CITY OF NORWICH LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 322, 24 June 1875, Page 3

CITY OF NORWICH LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS.

The annual meeting of the Lyttelton district branch was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday, June 22nd. Present—J. Sowden, P.G.M.; W. H. Turner, D.G.M.; and J, S. Jenkins, C. 8.; delegates W. Sillier, P.G.; S, Derbidge, P.G., City of Norwich Lodge; secretary Whitfield, Good Intent; P.P.G.M. J. D. Garwood, Heart of Friendship, Timaru; warden H. Lissiman. The minutes of the former meeting were confirmed, and the balance sheet, duly audited, was received. Correspondence was read and discussed from Deloraine, Tasmanian district, re Bro E. W, Stamford. It was resolved that the necessary steps re Bro Stamford be. taken to obtain an account at once.

From the Good Intent Lodge, asking for a refund of money, being funeral expenses of the late Bro Brown,

The votes were equal when the motion was put, and the Grand Master gave his casting vote against it. An application from Little Akaloa for a dispensation to open a lodge was read. It was resolved that consideration of the matter should be deferred.

An application from O’Kain’s Bay to the same effect was also read, and it was determined that the necessary steps be taken to open the lodge, and that £lO be voted towards the expenses, the time to be arranged by the district officers. The election of officers was next proceeded with, and D.G.M, W. Turner was elected G.M. for next term ; there being no communications from P. G. Padgett, it was resolved that P.G.W, Hillier be D.G.M. next term ; auditors, P.G, L. A. Carrell and P.G. J. Hobbs were elected.

Resolved—“ That lodges in this district may set apart a night for giving degrees other than lodge night.” Resolved —“That rule 8 of the City of Norwich Lodge be revised,” Resolved—“ That district rule 19 be carried out with respect to Timaru and Heart of Friendship Lodges.” Resolved meeting bo held at Akaroa, £l2 being voted for expenses.” The officers were duly installed, and a vote of thanks given to those retiring. Resolved —“ That the district officers’ fees, and that Bro TuttuU’sJaccount of £39 10s 6d, be paid.” Degrees were given to the following brethren—Burns, N.G ; Newton, N.G ; T. Smith, secretary ; W. Graham, Y.G. An amount of £5 Is 2d was received from the Good Intent Lodge, and the meeting adjourned. Dinner. The annual dinner was held at the British Hotel, Lyttelton, on the same evening. About 110 people sat down to a really excellent dinner, laid in very good style, the room being handsomely decorated, draped with flags, and ornamented at one end with the banner of the lodge. Dr Donald occupied the chair, and was supported by Mr H. R. Webb, M.H.R. and M.P.0., andDr Rouse, the surgeon of the lodge. After the usual Hoyai toasts and the General Assembly, the •Chairman stated he had received a telegram tfrom his Honor the Superintendent, stating that he was unable to attend. He hoped, however, they would drink his Honor’s health, whom he knew regretted being unavoidably absent. The Superintendent was a warm and hearty friend of this order and similar ones. He begged to propose the health of “ His Honor the Superintendent and the Provincial Council,” coupled with the name of Mr H. R. Webb.

Mr Webb replied briefly, stating the Provincial Council of Canterbury was given the premier place as the best provincial Government in New Zealand. He was glad to see so many young men had joined the order, as these societies brought up men to fill higher positions. The Provincial Council had been accused by some one of not doing its duty to the borough of Lyttelton ; but this was not true, for Lyttelton had been most liberally treated, as there was no less a sum than £190,280 6s 2d on the estimates for the borough. Of course this included harbor works, wharfs, tunnel repairs, &c. He had been requested to ask for an endowment for the town of 6000 acres of pastoral land. There had beej no euc owment made by the Council, except for education, and had the request been acceded to, the 6000 acres would not have yielded more than £SO per annum. He had spoken to the Mayor on the subject of asking for a larger area as more suitable provision for the borough. The endowments had been negatived, but the Government [had promised to have proper steps taken to provide for municipalities. The chairman, in proposing the toast of “The Board of Directors,” said he remembered when Oddfellowship was a mere farce, but now it was a large and prosperous social organisation. It bad done great good in raising the operative classes, and teaching them the dignity of labor. The Board of Directors deserved their warmest thanks for the way in which they had administered their estate. It had been said by actuaries that the order must become insolvent, and yet they had now a million and a half. It was a good training school for higher things. [Cheers,] Mr Garwood proposed—“ The City of Norwich Lodge,” and W. Graham, N.G, returned thanks. Mr Sowden proposed—“ The Freemasons and Foresters,” Dr Donald responding for the Freemasons, and Mr Willcox for the Foresters. Bro Newton proposed' Lodges,” to which Messrs Whitefield, of Akaroa, and Jackson, of Christchurch, responded ; “ The District Officers,” responded to by Mr Hillier ; “ The Mayor and Borough Council,” responded to by Dr Rouse ; “ The “ Surgeon of the Lodge,” “ The Ladies,” “ The Press,” “ The Chairman,” and “ The Host ” which were all drank with enthusiasm.

r Songs were sung and merriment kept up .fISIJ a late hour, the chairman being mainly 'instrumental in keeping the ball rolling, his jests creating great laughter. Taken altogether, the Oddfellows’ dinner was a great success, the only drawback being that it was impossible to find room for all the .guests, and some had to dine in another part of the hotel.