ODDFELLOWS’ LODGE.

Wairarapa Age, 16 March 1923, Page 6

ODDFELLOWS’ LODGE.

PRESENTATION TO OFFICERS. The Loyal Masterton Lodge, M.U., held a presentation night on Tuesday, over 70 members being present. Sister M. Roff presided. A hearty welcome was extended to representatives from Martinborough, Greytown and Carterton Lodges. One member was initiated into the Order and two proposed. Sister M. Roff, N.G., referred fully to the long term of useful service rendered to Oddfellow.ship by Bro. J. Langley, and the esteem in which he was held by members was evidenced in the large attendance. Bro. J. Langley was the first member of Loyal Masterton Lodge to have held the high position of Grand Master Wellington District. Sister Roff, on behalf of the members of Masterton Lodge, presented Bro. Langley, P.D.G.M., and Sister O. Langley, with a handsome present, and asked the two members to accept the same as a small token from their fellow-members, who appreciated the service they had rendered their lodge and district. P.G. Bro. W. C- Perry spoke in regard to the energy displayed by Bro. Langley since he joined the lodge and also to the service rendered by D.D.G.M. Bro. P. M. Smith. He congratulated the lodge on having such members, and on the advance the lodge had made during the past few years. The success of Masterton Lodge was due in the first place to those old members who formed the quorum of thirty odd years ago, and kept the lodge going when an uphill fight for existence as a lodge was in progress. Bros. J. Apperley, J. Dixon, R. Krahagen, Alec. Hunter and G. Terry were the stalwarts of years ago, and he .was pleased to note that Bro. J. Dixon was present. The minutes of the lodge (produced by the secretary) showed that exactly 30 years ago Bro. Dixon was recorded as being present at the lodge meeting, and he was present again tonight, to congratulate the young members on the success of the lodge. Bro. Perry then presented P.G. Bro. J. Langley and P-.G. Bro. P. M. Smith with a Past Grand’s Jewel, the highest honour earned by any lodge’ member, both members being well worthy of the presentation.

P.G. Sister Alice Golder, the first Past Grand of any New Zealand Lodge of mixed members, placed the jewels on the collars of the recipients, members rising and giving musical honours to the members who had earned f,such distinction in the Order. Past District Grand Masters Bro. J. Boake and 0. J. De Lacey spoke in high terms of the sterling qualities of the honoured members. Past Grand Master of the New Zealand Branch, Bro. D. P. Loasby. also made reference to the splendid position the Masterton Lodge was in, and the devotion to Oddfellowship displayed for years past by the brothers who had been presented with tokens of esteem. They had earned all the members could bestow upon them. Bro. W. I. Clark, district secretary, and Bro. A. Rowden, F. 8., of Eketahuna, sent messages of appreciation, and apologised for non-attendance. ■Never in the history of the Masterton Lodge has such enthusiasm been displayed towards members, and the future of the lodge is assured so long as such keenness for Oddfellowship is displayed. After the lodge closed a short social evening was held, and a dainty supper supplied by the Sisters of the Lodge was the wind-up of a most successful function.