GOOD INTENT LODGE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22520, 14 March 1935, Page 14

GOOD INTENT LODGE

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS BANQUET AT MOSGIEL The members of the Good Intent Druids’ Lodge, Mosgiel, commenced their jubilee celebrations last evening. The celebrations include a jubilee banquet and a jubilee ball. The former was held in St. Luke’s Hall, and the latter was held in the Coronation Hall. The delegates present at the half-yearly meeting during the day attended the banquet, and in addition there was a large attendance, including members of other friendly societies.

Arch Druid Bro. E. Larsen presided, and he was supported by the Grand Lodge officers.

The lodge was formed on March 10, 1885. To-day only two of the charter members remain—Bros. W. W. Turnbull

and John Murdoch. The early records of the lodge are not available, but the following historical narative has been taken from other sources:— .

A meeting to consider the formation of a lodge in Mosgiel was held in Vannini’s Hotel on Tuesday, February 24, 1885. Mr Hutchinson presided, and about 40 persons were present. It was decided to form a lodge to be called the Good Intent Lodge and that the lodge room be in Vannini’s Hotel. Dr M‘Caw was appointed lodge doctor and Mr J. F. Leary chemist. About 15 of those present paid the deposit fee. The ceremony of opening took plac_e in the Volunteer Hall on March 10, 1885. About 50 brethren from various Dunedin lodges were present. The visiting officers prior to opening the Good Intent Lodge met for the purpose of confirming its election. • P.D.P. Bro. Moss, acting A.D.P.A. Bro. Shelton, P.A.1.G.; Bro. A. Hart, 0.G.; Bro. W. Dixon, D.P. The lodge adjourned at 11 pm. Of the 23 members who joined on the opening night two now remain. Bro. G. Wright, who had joined by clearance later, is also to the fore. Other early members are mentioned in the persons of Bros. W. Scott, J. Mitlan, and R. Edmieton.

In March, 1891, there were 57 members, and the funds amounted to £244 4s Id. In 1895 the funds had reached a total of £373 10s lid. In 1915, the total funds had risen to £2616 16s 3d, and the

membership to 15G. In, 1925 the total membership was 152, but at present it was slightly less. . ’ The honours list contained two brothers who had gained the highest honours in the Order—P.G.P. Bro. J. C. Smith and P.G.P. Bro. T. Walsh. P.D.P.’s are as follows: —Bros. Gilbert Wright, J. C. Smith. W. Scott, T. Smeaton, and R. H. Thomson. The secretaries of the lodge since its inception have been—Bro. J. B. M’Ewen, D. Scott, A. Davidson, W. Barnes, A. Bringans,* J. B. Snell, J. W. Smellic, T. Walsh, and T. Smeaton (present secretary). The office of treasurer has been held in turn by Bros. J. C. Smith, Dallas, M, J. Thompson, J. Tait, and D. Thomson. The special services of, P.G.P. Bro. Bryant, P.D.P. Bro. Knox in the early stages of the lodge were acknowledged; also in later clays those of Bros. C. Scott, J. Davidson. Moyle, and D. Thomson. F. Stoddart and Bro. minute secretary, P.A. Bro. Davie as V.A.D.P., Bro. Jones as secretary, and P.A. Bro. Knox as 1.6. and M.C. The ceremony of initiating the candidates forming the new lodge was carried out in a thoroughly impressive manner by Acting A.D. Bro. Moss, assisted by nis officers. At the conclusion of the initiation the newlyformed brethren were the recipients of hearty congratulations from the visiting officers and brethren. The presiding sA.D. announced that the D.P. had chosen Bros. W. F. C. Fail and V. Jones to fill the positions of A.D. and secretary. The following subordinate officers were installed:—V.A., Bro. T. Dove; treas., Bro. J. MTunes; A.D.8., Bros. N. M‘Lean and J. Turnbull; V.A.8., Bros. A. D. Vaiinini and W. Turnbull;

Bro. Larsen briefly welcomed all present, and the orchestra played selections. Bro. Walsh read a number of apologies. The toast of “ G rand Lodge of Otago and Southland ” was proposed by Bro. Walsh. He predicted a strenuous time for the newly-elected occupant of the head oflice, G.P. Bro. H. R. Hunt. Bro. Hunt thanked the brethren for the position to which he had been elected. He congratulated the Good Intent Lodge on its jubilee, and wished it every success. “ Sister Grand Lodges ” was proposed by G.V.P. Bro. T. Johnson. He regretted the absence of a North Island delegate, but was pleased to see Bro. Briggs, of the Canterbury Constitution, with whose name he coupled the toast. At an early date the two neighbouring districts would meet to discuss the standardisation of the ritual, and he felt sure the discussions would have a satisfactory result. Bro. Briggs responded. He wished the lodge every success, and conveyed greetings from the Canterbury lodges. He congratulated Bro. Hunt on his election. He also referred to the able handling of business during the day by I.P.G.P. Bro. W. B. Ruslon, and wished him bon voyage on his approaching holiday. P.G.P. Bro. J. D. Gregg proposed “ Immediate Past Grand President,” and Bro. Ruston replied. His term of office had been a pleasant one, and he acknowledged the help of his brother officers. He looked forward to his journey Home, and he would do his utmost to uphold the dignity of New Zealand Druids at the biennial conference of the lodge in the Homeland.

P.G.P. Bro. J. Young proposed the “ Borough of Mosgiel.” Mr J. P. Walls fex-Mayor) responded, thanking Bro. Young for the manner in which he had referred to the town and its industries.

“ The Good Intent Lodge ” was proposed by the grand secretary (Bro. W. B. Steel). His opening remarks were: “Good Intent Lodge” had the sweetest name of all their lodges, and he “ look off his bonnet ” to the men who had thought of this name over 00 years ago.

In a humorous speech, he referred to the names of the Otago lodges, and to the brothers who had filled the post of secretary. Amid a round of enthusiastic applause, he handed to Bro. T. Smeaton (the present secretary) a fountain pen in recognition of special services rendered during the jubilee. Bro. Walsh replied to the toast, and gave a brief history of the lodge. Bros. W. W. Turnbull, W. Scott, and John Murdoch endorsed the reply voiced by Bro. Walsh. “ Kindred Societies ” was proposed by the grand guardian and replied to by Bro. D. J. Walls (Hibernian Society), Bro. Thomson (Loyal Mosgiel Oddfellows’ Lodge). Bro. Milner (Lodge Taieri, R.A.0.8.), Sister Harrison (Foresters), Captain Smeaton (Mosgiel Fire Brigade). “ The Visitors ” was proposed by Bro. Young and replied to by D.P. J. Metcalf (No. 2 District) and D.P. J. Ruudie (No. 1 District). The toasts were interspersed with items from Begg’s Orchestra (conducted by Mr J. F. Himburg). Vocal solos were rendered by Mis C. Searle, Miss and Master Claridge, and Mr J. Simpson. Mr A. Bolton played cornet solos.