AN OLD LODGE REVIVED.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13337, 28 March 1911, Page 3

AN OLD LODGE REVIVED.

THE 1.0.0. F. OF N.Z, The Wanganui "branch of the Instituted Orach ‘Of ‘Oddfellows !' was. inaugurated \ iu' - the Druids’, Hall last evening bv Mr R. 0/ Gray, Grand Master for New Zealand. Forty-five members were initi-' ated, while twenty more are expected to come forward in the near future. ■ The general tone of the ,meeting was most enthnsiastie, .and. the successful future for the Society’s local branch seems assured, Mr George Brown has.taken over the secretarial duties. Thinking that further particulars of the lodge might be of interest to our readers, A “Herald’ representative waited pn Mr : Grqy to-day,ah interesting interview ■ resulting. .“To begin with,” said Mr Gray, “I would like, to make the position Quite clear. We are certainly Oddfellows, but are not associated with any other order of. Oddfellows in the world. We stand alone as the strongest friendly society, both numerically and financially, in existence. We arc often wrongly called ‘American Oddfellow’s,’ but this is a mistake.”

Questioned as to the early history of the Society, our informant stated' that the Society owed its existence to four Englishmen, residing in America, who, in 1819, called the meeting which resulted in the formation of the present Society. At this time they were regarded as an off-shoot of the Manchester Unity Lodge. A dispensation to conduct their affairs in their own way was received from the parent body in 1826, but relations between the societies did not finally cease till 1843, when a complete severance was made. The young lodge met with scant success at first, the early (puritan prejudice against secret societies proving a great stumbling block. However, this was gradually overcome, find the society prospered apace. “By the way,” said Mr Gray, “it may be news to you to learn that the Society was introduced into Wanganui about the year 1858, by the Hon. John Ballance, and, after continuing with varying fortunes for about ten years, finally lapsed. It was about this time—lß69—that the .lodge was established on a firm basis in Australasia; and, since then, has never looked back. “How do you stand as to finance and membership?” was our reporter's ; next query.

“Well,” said Mr Gray, “J. think! can give yon some startling facts under that head. Our position to-day is a record. Our total membership throughout the world is two million—almost double that of any friendly society in existence, while our funds exceed the ten million pound mark. Although not numerically the ffirst society in-TNew Zealand—we have about 6500 on our books—our financial position is unequalled; for, at the last Government valuation, the funeral an'd sick funds surpluses of .£8122 and .£6863,' respectively.” “I should like it understood," said Mr Gray, “that we do not pose merely as a Mindly society, hut also as a, great social organisation, in which the fraternal element. is zealously fostered. Although mainly a workers’ society, we need to exercise a deal of discretion as to the members admitted; so as to ensure the inclusion of only those of good character.” In conclusion, Mr. Gray, expressed a desire to convey the thanks of his party to Die lodgemen and residents of Wanganui for the hospitality and kindnesses shown during what he was kind enough to describe as his .“all, too brief stay.”