ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue 119, 28 June 1922, Page 1

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

A UNIQUE GATHERING. On Saturday evening the Loyal Dannevirke Lodge of Oddfellows held a meeting which was unique in the annals of the Order so far as this province is concerned, inasmuch as it marked the occasion of the initiation of lady members into the Lodge. Visitors were'present from all parts of the Dominion, about 250 signing on. Besides a very big representation of present-day officers there were no less than 38 Past Grands present. At a social gathering after the Lodge meeting Bro. J. P. Williamson, of Napier, in proposing the toast of “Manchester Unity,” stated that the 1.0.0. F., M.U., was started in 1810, and many of their members would recollect the centenary celebration of the Order in 1910, when huge gatherings were held throughout the Dominion. He interestingly traced the beginning of .the Manchester Unity, which was commenced by a few people banding together for the purpose of visiting the sick. The Order gradually grew until to-day it was the most powerful friendly society in the world. The Order was not put upon a particularly financial basis until Henry Rudcliif introduced the graduated scale of contributions which made the Oddfellows’ Order the powerful intsitution it was to-day, having a membership of over 1,500-, 000, with £19,000,000 behind them. Whatever the Oddfellows promised to do they carried out, and he had no hesitation in urging all young men and women to become members and so secure the benefits —socially as well—of the best friendly society Order in the world.