I.O.O.F., MU.

Taranaki Daily News, 15 April 1925, Page 9

I.O.O.F., MU.

MEETING OF COMBINED LODGES. A special meeting of the combined lodges, the Loyal Excelsior aud the Loyal Egmont Lodges was held in the Gill Street hall on Saturday evening, the 11th instant, to welcome the New Zealand Grand Master, Bro. A. G. Shrimpton, who is on a visit to New Plymouth. The meeting was presided over by N.G. Bro. H. A. Bennett (Excelsior Lodge), assisted by V.G. Sister J. Callaghan (Egmont Lodge). There was a large attendance oi local members and visitors from sister lodges in Taranaki and other parts ot the Dominion. The N.G. Bro. Bennett, in welcoming the G.M. on behalf of the combined lodges, spoke of the great pleasure it was for members to have the privilege of welcoming him on his first official visit to New Plymouth, and also to welcome the district officers and visitors present. The honors of the order were accorded the G.M. and also the district officers and visitors.

The N.Z.G.M. thanked the N.G. for the Avar in welcome accorded him. It was a great pleasure to him to have the opportunity of meeting them. He then gave an eloquent ami instructive address on the affairs of the society. Speaking on the consolidation of sick and funeral funds, he strongly advocated district consolidation. His home district. Nelson, was under consolidation, and he was proud of it. He also spoke of the money raised from surplus lodges in New Zealand in 1914 to help liie deficiency lodges, the sum of £5BOO being raised for that purpose. Under consolidation this would not he necessaiy; each lodge would he a real part of the M.U., aud the means of meeting their liabilities would bo assured. There were now 18,500 members of the M.U. in Now Zealand, 1500 new members joined last year. I.odges would not lose their individuality if they consolidated; each lodge would be a spoke in the wheel of progress, and he hoped to see the M.U. in Taranaki progress more consistently with the growth ami prosperity of the district than it had in the last few years. He also spoke at some length on matters of great interest to members.

P.P.G.M. Bro. F. Anioore, P.P.G’.M. Bro. C. Bellringer, and P.P.G.M. Bro T. R Clow spoke on behalf pf the fheeting, thanked the G.M. for his interesting address, and hoped it would not he the last occasion they would have the pleasure of hearing him. The district officers and several visiting members thanked the N.G. for the hearty welcome accorded them. During the evening a jewel of distinction of service donated by P.G, Bro. T.

Ji Jinn to the Egmont Lodge for competition was presented to P.G. Bro. E. D. Callaghan. The G.M. thanked Bro. Callaghan for his services to the society. Bro. Callaghan thanked the lodge for the honour conferred on him. An adjournment was then made to the supper room, where a light supper .was partaken of. The following toasts were honoured: “The King,'’ proposed !by the N.G. Bro. H. A. Bennett; “The Manchester Unity,” proposed by P.P.G.M. Bro. Amoore, coupled with the N.Z.G.M., and responded to by the N.Z.G.M. and I’.P.G. Bro. 0. Bellringer; “District Oflieers,” proposed by P.G. Bro. Turner, responded to by P.G.’s Bros. Thompson, Papps and Julian: “Visiting Members,” coupled with P.G.’s Ward and Turner, responded to by P.G.’s Bros. Turner (Loyal VCanganui), Ward (Eltham Lodge), Roxtrow (Loyal Manawatu), Walton (Loyal Feilding); “.Lady Members,” proposed by P.G. Bro. Walton, responded to by N.G. Sister Thompson (Stratford Lodge) and V.G. Sister I, Callaghan (Loyal Egmont Lodge). k vety pleasant, evening was brought to a close with “Auld Lang Syne.” During the G.M.’s visit he was shown round the most interesting and beauty spots of New Plymouth. On Sunday he was motored round tire mountain, calling at Kaponga, where he was welcomed by the Deputy D.G.M., Bro. Dagg. After lunch ho was taken to Dawson Falls House, On the return

journey lie was met by members of the Eltham Lodge, who entertained the party to afternoon tea, where a warm welcome was accorded the G.M. The G.M. was impressed with the (beautiful scenery in Taranaki, in and around New Plymouth, particularly with the snow-capped mountain 'ever in the background. The Grand Master, Bro. A. G. Sbrimpton, was elected to membership in the Loyal Howard Lodge No. 4207 in 1906. He attended his first conference in 1008 and was elected district secretary in 1009. He attended his first B.M.C. at Napier 'in 1910. He was unanimously elected Deputy G.M. in 1922 and G.M. in 1923. He has been in the forefront of activities for many years; 19 years an Oddfellow and 16 years a district secretary is a record to be proud of, and the Manchester Unity is proud of its G.M.