ODD FELLOWSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22422, 17 November 1934, Page 3

ODD FELLOWSHIP

INDEPENDENT ORDER. Bro. H. Wootton, N.G., presided over the regular meeting of Leith Lodge on Monday night. Two ne,w. members were proposed. Visiting veterans were introduced and welcomed; A recess was then taken for bowls veterans versus • members and also sjards. The N.G. informed members that as the occasion was the sixty-seventh anniversary of the lodge and veterans’ night opportunity would be taken to recognise a brother in fitting manner and he would call on Bro. A. H. Valentine, P.G.M., to speak. Bro. Valentine in a short address gave a resume of the history of veterans and honourable veterans jewels, the former being for 25 years and the latter for 50 years of active membership. The honourable veterans’ jewel, he said, was adopted at the Sovereign Grand Lodge session at Chicago in 1893 during the world’s fair, he said, and the grand secretary in recording the resolution wrote: “An honourable veterans’ jewel signifying 50 years of active membership was adopted, but there are few among the living to claim it; our dead, let it be hoped and believed, - wear one, brighter, more honourable, and as enduring as eternity.” The veterans’ jewel was adopted by the Sovereign Grand Lodge at the session of 1888, and was for male members, and in the session of 1891 the Sovereign Grand Lodge adopted a jewel for veteran Rebekah members who had given 15 years or more active membership. The jewels are numbered In consecutive order for each jurisdiction and the wearer is entitled to display Ltta jewel in place of regalia in any lodge excepting the Sovereign Grand Lodge. In Dunedin, said Bro. Valentine, they had the honour of having No. 1 of the uonourable veterans and also No. 1 of the veterans’ jewel, the late Bro. William Reid, P.G.S., having been the proud holder of both honours. The late Bro. J. Alexander, G.T., was the holder ot No. 2 of the veterans’ jewel, and present with them was Bro. D. M. Miller, P.G.M., P.D.D.G.S., the older of No. 9 of the honourable veterans and No. 49 of the veterans’ jewel. Bro. Valentine went on to say that Dunedin was also unique in having two lodge secretaries who with their wives had the distinction of possessing veterans’ jewels—Bro. D. M. Miller and Sister Miller (No. 11 Rebekah veterans’ jewel) and Bro. E. H. M’Arthur (No. 490) and Sister E. M’Artthur (No. 37). Bro. and Sis. W. Simmons also have this honour. In the South Otago district the speaker said there were many members in possession of the treasured veterran’s jewel, and it was a great ploasuie to see such a record attendance in the lodgeroom. The veteran members of Die city lodges were; Pioneer No. I—Bros. R. M'Kiulay (58), G. Latimer (254), F. H. M'Artbur (490), J. W. Duncan (616), J. Skinner (658). Leith Lodge No. 4—Bros. D. M. Miller (49) and honourable veterans (9), F. Fox (3741, A. H. Valentine (457), A. G. H. Holdrrness (696), H. H. Johnston (697), R. S. Kirkhara (784), William Ripley (798). Unity Lodge No. 16—Bros. J. Swinton (274), W. C. Campbell (446), T. E. Rosevear (481), G. Annison (545), J. MTvor (674), M. Scott (735), W. Homan (749), J. Shore (776). Linden Lodge, No. 19—Bros. J. S. Nelson (201), Walter Smith (202), F. Joseph (656), George H. Baker (736). Hereweka Lodge, No. 60—Bros. M. Anderson (416), 11. C. Brown (417), J. P. M’Cartney (695). All the above numbers were for the jurisdiction of Australasia, which included the Dominion of New Zealand. Bro.

Valentine said it would interest his listeners to know that from May 4, 1889, to June 30, 1934, 98,408 Veterans’, 4592 Honorable Veterans, and 21,281 Rebekah veterans’ jewels had been sold through the Sovereign Grand Lodge. Bro, Valentine said that the most valuable jewel in the history, of Odd Fellowship was that presented to Bro. Alfred Pinkerton, P.G.S., by the Odd Fellows of Massachussets, U.S.A. Contributions were limited to five cents and 13,434 brothers, representing 229 lodges, contributed. The jewel contained 70 pennyweights of gold and 210 diamonds, and on the brother’s death was presented by his widow to the Sovereign Grand Lodge,, to be preserved in the archives of the Order. The speaker mentioned that in New Zealand there were many Rebekah veterans’ jewels. Sisters M, Miller (11), J. Runciman (12), M. Kemnitz (13), B. M'Arthur (37), and F. MTvor (50), being the holders in Dunedin. Bro. Valentine then called upon Bro. W. Ripley, P.G., P.D.D.G.M., G.L.Rep., to come forward in order that the speaker might carry out the privilege of pinning on his breast the insignia of honoured service. Members joined in singing “For He’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” The D.D.6.M., Bro. R. R. Hendry, in congratulating Bro. W. Ripley, expressed the hope that the brother would long be spared to wear his jewel. Bros. D. M. Miller and R. MTOnlay also spoke, and said the honour of a veteran’s jewel was a great one and a privilege the veterans jealously guarded. Bro. Ripley suitably replied/and spoke of the lasting friendships formed in the lodge. Sister Simm, N.G., presided over the meeting of Miriam Rebekah Lodge on Monday night, when the entertainment took the form of a social. One new member was proposed. During the evening Sister J. Poekson, P.N.G., presented Bro. M. K. Glover, P.D.D.G.M., with a pipe and tobacco as a token of the sisters’ esteem for the sterling services rendered by Bro. Glover as coach to the Initiatory Cup team. Sister Poekson also presented Sister Black, organist, with a small gift in appreciation of her services. The recipients suitably replied, Bro. Glover saying it was a pleasure to assist in the Rebekah movement, which was gaining rapidly throughout New Zealand. Sister E. Squire, L.D.D.G.M., presided over the monthly meeting of the'South Otago Rebekah District Lodge on Tuesday night. There was a large attendance of members and several matters of great interest to the subordinate lodges were fully discussed and referred to them for reports. Maori Hill Lodge met oft Tuesday night, N.G. Bro. E. C. Robinson presiding. Several matters affecting the lodge were discussed, particular reference being made to the monthly district lodge meeting, at which the 'rules for the Nelson Efficiency Shield will be further dealt with. Bro. D. S. Stewart, V.G., presented greetings on behalf of Leith Lodge. Linden Lodge held an invitation night to Pioneer, Maori Hill and St. Kilda on Wednesday night, when there was a fair attendance of members and visitors present to greet the N.G., Bro. H. Frame. Opportunity was taken of the presence of the D.D.G.M., Bro. R. R. Hendry, to install the N.G.-elect, Bro. V, Stokes, P.D.D.G.M. Bro. M. K. Glover acting as D.D.G.Mar. During recess members were entertained at cards, and the N.G. and the 1.P.G., Bro. H. Frame, returned thanks. Bro. R. R. Hendry, D.D.G.M., presented Bro. C. C. Benzoni, P.G., with a framed P.G.’s certificate in appreciation of his services to the lodge. Bro. Benzoni suitably replied. Bros. S. Burtenshaw, N.G. (Pioneer), W. Jamieson, P.G. (Maori Hill), and A. Lawson, P.G. (St. Kilda), congratulated Bro. Stokes, N.G., upon his appointment, and

thanked members for a pleasant evening. The South Otago District Lodge, No. 1, held its monthly meeting on Thursday night, the D.D.G.M., Bro. R. R. Hendry, presiding over the meeting. The Nelson Efficiency Shield Competition rules were amended to conform to the committee’s original draft, and the secretary was instructed to send three copies to each subordinate lodge. P.D.D.G.M. Bro. M. K, Glover presented greetings from several lodges which he had visited recently. It was decided that the attention of lodges be drawn to the Triple Link badge as a means of enabling brothers to be recognised by members of the Order.