MANCHESTER UNITY INDEPENENT ORDER ODDFELLOWS.

Grey River Argus, Volume XI, Issue 1019, 1 November 1871, Page 3

MANCHESTER UNITY INDEPENENT ORDER ODDFELLOWS.

The Fourth Annual District Meeting of the above Order was held at the Lodgeroom, Hunt's Club Hotel, on Monday and yesterday. The Loyal Greymouth Lodge was represented by Bros. Holder, P.Gr.; T.Amos, P.G., and H. Smith, P.G. Hand of Friendship Lodge, Greymouth, by Bros. W. Hill, P.G. and J. Taylor, N.G. Loyal Hokitika Lodge by Bros. D. Grinton, P.G.: J. Holmes, N.G., and J. Peake, P.S. Prince Alfred Lodge, Hokitika-rß.ro. J. Herbert Hanking Rjoss Lodge — Bro. F. W. Morgan, P.P.G.M. Waimea Lodge—B. Lyons, P.G. Albert Lodge, Waimea — Bro. Spiers, N.G. Goldsborough Lodge—Bro. Thomson, P.G.S, Loyal Kanieri Lodge. —Bro. J. M'Lean, V.G, The abovenamed gentlemen, who represented all the Lodges in the Westland district, dealt with the various matters relating to the Order in a most satisfactory manner. During the sitting the following officers were elected for the ensuing twelve months:—P.G. Bro. Turner, P.G.M.; P.G. Bro. Smith, D.P.G.M; Bio. Somerville, C.S. The next meeting of delegates will take place at Hokitika, and it ha 3 been agreed that they shall in future be held halfyearly instead of quarterly. A banquet was held in the evening at Gilmer's Hotel, to which all the delegates were invited. About 120 sat down. Notwithstanding the large number present the tables were not inconveniently crowded. The magnificent hall was beautifully decorated with flags, devices, and mottos of the Order. The banquet was served up in Host Gilmer's best style, and comprised every delicacy in season. The chair was taken by Brother Quinn, N.G., supported right and left by P.P.G.M. Benjamin and P.G.M. Turner; the yice-chair was occupied by Brother Aldridge, V.G., supported by Brothers Morice and Glenn; the G,M's. phair was filled by Brother A- Hosie, P.G, having on his right and left Brother Morgan, P.P.G.M. and Brother Matson. The various good things having been done ample justice to, the Chairman gave the toast of " The Queen and the Manchester Unity," which was responded to with musical honors. The Oddfellows' Anthem was then beautifully rendered by Brothers Hill, Poole, Fraser, Amoß, and Veale. The Vice Chairman proposed—" The Grand Master and Board of Directors, coupled with the name of P.P.G.M. Benjamin." He said he was proud to have the honor of proposing the toast, and although the Grand Master and Board of Directors were many thousands of miles distant he hoped that would be no hindrance to the brethren responding to the toast enthusiastically. P.P.G.M. Benjamin, who was called upon to reply, said that although he was suffering from a severe cold it would not prevent him from doing his duty in reply ing to the toast. Those gentleman were elected by delegates from all parts of the world, which was a sufficient guarantee of the high respect in which they were held. Those outside of the Order were not aware of the enormous capital that was at its disposal, the number of members, and the amount of good that was done in each district. Mr Benjamin then read statistics, showing that during the year 1870 there was over 2.7,000 brethren initiated, and the capital at the disposal of

the Order wa3 above three millious sterling. G. M. Hosie proposed " The Past and Present Officers," paying a high compliment to them. He trusted that those elected for the ensuing twelve months would give as much satisfaction in the performance of their duties as those gentlemen who had now retired. It was a pleasant thing when an Order had good officers at its head in whom it could place reliance and confidence on all questions referred to them for their decision. He had much pleasure in calling on them to charge their glasses. P.O.S. Sombrville responded. A number of other toasts were then given and responded to, including " The Mining Interest," "The Greymouth Volunteer Fire Brigade," coupled with the name of Captain Amos ; "The Commercial Interests of Greymouth," " Our Sister Lodges," coupled with the names of the delegates, "Our Medical Officer, Dr Morice," "The Press," "The Host," &c. A very pleasant evening was spent, being enlivened by singing and music, but owing to the lateness of the hour and the arrival of the Fnglish mail we are compelled to curtail our report.