ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2409, 26 January 1909, Page 3

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

LOYAL GISBORNE LODGE

A special summoned meeting of the Loyal Gisborne Lodge, 1.0.0.F* M.U., No.- 6087, was hold in the Masonic Halil lust evening. .There Avas a, large attendance. One candidate was initiated.

It was decided that a- deputation from the. Lodge meet tho Friendly Societies’ Conference.

Bros. P.G. A-nihridge, P.G. D. McPherson, land P.G. J. B. *Sim were elected tas deputies to tho annual conference to bo held ut Auckland. A Framed Past Grand’s emblem was presented to P.G. .Bro. -L. A. iSh aria nd by P.G. BVo. John Warren, in a well-chosen speech, in which ho referred to the honor of receiving the emblem, stating it could not be bought for gold, but by years of hard ■work, and be hoped that P.G. Bro. •Shari a lid wonkl be able to look back on it in 40 years’ time as be (P.G. Warren) bad'tho pleasure of doing. P.G. ißro. -Shariand was received with applause, and suitably replied. P.G. Bro. W. J. Cox and Bro. C. Goldsmith were appointed auditors. The annual balance-sheet and auditor's report " was read. The auditor congratulated the Lodge on the manlier in which the books wore kept bv trie secretary. They also recorded their appreciation of the work of the trustees* Bros. Wm. C. McLean, J. T. Evans, and A. W. Rees. Notwithstanding the fact that tlio medical charges are higher, tho interest earned during the year had been more than sufficient to pay all claims for sickness, etc. REBEKAH LODGE. The Gisborne Robe-kali Lodge, No. 8, held their installation last night, Avlion tho following officers were initiated :—-P.N.G., Sis. Smith ;N.G., Sis. E. Robb; V.G.. Sis. C. Quigley; Warden. Sis. I). Fraser; Conductor, Sis. L. iScott ; 1.G., Sis. A. Haultain; 0.G., Sis. K. Robb; R.S.N.G., Sis. VI. Kennedy;L.S.N.G. Sis. E. Gault; R.S.V.G., Sis. O. Sheen; LaS.N.G., Sis. B. iLivick; Chaplain, Sis. Osborne :Recording Secretary, Bro. Barra clo ugh ; Financial Secretary, Sis. I. (Somervell (Treasurer, Sis. A. Fromm; R.A.S., -Sis. M. Somervell; L.A.S., Sis. A. Furniss; organist, Sis. Pratt ; banner bearers, Sis. L. Nicolas, A. MoConville, E. Jones, and Ward. After the installation the District Deputy Grand Master addressed, the members flwrosout, giving' a brief resume of the history of Rebekah Oddfellowship from its inception in J Sol J.il'l full rights were conferred to them by charter in 1868. Since that time "flic Robe-kill branch had grown in numbers, till now they numbered upwards of 268,000. Tho Rebekah branch bad.been very largely instrumental in the founding of the 55 homes for orphans of members and aged persons of either sox. The value of those homes Avas £515,363, maintained at a- yearly cost of £79,413, and sheltering 2500 persons, who otherwise .might have been destitute. In 1775 the Grand Orient of France established iladies’ lodges throughout Europe, but the object of their lodges ay a,s frivolous. ‘'Such lodges cannot stand unless they have a -sure foundation of philanthrophy. All mombers arc required to be believers in a Supreme -Ruler and\Governor of tho Universe. This being tlio basis of all morality. They take a solemn pledge of secrecy and obedience. Secrecy that is in the means by which wo are (known to each other- and to the particular ceremony of our imitation, for our objects and principles tlio ay bole world may know.” The District Deputy Grand Master was assisted in the ceremony by Sis. Scott, Grand Marshal; -Sis..' M. Connell, Grand Guardian- Sis. Sheen, Grand Chaplain; Sis. Hogg, Grand iSecretarv ; Sis.. Furniss, Grand Treasurer; and Sis. F. Quigley, Grand Warden, Tho retiring Past Grand, Sis. Smith, was presented with a Past Grand’s collar from tlio Grand Lodge, rand with a jewel from the Lodge. After the function tho members present were entertained with light refreshments by tlio retiring Past ■Grand, ‘ Sister Smith. .