ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Colonist, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8061, 8 October 1894, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

ANNIVERSARY OP THE MANSION OP PEACE LODGE. Thf anniversary of the above named Lodge wa<? celebmted on Friday evening last by a dinner, which wag held at iha Wakefield Hall. 80. P. H. Hounsell, P.P.G M., presided, and the Vice chair vwt,3 filed by ßro Ingram, N.G-. The former was supported by Dr. Fearless and Bro Thoma?, and the latter by Bro3 Smallbone ond Allan After the corcp-ny had partaken of the spl-mUd. repast, which letlected great credit on the caUrer, Mr Duncan, of th-j Wakefi Id Avrs. the Gaairmm read apologies from Bro l\-. Hur^thous", P.G.V., of Mutueka District; Bro Paaps, t.GM of Nelson District ; end the Eev C. W. Jennings for their unavoidable absence. The Chairman gava the fundamental toast of all Britons—' 1 The Queen," which was received enthusiastically, and a verse of the National Anthem sung. The Chairman proposed, " The Prince and Princes 3 of Wales, and the rest of the Boyal Family." He remarked that never before in the history of Great Britain had four generations of the reigning house been living at the same time. The Chairman proposed, "his Exosilercy the Governor " Bro Harry' Tunnicliff gave a song. The Vice Cbairman proposed both Houses of the Legislature." He hoped that Parliament would not eacrifice the interests of Nelson atad the district in (he mittcr of the Midland Riilway. He hoped if ih9 Nelson line was not gone on wi h, the proposed new contract would not b 9 agraed to. (ApplflUße), Bro Cozens (Dovedale) coattibuted a BODg. Bro G. F. Smallbone proposed " the Maachester Unity and Board of Directors." He ea?d the Manchester Unity was founded in 1808 or 1809. and it had passed through varying fortunes, but now its membership vras about eight hundred thousand. The Unity bad been likened to the British Empire, in the fact that the eun never sets upon it. He referred io the datiea of Oddfollows to provide for the time of sickness, to make provision for burial, and to care for the needy and siok He said the first Widow oud Orphans' Fund was estibliehed ia the Old Country in 183G, and in the Nelson district forty-seven year* ago. He referred to the important factor Juvenile Lodgea had become in the Order, and the great success of the introduction ol tho graduated Bcale. He said one fact w*s often lost eight of, and that was tuas their Order offered greater advantages to its members than any other. Many of their own members did not rea'iee the enormoua banefit families had received from the Widow and Orphsnn' Fuad, from which in this district sama like £119, £50 and £40 had been received by families.

Mr Joseph Baigent gave a song, Bro Alexander Bobertson responded. Ha said the Manchester Unity was one of wbioh they might all be justly proud. He referred to its large membership and accumulated oapital of eight millions sterling, three millions more than any other Society. Not only wore thrift, prudence, and forethought inculoated, but its members were made to feel that they had a moral interest in their fellow men, and thus they became less selfish. He noted how handsomely ten of their wealthier Lodges had rendered assistance to those Lodges which were week financially, on tha understanding that thoß9 Lodges helped themselves, by increasing their contributions or reducing their benefits. Ho Baid their Order not only offered greater advantages to its members than any other Order, but it waa able to pay all it promised. He considered all that was wanted to mako their Order pfcrfeot was a Superannuation, or an Old Age Fund, and if such a fund was instituted it would have to be made compulsory. Such a fund was needed, for it was extremely hard for a member after paying into his Lodge for years to lose all benefits through inability on acoount of old Bge to pay bis contributions. Be spoke very highly of the Beard of Directors, and said Grand Master Graham had travelled over seven thousand miles during hia term of office to visit Lodges.

Mr Johnson favored the company with a song. Bro Allan, P.P.G.M , proposed " the Mansion of Peace Lodge." He noted the high position the Lodge held at the last Valuation and that it held the premier position in the district for its financial soundness*, having at the laet Valuatfou B surplus of £681. He considered thi3 reflected g. eat credit on the Lodge Trustees for their oareful investment of the funds. He pointed cut that that Lo-'ge had supplied three Provincial Grand Master*, namely, Bros. Tfcomas, Roberts, and Morris, Mr Paintcn gave a song. Bro Ingram, N.G, responded. He rgretted that more of the members of tha Lodge wore voi present. He said he would give way to Bro Thomas, who knew all about the Lodge. Ero Thomas eaid h3 fca3 come to look upon the Lodge as psrb of himself, having been its chief executive officer for twenty out of the twecty-two years' of ita exsfenc?. He Eaid he did not object to other Societies starting, so long as they were in a position to meet their engagements, for if they were not a cruel wrong would be inflicted on those joining them. He referred to the pioneers of the Order, and she starting of the first Lodgo among the manuka on the Port hii's, wih a capital of fifteen shillings. He considered if the Lodges in the early days had had to giva sick pay for such oomphinti as influenza they would have become bankrupt. Ec at length dwelt upon the paymen s and tha benefits. He considered the Widow and Orphans' Fond the gem of the Order, as it came in all the right time, when the bread winner of the family was removed, At thg Valuation of 1880 his Lodge showed a deficiency of £605, but at the la:t Valuation they had a surplus of £681, which was equal to £4 12s Sd per member, beirg the highest surplus shown by any Lodge in the District. He considered that the establishment of a Sapermauation Fund was in the near future, said that it had besn asserted that every fifth man in England over the age of 65 yeßrs was in receipt of charitable aid, and ha considered thai if they endeavored to prevent such a sad state of thiDgs coming fo pass in this Colony, they would ba doing a good work. He noted that one member had j received benefits from the Lodge amounting to £235 and that tha existence of the Widow and O.phana' Fund was a source of c^mtott to macy a brother on his death bed. Mr Sheridan gave a rccifcition^ in exce'JenS style, whioh was greatly appreciated. ; The Chairman proposed "Kindred Societies," and coupled with the toast the names of Bros. W. T. Bond, J. Aveiy (Foresterß)| and D. Burn (Druids 1 . Bro W. T, Bon I recognised the good feeling which existed between tho sister Qrctaa. Hi

referred to the visitation of the sick, and tun importance of the JuvfVrile branobe- ii bringing into the adult Lodges members olrcaSy trained in the cocduo is'g'ol L^ge business. JBro Avery said ho bad been a Fore-tor over thirty years, and had assisted in starting Courts at Pioion and Oollingwood. He spoke of the importance of the travelling password, and felt ccriain that if the benefit therefrom* was better know?, members would take more advantage of ir. His being able to obtain the services of their Lodge Surgeon was owing to a capital arrangement existing between ihe two Orders. He bad dufavored the st-.rting of a Foresters' Gonrt up tho country, for he considered that it was fir better to have one strong institution, than two weakens.

BroD. Burn hope 1 that the different Orders wonld condaue to work hand in band.

Bro Cozens proposed, 'the Nelson district." He considered tbe Motueka and Kelson districts ehould ba merged into onp.

Bro Bryant contributed a &ong. Bro W. Bisley, the District Secretary, in responding, gave a Bkelea of tbd fi-:e and growth of the DUtriot. He said that there had been disbursed ia that District during the past twenty years £22,568 ia Sick poy. £4,009 from the Funeral Fond, ana £5,472 from the Widow and Orphans' Fund, making & grand total of £32,019. When he first took offloe 89 District Secretary in 1879, there were 594 membste, and acoomulatsd funds amounting to £8572, but now there were 804 members with a capital ol £19,775. He said the Motueka, Marlborough, and North West'and district! bad emanated from the Nelson one, and he tbongbt it would ba better, now means of communication were improved, that they were reunited. He| suggested the formation of a Central Board to see to the investment of the funds. He considered the cheap money soheme of the Government wss going to affect them mrst seriously, for if they lent their money at five per cent, their revenue would be £200 a year less. He, in concluding, gave the following interesting figures regarding Friendly Sooie ties in Australasia—

Thus in the matter cf acoumnlatsd funds per mt mfcer Kow Zealand occupied the premier position! Es said tbe question of etaiting Lodges for females would be dieous:ed next February. Bro Burge proposed " The Lodge Surgeon," and Dr Pearlesß responded. He stated of ten Trdgeatbathe was Surgeon to, tbat Lodge > gave him tbe least trouble. Bro Thomss proposed "the South Star (Do\edale) Lodge," coupled vriih Bro Cozens nirae.

Bro Cozens, in responding, stated the South Sb.r LoJge had increased its rnsmba Isbip from 11 to forty. He wished his Lodge was joined to the Nelson district. Bro A. Robertson pi-opesed, " cur Visitors," to which Messrs G. W W. Lightband and Paicton responded, Bro Ingram gave a Scotch song, whioh was immensely enjojed. Bro Taunioliffe gave another song. Mr Samuel Boigent proposed " the La-. aie3," to whioh toast Bro. Bryant briefly responded. Bro Smallbone gave a song. Mr Painton propesad "the Prese," to whioh Mr W. T. Bond reapended. Mr Sheridan gave a second reoiation. Bro Thomas proposed "Oar depa tei brethren," and after the toast had been drank iv silence, Bro W. Wella said a few words in reiponse. . Jar Liphtbtnd proposed, " Our Chairman,' end Bro Hoans:ll suitably aaknowlectgea tae toast. Bro Bisley proposed " ourVioe-Obairman," and Bro Ingram r« spended. Thomas proposed I: our Host," and Mr Dunoan in responding, gave the credit of the excellent spread to the labors and pains cf Mrs Byrne. The oompany separated at about 2 in tbe morniog after singing Acid Laog Sjne, and the National Anthem.

Colony, Members. Funds Per head Victoria 87,003 £1,011,327 £11/12/6 Queensland . . 16,358 £124,937 £7/12/9 New S. Wales. 71,218 £499,637 £7/0/4 S.Australia.. 38,763 £417,441 £10/15/5 W. Australia.. 968 £12 555 £12/19/5 Tasmania.... 10 358 £73,889 £7/2/8 New Zealand.. 28,754 £501,155 £17/8/0