Oddellows' Lodge at Campbelltown.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 4, 5 July 1894, Page 2

Oddellows' Lodge at Campbelltown.

INSTALLATION AND BANQUET The I 0.0. F. A.C , Loyal Britannia Lodge, Caqipbelltown, held a public installation of officers in the .Temperance Hall last evening, and at. the conclusion gave their first anniversary banquet in the school house.. ? The public installation was a deviation from the usual caurse followed- by Friendly Societies and the novelty of the occasion attracted a Jarge attendance, which included a number of ladies, and visiting brethren from Bulls, Falmerston and other lodges. r Jhe object of admitting the public to the installation was to endeavor to increase the popularity of the lodge and Order. The ceremony, which was very impressive, was performed by D.D.G.M. Bro. Grear, from PalmeTstonN. * The following officers were installed :— Bro. W. Richmond, N.G. ; Bro. A. P. Lasenby, V.G. ; Bro. Bowater, Secretary ; Bro. H. Erhorh,' Treasurer ; Bro. A.- Qreig, Warden ; • Bra T. Anyon, Conductor; Bro. Tucker, Outside Guardian ; Bro. W. Broughton, Inside Guardian ; Bros. H. Bishop and W. Tucker, right and left hand supporters respectively to the N.G ; Bros. Askew and W. Baylisa, right and left hand supporters, respectively, and R. Costall and A. Koberstine, Y.G., supporters on the right and left. The Installing Master in concluding said that although the waa in its infancy in- New Zealand, yet it was making wonderful strides in America, where "they had a Very large revenue and a relief fund amounting to £583,000. In New Zealand they were also on a sound basis. There were 30 lodges with a membership of 2000 and funds amounting to £22,400, while £954 was given away last year in benefits. Twenty-two lodges out of the thirty had a surplus, while only six showed a deficiency. He urged all brethren to try their utmost to increase the membership of the" order. The visiting brethren of the Grand Lodge present were: D.D.G.M. Bro. Grear, D.D.G.W. Bro. Walker, Bro. Hathaway, P.G. Bro. Downes, Grand Secretary Bro. Thompson. , At the conclusion of the installation an adjournment was made for "the banquet in the school house, which was nicely decorated with nags,;nikao, etc., for the occasion. All the ..provisions for the banquet were given by members of the lodge, and several ladies rendered valuable assistance in preparing the tables.* The tempting viands were well patronised by a large number of ladies and gentlemen, and if the numerous smiling facet around may be taken as a criterion the efforts of the Campbelltown Oddfellows in providing a sumptuous repast were much appreciated. After the wants of the inner man had been attended to the usual loyal toasts were proposed and duly honored, as follows : — "The Queen," proposed by the Chairman, Bro. Richmond ; "The Grand Loefce," proposed by Bro. Richmond and responded to by Bro. Grear j "The Orient and Rangitikei Lodges, 9 proposed by Bra A. Arnold and .re* sponded to by Bros. Hathaway and Dawick ; " BrittaniaLodge," proposed by Bro. France and responded- to by Bros. Arnold and Richmond ; " The District Lodge," coupled with the name of Bro. Grear ; " The Press," proposed by Bra Bowater and responded to by Messrs J. Coombe (Feilding Stab) and Thompson. "The Installing Officers, 17 proposed by Bra France, coupled ~with' Jthe name oi Bro. Walker; « Kindred Societies," proposed by Bro. Richmond and responded to by. Bro. -Js JS^Merritt; " The Ladies," proposed by Bro. Bishop and responded to by; Bros. Lasenby and Anyon. The Secretary, Bro. Bowater, was accorded * vote of thanks for the energy displayed -by him in forwarding the interests ot the lodge. During the evening: songs were contributed by Messrs J. Sanson, Reid, Thompson, Webb, Gray and recitations by Bros. Grear and Toothmouth. ' „'•.. It replying to the toast of the Grand Lodge Bro. Grear strongly advocated the formation of Rebecca Lodges and said that it was poedble one would be started in Campbelltown, and one was already being formed in Dunedin. The - D.D.XkSL' also pointed out the many advantages to be obtained by joining an Oddfellows Lodge. -* -V The gathering dispersed: shortly after midnight, everyone going home thoroughly pleased.,