ODDFELLOWSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21646, 17 May 1932, Page 11

ODDFELLOWSHIP

Acting N.G. Bro. Hastie presided at the last regular meeting of Pioneer Lodge, when there was a fair attendance of officers and members. Letters were received from several sick brethren, thanking the lodge for the many expressions of sympathy and practical help accorded them. The present delegates to the U.F.S.D. were re-elected. The lodge then adjourned, and the N.G. invited DM. Bro. L. D. Grigg to take charge. For the entertainment of the brethren Bro. Grigg had arranged a game of “ progressive trump whist,” this game being a novelty to most of the members. A very enjoyable evening ensued, and Bro. Grigg was heartily thanked for his efforts. The visitors who responded were:—D.D.G.M. Bro. A. C. Beveridge, P.G. Bro, 11. S. Kirkham (Leith), P.G. Bro. D. Harborne (Linden), Sec. Bro. L. 1). Grigg (Maori Hill). N.G. Bro. E. Beecher presided over a good attendance of members and visitors of Leith Lodge. The Visiting Committee’s report was received, and the necessary claims for sick allowances were passed for payment. A resolution of sympathy was passed in reference to an old past officer of the lodge. Correspondence was received from Pioneer Lodge inviting members to participate in a whist drive. The Handbook Committee forwarded copies of the new issue for ,the current year, and members expressed appreciation of the efforts of the committee in compiling such a publication. P.G.M. ,Bro. M. Hooper, of Auckland district, "accompanied by Grand Secretary Bro. W. F. Crooke, was officially welcomed by the lodge, and accorded the honours of the Order. Bro. Hooper said ..he was delighted at the opportunity afforded him of visiting Leith Lodge, and referred to the very cordial welcome he had received at the hands of the local brethren. He conveyed greetings from Auckland district, and gave a very interesting account of lodge activities in that district. The N.G. then called a recess, and the syllabus item was proceeded with, a debate having been arranged between teams from Leith and Maori Hill Lodgee. The following members participated:— Leith team —Bros. Df M. Miller (leader), A. Bingham, E. Beecher, R. S. Kirkham; Maori Hill team —Bros. C. Beeby (leader;). H. Jcnes, F. H. M‘Arthur, L. 1). Grigg. The judges appointed were Grand Secretary Bro. Crooke and D.D.G.M. Bro. Beveridge. The subject chosen for debate was —“ That presentday dress needs reform.” Affirmative, Maori Hill; negative, Leith. As might be supposed, this subject lent itself to many humorous situations, and members of both sides made full use of their powers of imagination in describing the correct mode of dress. In proclaiming Leith Lodge as the winners of the debate, Grand Secretary Bro. Crooks congratulated both teams, and gave an interesting summary of the efforts of each speaker. He pointed out the value of debates as a means‘of instruction, and also of creating cor ffdence, especially to young officers, and expressed the hope that lodges would continue this pleasant and instructive form of entertainment. Supper was‘landed round, and ihe following visitors responded:—P.G.M. Bro. M. Hooper, 6. Secretary Bro. W. F. Crooke, PG. Bro. F. H. M‘Arthur (Pioneer), V.G. Bro. MTntyre (Unity). P.G. Bro. D. Harborne (Linden), P.G. Bro. C. Beeby (Maori Hill). N.G. Bro. A. Lawson (St. Hilda). Bro. J. Gordon, G.L. representative, conveyed greetings from lodges in Oamaru. Linden Lodge had an excellent attendance at its fortnightly meeting, when Bro. E C. Dalziel, N.G., presided. After the transaction of routine business applications for benefit membership were dealt with, and three candidates were initiated in regillar form, the ceremony being conducted in a very impressive manner by the officers recently elevated to, the respective chairs for the new term. At the conclusion of the ceremony Bro. Dalziel called a short recess for the purpose of permitting an Oddfellows’ welcome to be accorded to the newly-initiated brethren. Bro. W, F. CroOke, grand secretary, 1.0.0. F., at the express invitation of the lodge, occupied the principal chair later on for the purpose of imparting instruction to the younger officers in the various forms of lodge procedure. Whilst the demonstration was intended primarily for the guidance of those recently called to take office, it is safe to say that many experienced officers as well must have benefited by the well-arranged “ refresher course and the informative address on The Art of Chairmanship.” In responding to _ a resolution of thanks for the valuable instruction imparted, Bro. Crooke expressed his willifffeness to further the form of instruction at a future meeting. The visitors’ welcome was acknowledged by the district deputy grand master and by officers representative of all the 1.0.0. h. lodges in. Dunedin. A ..... N.G. Bro. A; Berrett presided over a fair attendance of members .and visitors at the regular fortnightly, meeting of Unity Lodge. A' large number of sick claims were dealt with and members expressed appreciation of the detailed report presented by the Visiting Committee. Two candidates for membership were in attendance and were duly initiated by the 'officers of the lodge. At the close of the ceremony the N.G. declared a recess to admit of the district card tournament to be proceeded with. Teams were present from Linden and Maori Hill Lodges to try conclusions with two teams of Unity Lodge the result being a draw in each section. The N.G. expressed the .thanks of the lodge to the visitors for their attendance, and said he appreciated the efforts of District Lodge in inaugurating these tournaments, which did so much in furthering the fraternity of the Order. Supper was served and the visitors responded.