ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOYAL ABBOTSFORD LODGE, 1.0.0. F. M.U.

Waipawa Mail, Volume 3, Issue 211, 18 September 1880, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOYAL ABBOTSFORD LODGE, 1.0.0. F. M.U.

The seventh anniversary of the above Lodge was celebrated on Thursday by sports, dinner, and ball. The various storekeepers apd business men closed *heir premises at twelve o’clock, ranted their employees a half-holi*. . During the whole of the day the town presented quite a lively appearance, flags and bunting being displayed from all the business places of importance. At about twelve o’clock the sports commenced in a paddock lent by Mr Maroney. There w.ts a fair muster of both sexes on tho sports ground, which gradually increased until tho games were ended. The following is a list of the different events, with results : Flat Race, 300 yards, for men. Two prizes. John Peebles. 1; H. Barry, 2. Vaulting. Two prizes. Austin Nicholls, scratch, 1; Fred. Newton, 4in., 2. Girls’ Race, 6G yards. Two prizes, fold lockot and money prize. Agnes •ecbles, 1 ; Jane Sebley, 2. Hop, Step, and Jump, for men. Two money prizes and a box o£ Professor Moore’s pills. J. Peebles, 1 ; H. Barry, 2 ; S. Pilcher won the pills. Old Men’s Race, for men between C2 and 62 years of age. Two entered. Prize was taken by Thomas Smith. Boy’s Race (under IT), lOC' yards. Two money prizes. Albert Cowper (Bos’n), 1 ; D. Peebles, 2. Girls’ Race. First prize, pair earrings ; second, bottle scent. Jane Sebley, 1; C. Peters, 2. High Jump, for men. Six entries. Two money prizes. J. Peebles 1 ; 11. T. Ellingham, 2. Flat Race, 600 yards. Two money prizes. W. Goldsmith, 1; 11. Barry, 2. The Procession. At 3 p.m. the procession fotned at the Oddfellows’ Hall, P.G.’s Jihnson and Peebles acting as marshals A large number of brethren joiied the ranks. The procession was ledoff by the Waipawa drum and fife band, under the leadership of Mr Mctit, the officers and members following n tho customary order, clothed in thir respective regalias. Having firaded the principal streets, the preession halted in front of the hall, where three hearty cheers were give, after which the order was given t< break off. The Dinner. Shortly aftero’clock, ©out. 70 guests assembled at the dilute tables, which were tastefully laid ou in the bodv of the hall. The N.G. of tho Lodge ccupied the chair, and tho V.G. the v?e-chair. Tho chairman was supported V P.G.M. Robb on the right, and P.C Peebles on tho left. .Dinner being ended, theohairmau “The Queen ad Royal x .-.dly.” The toast was revived with musical honors. “ His Excellency the .lover nor” was 'Bv*o proposed by th< chairman, who made a few approprke remark* about our late Govcrno’s removal. He said that although thi colony had lost a good man in Sr Hercules Robinson, there was saisfaetion in knowing that his suceoss<r is not one whit behind him both a?a statesman and a scholar. “ Tho Army and Nav” was proposed by the vice-chairmm in suitable terms. England’s grcit power, he said, lay in the strength of her army and navy, forces which Jill continue a terror to ovildoors in all parts of tho world. Song, Bro. James llencei*6on, “ The "White Squall.” Bro. Coward, in proposing “ The Manchester Unity,” expressed regret that Bro. O’Leary was not present, as ho felt sure the toast would have had more justice done to it in his hands. He was pleased to be in a position to speak of the success which had all along attended the Manchester Unity. It now embraced 4,250 lodges, with 633,820 members. Financially, it was the soundest and strongest friendly society in tho world. P.G. Collett, in reply, said it was really wonderful the rapid strides Oddfellowsliip is making everywhere. New lodges were continually being opened. Its financial position was very strong, and if the Unity was to dissolve at tho present time, the funds are such ns would enable each member to claim £l2 14s Od as his proportion. Song, “ Pat O’Hara,” Mr Dunn. Secretary Monteith, of the Loyal Tavistock Lodge, proposed “ Tho Abbotsford Lodge,” which he denominated the parent lodge of the one ho represented. Secretary Wilson responded. He said tho Abbotsford Lodge was formed on the 10th October, 1873, witli a membership of IL. It had been steadily progressing ever since, until now it was numerically the largest Lodge in the Hawke’s Bay District, not excepting Napier. Its present strength was 130 members, including II honorary. Eighty of the members are married, and 59 single. Besides ‘ opening a new lodge at Woodville, the Abbotsford could boast of having fostered from its own membership the Takapau, Porangahau, and Waipukurau lodges. The two latter, he had pleasure in stating, were the largest of the country lodges in this district. Not a siVado death among tho members of ms-Lodge had occurred during the past year. Tho funds of the Lodge at present stood at over £IOOO, tho major portion of which was profitably invested. Ho would urge upon every one to become Oddfellows, and so make provision for the “ day of adversity.”

“ Sister Lodges” was proposed by P.G. Peebles in a very happy speech. It was, he said, mainly owing to the operations of the Abbotsford Lodge that several of the sister lodges had existence at all. Ho would couple the toast with the name of Past Secretary Brown, who was an officer of the Waipukurau Lodge. Bro. Brown, in responding, said the several sister lodges in the south end of the Hawke’s Bay District were increasing and flourishing. Although a comparatively young lodge, the members of tho Victoria, Porangahau, had already built themselves a hall, and tho Takapau lodge was about to take a similar step. Song, “ Don’t make a noise,” &c., Mr Fraser, jun. Bro. Biokerton proposed “ Kindred Societies,” and Dr Mirbach, as a member of tho Hibernian Society,, responded. “Honorary Members” was proposed by Sec. Wilson. Bro. E. Harwood replied in suitable terms, and declared his willingness to assist and encourage the institution in any way he could. Song, Bro. Wilson. “ Visiting Brethren,” was proposed by P.G.M. Robb,, and responded to by Bro. Sebley, of the Victoria Lodge, Porangahau. Past Sec. Brown proposed “ The Hawke’s Bay District.” It was, he said, only two-aud-a-half years since this District was separated from the Wellington District. At that time there were only five lodges in. this province, and. now there are ten.

Prov. G.M. Robb responded in appropriate terms.

“ The Press,” was proposed by Bro. E. Harwood in an able manner, tho speaker dealing on the essential value of well-conducted journals for the expression of public thought and opinon. Liberty of expression had done much for the press. One result of this was apparent in the power which, properly regulated newspapers now hold in. every land. The toast was coupled with the name of Bro. Wilson, editor of Waipawa Mail. Bro. Wilson, in reply, thanked tho company for the manner in which the toast had been honored,, and gave some statistics showing the number of newspapers supported in tho Australian colonies ami elsewhere. Song, Bro. Goldsmith. See. Wilson then proposed “ Th© Ladies,” which was drunk with musical honors. Elective See. Goldsmith replied in a very humorous speech, several portions ot which caused roars of laughter. “ The Caterer” was proposed by P.G, Johnson, ami “The Chairman and Vice-CTuiirinan” by P.G. Peebles. The dinner concluded with. “ Aulil Lang Syne.” The Ball. At 8.30 the room was ready for the bnll, aud between 70 and 80 couples led off with a promenade. Dancing was kept until about 6 a.m. with considerable spirit. Messrs J. Gollan and A. Nicbolls acted as M.C.’s and Mr C. Harding supplied the music. On the whole, the anniversary celebration may be denominated a success. Great praise is due to the committee for the excellent arrangements made by them, also for the very tasteful manner in which tho hall was decorated.