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THE ODDFELLOWS' BANQUET.

The banquet given by the Loyal Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, in honor of J. C. Bellamy, Esq., P.P.GKM. of the Otago district, took place on Friday evening last. About forty members were present, the chair being occupied by Mr W. B. Scandrett, the present chief officer of the I lodge, supported on the right by Mr Bellamy and Mr John Kingsland, and on the left by Mr D. Webster and Mr Neil Ferguson (Deputy-Registrar of the Supreme Court). The vice-chair was filled by Mr Win. Wilkinson, supported by past officers. To the host of the Clarendon Hotel (Mr Joshua Clare) must be awarded a full share of credit for his exertions to secure the complete success of the entertainment. The tables were most tastefully laid, and expense had evidently not been spared to procure every available delicacy. Banquets are often very tame affairs until the cloth has been removed, and the " business " of the evening commenced, but if a stranger had entered theroom the moment after the seats were occupied he must have been favorably impressed with Oddfellowship from tha social and brotherly feeling displayed on every countenance. Due justice having been done to the various courses, the Chairman proposed Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queen and the Royal Family. The national anthem was then sung by the company, Mr John Kingsland singing the second verse as a solo. Mr Geokge Goodwillie, in proposing the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchester Unity, throughout the world, stated that the numbers of the society had everywhere increased during the past year, that the prosperity was unexampled, the public having, from observation, been led to the conclusion that its financial basis was perfectly sound. He felt that it required no speech to ensure the toast being heartily received. (Cheers.) The toast was drunk with all the honors. Mr Kingsland, in replying, thought the Chairman in drafting the programme should have fixed on a better infoimed member — (No, no.) — to reply to so important a toast. He, however, heartily agreed with the principles of Oddfellowsbip, and was glad to know, that the public at home held the Order in high estimation, in fact it was quite a common occurrence in English villages to find noblemen and distinguished commoners occupying office in lodges. - (Applause.) Song—" The. Rhine Wine," by Mr N. Ferguson. Mr Wm. Wilkinson next proposed the Otago district and its Lodges. Drank with the usual honors. Mr War. Todd said he felt very great pleasure in replying to this toast. He had been for many years an Oddfellow and never had reason to regret it. The Otago district numbered eleven lodges, each having a large fund at. its banker's ; but it was further satisfactory to know that if any of those lodges through reckless mismanagement (an event that ■ma wow - -mwli!t«ili> f.A ftiwnuN unnM- nn^

meet its promises, that they possessed, or were rather governed by, a district that could and would meet every engagement of individual lodges. . Song by Mr D. Webster—" The Englishman's Home." •The Chairman said he felt great ~plea- ~ sure in proposing the toast of the evening. '" ■ Mr Bellamy and himself landed in Dunedin from England within a short time of each other some ten years ago. They had become acquainted, and had often met since. He could therefore, if Mr Bellamy had not been an Oddfellow, have introduced him to them individually as one who was every way worthy of their esteem. But Mr Bellamy came to them, with far higher testimonials and recommendations than any private citizen could give. That gentleman had not only filled all the important offices in the Lodge of which he was a member, but had done so with such satisfaction to"" the members that they presented him with a gold medal suitably inscribed on his passing out of the N.G-.'s chair. This Lodge had little to do, however, with any mark of favor an individual Lodge might bestow on its members, but no member could achieve the position in the district unless he had passed through the highest offices of the Lodge. During the past year several important questions and appeals were transmitted to the district, and to each of those matters Mr Bellamy gave thoroughly impartial and legal decisions. (Cheers.) He would not detain them longer, but ask them to drink the " Health, and prosperity of P.P.G-.M. John Charles Bellamy," their guest that evening. The toast was heartily responded to, the company singing " For he's a jolly good fellow." Mr Bellamy, in reply, said that his feelings quite overcame him. He had not anticipated the welcome he had received that evening, and it quite bewildered him? The chairman had placed too great weight on what he had done. No doubt a heavy responsibility was placed on the person who occupied the position of P.G-.M., but having been elected to that office, he had tried to do his duty. He was happy to think the Lodge approved of his actions. He might state that the Order in Otago and Southland numbered over one thousand members — one .of , the Lodges was so prosperous that if its funds were divided equally each member could receive £16. The district as a whole could divide its funds and give each member £13. This was a higher rate by £6 than any district in Australia could do, and was important as showing the care and trouble taken in the management of the affairs of the Order. One subject he thought should be carefully considered by this Lodge — whether they were not sufficiently advanced to apply to the Directors and Grand Master in England for the establishment of a district. "When he saw as he did that evening, a Lodge composed of business men, some who had passed all the positions the Lodge could give, it appeared to him that the members should make an effort to keep those members by giving them a further interest in Odd Fellowsliip. As Southland had separated from Otago, and -was — compared with other provinces, with her assetts in railways and good land in a better position, although at present partly prostrate, so if they obtained a dispensation for a district would the order progress m&re satisfactorily than ever. He again thanked them for their kindness, which he would always treasure in hia memory. (Loud Cheers.) Song by Mr M'Kellar. Mr Bellamy proposed prosperity to Loyal Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge, responded to by Messrs Wilkinson, Ferguson, and Kingsland, the latter gentleman in his remarks, stating that in reference to the . amount that could be given if the funds were divided, as stated by Mr Bellamy, that Mr Tidd Pratt, the Registrar of Societies in England had given his opinion that if any Odd Follows Lodge could divide their funds and pay . each member £5 that lodge was solvent, and in a satisfactory position. He thought they could not better appreciate their own position. Mr Wm. Fbaser proposed " The present Officers," acknowledged by Mr Goodwillie. Song by Mr H. Dean — "Cheer Brdr. thers, cheer." " The past Officers," by Mr W. Todd, responded \o by Mr D. Webster ; " The Host and Hostess;" "The Press;" "The Ladies." "The Chairman," by Mr Bellamy, who stated that this entertainment had been carried out without apparently the slightest hitch, and the chairman was evidently filling the position con amore. The Chairman, in responding, said that undue praise had been bestowed by the proposer. He thought that social meetings of this kind would do a great deal in binding the Order together. This was the first Oddfellow's banquet, but he hoped the members would at some future time think it advisable to meet again in a similar manner. This closed the proceedings. We should mention that several recitations and songs besides those noted were given in good style.

Mrs Partington says she can't understand these market reports. She can understand how cheese can be lively, and pork active, and feathers droop* ing — that is, if it's raining ; but for her life, -she has no notion how whisky can be Bteady, or hops quiet, or spirits dull j nor how lard can be firm in warm weather, nor iron unsettled, nor potatoes depressed, nor flour rising, unless there had been yeast in it, and sometimes it •wouldn't rise then. Leave Youe Cane. — A Paris letter states that a man going into a gallery lately was hailed by an official in a three : cornered hat and blue coat, and told to " deposit his cane." •• But, monsieur, I never carry a cane " "But deposit your cane, then, foolish one, and do not stop the others." " But I tell monsieur that I have no cane; my good grandfather had a — ?-" '* Gk> away with your ' good grandfather/ and deposit your cane. 1 " But, monsieur l'employe, I do not nurobe? among my goods any cane •whatever." "Then you can't come in. Here is the consignee—" before entering he deposits his cane !" A child thus- define* gossip {~" It's -vhMt nobody dpi\'t do sqthi»g, agcl, (pmebgdy goetftp.4

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/ST18670313.2.11

Bibliographic details

Southland Times, Issue 643, 13 March 1867, Page 2

Word Count
1,512

THE ODDFELLOWS' BANQUET. Southland Times, Issue 643, 13 March 1867, Page 2

THE ODDFELLOWS' BANQUET. Southland Times, Issue 643, 13 March 1867, Page 2

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