FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LII, Issue 17008, 15 April 1926, Page 8

FRIENDLY SOCIETY.

NEW ZEALAND INDEPENDENT ODDFELLOWS. A large attendance of members of Star of Gisborne and Mangapapa Lodges welcomed the Grand secretary of Hie Order m New Zealand, Bro. F. Wilkinson, at the regular meeting of the, Star of Gisborne Lodge. The chief business of the meeting was the initiation of two candidates, the ceremony being impressively carried out by the officers. A vote of ocncjcleneo with Bro. K. Jury in the recent sad loss of his wife, was carried, members standing in silence. At the close of the routine business the grand secretary addressed the meeting, complimenting the lodge on its working of the initiation ceremony, nndl offering suggestions for further improvement. He staled that notwithstanding heavy claims for assistance on the funds of the order, the balance of tiie sick and funeral fund hadi increased by over £13,000 during the past year, whilst the membership l bad increased by 1200, 400 of which represented the increase of tlio ltebekah (ladies’) branch. The D.D.G.8.. Bro. E. D. Smith, and the N.G., BfO'. 11. Hunter, joined in extending a hearty welcome to the visitor, and thanked,, him for his interesting address, which covered other subjects of considerable interest lo members. The lodge being closed, refreshments were served, and opportunity was taken to present the lodge secretary, Bro. G. D. Mnirhond, with a token of appreciation of his work in the cause of Oddfellowship. P.G. C. Harvey in making the presentation on behalf of a number of friends, eulogised Bro. Muirhead’s services, in loyally standing by the lodge through difficulty times, at considerable personal inconvenience. The excellentprogress of the lodge during tlio pastsix or seven years was in a large measure due to the secretary's tact ;ind! advice since his election, at which time tlio lodge was far from being in the same nourishing condition as at, present.