ODDFELLOWSHIP

Southland Times, Issue 16688, 17 March 1911, Page 6

ODDFELLOWSHIP

Tlje Grand Master (Bro. It. Armiger) arrived in Invercurgill by Tuesday's late express and on Wednesday paid an official visit to Aparirna Lodge (Otautau). Last evening the Grand Master paid an official visit to the Pioneer of Southland Lodge and, later in the evening, was entertained by that Lodge in Millers tea-rooms. The gathering was a large and representative one. There were present visitors from Mataura, Alma (Wyndham). and Marama (Morton Mains) Lodges representatives, botli male and female, from the Western District, and from all other kindred Friendly Societies in Invercargill. The chair was occupied by D.D.G.M. Bro. A. Myers. In replying to the toast of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand, O.M. Bro. Arrniger regretted his inability to visit all the Southland lodges of the Order, especially the juvenile brandies. He was specially interested in Juvenile work and had been instrumental in inaugurating the Juvenile branch in Auckland. Friendly Societies all worked to attain the same end, to elevate humanity and to promote fraternity. The duty of the Grand Master was to inculcate these sentiments. Hi every society the spirit of fraternity was rapidly growing. The social side should not he neglected and sisters and brothers should lie brought together in social intercourse. He impressed upon the various officers the necessity of entering into the work with vigour and with the determination to make the Southland District second to none in New Zealand. lie urged them to make strenuous endeavours to complete the circle by establishing an encampment branch. Gisborne and North Canterbury were the only two districts that had the complete circle. He concluded witli an appeal to all brethren to work steadfastly and resolutely in the endeavour to make their order the strongest in the world, numerically as well as financially. The following toasts were enthusiastically received and suitably responded to: "The Grand Lodge of N.Z..” "The Pioneer Lodge of Southland,” Visiting Breth-

ren,” “The Rebecca and Juvenile Branches,” “Kindred Societies” and “The Press.” During the evening an enjoyable programme was gone through consisting of songs and recitations, to which the following contributed ; Bros. Watt, Robins. Redmond, Jordan, Policy, Lumsden and Atkinson.