MANCHESTER UNITY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22825, 9 March 1936, Page 16

MANCHESTER UNITY

' At ,the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Centenary Lodge P.G. Bro. J; Hartstonge presided over a good attendance of members. The meeting waj held early to dispose of business prior to receiving an official visit from sister lodges. Considering the inclement weather there was a surprisingly good mustier of members representative of all the city and suburban lodges. The District Executive was represented by P.G.M. Bro: J. D. Cameron and P.D.G.M. Bro. E. J. W. Hey. The N.G. welcomed the visitors, thanking them for their support. P.G.M. Bro. Cameron, speaking on behalf of the executive, extended congratulations to the lodge on its successful visit, and spoke on the approaching annual district meeting. The District Executive had recently concluded a successful tour of the lodges in the southern area, visiting -Loyai Tuapeka, Alexandra. Roxburgh, Dalton and Watkaka Lodges. At the last-named lodge the district officers held a purple degree meeting and afterwards were entertained at a social function. The P.G-M. said that they found the country members very keen and enthusiastic, especially ill the'outlying districts, and were agreeably surprised at the progress being made by some of the country lodges. As this would be the last official visit he would attend in his capacity of P.G.M.. Bro. Cameron thanked those members who had extended their support to him during his term of office. P.D.G.M. Bro. Hey also spoke and appealed for support for the juvenile movement. It was announced that a visit would be made to the Loyal Middlemarch' Lodge on March 14, when the' P.G.M. would present the lodge with the Efficiency Shield recently won. Already'some 40 brethren had signified thenintention to take part in the visit. The toast of " Visiting Lodges " was responded to by the various visiting officers. During the evening an enjoyable programme was submitted by Sisters West, Macdonald and Smith, and Bros. Foster. Buswell, Macdonald, Poulter and Smith, the N.G. conveying a vote of thanks to these brethren for their services. , The monthly meeting of the Loyal l.ananui Lodge was held during the visit of the district officers, and the N.G., Bro. T. Williams, extended a welcome to' these, also to P.G. Bro. Duncan M'Coll, one of the oldest members in the Otago district, who was visiting the town. After the reception of correspondence the adjourned summoned meeting was resumed and the balance sheet was discussed. The balance standing to the credit of the sick and funeral fund was £14,550. a decrease ol £478 for the half year. The decrease was accounted for by the fact that an appropriation of £O7l had been transferred to the district surplus account. The secretary stated that during the past year three pioneer members had passed away —P.G. Bro. James Eskdale, who joined the lodge in 1875 and acted as auditor for many years. P.G. Bro. Peter Eskdule, i who joined in 1882 and for over 50 years was a past officer: and Bro. J. Brownlie, who joined in 1880. The death of Bro. H. Cross was also recorded during the year. The balance sheet was adopted. One new member was initiated, the dis.trict officers congratulating -the officers for their creditable rendering of the ceremony. P.G.M. Bro. J. D. Cameron, in replying to the toast of the District Executive, thanked members for their cordial welcome and congratulated the N.G. and his officers on the efficient manner in which they had transacted their business. It was gratifying to see-that the finances of the lodge were in a healthy state, and this was in a largo measure due to their energetic secretary, who kept a watchful eye on the affairs of the lodge. "Responses were also made bv P.D.G.M. Bro. Tiny. Actincr Provincinl Treasurer Bro. A. Sligo and P.P.G.M.'s Bros. Johnston and Hart. At the conclusion of the meeting the visitors were entertained to supper. The N.G., Sister M. Edwards presided over the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Princess Mary Lodge. There was a large attendance of members and visiting brethren. Notification was received of an official visit to the Loyal Middlemarch Lodge. It was decided to enter for Hie annual initiation competition on March 21. the necessary arrangements' being made for coaching the team. Xoininitions for delegates to the district meeting were opened. One nomination for membership was received and three new members were initiated. The lodge was later adjourned and a successful leap year dance was held.