ODDFELLOWSHIP AT MOTUEKA.

Colonist, Volume XLII, Issue 9749, 30 March 1900, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP AT MOTUEKA.

(FBOM OUR OWN COBBSBTONPENT).

The members of the Motueka Lodges' 0i Oddfellows, M.U., celebrated tin jubilee of the opening of the Lodge on Wednesday 28th March. The Lodge was opened in Motueka on tne 25th March, 1850, on which occasion twelve financial, and one honorary member were i initiated, of which number, =two only are living viz., Mr Geo. Cook, of Eiwaka, who subsequently withdrew his clearance from the Motueka Lodge and joined the Good Intention. Lodge, Eiwaka, of which Lodge he is still a member; and Mr Stephen Eginton, senior, who is still a <memJjer of Motueka Lodge. Since the date of opening the Lodge, a sum of between six and seven thousand pounds has been disbursed in sick pay There are at present 160 financial members, and the total amount of the funds is £3955, and at the last Government valuation a surplus of £181 was shown on a four per cent basis, which places the Lodge in one of the foremost positions in the 'Colony. The proceedings commenced to-day with a procession, in which (by invitation) the members of the Good Intention Lodge, Eiwaka, the members of Court Perseverance, \OF M also being represented, and -the Good Templars and Stale School children took part. . Headed by the Motueka Brass Band, the Oddfellows, with the school children, left their Lodge room at 11 a.m. and marched up High street, and were soon met by the Good Templars, who also fell in. Upon arriving at the shop of Mr J. H. Leonard, a halt was made, and a photographic viewwas taken. Continuing up High street, upon reaching the Foresters' Hall several members of Court Perseverance, with their banner, joined the procession, which continued to the Swan Hotel. Here the procession wheeled and halted, and, the Oddfellows opening out, the Foresters and Good Templars led the return. There were about 100 adults and 50 children in the procession, about 80 of whom were Oddfellows. Marching on ''the rehirn down High street, with the banners of the Oddfellows and Foresters flying, a halt was made opposite the fine grounds of Mrs Fearon, occupied by Mr Hursthouse. Here the procession broke up, and provision was made under the shelter of the trees in the grounds for picnic parties *tna*' 'sports, when a jvery pleasant day was spent, and the remainder of the day was occupied with impromptu sports, tugs-of-war and foot races being the most prominent, and, with the excellent playing of the Motueka Band, the time passed very pleasantly. The members and friends of the Order still further celebrate their Jubilee by dining together at the Swan Hotel in the evening and on Thursday (last) night a ball will take place at the Institute Hall. The members of the Lodge are to be congratulated upon the success they have attained during the first 50 years of their existence, and it is to be hoped that such a useful Society may enjoy equal success in the future. 28/3/1900.