MATAURA NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 22043, 16 June 1933, Page 5

MATAURA NEWS

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

(From Our Correspondent.) There was a very large attendance of members of the Independent Order of Oddfellows present at a meeting on Monday evening, the occasion being an official visit of the Grand Master of the Order in New Zealand, Bro. Somerville of Balclutha, who was accompanied by P.D.D.G.M. Bro. Murney (Clinton), of the South East Otago District, Grand Secretary Bro. Sligo, and Bro C. D. McConnell, representing the Grand Lodge in the Southland East District. * The attendance of local brethren was considerably augmented by visitors from lodges from surrounding districts. The chair was occupied by D.D.G.M. Bro. N. McLeod (Mataura), who extended a cordial welcome to the visitors as well as to the representatives from other lodges. Following upon a short programme ot dancing, the gathering was entertained at a banquet at which a toast list appropriate to the occasion was honoured. The principal toast of the evening, “The Grand Lodge,” was proposed by the chairman, who stated that it was a long time since Grand Lodge representatives had honoured local brethren with an official visit. Grand Lodge officers had arduous duties to perform, and it was imperative that all members should unite to assist them in their work. Replying, G.M. Bro. Somerville expressed his thanks for the cordial welcome accorded himself and his brother officers. He desired to apologize for the short notice given of his visit, but he found it necessary to put the time at his disposal to best advantage. It was pleasing to record that numerically and financially the Order had held its own, and only recently a request had been received for the formation of a new lodge. It had been mentioned at various times that their contributions were too high, but over 40 years the actual deaths worked out at 11 off what the actuarial estimate had been, while the funds in hand were within 2 per cent, of the estimate necessary when the table of contribution had been struck on the formation of the Order in New Zealand. The surplus funds now stood at £350,000, a very satisfactory figure indeed. A further reply was made by Bro. Sligo, who gave interesting data on the financial standing of the Order. The toast of the “Visiting Lodges, proposed by Bro. C. D. McConnell, was responded to by representatives of six lodges, while Sister Redman responded to the toast of the “Pearl of Mataura Lodge.” Throughout the proceedings several musical items were contributed. Miniature Rifle Club. The weekly shoot at the Mataura Miniature Rifle Club’s range attracted a larger attendance than usual when several good cards were returned. Included in the number were several enthusiasts from Gore who, it is understood, are endeavouring to form a club in that centre. Following are the scores with handicaps in parentheses: B. Barclay 79; T. Gaudion 78 (1); J. Dobbs 78 (3); J. Philips 78 (3); C. Coats 78 (3); O. Pumpa 78 (3); G. Bonney 78 (4); W. D. Ramage 78 (7); W. Webb 77; A. Russell 76; E. Duncan 74 (4); F. Hesselin 71 (0); G. Cullen 61 (8); W. Milne 74; C. France 75; G. Bain 75. Valedictory. A large number of neighbours and friends of Mr and Mrs H. Wright, jun., gathered at their residence, Main South Road, recently, to accord them a welcome home on the occasion of their recent marriage. Dancing was interspersed with musical and elocutionary numbers, and occasion was also taken to congratulate the young couple on the step taken. Druids’ Lodge. The fortnightly meeting of the Pride of Mataura Lodge, U.A.0.D., was held on Tuesday evening, A.D. Bro. H. A. Price presiding over a large attendance of members. D.P. Bro. McMath, of No. 8 District, accompanied by a number of Gore brethren, was present and installed the various officers for the ensuing term as follows:—J.P.A., Bro. N. A. Price; A.D., Bro. H. Blondell; V.A., Bro. V. R. McGowan; treasurer and recording secretary, Bro. C. W. Goodwin; P.S. P.A., Bro. S. V. Bigwood; M.S., Bro. W. C. Dunlop; 1.G., Bro. A. W. Chatfield; 0.G., Bro. A. J. Lloyd; A.S.B’s., Bro. O. Pumpa and A. Giles; V.A., Bards, Bro. J. Townley and J. Blondell. Subsequently the visitors were entertained at a social hour when an appropriate toast list was honoured.