LOYAL TUAPEKA PIONEER LODGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3212, 6 October 1915, Page 5

LOYAL TUAPEKA PIONEER LODGE.

JUBILEE CELEBRATIONS.

The jubilee of the Loyal Tuapcka Pioneer Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F.. was celebrated on the 24th inst. by a banquet in Mrs Oram’s hotel, Lawrence. To this function the visiting brethren at the district meeting were invited, and about 80 gentlemen sat down to table, which was presided over by N.G. Bro. B. W. Winn, the vice-chair being occupied by P.G. Bro. A. Hart. After ample justice had been done to the excellent spread provided, a comprehensive toast list, interspersed with musical and elocutionary items, was gone through. After the toast of “The King” had been proposed by the chairman, and the National Anthem sung, The Vice-Chairman proposed “The Army and Navy and Volunteer Forces,” coupling therewith the names of Bros. Captain Fleming and Lieut. R. O. Moore. Captain Fleming (who was recently invalided from the front on account of shrapnel wounds), in an interesting speech pointed out that the war was one of tremendous self-sacrifice. Ho mentioned that some 300 members of the Manchester Unity had gone to the front from the Otago district, and ho expressed the hope that every Oddfellow would constitute himself a recruiting sergeant, with a view to advancing the interests of the Empire, and so help to bring the war to as speedy a termination as possible. Lieut. Moore referred to the marvellous achievement of voluntarism up to the present.

“ The Order of the Manchester Unity ” was entrusted to P.P.G.M. Bro. G. A, Goughian, who coupled with the toast the names o£ the executive of the Otago District, of whose efforts in the interests of the order he spoke in very appreciative terms. In an excellent speech he urged the strengthening of the membership of the local lodge, and pointed out that the executive welcomed all suggestions that would tend to promote the welfare and advancement of the order.

Patriotism and loyalty to the Manchester Unity formed the keynote of the speeches of the Prov. G.M. (Bro. C. W. Smith), Prov. D.Q.M. (Bro. F. W. Knight), and other members of the executive who responded. Prov. G.M. Bro. Smith proposed the toast of the evening, “The Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge.” In happy terms ho referred to the lodge’s attainment of its jubilee, and in view of the fact that the membership was not as strong as in former years, urged the local Oddfellows to. greater efforts in the enrolment of members. With the toast were associated the names of Bros. B. W. Winn and A. Hart. Bro. Winn thanked the district officers for holding their district meeting in Lawrence, and so assisting in their jubilee. He referred to the presence of one of the real old pioneers, the founder of the lodge— Bro. Benjamin Hart—and predicted that in the event of the consummation of the amalgamation of the three local lodges, the Tuapeka Pioneer Lodge would rise again (Phoenix-like) to the position of prosperity and power it had occupied in the golden days gone by. In an eloquent and witty speech Bro. Black proposed the toast “Kindred Societies,” which was responded to by Bros, Arbuckle (U.A.0.D.) and Captain Fleming (A.0.F.). Bro. Hamel proposed the toast “ The Borough of Lawrence,” making very happy reference to the town, past and present, the beauty of its surroundings, etc. The Mayor (Mr Jas. Robertson) replied in felicitous terms, making special reference to the various services—water, lighting, etc. —that go towards securing the health and comfort of the dwellers in the town. The other toasts honoured were “ The Visiting Delegates,” .“The Press,” “The Ladies,” “The Chairman,” and “The Hostess.”

During the evening musical and elocutionary items were contributed by Bros. Moore, Hutton, Stephens, Sligo, Greenfield, Arnold, Sanson, Black and Cameron, and Mr Jas. Robertson.