GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATED

Chronicle (Levin), 5 March 1947, Page 4

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATED

ODDFELLOWS' LQDGE FUNCTION Williamsv' Tearooms was the scene on Saturday night of a banquet in celebration of the golden jubilee of. the Levin Loyal Victoria , Diamond Lodge, Manchester Unity of Oddfellows. The* function coincided with the Wellington district's annual conference. The district

comprises 2(1 lodges and extends as far south as. Blenheim and Marlborough. • Present at the furiction were .the delegates. to ,the" conference, ,the Grand "Master, . directors of the society in New Zealand and senior district pfficers.. j All were cordially welcbmed by Mr. D. Newall, Noble Grand of the lodge. Following the banquet a musical evening was conducted during which items were rendered by Mrs. G. Hesp, Miss Munro, Messrs. P. F. Toote, W. - Duguid and R. Blatherwick, following which a community sing was conducted . by Mrs. Hesp. Toastmaster for the evening was Mr. A. Martin, orte of the principal toasts being that. of Mr. G. «Astridge, an original founder of the lodge, who still takes an active part in its affairs but who, owing to his advanced age, was unahle .to be present. Various members paid tribute to Mr. Astridge's' long service, stating that through his efforts the lodge had been placed on a sound footing. The fact that an original founder was still alive and showing active interest in the affairs of the lodge was probably without parallel in the history of the order. ■ 4

Other toasts were as follows: "The King," proposed by Mr. A. Martin; "The Lodge," Mr. J. S. Stewart; "Mr. G. Astridge, Mr. W. Blair;- "The Order," Mr. G. D. Har-ris-Mr. W. B. Brown, G.M. of the Ordej in New Zealand; "Wellington District," Mr. F. O. Malcolm-Mr. R. Wickers, district G.M. ; "Secretaries," Mr. W. Grainger-Mr. G. D. Harris; "Conference Delegates," Mr. L. G. Court-Mr. L. A.- Woods (of the Antipodean Lodge, Wellington) and Miss J. Standen" (Sister Wallis Lodge) ; "Medical Profession," Mr. J. H. Mungavin-Mr. H. S. Powell; "Visitors," Mr. W. Ander-son-Mr. C. H. Morgan; "Absent Members." Mr. C. Barnes.

\vhen toasting the secretaries, Mr. Grainger referred to the most efficient service the two secretaries, Messrs. G. D. Harris and G. Ast-a ridge, had rendered, stating that' the lodge's present hcalthy financial state was due to their efforts. It was unique, he said, that the lodge had had only two secretaries during the 50 years of its existme. Also present at the function was Mr. J. J. Maher, M.P. for Otaki, who gave a short address.