ODDFELLOWS ANNUAL FETE AT RANGIORA.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 124, 23 October 1874, Page 4

ODDFELLOWS ANNUAL FETE AT RANGIORA.

For the fourteenth anniversary celebration of the llangiora Loyal Lodge I 0.0.F.M.U., the weather of Thursday was exceedingly favorable, and, as a result, the attendance of visitors was a large one, although the muster of brothers, it is said, was not so strong as anticipated. Each year the interest, if anything, seems to increase as this annual affair comes round. The public of llangiora also show that they are determined to keep up the fete, by the amount of support which was given to the committee who were entrusted with the management of the children’s sports, in the way of giving subscriptions towards the prize list. They also, yesterday, made a grand display of flags, as well as assembled on the ground in large numbers. The .committee of management, viz, Bro Hanna, Wheeler, Ray, Blackett, and Burt, are to be congratulated on the way in which the proceedings were arranged and carried out without any hitch occurring.

It was about 11 a m. when the first part of the day’s programme was commenced, by the brothers assembling at the South brook railway station to meet the visitors for Christchurch. Here a procession was marshalled by N. G. Ahcrne and P. G. Burt, and about sixty joined in, including representatives of the city, represented by Bros

P.G.M, Cox, P.P.G.S. James, and P.P.G. M, Ken*', Volunteer Lodge ; Benevolent Lodge, by D.P.G.M. Borgh ; Kaiapoi Lodge, by P.G. Wright, and P.G. Clark; Moeraki Downs Lodge, N.G. Early and P.S. Zoueh ; Wood end Lodge, Bro Smith; Oxford Lodge, Bro Archer; Lcithfield Lodge; and the district officers present were Prov G.M. Clark, Prov D.G.M, B rgh, Prov C.S, James. All being in readiness, the baud, under Herr Buuz, headed the column, and banners being unfurled a move was made to the lively strains of music in the direction of Rangiora. Arrived at the township, the procession made its way along the principal thoroughfares, eventually adjourning to the hall of the order, at which lunch and refreshments were provided and partaken of. This over an adjournment was made to Bro H. Blackett’s paddock, where a tent had been erected for the ladies, over which gay flags were flyirtg, and a refreshment booth, presided over by Mi A. Robertson. Here also arrangements had been made for the children’s sports, Aunt Sally, and other games. A match at cricket was played also on the ground during the day between the married and single members of the Oddfellows’ order, but the ground was not even enough to make good scoring, although the teams included some of the renowned players of the district. The married men were captained by Bro Wright, the single men by Bro K. C. Kent, The game was decided in one innings, the score standing—married aide, 65 runs ; single side, 94 runs ; the latter l aving their innings first. The afternoon was pleasantly spent, and the events only concluded as the shades of evening drew on, when a move homewards was made towards 6 p.m. The annual dinner was held in the longroom of Bro Sinclair’s Junction Hotel, in which covers were laid for seventy persons, and several had to take seats in an adjoining room. In reference to the spread, it was a capital one and would have done credit to a town hotel. The provision was both ample and good. The chair was occupied by his Honor the Superintendent, supported right and left by Bros J. Lilly, N.G. Aherue, and H. Blackett. 13.P.G.M. Bergh occupied the vice-chair, supported by Mr Maude, M.P.C., and Bro Kerr. On the removal of the cloth,

The toasts of the “Queen” and “Royal Family” were proposed by the chairman, observing that the Queen’s health was not drunk by any one more loyally than the Oddfellows’ order, and it was drunk enthusiastically. The vice-chairman proposed the “ Governor and General Assembly,” noticing that Sir James Fergusson had proved himself a good Governor, and he hoped the Marquis would show himself as anxious to study the welfare of the colony. His Honor the Superintendent returned thanks. He said that politics, as the vicechairman had said, were tabooed, but if there was anything which encouraged members of the General Assembly it was that they were blamed if they did their duties badly ; they were thanked if they carried out their duties well. [Cheers.] Bro H. Blackett, sen., proposed the health of “The Superintendent and Provincial Council of Canterbury,” referring to the good work and advancement which had been made during his Honor’s term of office. Song—Bro Calder, “ Three little pigs.” His Honor in replying said he begged to sincerely thank the company ; and 1 , probably as a member of the Executive (Mr Maude) was present, he would also have something to say, [Hear,] It was interesting to him to be present, and to remember that this, which was a few years ago a sparsely populated district, had recently shown signs of great advancement, so that in the township they now found two banks, a telegraph office, and lastly, a railway running through it. [Hear.] It was gratifying to him as Superintendent of the province to note this progress, and to avail himself of their hospitality. This was no time to discuss politics. In reference to the position of Superintendent, it was a source of satisfaction to him that that office had always been looked up to with respect. [Hear, hear.] Mr Maude hoped that a rule of the Council would be followed, and that was that notice be given of the motion. [Laughter.] If a song intervened he would have time to reply.

The chairman observed it was out of order for a member of the Executive when his Superintendent called upon him not to respond. [Renewed laughter.]

Song, Bro Gibbs —“ In a railway train.”

Mr Maude then on behalf of the Provincial Council returned thanks for the handsome manner in which the toast had been drank, He felt sine that on this and all public occasions when that toast was drank with so much fervor and kindness that the Council was an institution highly valued by the people of the Province as well as by the people of the Province as well as by the Oddfellows’, and that their value in the estimation of the public was in no way decreasing. If the Council was in session and he was to inform it of the manner in which the toast had been drank, he felt sure the members wmuld be pleased with the good feeling expressed towards them. The Chairman proposing the next toast said that one of their mottoes was “ peace and goodwill ” but as an army and navy were necessary to the maintenance of peace and the volunteers were a necessary soldiery in the Colony, he proposed this toast, which was usually done at gatherings of this kind. Song, Bro J. Lilly, *• Jack Ragg,” P.ro Wheeler replied on behalf of the volunteers. He had been about the second sworn in to No 4 seven years ago, and hoped that soon they would be able to get a good captain, and get up the company again. The Vice-Chairman, as a volunteer, in returning thaukssaid, looking back to Waterloo and Trafalgar they could thank the army and navy, but he must, say that the volunteers were treated with contempt, and the companies, compared with other countries, were not worth consideration. He thought that persons in position, and members of the Government, should give assistance, and if they could muster eighty Oddfellows at a dinner table, they might also muster a better volunteer com par y. He thanked his Honor and the Government for what they had done, but be blamed the General Government in cutting down the volunteer estimates, and he impressed on them that they should come to the muster instead of simply drinking health to the volunteers. The Chairman wished the toast of “ G.M. and Board of Directors” had been put in abler hands, but still he knew that it .would he received with enthusiasm. [Cheers] There might be other members of the order prose 't than himself, yet he thought no one could feel more interested in its affairs than him-

self—[hear]—the progress of which they had met that day at Rangiora to celebrate. All over the world men were forming themselves into organised bodies, and there was nothing more remarkable than that there w< re no less than 27,000 societies, inclusive of the Oddfellows, Foresters, provident societies, unions, and societies of that kind, and the amount of whose capital was some £"0,000,000. The number of persons enrolled in registered friendly societies was about 11.000.000, and their capital £3,500,000. Of the Oddfellows and Foresters there were 900,000 members spread over the world, of which nearly 500,000 belonged to the Manchester Unity, to which they belonged. Lately, the affairs of those societies had been considerably canvassed as to their financial position, and a royal commission in England had been appointed to report thereon, So far as this enquiry went as to the security which the Unity offered to its members, it had proved on the whole satisfactory. The report stating “ that it stands foremost in the steps taken to attain financial security.” This was important, and no doubt to them was highly satisfactory. Another result of the commission, was to have the tables made more satisfactory to the security of members, and under the new regulations, there were greater facilities for ascertaining the position of these societies, and as in the New Zealand Government Life Assurance scheme, providing for making a valuation every five years, which was suggested in the first instance by the Unity, and adopted by the Royal Commission. Further provision had been made for the keeping of the accounts, which were highly spoken of by the G. M. at the A, M. C. held at Richmond. Here the order numbered 900, and it was a matter of congratulation that they were acting in harmony with so many members of their race throughout the world, and it was necessary that the rules for the banding together of a body of men should be as perfect as possible. It was a subject for congratulation that the order mustered so strongly in the colony, and it gave him much pleasure to propose the toast to support an institution, the government of which, though located in the old country, had its ramifications and a perfect government extended in every part of the civilised world. The Rangiora lodge might not be the oldest in Canterbury, yet still the toast would be none the less heartily received. [Cheers.]

The toast was drank with musical honors. Song—Bro Strange, “ Happy be thy dreams.”

Rro James, Prov C S., responded, thanking the company for the mark of respect shewn to the Board of Directors —the governing body of the Manchester Unity. He stated that as an instance of the doings of the society he might say that last year the sum paid for funeral expenses was £82,510, and for sick pay £140,000, thus shewing wbat a benefit the society must have been. The increase of members was 11,587, so that the total number was 481,000, and the total capital £3,648,000. He concluded by urging all who had not joined to do so, and was cheered on resuming his seat. Bro Kent, P.P.G.M., proposed the “District officers.”

Bro Bsrgh, D, Prov. G.M., replied, Bro Aherne stating the G.M. was unable to attend.

Bro James proposed “ Prosperity to the Rangiora Lodge,” to which Bro Aherne, N.G., responded.

Song—Bro Pridgeon—“The wife’s dream.” Bro Truman proposed “ Success to the sister lodges,” to which Bros Kent (city), Woodford (Benevolent), and Early (Cast), made suitable replies. Song—Bro Clay—“ Write me a letter.”

Bro Duff proposed “The kindred societies,” to which Bro Thompson (A.0.F.) and Bro M. Irving (Freemasons) replied. Bro Truman, the health of the “Ladies” coupled with the name of Bro Kent junr, who replied and Bro Hanna also responded. Song—Bro Kent—“ Good bye Charlie.” (encored.) Mr J, Lilly proposed “ The Press,” noticing the fact that news were got to the papers now with lightning speed, and in such a way as to surprise the public. The newspapers showed a great amount of enterprise and deserved public recognition.

Song—Bro James—“ The bold fisherman.” Mr J. Lowthian Wilson (Press) and Mr E. G. Kerr (Lyttelton Times ) responded. The Vice-Chairman proposed the “ Health of the Chairman,” saying that whenever the toast of Mr W. Rollestou, or his Honor W. Rolleston, was proposed, it was always received with cheers—[cheers] —and after what had fallen from his Honor that evening, they ought to drink his health in a bumper, and with all the honors.

The toast was drunk with fraternal and musical honors.

Song —Bro R. A. Kent—“ When this cruel war is over.”

The chairman replied, stating his pleasure at meeting with such a body, where no rank, no creed, and no nationality was recognised ; and it appeared that by means of such institutions a time was coming when it would be—

“Man and man the world over Shall brothers be for a’ that.” [Loud cheers.] The toasts of the “ Mercantile interest,” coupled with the name of Bro H. Blackett, and the “Host and hostess,” coupled with the name of Mr and Mrs Sinclair, brought the proceedings to a close.