FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21537, 8 January 1932, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES

MANCHESTER UNITY. The annual meeting of the Loyal Tapanui Lodge was held at Tapanui on December 29 last, when there was a large attendance of members for the final meeting of the year. The N.G. (Bro. M. Stewart) presided, and a cordial welcome was extended to a visitor from the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge (Bro. A. Jenkins), who was formerly a member of the local lodge. The principal business was the election and installation of officers, the following being appointed: —N.G., Bro. A. M'Auley; V.G., Bro. E. Eskdale; E.S., Bro. E. Baxter; G.M., Bro. M. Stewart; warden, Bro. W. Hancox; guardian, Bro. J. Keir. P.G. Bro. R. Munyard carried out the installation, assisted by a number of past officers. Messrs W. E. C. Reid and Co. (Dunedin) were reappointed auditors. At the conclusion of the meeting members were the guests of the N.G. at a happy social function, which was held in an adjoining tea room. Before dispersing Bro. J. L. Wylie, on behalf of members assembled, proposed a hearty vote of thanks to Bro. M'Auley for his hospitality. The new N.G., in replying, conveyed to members seasonal greetings. The financial solidarity of the Manchester Unity in Victoria is strikingly illustrated by the purchase of the well-known Stewart Dawson corner property in Melbourne recently for the huge sum of £250,000. Subsequently the society also Inirchased an adjoining section in Swanskin street for £93,166. The Building Committee of the Unity has decided to proceed with the big building scheme on these sites, and tenders are to be called for the erection of an eleven-storey structure, which is estimated to cost £200,000. The Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge held its annual summoned meeting at Lawrence with a good attendance of officers and members. The election of officers was held, the following filling the chief chairs for the ensuing term: —Bros. J. Gunn, R. Weatherall, and F. Gray. Correspondence was dealt with, and sick pay and two maternity claims were passed for payment. The lodge was pleased to receive a visit from P.G. Bro. Sydney Varcoe, of the Loyal Albion Lodge. Bro. Varcoe was one of the members of the now defunct Blue Spur Lodge, having passed through the chairs in 1895. In 1021 the Lawrence, Waitahuna, Waipori, and Blue Spur Lodges were amalgamated under the title of “ The Loyal Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge.” Bro. Varcoe stated that he was pleased to have the privilege of attending the present meeting, having been interested in the amalgamation of the four lodges, and he was pleased to note the continued progress of the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge. N.G. Bro. S. Varcoe (Loyal Valley Lodge) also spoke, and extended an invitation to members to visit the city lodges when in Dunedin.