SIXTY FIFTH YEAR

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20052, 26 September 1939, Page 2

SIXTY FIFTH YEAR

GISBORNE ODDFELLOWS MANCHESTER UNITY DISTRICT MASTER’S VISIT ONE FOUNDATION MEMBER To celebrate the sixty-fifth year of its foundation, the Loyal Gisborne Lodge, GUB7, of the Manchester Unity Oddfellows, held a dinner and dance in Le Grand Cafe last night. Among the visitors present were the grandmaster of the Auckland district, Bro. W. .F Bates, Bro. J. Mogridge, P. G. Marton, the only surviving foundation member of the lodge, and 15 members of the Opotiki Lodge.

Bro. Bates was given a particularly hearty welcome, as he is an ex-Gis-born boy who has risen to the chief office in the .Auckland district. It was remarked also that Bro. Bates’ father is a member oi the Gisborne lodge. At a short meeting prior to the dinner. Sister G. E. Wallen, N.G., presiding, messages of congratulation were read, including those from Bro. I-I. S. M. Quigley, P.G.M., Dannevirke, a member of the Gisborne lodge, Bro. R. A. Ambridge, P.G., Christchurch, and Bro. H. M. Humphreys, Dunedin, also Gisborne members.

During the meeting it was reported that the elective secretary, Bro. W. D. Lindsay, had enlisted for service, and was leaving for camp to-day. Members and the D.G.M. took the opportunity of wishing Bro. Lindsay a safe return.

Following the meeting, members joined their guests at dinner, where a large birthday cake, beautifully iced in an appropriate design, was cut by Bro. iMbgridge, as the oldest member.

Sister Wallen proposed the toast to the Auckland district, and spoke of the efficiency with which the district affairs had been conducted. Vast Organisation

The district grandmaster, in reply, said that the .district was a vast organisation with 73 lodges, and but for the war there would have been an additional one at Kaikohe. Gisborne was looked upon as one of the bright spots in the district, although it was a long way from the centre and from the nearest lodge. Gisborne had made great progress in the past few years, although this had not been so great during the past few months.

Lord Baldwin, a sincere friendly society member, had paid a tribute to the movement, Bro. Bates continued, and had said that if the people of the world lived up to the rituals of the friendly societies there would be no need for navies and armies. The friendly societies had passed through many vicissitudes, such as on one occasion when they were wiped out by Act of Parliament, but they had been revived with even greater strength, and were a great force in the land. He referred to the great benefits of the societies, not only in monetary and health matters, but as an education and in service to those who needed it. Out of the whole of the Auckland district with 10,000 members, the district had only one paid officer. Members of friendly societies could do much in the present conflict, which had been forced on the nation. Friendly societies taught the free-

dom of the individual. Many of the members were of military age, and he knew that they would acquit themselves with honour and dignity.

As an old Gisborne boy, he was more than pleased to be present at the evening’s function. His last visit to the district was just before the Great War, and he was happy to renew old acquaintances. The Gisborne Lodge.

Proposing the toast to the Loyal Gisborne Lodge,' the district grandmaster said that it was formed in 1874. The Gisborne lodge had made great progress, and he was pleased to see the only surviving (foundation member present in Bro. Mogridge. Bro. C. H. Ambridge, P.D.G.M., responding, said he would soon complete his half-century as secretary of the Gisborne lodge, and his connection with Oddfellowship during that time had been a most happy one. During the past few months the Gisborne lodge had effected the amalgamation of early surpluses, whereby many old members would be relieved of their contributions and would secure additional benefits.

The group officer, Bro. F. T. Robinson, P.G., proposed the toast to the foundation member

Bro. Mogridge, in reply, referred to the progress of Oddfellowship since he first joined the Gisborne lodge G 5 years ago, and said that the evening was the first occasion, on which he had seen the chairs of noble grand and immediate past grand taken by sisters of the lodge. The first secretary was Bro. Warren, a fine man, who advanced the spirit of Oddfellowship in every possible way. The lodge was fortunate, too, in having such an efficient secretary as Bro. Ambridge. The Visitors Bro. P. Schwabe, P.G., proposed the toast- to the visitors, and referred to the pleasure it was to see such a large number from the Opotiki lodge. There was also a representative of the Gore Lodge, Bro. L. Rhodes, and another from the far south in Sister McMath, Invercargill.

Bro. I. Bodman, financial secretary of the Opotiki lodge, Sister McMath, •and Bro. Rhodes responded. Bro. R. W. Wallen, P.G., proposed the toast to the kindred societies, those responding being:—Bro. Aylward, Druids: Bro. Somerville, Independent Oddfellows; Bro. F. E. Wallen, Rechabites; Bro. Watt, Foresters; and Bro. C. Scholium, Hibernian Society. The toast master for the dinner was Bro. P. O. Niven, P.G. Items were given during the evening by Sister F. L. Barker and Bros. Lysaght and Ambridge, and Bro. J. A. Vagg, P.G., presided at the piano. Following tlie dinner a dance was held, Bro. Vagg again providing the music. Bfo. R. W. Wallen was M.C.