ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Otago Witness, Issue 2805, 18 December 1907, Page 52

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

LOYAL CAVERSHAM LODGE.

A NEW HALL,

The members of Loyal Caversham Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., took the leading part in an important event at Caversham on Saturday afternoon, wßen the foundation stones of their new- hall were laid. A procession was formed in College street, in front of the old Town Hall,' and proceeded by way of the main road to Baker street, and thence . along Car gift road to the site of the new building at the corner of Cargill road and David street. A large number of members of the Loyal Caversham Lodge took part in the procession, which was headed by - the Caversham Band, and there were also comprised within its ranks his Worship the Mayor (J. Loudon, Esq.), the District Officers, P.G.M. Bro 4 D. S. Munro, D. P.G.M. Bro. J. H. Crawford, P.C.S. Bro. J.. A. Hoperaft, - P.P.G.M. Bro. R. S. Black, and members of the Hand and Heart (with banner), Dunedin, Albion, Valley, Mo§*iel, Tuapeka Pioneer, and Prince of Wales Lodges, a« well as representatives of the Druids, Foresters, Protestant Alliance, Good Templars, and 1.0.0. F. (American Order). It is worthy of mention that included in the assemblage were two members who were present at the opening of the lodge 26 . years ago— P.P.G.M. ? Bro. A. Sligo and P.G. Bro. S. J. Lyon, — and that among ihe visitors from a distance were P.G. Bro. T. Pilling, of Lawrence; P.P.G^VI. Bro. A. Cable of Port Chalmers; and Per. Sec. Bro. A. Edmonds. P.P.G.M. Bro. J. G. Briggs and P.G. Bro. R. J. Bremner acted as marshals of the procession. On arrival at the site of the new hall, the erection of which is already well under way, representatives of the Loyal Caversham "Lodge and some of - the visitors mounted a platform, and some speeches were made to "a crowd of about tt couple of hundred people. N.G. Bro. W. G. Cole, of .Loyal Oavergham Lodge, said the laying of the foundation stones of the new hall was an important step in the history of Cavereha-m. Ever since the inauguration of the Order the Caversham Lodge had been handicapped' through want of- suitable accommodation, both as regards privacy and convenience. They used to meet at one time in an hotel parlour, and later on in a Sunday school room, and in neither place did they find the privacy and convenience they desired, but it was hoped- that- the new building would provide for all their wants in that respect. The speaker called on Mr Loudon (Mayor of Dunedin) and Pro. G.M. Bro. D S. Munro to unveil the foundation stones. — (Applause.) One of the foundation stones was formally laid by his Worship the Mayor, who then delivered a short address. * He said he appreciated the honour of taking part in the day's proceedings, which took the form of unveiling a tablet in the foundation stone. To many like himself who were not members, the M.U.1.0.0.F. was a. name, and the extent and importance of the work of the order was not known and appreciated as it merited. Amongst friendly societies it held the highest place, and to show the importance and magnitude of its operations he had obtained a few interesting tables, f or which he was indebted to a neatly compiled little book entitled " The Rise and Progress of the Loyal Caversham Lodge." These tables were brought up to 1906, and showed the position of the order as a whole, the position in Otago, and also the Gaversham branch. The total membership of the order was 1,023,414, and the accumulated funds amounted to £12,524,635. In the Otago district they had 30 lodges, with a membership of 3923, and accumulated funds amounting to £111,318. In Caversham, up to 1906 their membership' was 226, and the value of their funde was £3200, and these figures had been materially increased. The lodge wag oommenced in 1881 ,wirh a- membership of 14 and total funds of £27 9s Bd. In 1891 the membership had increased to 91, and the funds to £564. In 1901 they stood at 176 members, with funds totalling £2029. During the period mentioned they had paid in sick pay and general claims, £2100. The figures he had quoted indicated the good work done by the Loyal Caversham Lodge, and he j.ced not enlarge on them. The Mayor, in concluding asked the tablet to be unand called for three cheers for the Loyal Caversham Lodge, whioh were heartily given. Pro. G.M. Bro. D. S. Munro said it was (he pleasing duty of the executive of the 'Otago District and brethren of sister lodges of the Manchester Unity to be* present at and assist in the laying of the foundation "tones of the new hall now being erected by the brethren of the Loyal Caversham Lodge. They sincerely congratulated their brethren on the spirit animating them in providing -themselves with a suitable hall, and trusted that as the cement of the foundation had been well and carefully laid, so would the brethren of the Cavereham Lodge, when their building had been completed and placed under their care, spread within the portals of their new lodge room that cement of brotherly lore, relief, and truth so charactoristio of Oddfellowship, thereby illustrating in practical form that tho truly benevolent, although differing widely in opinion on other subjects, could meet together in perfect amity and cooperate haroniously in a beneficent work. — (Applause.) Since its inception in 180 l the Caversham Lodge had disbursed in sick money and funeral claims alone the sum of £2500, while in 1906 the lodges holding under th^. Otago Distriot paid away no less than £9745 in sick pay, medical attendance and medicine, and funeral attendance ajid medicine and funeral claims. — (Applause.)

Bro. Munro then formally unveiled another foundation etone, amid hearty ohgept

Mr T. K. Sidey, M.P., a member of the Loyal Caversham Lodge gave a. short address.

N.G. Bro Cole said that Bro. Renfree and Bro. Sligo, who were present at the opening of the lodge in . Caversham in 188 L vould address the gathering. P.fe Bro. Renfree said when completed Wiey would have a hall 45ft 6in x 28ft 6in with two ante-rooms, a. eupperrcom 28ft x 16ft, and a shop on the corner, vrith a verandah. The cost of the building had exceeded the sum it was originally agreed to expend— between £400 and £500. With a view to meeting the extra expenditure it was proposed, on the completion of the building, to hold » monster bazaar, and the proceeds, added to sums obtained by other means, it was hoped, would considerably reduce <he extra expenditure. P.P.G.M. Bro. A. Sligo said he was probably &bout the oldest Oddfellow of the Order now in the . wide-spreading Otago district. It was a good bit over 40 years since he became an Oddfellow and a member of the Hands and Heart Lodge. — (Applai.se] — and he had parsed through all the grades and offices, and through some which did not fall to the lot of many, as, for exf-rcple. the District Secretaryship, which for nine years now had been bo worthily filled by his younsr old friend P.C.S. Bro. Hoporaft. Bro. Sligo then proceeded to give a. brief outline of the hietory of Caversham Lodge, concluding by remarking that be 'was sure they all joined with hirr» in these good wishes for the Oddfellows and their work; and for the success ot the undertaking they had now entered on. — (Applause.) Representatives of kindred societies congratulated the Loyal Caverehftin Lodge on the onward -6tep it was that day taking,, the speakers being Bro. -A. Edmond* (Southland District, M.U., 1.0. Q.F.). Bro. J. H. Hinton (Independent Order of .Oddfellows), Bro. T. Grant (Foresters), Bro. J, Hudson (Druids), and~ Bro. T. Dawsett {Protestant Alliance). - Cheers were given for his Worship the Mayor, the visitors, Bro. Cole, and. * n ® Loyal Caversham Lodge, and the proceed-, ings closed with the singing of the National Anthem, led by the band.

The following are the member,*? of the Building Committee: — P.S. Bro. Renfree (chairman), P.P.G.M.'e Bros J. Wilson and J. G. Brisrgs, P.G.s Bros. W- Bevan, J. Russell, R. J. Will, R. B. Hill, and A: Jt. Lawry (hon. secretary). The building, which will be of brick-, will contain a hall (45ft 6in by 28ft 6in). two anterooms, a shop,, a supper room, and all conveniences. It will be fitted throughout with gas and gas-heaters. The contractors are Messrs Mad do x and Gurr, and the architect is Mr James Clark.