MATAURA NEWS.

Southland Times, Issue 21851, 31 October 1932, Page 4

MATAURA NEWS.

M.U.1.0.0.F. Loyal Mataura Falls Lodge, The special summoned meeting of the Loyal Mataura Falls Lodge Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddfellows No. 7616, held in the Oddfellows Hall on Thursday, evening attracted the largest attendance recorded for some months. Noble Grand Bro. Thomas McVicar occupied the chair. The syllabus provided for the official visit of the district officers D.G.M. Bro. R. Stenhouse, of Winton, being accompanied by I.P.D.G.M. Bro. R. McKenzie, D.D.G.M. Bro. R. Kelman, P.P.G.M. Bro. P. Stokes (district treasurer) and PP.G.M. Bro. A. B. Edmond (district secretary). In addition to these brethren visitors were received from Loyal Hearts of Oak Lodge, Loyal Shamrock Rose and Thistle, Loyal St. George (all of Invercargill), Loyal Winton, Loyal United Gore, Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge (Dunedin), Loyal Valley Lodge (N.E. Valley), the whole attendance constituting somewhat of a record and indicating the interest being shown in M.U.1.0.0.F. affairs in this province. Prior to commencing lodge, business the presiding officer made brief reference to the death of P.G. Bro. .A. F. Whitely of this lodge, ‘ and at his request all stood in silence in respect of his memory. As a further token of respect the chief officers’ tables were draped in black for the evening. The lodge having entered for the J. T. Veitch Memorial Shield Ritual competitions, the judges were also present to adjudicate this lodge’s workings. As a result of continual practices the officers concerned must be congratulated on the standard of work set, the whole of the business together with the initiation ritual being done in a highly impressive manner. Responses to the various sentiments were given by the district officers and visitors, each one of whom cordially thanked the brethren of Mataura for their welcome and congratulated the officers on their performance. Subsequently a social evening was held at which an appropriate toast-list was honoured.