FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21244, 27 January 1931, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

PROTESTANT ALLIANCE. The first meeting of the new year of the Triumph Lodge was held last Thursday in the Lodge Hall, King Edward street. The lodge was presided over by W.M. Bro. George Hellier, assisted by P.M. Bro. C. Barr and Chaplain Bro. J. Matthews. There was a very large attendance of members and visitors. The auditors’ report was received, and stated that they had carefully examined the books and vouchers of the lodge, and had found all in good order and correct. The report complimented the secretary and treasurer on their work. The secretary read his balance sheet, which proved the lodge to be financially in a strong position, the funds to the credit of the lodge being £4329.—Approved. One new member was initiated into the order during the evening. The W.M. intimated that as that was the night for installation of the new officers for the year, before vacating the chair he had to thank the officers and members for their loyal support. He handed over the gavel to P.G.M. Worshipful Bro. Christie to conduct the installation of the W. Master and his officers for the year. The following were duly installed: — W.M., Bro. W. O’Neill; 1.P.M., Bro. G. Hellier; D.M, Bro M'Tavish; secretary, Bro. R. D. Bachop; treasurer, Bro. James Robb, P.M.; assistant secretary, Bro. E. Sincock, P.M.; chaplain Bro. John Mathews, P.M.; senior elder, Bro. J. Hughes; junior elder, Bro. J. Weir; inside guard, Sister Robertson; outside guard, Sister M'Donald; chief steward, Bro. A. Hodge, P.M. P.G.M. Worshipful Bro. Christie, assisted by the grand secretary and grand trustee (Bro. Muire), conducted the ceremony in a very able manner, and a vote of thanks was accorded them for their services. D.G. Master Bro. Devlin, in replying to a vote of thanks on behalf of the Grand Lodge officers, thanked the past W. Master and his officers for the way they had carried out the business of the lodge during the past year. It was decided that a letter of sympathy be sent to R.W.G.M. Bro. Arnold. The new W.M., Bro. W. O’Neill, thanked the lodge for placing him in office. The officers returned thanks for the confidence placed in them. A vote of thanks to the visitors was carried by acclamation.

The fortnightly meeting of Valley True Blue Lodge was held on Tuesday night in the Orange Hall, Leith street. The lodge was opened by W.M. Bro. George Austin, assisted by the chaplain, Bro. ,1. W. Sutherland, P.M., and a full roll of officers. Accounts were passed for payment, and Sick Committee reports and sick claims were passed. One eanditate was initiated into the Order, and three were proposed for membership. The business of the lodge was then adjourned. This being a special night to celebrate the opening of the new lodge home, special arrangements had been made for- the lodges which were the guests of the evening.; The W.M., Bro George Austin, cor; dially welcomed the visitors on behalf of his lodge. He then handed over the gavel t,o * the D.G.M., Bro. A Devlin, to conduct the business of the evening. Bro, Devlin thanked the W.M.’ for his welcome, and requested him to retain his gavel, as he was confident that he was quite capable of conducting the ceremonies of the evening. The proceedings were begun with a pianoforte solo by Sister Henderson. The deputy grand master, Bro. A. Devlin, replied on behalf of the Grand Lodge, which was represented by Wor. Grand Secretary Bro. A. Hay, Wor. P.G. Master Bro. Christie, Grand Trustees Bro. Muire and W.M. Bro. Austin. Miss Clare here gave a very fine solo, followed by a humorous recitation by Mr L. M'Millan. Wor. Bro. James Paton, Grand Secretary of the L.O. Institution, replying on behalf of the Grand Orange Lodge, stated that he was pleased to convey the fraternal greetings of the R.W.G. Master Bro. Ross and his officers. Sister Matheson sang a solo very acceptably. The presentation of a P.M.’s jewel was made to P.M. Bro. J. W. Sutherland by ■ the D.G.M. (Bro. W. Devlin),, who stated that the members of his lodge had seen fit to acknowledge the services which he had rendered to his lodge. Grand Black Prespt. Bro. Wallis conveyed greetings, and wished, the lodge every happiness and- prosperity in its new home. A pianoforte duet by Sisters Henderson and Shaw was very well received. Sister M'Cauliffe, on behalf of the Ladies’ L.O.L. lodges, conveyed greetings and good wishes for the future success of the -lodge. Bro, Bachop contributed a humorous song which proved very popular. District G.O.L. Bro. Benfell, on behalf of the district, conveyed greetings and congratulated the lodge on its removal. The W. Master, Bro. G. Austin, spoke' on the aims and objects of the society. P.M. Bro. Sutherland proposed a vote of thanks to the performers and to Bro. D. Taylor for their work in decorating the hall. / DRUIDS. The fortnightly meeting of Mistletoe Lodge was held in St. Marks Hall, Green Island, Arch Druid Bro. L. Birt presiding over a good attendance of members and visitors. A letter was received from the Mahinerangi Cricket Club regarding a cricket match the following Saturday. Secretary Bro. F. G. Smith reported on euchre. P.D.P Bro. M'Beath (Eenterprise), who kindly consented to pick and train a t earn for the Ross Stewart Shield competition, tried out the various aspirants in the three charges, and received a very hearty vote of thanks. The Arch Druid then called upon Bro. M'Beath to present P.A. Bro. Logie with a framed diploma. Bro. M'Beath spoke of the lodge’s appreciation of Bro.. Logie’s work, Bro. Logie suitably replying. Visitors for the evening were P.D.P. Bro. M'Beath, A.D. Bro, Mann, Sec. Bro. Webb, and P.A. Bro. Kilgour, all of Enterprise Lodge. Another link with the early days has been severed by the death of P.G. President Bro. James C. Smith. Originally a member of Linden Lodge, he joined Lodge Good Intent, Mosgiel, in August, 1885, and his Druidic career was bound up in its history. One of the earliest delegates to the District Grand Lodge on its formation in 1897, his steadfast nature and genial temperament gained him many friends. He rose to prominence and was elected Grand President in 1900. After his connection with the Grand Lodge Bro. Smith remained a constant supporter of his lodge, and was for many years a trustee. Advancing years and failing health, however, limited his activites in later years, but to one and all he was a brother who held continued respect and affection. He died at the age of 74, and on Thursday last was laid to his rest by his sorrowing brethren. A large muster of his fellow-members escorted the hearse, and Grand President, Bro. George Thomson, accompanied by.officers of Grand Lodge and seven past grand presidents, represented the Order, and of the grave side Gland Secretary, Bro. Steel, delivered the funeral oration. Lodge Lily of the Valley held its first meeting of the year in the hall, Millar street. A.D. Bro. Munro presiding over a good attendance. Routine work was promptly got over. P.A. Bro. R. Doig tendered his resignation of all positions with the exception of lodge trustee. His resignation was accepted with regret. P.A. Bro. Bradshaw and A.D, Bro. Munro were elected delegates to represent the lodge on the executive of the Olive Branch Juvenile Lodge. The item for next meeting being a P.A. charge competition, P.D.P, Bro. Hughes offered to present a prize for the event. Before the lodge closed a number of past officers retired from the meeting in order to pay Enterprise Lodge a fraternal visit. Otago Lodge held its meeting on Monday, when Arch Druid Bro. Tasker presided over a large attendance. The invitation to work Linden Lodge was held over till a future date. One candidate

was initiated into the mysteries of Drniclisin, the new officers performing their duties in a very capable manner. Amongst the visitors was P.A. Bro. Muirhead (Palmerston North), who renewed old acquaintances. The night was set aside for question box, and, under the guidance of Bro. Treasurer, every member present contributed to the answering of written questions, which proved highly instructive and very enjoyable.