lodge. Sick reports were light and the Visiting Committee stated that members were all making good progress. Congratulations were passed to Leith Lodge on winning the competition cup, reference being made to, the high standard of work attained by all competing teams. P.D.D.G.M. Bro. W. Smith, a widely experienced member and keen ritualist, expressed his pleasure at the work done by the young officers of the lodge. Four members applied for further degrees in the Order which were granted. The lodge decided that at the forthcoming fifty-fifth anniversary of the lodge a reunion of old members should be held. A vote of welcome to visitors was responded to by D.D.G.M. Bro. Kirkham. At the meeting of South Otago District Lodge No. 1, D.D.G.M. Bro. R. Kirkham presided over a good attendance. The correspondence included a letter from, the Grand Secretary (Bro. W. F. Crooke) intimating that a member of Kawarau Lodge (Cromwell) who had met with a serious motor accident was in Stafford Hospital. D.D.G.M. and District Secretary reported having visited the member (Bro. L. Ord) who was progressing after a serious operation. A vote of thanks was passed to P.G.M. Bro. A. H. Valentine, P.D.D.G.M. Bro. J. MTvor and P.G Bro. C. R. Smith for acting as judges at the recent competitions. Bro. Valentine, in reply, spoke in very high praise of the general standard of efficiency of the teams. He especially referred to the work of the Pioneer Lodge. This team consisted chiefly of young and inexperienced officers, nevertheless the exhibition of the team had been especially pleasing to the judges of ritual and -floor work. The fact that only half a point had been dropped in ritual work spoke volumes for the preparation the team- had put into the competition.

The half yearly installation meeting of Glutha Lodge was well attended .by members and visitors. The installing officers from the South Otago District (Dunedin)' were cordially welcomed by the N.G. Installing Master P.G.M. Bro, A. H. Valentine, assisted by D.D.G. Warden, P.D.D.G.M. Bro. Q. H. Johnson, D.D.G. Marshal, D.D.G.M. Bro. R. Kirkham, D.D.G. Secretary, Rep. Bro. 6. Gordon, D.D.G. Chaplain, P.D.M. Bro. A O. Beveridge, D.D.G. Guardian P.G. Bro. C. Wardrop, installed the following officers;—N.G., Bro. E. Richardson, V. Bro. J. Smaill, Secretary Bro. C. Richardson, Eec. Secretary, Bro. Wallace, Conductor, Bro. J. Harbutt, Warden Bro. Hawker, Chaplain, Bro. O. O’Hara, I. Guard, Bro, W. Campbell. I>,D.G.M. Bro. Randle (South-east Otago District)' after-the ceremony expressed pleasure at the visit of the Dunedin members and congratulated the officers on the manner in’ which the ceremony had been carried out. Bro. A H, Valentine replied. The assisting installing officers also responded. At the request of the N. 6., P.G.M. Bro. Valentina presented a framed P.G. certificate to P.G. Bro. Perkins. D.D.G.M. Bro. Kirkham presented a similar certificate to P.G. Bro. W. Miller, both recipients being much respected members of the Clutha Lodge. On Monday a large number of members and visitors attended the meeting of Linda Lodge, No. 1, in Linden Hall, to witness the last initiation ceremony in the competitions for the Wilson Shield. Sister Wardrop occupied the chief chair. The following members 1 acted as judges; P.D.D.G.M. Ere. H. H. Johnson, P.D.D.G.M. Bro. J. Skinner, P.G. Bro. P. Joseph. Shortly after the ceremony was completed Bro. J. Skinner on behalf of his colleagues announced the following results Linda Lodge No. 1 (233 J points) 1, Ruth -Lodge No. 3 (233$ points) 2, Miriam Lodge No. 5 (231} points) 3, Lily of Clutha Lodge No. 17 (222} points) 4, In giving detailed particulars of points gained by individual members of the various teams Bro. Skinner congratulated the lodges on the very high standard attained, and he assured one and all that it had been a pleasure to have the privilege of judging such close work. L.D.D.6.M. Sister Dobson, N.G. Sis. Johnston (Ruth), N.G. Sis. Gillies (Miriam), P.DJD.G.M. Bro. W. Smith, D.D.G.M. Bro. Kirkham, and Gran! Secretary Bro. W. P, Crooke all extended congratulations to the winning team. Bro. Crooke expressed his pleasure at the great improvement made by the town lodges during the past 12 njonths, and he remarked that the presentation of the shield by Past L.D.D.G.M* Sis. 0. Wilson had been a most happy thought and’ considerate action, and one which had undoubtedly resulted in the improved work they had been witnessing. They should remember that Lily of Clutha (the first winners of the shield) had set a high standard in 1929. N.G. Sis. Wardrop responded for Linda Lodge] Bro. Wilkinson (coach), in responding to the vote of thanks, said that the winning of a competition was not the main object. The spirit of winning and the spirit of losing were two factors, and he congratulated the losing teams on the sporting manner in winch they accepted the decision of the judges.