Ancient independent order OF ODDFELLOWS.

Timaru Herald, Volume XVII, Issue 817, 18 November 1872, Page 1 (Supplement)

Ancient independent order OF ODDFELLOWS.

The anniversary banquet of the members of this order was held m the hall of the M.U. Oddfellows, Barnard street, on the 13th November. The hall was decorated for the occasion by a display of bunting and flowers. An excellent dinner was provided by Mr A. McCaa, at which about forty sat down including visiting brethren and strangers. The N. G.,Br A. Broad, presided as chairman, and V. G., Br T. W. Fyfe, as vicechairman. Dinner over, the first toast proposed •was "The Queen," after which the following report was read by the Secretary, Br John King : — Annual Report of the Loyal Star of Canterbuky Lodge, No. 8, November 13, 1872. . Your Committee beg to submit the annual report, for the past year : — On referring back to the state of the Lodge on the last anniversary, we find that the number of the members was sixty-seven, including seven Past Grands, evidencing a most flourishing condition. Since then however there has been, we are sorry to say, a considerable falling off of the older members, including some of those who had passed through the higher olhces, reducing our numbers until they stand as now, at forty-three members, including four Past Grands, showing a reduction of twenty-one members and three Past Grands from the total members. Your Committee consider m drawing up this report, that they would not be fulfilling their duty, did they do so without remarking upon the causes of the above considerable defection. In almost every Lodge, there •will be found some member or members who, having joined the order with the sole motive of advancement through the highest grades of the Society, have during then J progress, neglected the higher duties enjoined by our order, and by their love of precedence have neglected to show that courtesy to the older and more respected members of the Society which they have a right to expect, and which it is our duty to give. Unfortunately our Lodge has been no exception to the 'general rule ; but further than tliis, the past year has been very successful, for no deaths have occurred amongst us, and no members have drawn on the Sick Fund. It is especially gratifying to note that the members are young men, and apparently of good constitutions, so that _ unless visited by an epidemic or contageous' disease, we may reasonably look forward during the next year for the same healthy condition of the Lodge — which -will be represented by an increased Invested Fund. TVe may now now give briefly a statement of our finances. Wo have an Invested Fund of £116 Cs 9d, including a Sick Fund of £78 15s Gd ; and a Widow and Orphan Fund of £7 Cs 3 ; and a balance m hand of £12 2s, making m all £12S Ss 9d. This must be Admitted as most satisfactory, considering the falling off of members during the early part of the year. As the Invested Fund stands out 80 ijrominently, you may feel interested to know ■where the money is invested. Soon after the inauguration of this Lodge, it was considered advisable to take up twenty-five shares m the Permanent Building Investment Society, which liayo been kept paid up by a monthly subscription of £3 2 6d, which, with interest at eight per cent, compounded yearly, has increased it to £116 6s 9d as above. There will shortly be a bonus added, -which, will still further increase it •without drawing on our funds ; we consider it a very eligible method of utilising our surplus funds, until we are m a position to warrant our building a Lodge room for our own use. In looking over the roll books we are struck with the continual absence of some, and would ■urge them to attend more regularly, for the work should not devolve on a few, who, however zealous, cannot be expected to always bo m office. We have now a. more pleasing duty m reporting that again arrangements have been made by which the services of Dr Mclntyre, have been secured on fair terms, and from the satisfaction given last year, we consider this Lodge highly eligible for any person wishing to join a Friendly Society. "We have also to report that our respected brother B. "Wallis, has received a warrant as Deputy District Grand Master, m accordance •with the wish of the Lodge. "We have also to report that a sub-committee are now engaged m forming bye-laws for tho guidance of this Lodge, m conformity with the Eevised Grand Lodge laws just received. "We have further to report that wo have now a Permanent and Recording Secretary, and anticipate tho duties appertaining to those offices, will be efficiently performed. In conclusion we can but express a wish that many of oiir former members may rejoin us, and that our number of initiates may bo largely increased, aud that the officers and members will always consider and promote tho welfare and prosperity of the Loyal Star of Canterbury Lodge, No. 8, and act up to the principles of Friendship, Love, and. Truth. N. G Brother Broad, m a brief speech, proposed the health of the Prince of Wales. The health of the " Grand Officers and Officers" was next given, coupled with the name of D. D. G. M. Brother Wallis. Br Wallis briefly responded. V. G. Brother Fyfe proposed the health of " Past Officers," and m doing so, said he was sure they were all pleased to have an opportunity of expressing their appreciation of their past services. He was glad to see faces present that they had not seenHn connection with the Lodge for some time before. He was sure that, although •unpleasant causes had arisen among themselves which had produced a want of unity, yet he felt sure' those who had left ■would be most heartily welcomed back again. ■..•■•■■ Br W. M. Sims responded. Captain Cain ' was called upon to sing, but that gentleman said he was no singer, but would, if they wished, spin them a good yarn. Being persuaded, however, he sang a nautical .ditty, which was received with applause. Mr Dugdale here favored the company with an overture on the harmonium. The D. D: G. M. Brother .Wallis proposed the health of «*The Present Officers," coupled with the names of N. G. Brother Broad and Secretary J. King. Brother Broad, m responding, said lie did not feel worthy of any eulogism for he had but done his duty, and he thought that if they all did their duty, the Lodge would be m a more flourishing condition ; he hoped they would all endeavour to promote the interests of the Lodge- m future, by coming personally during Lodge hours. It could not be expected that the work would always devolve upon the few. Oddfellowship •was a useful thing; it conferred great benefits on "all who joined the society. The Secretary said the toast given him to propose was " The Kindred Societies " with which he would couple the names of Mr Holdgate and Mr Machin. He could scarcely^ say he regarded Freemasonry as a kjndred society, for it was not a benefit society, but he thought if Oddfellowship conduced to make men good, Free Masonry conduced to make them better. He looked upon it as a great agent m civilization. He was sorry to see only one Masonic lodge represented there. When there was anything to be done for the benefit of mankind there representatives of masonry i should be to the fore. He wished every prosperity to the kindred' societies. The toast was musically honored, and Messrs Holdgate and Machin responded,

the former on behalf of the Foresters, and the latter for the M. U. O. of Oddfellows. Brothers Broad and Wildie likewise made some remarks on the toast, but differed from the opinions of the proposer m not regarding the Masonic Order as a kindred society. Several other toasts were drunk during the evening, among which were "The Loyal Star of Canterbury Lodge," " The Visitors," "The Army and Navy," "The Press," &., followed by able responses from the several gentlemen whose names were coupled with the toasts, including those of Messrs Hunt, White, Capt. Cain, and others. The harmony of the evening was much promoted by songs from Messrs Stone, Wildie, Ziesler, F. A. Sims, Broad, Sutherland, &., and it was not till after two o'clock the following morning that the company broke up.