ODD FELLOWSHIP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22608, 27 June 1935, Page 12

ODD FELLOWSHIP

IM)EPENDENT ORDER vCOUNTRY NIGHT.; After a lapse of some years, country night, held by the "Independent Order of Oddfellowship, was reinstated,■and a large gathering assembled to welcome the comitry brothers and sisters, .who had come from as far north as Oamaru, as far south at Owaka and Tahakopaj and from Cromwell and Central Otago. ~ , Presenting the address of welcome, the D.D.G.M. of • the- district, Bto. R. R. Hendry, said it was a pleasure to him to greet, on behalf of the brothers , and sisters of the South Otago district, those country members who were present that evening. He asked them to convey to their respective lodges the fraternal greetings and beet wishes of the ..district. Among the prominent. visitors were the I.P.G;M., Bro. J. I. C. Somerville, Bros; W. Neill (D.D.G.M., North Otago), Bi Bassett (D.D.G.M., South-East Otago), G. Strang (P.G., Cromwell), and the N.G.'s of Maheno, Warepa, and Toko Lodges, The executive was represented by, the grand secretary, Bro. R. E.. Sligo; Several of the visitors replied thanking the South Otago district for its wishes and expressing appreciation of the arrangements made by the committee. .;■ During the evening songs were rendered by Miss Minnock and Bro. Howie. Bro. G. Lawrie acted as M.G. for the dance, and the music was supplied by Bro. H. Beath and his orchestra. Several older members enjoyed cards, while the yourige'r ones carried out a pleasant dance programe. The.singing of "Auld.Lang Syne" brought a very enjoyable evenings' entertainment to a close. .' '•-' SILVER JUBILEE MEETING/ The silver jubilee meeting of the St. Kilda Lodge, No. 87, was recently held, when there was a record number of members and visitors present. The N.G., Bro. Eric J. Smith, welcoming the visitors and brethren, spoke of the early years'of the lodge, of its trials and vicissitudes, and said he was proud to be able to tell them that the lodge's membership was steadily increasing and that in the last few meetings 10 new members had been initiated. Fraternal greetings and best wishes for the future of the lodge were presented on behalf of the Grand Lodge by Bro. j R. E. Sligo (grand secretary) and- by* various other brothers from the city lodges. LODGE REPORTS. At the last meeting of the South Otago District Lodge, No. 1, Bro. R. R. Hendry, D.D.G.M., presided over a large attend* ance. The reports of various.committees indicated that great interest was being taken in the Initiatory and Nelson Shields and that this year's competition promised to be of a very high standard. Keen interest was being displayed in the junior branch and there had been a number of initiations during the last 4 , month. The Handbook Committee reported that the handbooks had now been distributed to all lodges and it was hoped they would prove of benefit to members. Mention was niade of the transfer on promotion of Bro. Geoffrey . Gordon, P.G., and it was, resolved to recognise the sterling services rendered by this brother by presenting him with a past grand's jewel suitably inscribed. - v Leith > Lodge, No. 4, received a visit from the.C.P., Bro. R; S. Kirkham, and the officers and members of Phoenix En-,, campment. Extending a welcome to visitors, the N.Z., Bro., D.. .S< Stewart,' wished them every success in the-syllabus item of the evening, bowls. A very close contest resulted in a narrow victor/'for the Patriarchs. Bro. Kirkham, in reply, thanked the N.G. and his officers" for a very pleasant evening, and/said ; they, would look forward to the return'match' with great interest..-'-, v ? ; r The Pioneer and Linden Lodges recentlyheld progressive, euchre . tournaments .at which there was a large number -present on each occasion. At the las't meeting-of Unity Lodge mention was made, of the jubilee and. a strong committee -Was" set up to arrange a suitable programme.