ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOYAL GREYMOUTH LODQE, M.U.1.0.0.F.

Grey River Argus, Volume XV, Issue 1933, 16 October 1874, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY OF THE LOYAL GREYMOUTH LODQE, M.U.1.0.0.F.

The seventh anniversary of the Loyal Greymouth Lodge, MitJ.1.0.0.F., was celebrated last evening in Bulstrode's Club Hotel, by a supper and ball. The large hall, which is used as the Lodgeroom j was appropriotely decorated for the occasion. Over seventy sat down to .supper, and everyone - appeared to be highly pleased with the minder in which the host had catered fpr ; them. ' The chair was very ably occupied by Bro. P.G. De Cost?, and . the ; vice-chair by Bro. P.G. Thomas. The meeting.wias also -honored by •. the attendance ' of Bro. Prov. G.M. Holder, and Bro. Dpt. P.G.M. Amos. i After full justice had been done to the various luxuries so amply provided, the worthy Chairman rose to. propose the first toast, which, according to usual custom, [ takes precedence. \ r The Chatrmak, on rising, stated that since the foundation- of 'OddfellpwshipOddfellows were, noted . for their loyalty to "the Throne; he therefore called up|on the brethren to drink the healths of the Queen and the Manchester Uriity. i_ Bro. Redmayne sang a song, accompanied on the pianoforte by Bro. ! Sey-'. mour. ' ■'■'-■ 1 . P.G. Thomas then proposed .the Healths of the Grand Master and Board "of Directors. : He said that it afforded him .very great pleasure to state that jihe Home authorities were at : aH; times ready to make any -and every iaasistance to the Colonial Lodges, and. he therefore called upon the brethren to drinks their healths in full bumpers. : ; Song— Bro. Bisch. P.G.M, Holder responded on behalf of the Grand Master and. Board of Directors. . : • Song — Bro. Raphael. ; The Chairman then rose, and stated that he felt sure that the next toast which he had the pleasure to propose would! be well and heartily received by 'the Brethren, viz., "The healths of the Provincial Officers, Bros. 'Holder and Amos." It was now nearly twelve ■ months back when these gentlemen, after great persuasion, had allowed themselves to be elected to' this very honorable position, and he was certain that when: their term of office had expired tha,t. the Brethren would acknowledge that they had fulfilled the onerous duties appertaining to jthe^ office with credit to themselves and ■ satisfaction to the Order. i Bro. Hudd then: aang a comic song, which caused a great deal of merriment; : Prov. G.M. Holder in reply thanked the Brethren for so heartily responding to the toast, and he could assure them he would at all times do his utmost to forward; the interests of the Order ; at thesametime he must ask them to; work together, for ivwas only by their assistance that the officers could fulfi.il their duties. ; ' Bro. Hosie proposed Our Sister Lodges in a few and appropriate remarks, which was responded to by Bro. Ancher, N.G. of the Hand of Friendship Lodge, ma very neat and effective speech. . Comic Song— Bro. Adams. G.Mi Hudd, of the Hand of Friendship Lodge, next proposed Success to the Loyal •Greymouth Lodge, coupled with the name of P.G. De Costa. He said that, although looked upon aa. a guest that evening, he was a member of the same order, although of a different Lodge, and he was pleased to state that both Lodges had hitherto worked harmoniously together, and he hoped; in the course of time that' the Lodge,; he had the pleasure of representing would meet with ; : the ..same success that had attended the Loyal Greymputh Lodge. He concluded by calling on the brethren to fill a bumper to the toast. Song— Bro. Quinn. The Chairman, on rising to respond, said : It affords me very great pleasure to respond to the toast just proposed by the G.M. of the Hand of Frieudship Lodge, and in responding thereto I take the opportunity of congratulating the Brethren on the celebration of this our seventh anniversary. T am very happy to meet here a few of those who- assisted at the foundation of this Society, and I hope to meet them on very many ;such occasions. Let me inform those brethren who have joined us during the last: year or two that this Society, whose accumulated funds now amount to nearly LllsO, was originally set in motion by twelve or fourteen brethren subscribing the small sum of 5s each— showing you what can be done by unity and good management. Let me i therefore impress upon the minds of our younger members the advisability of making themselves acquainted with the general laws, and especially the principles upon which Oddfellowship is based, for it is only by a thorough knowledge of them that it can be brought to a successful issue. Up to the present time there are no statistics of the order in New Zealand, but latterly the General Government have been calling for returns' from the various Benefit Societies, and I hope they will have the same made public ,fpr our own and general information, and I' have not the slightest doubt but that our Order will be found to be in a flourishing condition, both numerically and financially,' of the great progress that our Lodge has made. Tne best evidence I can give is to refer you to the last quarter's balance-sheet, by which you will see that we have an established fund of LllsO, part of which has been placed at ; interest in Borough Council debentures by our trustees. There is yet another subject which I feel it my duty to bring under your notice. I refer to the agitation just commenced for the purpose of. obtaining an annual moveable committee, for this Colony, for you must be aware that what may be well adapted r to the home of our birth is not applicable to the country of adoption. This will take a considerable time, for it has to be referred to the Home authorities, where I am sure it ■; will receive . due consideration, for ifc is evident that Oddfellowship: is now in, I T intended to say its infancy, but I shall call it boyhood, and we all know the precociousness of colonial boyhood, that, cot' like Shakspeare's "All, the World's a Stage," were he rises step by ,step, but with us there is a sudden change ! from boyhood to manhood, arid so great a change is now taking place with Oddfellowship in New Zealand ; that with the large influx of population, depend upon it that we shall have large accessions to our numbers, both by clearance from other Lodges and candidates for initiation; therefore, I think you will agree with me, that the time has now arrived when we should make a commencement to get a directory- of our own. Buti Brethren, as we have not much time> the ladies being

anxious for the dance, allow me, before concluding these few remarks, to urge upon you the necessity of doing your utmost to assist in forwarding the interests of a Society whose foundation has . been so well and firmly laid, so that in yeara to come, when the infirmities of age overtake you, you will look back with a degree of - pride -to ;; the^time when you, were in the -possession of the vigor of 'life, that "you acted T( with such foresight as to make-a provision, and usch a provision that, you can claim as"a right and not as a charity. -"^ Brethren, I thank you forthe hearty manner~in~whichryou received the toast — Success to the Loyal Greymouth Lodge. . ':> ..', Bro. Creswell then rose to propose the next toast " The Sick and Distressed of our Order." He- said on Tairoccasions like theßej and whenever Oddfellewtfmeet r together, they, before separating, as in duty bound, never doBO without referring to that portion of bur afflicted brethren who" come under the' -denomination of the sick and distressed/ '-I ; there¥ore^call updn you who are friends^ to-nightlfb join . ; in wishing future prosperity' *and recovery to the sick r and ; distressed of our Order. It is Societies like these, joinecL in our early days,fin the time of our health and strength,* an'drwhen, we, are enabled to lay aside the smalls amount of costs which ; this Order demands, , ia.jprovide for affliction or distress might overtake us. Depend uponv it, gentlemen, that .should the like ever roccur, that a helping hand will always be held o&t to those who may stated iri ; need- 1 of it by ; members of this Society^ r 'I therefore ask you agaiin r tp join me in wishing 'speedy recovery to the sick and distr'essedj'jpf the Order. . : ' " ■' P.G. M'Gavin proposed—, ?f Our Country Members and Mining Interest." He said- he •: waa very pleased to refer to the time when our Chairman and four others! with himself omet together" for the first time to celebrate the r openingi-of: the Lodge." . , Although; seven, years -ago it appeared to him 'as* yesterday^ i; 'and he was proud to see P.G. De Costa filing the chair' upon this' occasion^' He was happy to say that we had many r miners amongst us who made the" . vwy^best of members, and ..-hsj^j)qld^W^gi^' p iib see many more of them. 3 ' ' •-.--■■ Bro. Nmooii replied, likewise Bro. Lawn, who said that ; the; country «memberß were well satisfied with what was being done, and he could only say that had ;the weather, been more, favorable a good number from the country would have been present that evening. A number of other toasts -followed, including "The Ladies,": £ The Press," &c, which were duly responded to, and the company adjourned for a few minutes until the room> was cleared; fp^ There was a very large assemblage, and the dancing 1 was keptl up until' an early hour this morningvr-