I.0.0.F.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXV, Issue 11251, 16 April 1908, Page 2

1.0.0.F.

VISIT OF GRAND MASTER, At the conclusion! of the business of the Star of Gisborne Lodge, '1.0.CKF.,' A. C, last- evening, the members adjourned to Mr Dustin's rooms, when a banquet was tendered to Bro. T. Crawley, Grand Master, who is on his way to attend a conference in Australia. In addition to a large number of members, there were visitors arid brethren from; other lodges present. P.G; Bro'. A. E. N. Smith presided. 'He ; "was supported by 'the Grand Master and Bro. E. D. ; Smith, District Deputy Grand Master, j After the Royal toast had been musically honored, a sumptuous repast, served up in Mr Dustin's best style, was partaken : of, and a. long list of toasts gone into. Replying to tlie toast of "The Grand Lodges," the Grand Master, Bro. T. Crawley said he felt very much honored to.be amongst them that evening, and gratified that in Gisbonie they were veal live Oddfellows in spirit and in truth. He briefly outlined a few figures respecting the lodge. Bro. Crawley said they had a. vested capital of altogether £9,500,---OCO. which would show what a sound; institution they were. ./Their -membership was, steadily and surely increasing. Tlie lodges under his jurisdiction iii Newi Zealand were increasing by leaps and bounds. During the past twelve months their funds had increased by considerably over £1000, and 13 new lodges had been opehed. The Star of Linwood Lodge, in Canterbury, had recently increased their mefribership from 20 to 157. The Unity Lodge, at Dunedin, had added 200 members during the same, time, and it was one of the • largest lodges in the institution. There was one sovereign lodge, situated in America, and altogether six Grand Lodges. From 1830 to the end of 1906 the initiations into the subordinate lodges numbered 3,197,676; members relieved totalled 3,256j601, and there. liad been' 288,939 widowed families; Relieved. The total amount for relief paid' out during the above dates was £23;981,648, and total' revenue £43,430,434. There „ were 68 grand encampment 1 lodges ; • 15,687 subordinates, , which number had largely increased since the end of 1906 ; subordinate encampments 3375, to which a considerable number had also been added";' Rebecca! 7770. The total number belonging to the Order was l,80O,OD0! '. D urihg 1906 the sum of £1,042,865 ' was \ paid in relief, and this worked out at something like £100 per hour, which., the Grairid Master said^ spoke volumes for their Order. This proved 'that' they.w.ere ."-.a friendly society banded together for moral assistance and relief to one another. In no other Order was there so much fraternity practised as ■in their Independent Order. Bro. Crawley, asked the nienlbers when they were travelling not to be ashamed to let people know they , belonged to the Independent Order of Oddfellows. All men from. 16 years old of good moral character were eligible for membership, aiid ■ lie urged all young men to become a member of some friendly society, but appealed to them io associate, themselves with | the 1.0.0.F., for thejr (. jUtl not belong to a greater fraternity; 'The centralisation of the sick fund .-whs one of the best moves the Qrand vLpdge had made, and 1 they had a . surplus "in that fund of over £55,000. The funeral fund also had a large surplus of about £1872. That sum .had been in- ■ vested arid made use of for other purposes. The Grand Lodge reserve fund amounted to £6555. That fund was one of 1 (the grand features of their Order. When /their brethren had been 25 years in >the Opder,liaving borne the, heat;. 1 6f itlje day, itndf reached ihe* age of • ,655 tlieir diies.T;.were , paid ' by' 'the Grand 'Lodge. the Grand Master urged iipon -the'Star of Gisborne: Lodge the necessity of increasing their membership, -which could be done by each member bringing a friend during tlie next term. 'He thanked them for the kind welcome -they had extended' to him. Replying to the tonst of the "Star, of Gisborne Lodge," proposed by Bro. G. Hall, Bro. Ru Robb said that branch wa>s started seven years ago with '27 members, 'btib 'nQW^^y could claim 243. iTlieiifinancial^po&itibn was considerably over £10iJQ.- They liad disbursed in sick pay ■*th|pim of £536 69 Bd, and about £70 fotf' f tt. &ral expenses. Their lodge, had members scattered all over the world, and he J. had i received letters from Bro. A.. Georgesbn from various parts of the world, giving an account of the fine reception he received wherever he went. Other toasts duly honored, were : '/'Encampment Lodges" and "Friendly Societies:." ..,.•■■. During the evening songs were given by Messrs D. ' Trent, Hamlin, and Steriner, and the Club orchestra rendered several item^, which were greatly appreciated. Tlie accompaniments were-play-ed by Messns C. East. and H. Maude.!,* Before the enjoyable evening 'was brought to a close, the Grand Master, on behalf of the Star of Gisbome Lodge, presented! Bro. E. D. Smith, Past Degree Master, with a handsome jewel, and P.G. Bro. Jas. Robb with a beautiful collar', as a tokeii of the respect"' arid esteem in which they were held by. the members of the lodge, and in recognition for services they had rendered.