I.O.O.F.

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2411, 17 March 1915, Page 7

1.0.0. F.

THE ANNUAL SESSION. (By Teleßraph—Press Association.* Auckland, March 16! The thirty-seventh annual-session of the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows of New Zealand opened to-day, when a civic reception was given to the Grand Master, Mr. A. H. Valentine, of Duuedin, and the visiting members. The 'District Deputy Grand Master, Mr I F. T. Harding, presided. ' .The Mayor of Auckland stated that for many years he had been a member of the Manchester "Unity of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, and had early in life recognised the value of such an organisation. "A good Oddfellow is a. pood citizen,"' continued the Mayor, "and his preserioo means a-great deal to any country. It. gives stability to the city to have men who are self-re-liant men, who do not fly to the Government for their overy need j men who know ivhat it is to assist themselves and to;help one another." _ "Oiio ; cannot be'insensible of tlia fact," said the' Grand Master, Mr. Valentine, in the course of his reply, "that the ratepayers of every city owe a debt of gratitude to organisations such as ours, for the thousands of pounds tlioy arc saved in cliarituble aid. I think that this fact Should be brought moro often under the notico of tho ratepayer." Tlio presentation of an illuminated address was mado to the Grand Master by the District Doputy Grand Master.