MANCHESTER UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21772, 11 October 1932, Page 16

MANCHESTER UNITY

The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Valley Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., held in the Albany Street Hall on Monday evening, September 26, was well attended by members. N.G. Bro. R. Russell was in the chair. The delegates to the halfyearly meeting submitted their reports and were accorded a vote of thanks. Commenting on the meeting P.P.G.M. Bro. J. A. "Robson stated that one of themost important matters dealt with was that of contributions’ relief, which was considered by a conference of permanent secretaries and members of Viligance Committees held the evening prior to the half-yearly meeting. The district executive had rightly desired to ascertain the position of the country lodges, and Bro. Robson said he was convinced that the country secretaries were capable of dealing with cases coming under their notice and were acting on right lines. In regard to granting relief, no particular line of action could be formulated, each case having to be considered on its merits. All Vigilance Committees had been asked to exercise the greatest care, and members could have full confidence that the matter was being very ably handled. Mention was made of the fine manner in which the Hand and Heart lodge entertained the delegates, the secretary being instructed to forward a letter of appreciation to the Hand and Heart Lodge. The report on the functions held to celebrate the anniversary of the lodge showed that these had proved very successful, and a vote of thanks was accorded .Permanent Secretary Bro. Palmer and the committee for their efforts. Next year the lodge will celebrate its fiftieth ' -anniversary, and it was decided to procure sufficient copies of the new handbook to supply every member with one. At the close of business the evening was in charge of Bro. A. Burton, who arranged and presented a first-class musical programme, which met with the approval of all present. The Loyal Centenary Lodge met in the Wesley Hall oh Monday evening, when there was a fair attendance of members, presided over by N.G. Bro. Russell. Of considerable interest to members was the position of the lodge as disclosed by the quinquennial valuation to hand. The report was dealt with by Permanent Secretary Bro. B. H. Roscveare, and the results of the valuation showed the lodge to have materially improved, a surplus of £417 being disclosed for 1929, compared with £57 at the previous 1924 valuation. During the period the membership had increased to 117, and the value of the funds per £1 was now 21s sd, as against 20s 3d previously. A debate with the Loyal Valley Lodge, on the subject “Is the Time-payment System a Benefit to the Community,” was held after the close of business, and provided an interesting evening. The debate was a prepared one, and several of the speakers showed that they had given some thought to the subject, with the result that their efforts were of a high standard. Bro. C. L. Calvert acted as judge, and in awarding the decision to Centenary (affirmative) complimented both sides on their showing.

The capacity of the Oddfellows’ Hall at Mosgiel was severely taxed on Tuesday evening, on the occasion of • the annual official visit of M.U. lodges to the Loyal Mosgiel Lodge. Over 130 visiting brethren were present, the majority from city and suburban lodges, and it was pleasing to note the presence, also, of three members of the Loyal Milton, two members of the Victoria (Milton) ladies’ lodge, and a number of brethren from the Loyal Outram Lodge. The District Executive was, represented by P.G.M. Bro. C. L.‘ Calvert, P.D.G.M. Bro. R. Jack, and P.P.G.M. Bro. E. Longworth. A cordial welcome to the visitors was extended by the N.G. of the local lodge, Bro. Lyall, who presided. The routine business of the lodge had been transacted prior to the arrival of the visitors, enabling the remainder of the evening to be devoted to harmony, The Misses Melrose rendered a number of old Scottish songs which met with popular approval, and also contributed a duet. A . duet by‘Pipers Waldie' and Chirnside and Scottish humour by Bro Waldie made the evening a real Scottish night; and that the various items were appreciated was evident by the performers having to respond to encores. Speaking in response to the toast of “ The District Executive,” Bro. Calvert congratulated the , N.G. on the large gathering and also on the very entertaining- programme submitted. -This was his first visit to the' lodge in his-capacity as P.G.M., and he regretted that owing to the executive visiting the Dalton Lodge at Balclutha they had been unable to be present atthe intsallation of officers at the Mosgiel Lodge. The P.G.M. touched briefly on district matters, referring to the satisfactory surplus now available for distribution. The Surplus Committee would consider how to allocate this to the best advantage. The P.D.G.M., Bro. Jack, and P.P.G.M., Bro. Longworth, also responded. , The toast of “ Visiting Brethren *” was acknowledged by representatives of the various lodges. Following the supper adjournment the floor was cleared, and dancing was continued until midnight.

The monthly meeting of the Loyal Tupanui Lodge was held at Tapanui on Thursday, September 24, when N.G., Bro. E. Eskdale, presided over a large attendance of members. One nomination for. membership was received. The secretary was instructed to forward a letter of sympathy to Bro. Herbert in his recent bereavement. P. 6., Bro. H. Hay, of the Loyal United Gore Lodge, Southland District, was cordially welcomed, and, in responding, spoke on the progress of the Order in his district. A full report of the proceedings of the half-yearly district meeting at Dunedin was given by the lodge delegates, Permanent Secretary, Bro. E. Arnold, dealing with the valuation of the district. The delegates spoke in appreciative terms of the many kindnesses extended to them by the officers of the Loyal Hand and Heart Lodge during their visit to Dunedin. P.G. Bro. J. L. Wylie reported attending the jubilee celebrations of the Loyal Mount Wendon Lodge at Waikaia, and Bro. W. Lischner represented the lodge at the annual ball of the Loyal Waikaka Lodge. The N.G. announced that the next meeting of the lodge would take the form of a degree meeting. Arrangements for the annual church parade were left in the hands of a committee.

On Wednesday evening members of the Juvenile Lodges assembled in full force in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Forbury corner, as the guests of the Loyal Caversham Lodge. The lodge was celebrating its fifty-first anniversary, and the early part of the evening was given over to the juveniles, who fully appreciated the good things provided for their entci'tainmcnt. The N.G., .Bro. Esplin, welcomed the boys, and the programme for the evening was in the hands of P.G. Bro. W. J. Mowatt, who, with his band of performers, provided a number of novelty items which proved very popular, including selections by the Premier Harmonica Band, banjo, accordeon, and whistling solos, while a community sing was entered into with zest by the boys. A short talk on Oddfellowship was delivered by the P.P.G.M., Bro. Lawry, who asked the boys always to live up to the ideals of the Order. Supper was handed round, and, before departing, several of the juvenile officers expressed, on behalf of their members, their thanks to the adult lodge for a very enjoyable evening. On resuming the ordinary meeting; two new members were initiated and one proposition for membership received. The matter of contributions for relief provided a good deal of discussion, following the report of the conference of viligance committees held recently consider this question. Several members put forward suggestions for- dealing

with the problem, but it was pointed out that no hard and fast rule could be followed, each case having to be considered on its merits. A committee consisting of P.P.G.M.’s Bros. Lawry, Wilson, and P.G. Hill was set up to revise the lodge rules, with the recommendation that it confer with otherlodges and endeavour to draw up uniform''rules for all city lodges. Following the close of business a social hour was spent to mark the anniversary of the lodge. •,