MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6130, 17 March 1898, Page 2

MEETINGS OF SOCIETIES.

At the Loyal Eaiapoi Lodge of Oddfellows on Tuesday evening there was a very good attendance, and all the officers were present. A letter was received from one of the medical officers as to sending a brother to the Hut Springs, and action was taken in the matter. Sick pay was passed, and the Visitors reported on the brethren who were on the list. The report of the district delegates was deferred till next meeting night. Bro A. H. Hunt was elected a delegate to sit with the amalgamated committee in connection with the sports to be held on Easter Monday. The Lodge was then closed in due form. ' The Loyal Addington Lodge, 1.0.0.P., M.U., No. 6544, held its fortnightly meeting on Monday evening. There was a good attendance of members, and also of visiting brethren from the Loyal Leeston Lodge, City of Christchurch, Volunteer, Phillipstown, and the City of Norwich Lodge. Two brethren were reported on the sick list. Business over, the Lodge adjourned to entertain the visiting brethren, and a very pleasant evening was spent. Various toasts were drunk, and were reponded to by the officers of the visiting lodges. The annual meeting of the Lyttelton District M.U., 1.0.0. F., was held on Thursday, March 10, at the Oddfellows' Hall, Lyttelton; present —P.G.M. J. R Newton, P.D.G.M. L. A. Graham, P.C.S. John L. Carrell. The. following deputies were present — Loyal City of Norwich, P.P.G.M. Baker, P.S. Kay, Lund, N. G. Harrington ; Loyal Good Intent, P.Q-. Fyfe, N.G. B. Mora; Loyal Timaru, P.P.G.M. Hilton, P.G. Beswick, Christmßs, P.S. Macintosh; Loyal Heart of Friendship, P.G.D. Watts, P.G, Moore (appointed); Loyal Hand of Friendship, P.P.G.M. E. "W. Harris; Loyal Hand and Heart, P.G. Pettigrew ; Loyal Perseverance, P.G. Le Compte; Loyal Pleasant Point, P.G. Brice (appointed) ; District Warden P.G. Milnes. There was also a large attendance of members and visitors, amongst whom were P.G.M. Paddy, P.P.G.M. Kent, and Sister Pearce, of the Female Lodge. The P.G.M. Bro. Newton, in his opening address, gave a favourable account of lodge work during the half-year, and stated that the new Lodge at Little Eiver promised to be a success, and that its opening had given an impetus to Oddfellowship on the Peninsula, all the Lodges having largely increased their membership, especially the Lodge at Barry's liay. The district had increased its membership by thirty-one. The half-yearly balance-sheet was read and tabled, and also the annual statistical return by the ; Prov. C.S. Beports were received from Bfawke's Bay, Wellington, Hobart, Queensland, North' Cariterbury> Ashley, Auckland, Nelson and Otago. Correspondence for Consideration was received from Pleasant Point, . withdrawing the nomination of P.S. Smith for Deputy Prov. G.M.i and also from Waimate, withdrawing the nomination of P.O. Watts for the same office. A circular from Wellington aB to the proposal for a Board of Directors for New Zealand was ..held over until next meet&g, having been received too late for inaertion on the agenda of business. From the Loyal Perseverance conveying resolution of that Lodge appreciating the valuable services of the present district officers in visiting Lodges on the Peninsula, and acknowledging a vote of thanks passed to sick visitors. The balancesheet and auditors' report were duly received and adopted. It was resolved that the usual permit should be granted to Peninsula Lodges to grant sick pay upon sick visitors' certificates. The election of district officers resulted as follows: — Prov. D.G.M. Graham, Prov. G.M. ; P.G. Henry R. Asquith, of Waimate, Prov. D.G.M. ; P.P.G.M. Baker, junior • auditor ; P.P.G.M. Grandi, book examiner for Timaru Lodges; and P.G. Brice and N.G. Harrington examiners for Peninsula and Lyttelton Lodges. It was resolved that the half-yearly meeting in September should be held at the County Council Chambers, Duvauchelle's Bay; that the district officers should formulate a scheme to obtain the mutual clearance of juvenile members, and to obtain the cooperation of the North Canterbury district ; that the names Of P.P.G.M.'s Richard Earl, E. W. Harris and J. K. Newton should be inscribed on the merit board ; that the P.P.G.M. degree should be granted to P.P.G.M.'s . Hilton, Harris, Newton and Prov. C.S. j. L. Carrell. The Good Intent Lodge tabled a notice of motion for next meeting to rescind the district rules aa to funeral donation of .£3O to married members, and that it should be amended to read that "the same sum shall be paid to single and married members." It was resolved "that the district officers should be requested to arrange for a conference of deputies from North Canterbury, Ashley, Ashburton and Lyttelton districts, to be held at the next annual meeting of the Lyttelton district, and to report at next meeting. At five o'clock the meeting was adjourned, and the members and visitors were photographed by Mr George Hillsden. After the usual dinner, which was held at the Albion Hotel, the business was resumed, when a Past Giands' Lodge was opened, and the Purple Degree was conferred upon P.G. Lund. A vote of thanks was accorded to the City of Norwich Lodge for its cordial reception of the deputies, and to Prov. G.M. Paddy and P.P.G.M. Kent, of North Canterbury district, for their attendance. The installation of officers was conducted by the officers of North Canterbury, and the Dep. Prov. G.M. Graham was duly installed as Prov. G.M. The deputy-elect was unavoidably absent, but he sent a telegram acknowledging +he honour conferred upon him. The Prov. G.M. jewel was presented to P.P.G.M. Bro J. R. Newton, who feelingly acknowledged the presentation. It was resolved that the Prov. Grand Master's address should be printed, and also the report of the meeting and the annual returns. At the conclusion of the meeting, the deputies and visitors were entertained by the Lyttelton Lodge at supper in the Albion Hotel, and a pleasant hour or two passed in harmony. __________«_