ORANGE DINNER.

Globe, Volume I, Issue 38, 14 July 1874, Page 3

ORANGE DINNER.

The brethren of the various lodges working under the Grand Lodge of the Middle Island of New Zealand met together last evening to celebrate the anniversary of the 12th July, according to ancient custom, by a dinner. About 200 sat down to a very excellent spread provided by Mr Priston of the Borough Hotel, in a manner reflecting great credit upon his efforts as a caterer. The chair was occupied by Bro Clifford, District Grand Master, supported on his right by Bro Christie, W.M, No 3 ; Bros Hart and Anderson ; and on the left by Bro Captain Davis (N.S.W), Bros A. A. Dobbs and Anderson, D.M, No U. The vice-chair was filled by Bro Harris, Deputy District Grand Master, supported on the right by Bro Wallace, W.M, No 14, and on the left by Bro Adams, W.M, No 5. Grace was said by Bro Wallace, and ample justice having been done to the good things provided, The chairman rose to propose the first toast of the evening—" The health of her Majesty the Queen.” The toast was drunk with loud cheers. Song—Bro Stephenson. The chairman then rose to propose “ The health of the Prince and Princess of Wales.’"" The toast was duly honored. Song—Bro Harris. The vice-chair then gave “ The Charier toast,” which was drunk amid loud cheers, Song—Brother Freeman. ' ‘

The Chairman then gave “ The Earl of Enniskillen, Grand Master of England. Ireland, and Scotlmd,” which was received with enthusiasm. The toast was coupled with the name of Brother Wallace, W.M. of No. 14.

Brother Wallace spoke briefly, eulogising the services rendered to the order by the Earl of Enniskillen.

Song—Brother Walker. The Chairman then rose to propose the health of H.I.M. the Emperor of Germany. The German nalion had fought the French and won the victory, mainly from the fact, he believed, that the German soldiers had carried a Bible into the battle with them ; in fact they looked upon the Kaiser Wilhelm as a second William 111. He would ask a German brother present—Bro Thiele—to respond. The toast was drunk with loud cheers.

Bro Thiele rose to respond. He said he was very proud to be present that evening as an Orangeman, but more so as a German and a subject of the Kaiser Wilhelm. He was only too glad to be able to corroborate what bad fallen from the Grand Master, vi/.., that the German soldiers went into battle each with their Bible ; and in addition to this, the German soldiers were all educated men—men who were brought up from their earliest youth to look upon the acquisition of education as the first thing to be attained. The Chairman then rose to propose the next toast, “ His Excellency the Governor of New Zealand.”

The toast was drunk amid loud applause and with musical honors.

Song—Bro Terry; (encored). The Chairman then rose to propose “ The General Assembly.” The toast was drunk with musical honors.

Song—Bro Allard. The Chairman then proposed, “The Health of his Honor the Superintendent.” That gentleman occupied a very high position in the minds of the people, as was evidenced by their returning him unopposed a second time as the head of the province. The toast was drank amid loud applause. Song—Bro Adams. The Chairman then gave the toast of “ His Worship the Mayor and the City Council.” The toast was drank with enthusiasm. Song—Bro Walker. Bro Hart then rose to propose " The Grand Lodge of the Middle Island of New Zealand,” coupled with the name of the Worshipful Grand Master Brother Clifford. The Grand Lodge, with Brother Clifford at their head, had done much to advance the cause of Orangeism in that province, and had worked hard for it; therefore they deserved the heartiest support of the lodges throughout their jurisdiction; The toast was drunk amid loud and continuous applause. Song—Brother Stevenson. W.G.M. Clifford, in responding, said that the toast should properly have been coupled with the name of Brother Wallace, their first Grand Master. Since he had taken the Grand Mastership tkeir numbers had nearly doubled ; but for this result he must say he was indebted to the willing help of those by whom he was surrounded. He thanked them very kindly for the way in which the toast had been received.

The vice-chair, Bro Harris, then rose to give the next toast, “ The Free and Accepted Masons.”

The toast was drunk amid loud cheers. Song—Bro Terry. Bro A. A. Dobbs, P.M. responded,'on behalf of the antient craft.

Bro Christie then rose to propose the toast of “ The Oddfellows and Foresters.” These bodies did great good in their respective spheres, and he thought they were entitled to the respect of all thinking men. Orangemen themselves must feel the necessity of having a benefit society, or at least a free doctor belonging to them, as the doctor’s bill was one of the heaviest items of expenditure. Ho slronglj advocated the taking a leaf out of the book of these institutions, and have at least a free doctor connected with the Orange Institution. The toast was drank with musical honors. Bro. Ashton, on behalf of the Oddfellows, and Bro Baron on behalf of the Ancient Order of Foresters responded to the toast.

The Chairman then gave the “ Visiting Brethren,” coupled with the name of Bro Davis, of New South Wales. The toast was drunk amid loud cheers.

Song—Bro Terry. Bro Davis, in rising to respond, said that it gave him great pleasure to be present amongst them that evening. There were a number of Lyttelton brethren who would have been present with them that night had they been able, but they were prevented. In Sydney they had a newspaper, “ The Protestant Standard,” oneof the edi tors of which was a minister of the Church of England, and the other a Presbyterian minister. He thought that they should admit ladies amongst them at these gatherings, when they would have the ministers of the various denominations amongst them. In Sydney they had the Mayor of Sydney as Worshipful Grand Master of New South Wales ; and they had also a number of the aldermen as members, besides several of the members of the Legislative Assembly. In Sydney they had to contend against very great odds; but still they had ninety-one lodges in and about Sydney, and twenty-nine lodges meeting every week. He trusted that he might often be amongst them to celebrate the anniversary of the 12th July. Their Grand Master had referred to H. I. M; King William of Prussia. He might tell them that Sydney had adopted an address to His Majesty congratulating him upon his victory over the Catholic forces, which had been embossed, and could be obtained by anyone who might wish to have a copy of it. When he went back to Sydney he should have great pleasure in relating the number he had seen present that evening, and he hoped the next time he came amongst them it would be to see them surrounded by their lady friends. [Hear, hear.] He returned them sincere thanks for the way in which the health of the visiting brethren had been received. The chairman then gave the health of Bro Johnston, of Ballykillbeg. [Hear.] The toast was drunk amid loud cheers.

Bong—Bro Walker. Bro Nelson responded to the toast. The Chairman, proposed the “ ’Prentice hoys of Derry.” The toast was drank with loud cheers. —The Chairman then gave “ Orangemen all over the World.” Bro Hart briefly responded. The "Press,” " The Ladies,” “ The Host,” with several other toasts, concluded the programme, and the brethren separated, having enjoyed a veiy pleasant evening,