1.0.0. F.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 85

1.0.0. F.

COMPLIMENTARY BANQUET,

At the Lower Choral Hall on Friady night a complimentary banquet was tendered to the Grand Lodge Executive and the Grand Lodge representatives on their return from the session recently held in Wellington. The Grand Lodge was represented by G.M. Bro. D. M. Miller, G.S. Bro. W. Re"id. and G.T. Bro. J. S. Alexander, and the Grand Lodge r&presentafcives — Bros. J. H. Hiiiton, J. Patti&on, and L. Kemnitz, and among the visitors were P.G.M. Bro. Neutnigan (Star of Auckland) and Bro. Nash (representative of Southland). D.D.G.M.-elect Bro. A H. Valentine presided. After full Justice had been done to an excellent spread provided by Host Kroon,. the toast list was entered upon. "The King" was honoured with enthusiasm. An oration and toast, " Oddfellowship," by Bro. Moserr. was a welcome item, and was received with hearty applause-. P.G. Bro. Nelson proposed " The Grand Lodge "of New Zealand," coupled with the name of Bro. Miller, G.M., and Bro. W. Reid, G.S. In replying, Bro. Miller referred to the position of friendly societies in this colony. Taking the last quinquennial period, he found that their membership was increasing at the rate of 8000, and their funds at the rate of £168,000. Their accumulated funds showed a value of £19 9s lid per member — a higher figure than in any of the Australian colonies. Their strength was 43,408, and it was estimated that no less than 175,000 persons deriv-cd benefit from them. The membership of the Order of Oddefellows throughout the world was 1,436,102, and the number of persons receiving benefit from it was estimated at four 'millions. Bro. Reid, who also responded, compared the recent meeting with previous meetings in Wellington. When a session was held in that city 24 years ago there were 12 representatives ; this year there were 16. The membership of the order had increased from 960 to nearly 4000. and the funds from £2100 to £16,000, which the amount to the credit of the funeral and ther funds ; while the total funds of the order amounted to £32,000. These were figures that proved the progress the order was making in tho colony. He also referred to some of the matters disoussed at the recent meeting, and, j passing on. made reference to some of the • representatives of earlier days — Bros. Boyd, Wheeler, Naphtali, and Bracken, for each ■of whom he had a word of praise, which the meeting heartily endorsed. Speaking of Bro. Bracken, he said it was a reproach to the order, and to another body with which the deceased was at one time connected, that his grave in the Northern Cemetery at Dunedin was lyinsr practically in a state of nature. He would like to see an effort made to place a fitting memorial at the head of the resting place of one whom not only the members of the order but the wholp of New Zealand admired. — (Applause.) Bro. Miller presented to Bro. Valentine the eomrnission constituting him D.D.G.M. for the South Otago district. P.G. Bro. Fea proposed " The Grand Lodge Representatives," which was responded to by Representatives J. H. Hinton. J. Pattison. and L. Kemnitz. On the subject of centralisation, the opinion was expressed by Bio. Pattison that the proposal would be carried at the next session by a large majority. The representatives all spoke of the cordial welcome extended to them in Wellington. A number of other toasts were duly honoured. During the evening some pood songs were given by Bros. R. Wardrop, J. S. M'Peak, B. Bridger, Ewing, Philt). M'Kettrick. Duncan, and others. Mr H. Black presided at the piano.