I.0.0. F.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2244, 16 July 1908, Page 2

1.0.0. F.

SECRETARY’S SOCIAL. Tlie secretary of the Star of Gisborne Lodge, 1.0.0. F., (Bro. R. Robb), entertained the members of the Lodge and a large number of visiting brethren at an annual social and harmony evening in the Lodge-room last night. After the health of the King had been musically honored, Bro. T. Alston Coleman, P.G., proposed the “Grand -Lodge,” coupled with the name of D.AV.G.AI. Bro. E. D. Smith. Mild in doing so likened tho Grand Lodge unto a Court of Appeal, to which all questions from the subordinate Lodges could be taken, and which watched over and shaped the destinies and ambitions of tlie Lodges, and taught tho brotherhood to recognise the fatherhood of God and tlie brotherhood of man. Brother Smith,- in reply, thanked those present for tho way they had honored the toast, and reminded the Lodge members that they belonged to one of the largest, grandest, and noblest orders in the world. He told them there were in the order 68 Grand Lodges and 15,678 subordinate Lodges, which, if one a day was visited, would take a.member 50 years to go-round. The total membership was 1,709,533, the revenue last year £3 160,064. and the accumulated funds £9,191,217. The increase in membership last year was 80,091, and the relief given- last year totalled £1,042,965.

Bro. Tustin proposed “The outgoing Officers,” and paid a compliment to the conduct and the progress ■'of tfyo Lodgo during the" past year. Bro. A. T. Coleman briefly replied. Bro. AA r . Ljssant Clayton proposed “The host of the evening,” andspoko of the esteem in wflich Bro. R. ltobb was held by all the Lodge members, and the progress of the Lodge, both financially and numerically, under his secretaryship. Bro. Robb in reply said that the watchword of the Order was friendship, and that no young man could d 0 better than join tlie Independent Order of Oddfellows, as the rules of the Order inculcated tlie highest qualities of manhood.

Otliei toasts honored wore: “Visitiug Brethren,” proposed by N.G. Bro. A: T. Coleman, and the “Incoming Officers,” proposed by P.G. Bro. E. D. Smith.

During the evening songs wore given by Bros. E. C. Hamlin, Grieve, Heathcote, T. Robertson, H. DeCosta, Cowlrick, Robinson, and Cuthbert, a cornet solo was played by Bro. G Douglas, and Bro. Nicol gave a recitation.