LOYAL CITY OF NORWICH LODGE, I.O.O.F., M.U.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 936, 25 June 1877, Page 3

LOYAL CITY OF NORWICH LODGE, 1.0.0. F., M.U.

The Lyttelton Oddfellows celebrated the anniversary of the establishment of their lodge by a'dinner on Friday last. The annual meeting of the Grand Lodge for the South Canterbury district was held in the afternoon. Present —Bros. AVm. Hillier, Provincial G-.M.; Win. Padgett, D.G-.M.; J. S. Jenkins, C.S. Delegates ; P.P.G-.M. W. Turner, P.G-. Derbidgoand P.Gh Owen from City of Norwich Lodgo ; P.G-. L. A. Carroll, from Good Intent Lodge ; P.G-. Exley and P.G. Leggett from Timaru Lodge ; P.G. Green from Arowhenua Lodge ; Permanent Secretary, G. Dimond from Heart of Friendship Lodge; G.M. Moore from Hand of Friendship Lodge, and P.P.G.M.Lisseman. The balance sheet was received and adopted, and the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with. Bro. D.G.M. Padgett was elected Provincial Gr.M., P.G. Exley, D.G.M. and G.M., and Carrell, junior, auditor. After the transaction of some formal business the meeting proceeded to confer the following degrees : Purple degree on P.G.'s Leggatt and Burns, P.N.G. on Bros. J. L. Carrell and W. Owe , and N.G. on Bros. A. McWilliams, G. Bishop, and R. Cullen. The installation of Bros. P.G.M. Padgett and D.G.M. Exley was next proceeded with. It was resolved that the next district meeting should be held at Waimate.

The dinner was held in the new hall, and the tables were so arranged as to seat 120 people, but the hall could comfortably accommodate double that number if required. The roof and walls of the building were tastefully draped with flags, presenting an imposing appearance, and at the head of the table, in a most venerable looking chair, which has served on numerous similar occasions, sat "the father of Lyttelton "—Dr Donald—who has presided at'these reunions ever since the first Oddfellows' lodge was formed in Lyttelton. He was supported by Dr Rouse, medical officer of the lodge, Bro. Padgett, Prov. G-.M., and Eros. Carroll and Lisseman, and several gentleman from other lodges. The dinner, winch was a cold one, was ready at 7 p.m., and shortly after that hour about 120 Oddfellows, including visitors from many other lodges, sat down to enjoy it. Mr John Hunter, of London street, was the caterer, and Bro. P. Larry, of the Cambridge Hotel, supplied the liquors. The usual loyal toasts were drunk, after which the chairman proposed " The Lyttelton Borough Council," coupled with the name Dr Rouse, the Mayor. That gentleman responded, speaking"strongly of the improved healthiness of the town since the drainage works had been carried out by the Council. He also touched on the late fire, the water supply, and the other leading municipal topics of the day. " The Grand Master and Board of Directors"

was the next toast, followed by "The District Officers," coupled with Brother Hillier's name. That gentleman was, however, absent, and Bros. Padgett and Tuner responded folium. Brother Ockl'ord then proposed " The other Friendly Societies," Dr Donald responding on behalf of the Masons and Mr Gibbons for the Foresters. The chairman next gave "The Officers of the City of Norwich Lodge," coupled with the name of Brother Me Williams. He remarked at length on the advantage of being an officer of these Friendly Societies, as it was a training school fitting men for the Municipal Council and for Parliament. Brother Mc Williams responded. "The Medical Officer of the Lodge" was then proposed by Brother L. Carrell, who spoko in eulogistic terms of the services rendered by that gentleman. Brother House responded at some length, remarking oi» the great progress made by the lodge during the fourteen years he had been connected with it. He recollected when it only consisted of twenty-five members, and now there were over two hundred, many of whom were young men. He hoped that the future of the lodge would be as prosperous as the past had been, andeouldnot help remarking that he believed the general health had been better since so many of the members had become Good Templars ; for, though a moderate drinker himself, he thought that Order had done much good by checking intemperance. Dr. Bouse then proposed the kialth of [the chairman, Dr. Donald, thanking him in the name of all present for the interest he took in these matters, and for his successful efforts to make the meeting a success. Dr. Donald responded. He spoke of the early trials of the Pilgrims in Lyttelton, and how, in the years that were past, he had seen it grow from a wilderness to its present state. He had joined the order thirty-live years ago, before most of those present were born. It then numbered less than 50,000, but at present there were 600,000 Oddfellows. Statisticians had always said that the manner in which the monetary business of the order was carried on must render it bankrupt; but in spite of these doleful auguries they had a most respectable balance to their credit, and what was more, went on increasing it. Nothing pleased him more than to watch the progress of these friendly societies, whose establishment in Lyttelton he had witnessed ; and he sincerely hoped they might go on and prosper. He had been in many countries, and known many people, but no place or people were so dear to him as Lyttelton and its inhabitants. He had now to propose " The Sister Lodges," coupled with the name of Brother Leahy, G.M. of the City of Christchurch Lodge, and the representatives from other lodges that were present. Bro. Leahy said he could testify to the satisfactory financial state of the City of Christchurch Lodge, for they had a sum of over £2OOO to their credit. He thanked them for so cordially drinking his health. Representatives of the Okain's Bay, Kaiapoi, Arowhenua, and Woolston Lodges also responded. Dr Bouse proposed "The Press," which was replied to by Messrs Jacobson and Lance. The chairman proposed "The Ladies," coupled with the name of Bro. Chapel, and that gentleman got through the arduous task of replying with great credit. "The Host" was the last toast on the list, and was well reeeived. During the whole evening, thanks to the admirable manner in which the chairman kept things going, the fun never flagged. Nearly every toast was drunk mast enthusiastically, with musical honors. The songs which were sung, and the recitations which were given, are all too numerous to particularise, suffice to say that all were well received and heartily applauded. The committee of management, Messrs Cullen, Carrell, Gifford, Ockford, and T. Arnold, are, most of them, new hands in organising an affair of this sort, but, if so, they deserve all the more credit for having brought it to such a very successful issue.