MEETING OF ODD FELLOWS.

Waipawa Mail, Volume I, Issue 77, 4 June 1879, Page 2

MEETING OF ODD FELLOWS.

Tho new Oddfellows Lodge (denominated the Loyal Tavistock Lodge) was opened at Waipukurau on Friday, tho 30th ultimo. Tho following officers from other lodges w r ere present to open the new lodge by dispensation. —A. Robb, D.P.G.M., W. Brown, C. W. Thompson, N.G. Takapau Lodge, P.G’s Collett and o‘Leary, P.N.G’s Johnson and Westmoreland, V.G. Phillips, Secretaries Twoiney and Cow per, and eleven members from Abbotsford and two from Takapau Lodges. Tho Lodge was opened by D.P.G.M. Robb. Twelve benefit and two honorary members were duly initiated. I\G. Collett, of the Abbotsford Lodgo, was appointed N.G.,and P.N.G. Westmoreland G.M. for tho ensuing session. Bro. Hamilton was appointed Y.G., and Bro. Monteith Secretary. Bro. Tattersall was appointed Treasurer. Tho N.G. appointed Bros. Wilson and Mackay, the former his R. S., and the latter his L.S. The V.G. appointed Bros. Tattersall and Ephgrave, the former his R.S. and the latter his L.S. Bro. D. Fraser was appointed Tyler, and Bro. Jolley, Warden. Tho appointment of Elective Secretary and trustees was postponed till next meeting.

The ceremony of opening the Lodgo and initiation in tho Hall being over, the brethren retired to the Tavistock Hotel, where a splendid supper awaited them. Mr Robb, D.P.G.M. of tho Abbotsford Lodge, took the chair, and Mr o‘Leary, P.G., the vice.

The chairman, after making a few appropriate remarks touching the aim and objoct of the Order, called upon Bro. Collett, P.G., to propose the Manchester Unity. Bro. o‘Leary, P.G., responding to the toast, said that the Order of Oddfellows w f as one of the largest registered socities in the world. The origin of Oddfellowship could bo traced without any stretch of imagination to The reign of Titus Ciesar in the year 79 B.C. Tho first benefit lodge was opened in England in the year 1801, and now the number of members was 528 Oddfellow ship was a powerful auxiliary to the Government, because tho pecuniary relief afforded by tho society would in many instances have to be dispensed by the Government. Bro. Hamilton A song. Mr Thompson N.G. of the Takapau Lodge, proposed the District Officers. In order to become a district officer, he said new members would require to begin at tlie lowest grade in tho scale of honors, and would also have

• to attend much on the sick and afflicted. Activity in the work of charity and benevolence was much more in accord with the spirit of the Order, than zeal in carrying out a ■ fora* - ’ r of duty in the Lodge, * (lU—, ?ar.) Before a member could become an efficient and trustworthy officer, ho would require to combine attention to formal duty, with active brotherly sympathy. Mr Kobb, D.P.G.M., in responding to the toast, said that a considerable amount of trouble attached to the duty of district officers, to say nothing of the responsibility. Notwithstanding these things, he was proud of the honor of Deputy Provincial Grand Master, and would endeavor to discharge the duties of the office to the best of liis abilities. (Applause.) Bro. Tattersall: A song. Bro. Brown, Secretary of the Abbotsford la>dge, proposed success to the Loyal Tavistock Ijodge. Jn a brief but comprehensive speech, he encouraged the newly-formed Lodge to aim at making it second to none in the Province, and promised that all necessary help should be given by the Abbotsford Lodge to its infant sister.

Bro. Monteith, in responding, said that with the help of the brethern and the officers of the Waipawa Lodge they would end- avor to make it a success. He had every confidence in the new members, and others about to join the Lodge, that they would carry out its arin and object with euergy and success. (Applause.) Bro. O 4 Leary, P.G.: A song. Bro. Fraser proposed the ladies. Bro. K ing responded. ’ Bro. Ritchie : A song.

Bro. Sharpiu pro{>osed kindred societies. Bro. Hamilton, who was a Forester as well as an Oddfellow, responded. Bro. Tattersall ; A song.

Bro. Wilson (who had considerable experience as a press man), in proposing the Press, paid a high compliment to the local journal, the Waipawa MAIL.

Pro. LcLcod, in reply, acknowledged the compliment. Bro. King proposed the Abbotsford Lodge. Bro. Brown responded. Bro. Johnson, P.G., proposed our host and hostess. He said that he knew by e\|K*riencc the weight of responsibility in connection with business. If men in tlio ordinary walks of commercial life had onerous and disagreeable duties to perforin, people situated as they (the host and hostess) were would meet with incidents in their particular calling of an unpleasant kind. They were therefore entitled to the sympathy of all friends. (Apple.) The Tavistock Hotel maintained its character as a lirst-ratc establishment. It would be hard no doubt always to uphold its present and well-deserved good name. (Hear, hear.) Mr Gow, tho host, in reply, said he was happy to see so many of his old associates in tho Abbotsford Lodge around his table. It was bis mother Lodge, and when he had the honor to preside over it, he endeavored to do his duty towards it. (hear, hear.), but since lie came over the water, lie conhl not well attend. He looked upon the events of the night as calculated to promote a friendly feeling between the townships of Waipawa and Waipukurau. (Hear, hear.) The day was not far distant when the two towns would be merged into one, the space now between them being tilled with smiling cottages and happy homes. He hoped that Mr Harding’s Lodge of Good Templars would thrive and flourish between them. (Loud and continued applause.) He thanked them on his own and Mrs Gow’s behalf for the w'arin manner iu which tho toast was received, and trusted that they would always be prepared to receive their friends and supply them with the best of materials and am pic accommodat ion. Votes of thanks to the chairman ami his supporter, the vice, and also to Bro. C. Harding, wlio presided at the piano, terminated the proceedings.