District Meeting of 1.0. G.T. at Sandon.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 274, 23 May 1895, Page 2

District Meeting of 1.0. G.T. at Sandon.

■ ~~* ' The eighth district meeting of the 1.0. G.T. was lickl at Sanclon yesterday, and was the best meeting that has been held since its inauguration at Palmers ton two years ago. This district loJge is composed, of fourteen subordinata lodges, extending from OtakitoMartoa, and ten of the lodges were represented at Sandon yesterday. About fifty dele a'es were present, besides officers and subordinate lodge members. At the last district meeting at Halcomba ih?re were live hundred and fifty menibo s in the district, and yesterday the rjiurns showed the total to be six hundred and sixty three, being an incroase of one hundred and thirteen membars for the quarter. The larger portion of this increase in membership was duo to the labors of Mr Crabbe, the Grand Lodge lecturer. The distiict meeting was presided over by Bro. V. C. Ransom, D.C.T., and was opened at 11 a.m. Business was proceeded with till 12.45, when the delegates and visitors retired to a sumptuous luncheon which was provided by members of the Sandon Lodge. Business was resumed at two o'clock, and a very instructive and prosperous meeting was held till 4.45, During the afternoon the district degree was conferred on a large number of members. Some interesting discussions took place relative to Temperance work, and the following resolutions were proposed and heartily discussed. Bro. Grace, of Palmerston N., proposed That a Good Templar Convention be held under the auspices of the Palmerston District Lodge, at Palmerston, on the 3rd Wednesday in August. Bro. Grace also proposed, seconded by Bro. J. Cocker, of Feilding, That the Otaki Licensing Committee be asked not to grant a removal of a license from Manakau to Levin, they believing that it is against the spirit of the Licensing Act Amendment of 1893. Bro. Johnston, of Palmerston N., proposed, That the Premier be written to asking him, by Order in Council, to set aside the Clause in Licensing Act, 1881, giving authority for transferring a license from one locality to another. This resolution to be sent through the Member for the district. Bro. "Williamson, of Halcombe Lodge, proposed, That the time has arrived when a determined erfort be made to centralize the political power of the various total abstainers' societies in the colony, for the purpose of nominating members to the House of Representatives. It was resolved, That Bro. Williamson bring the matter up before the Convention at Palmerston on the 24th and 25th of May. Several other matters were considered and it was resolved to hold the next district meeting at Palmerston on 21st August. After the district meeting was closed another visit was paid to the Town Hall, where a tea was provided, and every thing that was requisite to tempt the visitors to a hearty tea was there. Great praise is due to the Sandon members' all of whom worked very hard to make the meeting a success. In the evening a public meetiug was held, Bro. Ransom presiding. About two hundred persons were present. The meeting was opeuod by singing an Ode; followed by an address by tho Chairman ; band overture ; dialogue, " A friendly confab," Bros. Merrett and Hunt ; concertina selection, Bro. Mitchell ; song, Sistor E. Mackenzie ; address, Rev. j. Cocker ; song, Bro. Flygcr ; soug, " Grandpa " (well applauded), Sister Mackenzie ; band selection ; duet, Bros. Bray and Iloppy; rocifcation, Bro. Whitehoad ; address, Rev. Kcall ; violiu solo, Master Keall ; song, Bro. Morris. The meeting was a yory oujoyablo one, and at tho conclusion Bro. Ransom proposed a hearty voto of thanks to all who had assisted to mnko tho mooting a success.