MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 19924, 17 July 1926, Page 4

MATAURA NEWS

(From Our Correspondent.) A.D. Bro. A. A. Wright presided over a good attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Pride of Mat aura, U.A.O.D. Lodge. An honorary member was duly initiated into the Order. Arrangements for a card match with the Gore Lodge at Gore were left in the hands of the Social Committee. It is the intention of members to entertain their lady friends to an evening at a future date, and preparations with that end in view are being made. REBEKAH LODGE. The half-yearly meeting and installation of officers of the Pearl of Mataura took place this week, when there was a large attendance of members. Amongst those present were several visitors from the Takiara Lodge, Invercargill. Greetings were received from Bro. Crawley, Invercargill. After the usual routine business of the lodge was transacted the installation of officers took place, and was carried out by D.D.G.M. Bro. J. P. Wylie and his officers Bro. Burns, Garrick and Gray from Gore. The officers were installed as follows:—P.G. Sister F. Stickle; N.G., Sister Clark; V.G., ' Sister Taylor; conductor, Sister Sinclair; warden, Sister Mitchell; chaplain, Sister Edgar; Sister Reid; L.S.N.G., Sister Richmond; R.S.V.G., Sister King; L.S.N.G., Sister Bogue; inside guardian, ;Sister Leitch; outside guardian, Sister Cullen. Sister M. Stewart and F. Murray are leaving Mat aura and the opportunity was taken to make them presentations. On behalf of the lodge D.D.G.M. Bro. Wylie presented Sister Stewart with a silver inkstand, and Sister Murray with a Doulton salad bowl. The recipients made suitable response. Afterwards a social hour was spent and supper was dispensed. W.E.A. CLASS. The weekly meeting of the Workers’ Educational Class took the form of a debate. Mr A. N. Mac Gibbon was voted to the chair. The subject chosen was “That it is the duty of the Government to provide work for the unemployed.” Mr L. O’Sullivan, 8.A., was judge, and Mr W. P. Thorn acted as timekeeper. The affirmative was taken by Messrs J. Ingram, L. McKelvie, W. Alderson and Miss Thorn, while the negative was maintained by Messrs R. McDonald, J. Henry, J. J. Griffiths and Mrs Tait. A very keen and interesting debate ensued. At the conclusion of the debate the leaders summed up the issues after which the judge announced that the supporters of the negative bad won by a total of 363 points to 353. Mr O’Sullivan reviewed the efforts of the speakers in complimentary terms and gave practical hints for their guidance. Supper was provided by the lady members of the class, after which votes of thanks to the judge, timekeeper, the ladies and the chairman were carried by acclamation. W.C.T.U. The monthly meeting of the Mataura W.C.T.U. was held on Thursday, Mrs R. Mackie presiding over a good attendance of members. The meeting opened with a hymn and prayer and scripture reading. Mrs Mackie read an interesting article on “Francis Willard,” and a paper on the White Ribbon was contributed by Mrs Rose. It was decided to have a social afternoon and special collection next month for the T. E. Taylor fund. The meeting closed with the Benediction. MEETING OF LODGE. The Loyal Mataura Falls Lodge, Manchester Unity, held its fortnightly meeting on Thursday. Bro. C. Grass, Noble Grand, presided over a good attendance of members. The Pearl of Mataura Rebekah Ledge forwarded an invitation to a social evening which was accepted with thanks. The district officers, P.G.M. Bro. D. Sinclair, Deputy P.G.M., C. E. Borne, P. Treasurer, P. Stokes, and P.C. Secretary Bro. A. B. Edmond visited the lodge and expressed delight with the work of the lodge. They were also pleased with the goodfellowship that apparently existed between the friendly societies m Mataura, which was a good sign and demonstrated that the principles underlying these Orders were understood and practised by the members of the different lodges. Some good advice was offered and an address on the condition of Oddfellowship in Southland was given. An invitation was given to Bro. Stokes to visit the Loyal Shamrock, Rose and Thistle Lodge at Invercargill. One candidate was proposed for membership. Bro. A. Richardson presided over the Juvenile Lodge which held a very enthusiastic meeting. The District Officers expressed pleasure at seeing the number of juveniles present, and complimented the lodge on the manner in which the business wag conducted. Each of the district officers addressed the boys, extolling the different features of oddfellowship and the benefits to be derived therefrom. A good Oddfellow was invariably a good citizen. A medal was presented by P.GJff. Bro. D. Sinclair to be competed for by- the boys during the ensuing six months and was accepted with acclamation. Afterwards a social hom* was spent, the usual toasts being honoured and the gathering dispersed after singing “Auld Lang Syne” and the National Anthem.