THE NEW ODDFELLOWS’ HALL, WALTHAM.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2253, 18 May 1881, Page 3

THE NEW ODDFELLOWS’ HALL, WALTHAM.

Among the many recent improvement in this fast rising suburb of the city, we have to notice the hall just erected for the Loyal Star of Waltham Lodge of Oddfellows, Np. 6171. The building has a capacity for seating 350 persons, is 60ft in length by 27ft in breadth (inside measurement) ; a suitable gallery runs along the eastern end, and underneath this are two spacious ante-rooms for committee meetings and other purposes. The contract price was £3lO, but with the extras and additions has now totalled up the respectable sum of £450. The contractor appears to have carried out his work in a very satisfactory manner, and the building is an ornament to the district. The erection of a building of this description argues well for the spirit and enterprise of the members of the lodge, and will supply a want long felt in that part of Sydenham of a suitable place in which public meetings, entertainments, &0., may be held, and it will doubtless, therefore, be well patronised. Apropos of this we may here note that the first publio meeting to be held in the hall is that called by the Mayor of Sydenham for this evening to consider the proposed railway footbridge at Madras street. On Thursday last the publio ceremony of dedicating the building for the purposes of Oddfellowship by the officers of the North Canterbury district took place, the hall being gaily decorated with banners, flowers, scrolls, &c., presenting a very attractive appearance. The following officers were present and conducted the proceedings:—D.P.O.M. Woodford, representing the P.Q-.M.; 0.8., Bro. Eichardson; Grand Chaplain, Eov. Bro. 0. J. Merton ; N.G., Bro. Morse; heralds, P.O.’s Bros. Woodhouse, Pallin, and Hurst, Miss Bowler kindly acting as organist. At the conclusion of the ceremony the Acting Prov. G.M, having declared the lodge room duly dedicated for the purposes of Oddfellowship, handed over the building to the N.O. on behalf of the lodge, the assemblage was then dismissed with prayer by the grand chaplain. At 6.30 a public tea took place in the hall, Bro. Baird being chairman, assisted by the Eev. Bro. Merton, at which there was a fair attendance. To this succeeded a concert, in which Miss Bowler, Mesdames Bowler and Edmonds, and Messrs Edmonds, Kobinson, Kirk, Edwards, Ponfold, Price and Party, took part, Mies Bowler presiding at the piano, when a lengthy and attractive programme was submitted to the satisfaction of a numerous audience. A dance in the hall, commencing at 10.30, and at which tho refreshments were supplied by Br. Bowler, of the Waltham Arms, and which was well patronised by the residents and visitors, concluded the proceedings, and thus favorably launched their now hall.