MANCHESTER UNITY

Evening Star, Issue 19782, 4 February 1928, Page 12

MANCHESTER UNITY

At the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Centenary Lodge, M.U.1.0.0.F., Bro. Farquharson, N.G., presided over a good muster of members. The G.M., Gro. R. Mercer, in making a presentation of an emblematical certificate to P.G. Bro. L. Roberts, referred to the recipient’s work in the lodge, stating that Bro. Roberts had completed two terms of office. A report was received from the committee set up in connection with the membership campaign. The lodge adjourned to enable the past officers’ degree meeting and purple lecture to be held, a large number of officers from the various lodges taking their respective degrees. The District Executive was represented by the P.G.M., Bro. Stabb, and the Prov. Trcas., Bro. A. Sligo. The Loyal Princess Mary Lodge met in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Forbury Corner, N.G. Sister Watt in the chair. There was a large attendance of officers and sisters, including visiting brethren from the Loyal Valley, Centenary, and Caversham Lodges. The annual summoned meeting was reopened, and the balance-sheet was adopted, showing the lodge to have made good progress during the year. During the evening four new candidates were duly initiated, and three proposed for membership. A large contingent from the lodge attended the official visit to the Loyal Caversham Lodge. The Loyal Caversham Lodge met on Wednesday evening, Bro. Emmerson presiding over a very good muster of members. The meeting opened in mourning for two members who recently passed away. It was resolved that a letter of condolence be forwarded to P.P.G.M. Bro. Briggs and relatives in their recent bereavement. P.G. Hey announced that the juvenile picnic would be held at Waihola on March 3, and extended an invitation to the adult members of the order. Lodge business was quickly dealt with to enable the first official visit of the year from sister lodges to be held, the N.G. extending a welcome to some 150 sisters and brethren. Visiting lodges represented were Princess Mary, Centenary, Milton. Valley, Albion. Prince of Wales, Dunedin, Hand and Heart, and Tuapeka Pioneer, the latter lodge being represented by a very old member, P.P.G.M. Bro. Knight. An initiation ceremony was then proceeded with, four candidates being initiated. One candidate was also proposed for membership. The following contributed to an enjoyable programmeMr Wiseman. Sisters Riddell and Raffills. and Bro. Young (songs), Bro. Russell (recitation), and Bros. Freeman and Mowatt duet). P.G.M. Bro. Stabb apologised for the absence of P.G.M.s Sligo, Clarke, and Hopcraft, and congratulated Caversham Lodge on its meeting, which, he said, was an indication of the enthusiasm at present prevailing throughout the Otago district. He also thanked members for

the support accorded him during his terra as P.G.M. He referred in appreciative terms to the fine start made in the “1,000 membership ’ campaign, and to the high standard of Oddfcllowship set by the Caversham Lodge. He spoke feelingly of the loss sustained by the death of Per. Sec. H. Rcnlree, for so long associated with the Loyal Caversham Lodge. On the 18th inst. the District Executive would commence their tour of the Central Otago lodges, and would also open a branch of the order at Pembroke, which was expected to start with a good number of members. The P.D.G.M., Bro. Johnston, also responded on behalf of the executive, and reminded brethren of the, next official visit, which would be held in the Albion Lodge room on March 15, instead of the ValleyLodgc. It was desired to make this meeting a fitting tribute to the long services of the P.G.M.—himself a member of Albion—and a record gathering of Oddfellows was anticipated. During ’ an interval refreshments were dispensed by the Caversham members. There was an excellent attendance at the fortnightly meeting of the Loyal Dalton Lodge, N.G. Bro. J. Moffat presiding. The meeting was in mourning out of respect to the late Bro. E. M. Richardson. A letter was received from P.P.G.M. Bro. A. Lawry, congratulating the lodge on its activities in the membership campaign. That the lodge is taking an active part in the campaign was evidenced by the initiation of seven new members at the meeting, seven more proposals for membership being also received. It was announced that an official visit would be received from sister lodges on the 28th inst., invitations for which had been extended to all South Otago lodges, Dunedin lodges, and the Otago district. P.G. Bro. D. R. Willocks was the recipient of a Past Grand’s sash in recognition of his services while passing through the chairs of the lodge. P.G. Bro. Culbert, reporting on a meeting of the New Member Campaign Committee, stated it was proposed to draw up an attractive syllabus, including social gatherings, and an open night, at which prospective members and lady friends would be entertained.

At the fortnightly meeting of Loyal Prince of Wales Lodge, the acting N.G. (P.G. J. Thorn)”was in the chair. Two candidates were initiated and one proposal for membership was received. It was reported that the N.G., Bro. Parker, who has been on the sick list, was progressing satisfactorily. P.G. Bro. Thorn was appointed chairman of the Social Committee, and P.G. Bro. F M'Donald secretary. • Owing to tho illness of the G.M. (Bro. Nelson), P.G. Bro. F. M'Donald was appointed as G.M. for the ensuing term. The toast of “ Visiting Brethren ” was responded to by N.G. Bro. Emmerson, of Loyal Caversham. . The fortnightly meeting of Loyal Albion was held on Thursday evening, when there was a good muster of members, presided over by N.G. Bro. Gifford. "Correspondence included notifi-

cation from tho Prov. C. Secretary, that the annual district meeting would be held at Roxburgh on Easter Saturday, the lodge deciding to send sixdelegates. Two candidates were initiated, and a proposal for membership received. it was decided that the next meeting take the form of a “question box.” the P.G.M., J3ro. Stabb, being thanked for his offer to donate a prize. At the conclusion of lodge matters, members took part in a friendly game of cards.