ODDFELLOWS ABROAD.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue 89, 16 April 1928, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS ABROAD.

TRIP INTO THE COUNTRY. AN ENJOYABLE OUTING. In preparation for the fourteenth biennial conference of the Manchester Unity' of Oddfellows, which is l .-ing held at Hast ngs to-day, delegates have assemble 1 from all parts of the Dominion, and yesterday they were, together with the ladies of the party, taken for a motor drive, to Tikokino, Waipukurau and Waipawa. The weather was perfect for the outing, and enabled the visitors to see the country at its best. On the trip out the Te Onepu route was taken, and the party were charmed with the magnificent view obtained from the top of the hill. On arrival at Tikokino the visitors were entertained at morning tea in the lodgeroom, and they were cordially welcomed by Bro. E. A. Waite, District Grand Master. He said that although Tikokino was off the beaten track he thought Ruahine Lodge could rightly claim to be one of the strongest in the province. Acknowledgment of the welcome was made by Bro. T. Aiken, Grand Master of New Zealand, who commended members of Ruahine Lodge for their enthusiasm.

The party then resumed their journey to Waipukurau, where they were entertained at dinner at the Tavistock Hotel., An adjournment was then made to the lodgeroom, where the visitors were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr R. McLean) and Bro. Hurdsfield (Deputy District Grand Master). Suitable acknowledgment was made by Bros. Atiken and Rhrimpton, the latter stating that the Hawke’s Bay district was one of the most solid in the Dominion. The final call was made at Waipawa, the party being officially welcomed in the theatre by Bro. A. Kerr, N.G., of Abbotsford Lodge. Addresses in reply were given by Bros. Aitken, F. Pritchard, A. Gnodall, and ,1. McLeod, who referred in glowing terms to the hospitality which had been extended to them on their trip, and stressed the need for cultivating the fraternal spirit by linking up the town and country lodges. Afternoon tea was served in the Concert Hall by Mrs Ness, and the visitors, who numbered between eighty and ninety, were then speeded on their way home, via Tamumu, Patangata, and Havelock North. The drive was a happy thought for giving the party first-hand knowledge of the beauties of (he country off the main road, and they should take home with them very pleasant memories of their visit to Hawke’s Bay.