THROUGH THE YEARS.
LOYAL TIMARU LODGE. Many of the early townsfolk had been associated with Oddfellows Lodges in the Old Land, and this led to an interest being taken in sickness and distress. An application was made to tlie Board of Distributors of the M.U.1.0.0.F., in Manchester, to give permission for the formation of an Oddfellow's’ Lodge in Timaru. This w r as granted, and on 23rd November, 1864, by command of the Grand Master of the Order, the Lyttelton District opened a lodge called the Loyal Timaru Lodge. Meetings were’ to be held in the Club Hotel, then owned by Mr John Faiers.
The first Noble Grand of the Lodge w r as Bro. Harrison, w r ho was followed by Bros. Sim and Jacob Levien respectively. For a short time all went well. The Lodge on 25th October, 1866, numbered 68 full benefit members. Strife crept in and the meetings were removed to the Timaru Hotel, the host of which, Bro. John Reilly, became Permanent Secretary.
Strife became more bitter till on 26tli December, 1867, the Lodge removed its effects at short notice to St. John’s Masonic Hall. For making this change without first obtaining the permission of the District Loyal, Timaru was fined £5. This served only to add fuel to the fire. On 19th December, 1567, application was made for permission to form a Lodge at Temuka, to be known as the Loyal Arowhenua Lodge. The application was successful, and for many years the Manchester Unity did much useful work there through that Lodge.
Early in 18GS application was made to have South Canterbury declared a separate district, but without success. The membership by April, 186 S, had dropped to 51, and on 2 9th December, 1869, there were only 32 full benefit members in the Lodge. Expulsions, recriminations and reinstatements were frequent. Some of the officials, too, caused much trouble, either through incapacity or other proclivities.
In August, IS6S, the meetings, on account of expense, were removed to the Royal Assembly Rooms, the rent for which was to be £2 per annum. On 2nd February, 1869, the quarter acre section at the corner of Barnard, and Woollcombe Streets was purchased from Mr C. E. Smith, a surveyor, for £7O cash. May, IS7O, saw the completion of an Oddfellows’ Hali on this section. In after years it was added to considerably. When the new Lodge room was built by Mr Frank Palliser, in WoollqpmbcStreet, the old one was let for trading purposes, and is at present occupied by Ellis and Howe.
Of the old members still alive the two with longest service are Bro. James Holland, initiated 7th February, 1874, and P.P.G.M. Bro. Richard Earl, initiated 23rd June, 1875. The latter ever since he joined has taken an active part in Lodge affairs, and even yet, unless prevented by sickness,. Wednesday night always sees “Good Old Dick” in his place.
On 7th December, 1881, a Boys’ Juvenile Lodge was opened. Of those initiated that night only two remain in the Order —P.G. Bro. R. W. Marshall, who at present is sick visitor for the adult Lodge, and P.G. Bro. Wm. John Lister.
Though the membership rose and fell, and the finances suffered severely, never was strife allowed to interfere with the great principle for which Oddfellowship stands—the relief of the sick and distressed. On 24th April, 18 69, the Lodge experienced its first death —Bro. Burrows, a trustee, being killed through being crushed in a building upon which he was working. Exactly a month later Past Grand Bro. Cameron was drowned through the capsizing of the lifeboat while lie was engaged in rescue work at the schooner “Twilight.” Both cases called forth much sympathy of a really practical nature. In the latter case the Government gave a section upon which to build a cottage for the widow. Thus began Loyal Timaru Lodge, which now extends sick and funeral, medical and dispensary, and hospital and maternity benefits to a clientele of over 800 contributors.
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