ODDFELLOWS- HALL AT BALCLUTHA.

Otago Witness, Issue 2471, 24 July 1901, Page 77

ODDFELLOWS- HALL AT BALCLUTHA.

The Loyal Dalton Lodge of Oddfellows, which was established in Balclutha in a small way in 1364, and which has made steady and substantial progress ever since, till it now stands in a first-clais position, both financially and also as regards members — having accumulated funds amounting to £3536 and a membership of 202 — decided some months ago to build a hall. A committee was appointed, and they carried out their duties in an energetic and thorough manner. On June 13 the tender of Mr George Lawrence. Dunedin, .was accepted for building a brick building, 123 ft by 43ft. at a co&t of about £1750. and the ceremony of laying the foundation stone was successfully accomplished on Thursday afternoon, in the presence of a very large g-atherinsf. The Chairman of the Building Committee (P. Or. Bro. T A. Johnston) react apologies from Mr R. M'Kcuzie. the Mayor of Balclutha (at present in Wellington), and Pro. G.M. Bro. Cable, of Port Chalmers. The Roy. W. J. Elliott (Wellington) telegraphed his congratulations and best wishes for the continued prosperity of the lodge and district. Bro. Johnston, in the course of his. remarks, stated that by economy in management, energy, and perseverance, the lodge fund'; had accumulated ; investments were becoming more difficult to obtain : and so, after looking round, the lodge eventually took up the matter of erecting the hall, the speaker concluding; by detailing the -various steps taken. After the Rev. Canon Dodd had engaged in prayer, Bro. Johnston presented PG. Bro. W. Hope with a silver trowel, and that gentleman, assisted by Bro. W. Battrick, proceeded to declare the stone well and truly laid. Short speeches were afterwards delivered by Bro. Hope, the Rev. Mr Curric, the Rev. Mr Thomas, P.G. Pro. C.S. Bro. J. A. Hoprraft (Dunedin), and Per. Sec. Bro. James Hogg. The event was duly celebrated by a social held in Messrs Wilson, Mackay, and Co.'s auction rooms in the evening-.