ODD FELLOWSHIP.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 139, 22 October 1868, Page 2

ODD FELLOWSHIP.

T c Old Fellows of Canterbury can well congratulate themselves on the success which attended the annunl dinner of the Loyal City of Christchurch and Benevolent Lodges, given in the new hall attached to Messrs (Joker and Heath's hotel, Gloucester street, la9t evening. It was a success iv all respects, as regards ttie attendance, the catering, and the pleasant, uenuine spirit of pood fellowship which prvailed among the party throughout the evening. The hall in which the dinner was laid was decorated apropos of the occasion, and the excellent manner in which it was lighted by gas contributed not a little to its gay, cheerful, and animated appearance. All were unanimous in the opinion that a better place could not have been selected by the committee who were charged with the duty of carryi/tg out the arrangements, and who did so, we are bold to say, to the unqualified satisfaction of all concerned. Shortly after eight o'clock, the chair was taken by Dr Donald. P. IJ.Gl J .G M . lie was sup ported on his right by his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch and Mr lliffe ; and on his left by Mr Montgomery (Deputy Superintendent) and Mr Wynn Williams Solicitor). The vice chairs were filled by Brothers J. W. Morton and Auhton. Altogether, about 160 sat down. After full justice was done to a very good dinner, the Chairman proposed the usual loyal toasts, which were duly honoured. Dr Donald then proposed " His Honor the Superintendent and Executive Council," and the toast was most enthusiastically drunk. Mr Montgomery, in responding, i hanked the company very siucerely for the manner in which they had drunk the toast. He thanked them on the part of his Honor, himself, and the other members of the Executive. He regretted very much that his Honor was not present that evening, for two reasons — first, because he had just passed through a very serious illness, and was yet unable to resumehisduties. He(Mr Montgomery) believed that tint illness, if not brought on, was in a great measure aggravated by his Honor's intense anxiety respecting public affairs. (Cheers.) He believed that a purer spirit of devotion to the public service never breathed. (Renewed cheers.) He regretted his Honor's absence, secondly, because he was sure it would have given him the utmost pleasure to have been their guest, and to meet so many lovers of order, associated as they were for the most excellent purposes, for which their lodges wore designed. For himself, and the other members of the Executive, he would gay that they did not of course recognise any political significance in the manner in which the tOHSt waß drunk, beyond this — that as lovers of order they found it their duty to support the constituted authorities (' 'beers.) And he could say for himself, and the other members of the Executive, that so long as the administration of affairs was in their hands, if they did not give entire satisfaction to the public it would be because they had not the ability, but not in consequence of want of good intentions. He again thanked them very sincerely, and assured them that while remaining in office, the other members of the Executive and himself would do their best for what

they considered the good of tke public. (Loud cheers. ) The chairman, in proposing the n«xt toast — that of the " Provincial Council " — read a letter from Mr W. S. Moorhouse, thanking the brethren for their kind invitation, and apologising for his iion-nttendance, which wai occasioned by indisposition. The toa*t was drank amid all the honours. Mr Wtn-n Williams in responding, said he was as little inclined to make a political speech as the company were to hear it. Although the to st was very significant of politics, lie would content himself by saying that he knew from experience the Council was composed of a very sjund lot of men, every one of whom did what he could for the public to the best of his ability. (Cheers.) He was sure that in the session which was close sit hand they would be found to pass such measures as were for the g od of the province. He sincerely trusted that a better day might soon dawn, and that in a few months they might find the darkness of the political horizon dispelled, and the country arising to a day of greater prosperity. (Cheers.; The Chairman, in proposing " His YVYrship the Mnyor, and the Borough Council," said he believed he was the first to propose '■ Municiptlities in Canterbury. The propostl was worse than coldly received ; and a bill was not allowed to be brought in. The thing was very unpopular, but from that time to thi3 day had gradually worked into popularity, and he could now saftly siy that these institutions were most popular. He alluded to the work done in the city by the Council, and he believed it would be admitted that it had been done economically. He was often called the father of Lytteltoti ; he didn'c know whether Mr Wilson wa9 a 1 together the father of Christchurch, but he was fast coming on to it. (Laughter.) The toast was enthusiastically drunk. The Mayor said he was exceedingly pleased at ihe very comp ioientary terms in which Dr Donald had prop sed the toast, whiih were all the more acceptable as they came from one of the oldest inhabitants in the proviuce. He (the Mayor) landed in Lyttelton four months prior to the arrival of the first four ships, and had then the pleasure of meeting Dr Donald — when Lyttelton consisted of fourteen or fiftten houses only. Dr Donald had arrived in the province eighteen months previously, and had become thoroughly acquainted with its merits, and he could bear testimony to the readiness with which he afforded information to those who asked for it. The Mayor referred t > his present position, and said it was withiu the reach of any one of them to attain it if they worked for it. He had worked in hit blue shirt from 4 in the morning till 8 at night, and it was a pride to him that he could still call himself a working man. (Cheers ) The following toasts were proposed : — " The Free and Accepted Masons," '• The Ancient Order of Foresters," « The G.M. and Board of Directors of the M.U., 1.0.0. F.," •' Lyttelton District," "North Canterbury District," "Medical Officers of the District," •' Other Lodges and Visiting Brothers,"*' Loyal Volunteer Lodge," " Loyal Benevolent Lodge," "Loyal City of Christchurch Lodge," " Miccess to the Widow and Orphan Fund," " Absent Brothers," " The Pros," "The Ladies," "The Chairman," "The Host," "The Working Committee," (coupled witli the name of Mr Savage), •'The Visitors," &c. Brother J. W. Slade gave a very interesting statement of the number of lodges, menbers, &c, belonging to the Manchester Unity, observing that the accumulated capital amounts to jEJ.OOO.OOO. Other gentlemen, in responding to the local toasts, also gave some interesting details of the progress and extension of Oddfellowship in Canterbury. The speeches were alternated with songs sufficiently varied in character to satisfy the tastes of all present, and altogether a most agreeable evening was spent. Good humour, kindliness, and uuison characterised the entire proceedings.