Hastings I.O.O.F., M.U.

Hastings Standard, Issue 247, 15 February 1897, Page 2

Hastings 1.0.0. F., M.U.

The Oddfellow s Hall on Saturday evening was the scene of a most enjoyable social, tendered to Bro. Martin by the members of the above lodge, prior to his departure to the Old Land. The lodge was well represented in point of members besides a number of ladies and representatives from other friendly societies.

Songs, recitations, and speachifying, interparsed with the good things provided by Bro. L. Brown, constituted the greater part of the proceedings. During the evening Livesey, Barton, and Harper, were the recipients of tokens and emblems of respect from the members of the order. D.P.G. Bro. Love carried out the duties of chairman and proposed the initial toast—that of the Queen, which was received with musical honors by the members.

The toast of " The Guest of the evening—P.G. and P.S. Bro. Martin," was proposed by Bro. George, who, with all the members, was aware that Bro Martin was about to leave them for a time for the purpose of visiting the Old Country, and as a mark of appreciation had met that evening to make a presentation to him in the form of a Gladstone travelling bag. The speaker reviewed at length the valuable services rendered by Bro. Martin since his arrival in the district. He wished a pleasant voyage and a safe return, and had great pleasure in presenting Bro. Martin with the travelling bag. (Applause). Song—" Sailing," Bro. Bridge. Bro. Martin, in responding to the previous toast, said he hardly knew* how to appreciate the kind manner in which the brethren are sending him off to the Old Country. His trip Home was not altogether one of pleasure, but chiefly on account of Mrs Martin's health. It. had always been his effort to be courteous to every member of the Lodge whether in the capacity of secretary or otherwise. He would make enquiries into the workings of the order in other countries and may probably learn something for the benefit of the Hastings Lodge. He regretted that Mrs Martin was unable to attend on account of the inclement state of the weather. He thanked one and all for their kind present, and for the equally kind manner in which they had assisted to send him away to the Old Country. (Applause.) Recitation —'• Bingen on the Rhine," Miss Whitehead.

Bro. George, in presenting Bro. Livesey with emblems, sash and apron, spoke at length on the good attendance of members and specially eulogised the record of Bro. Livesey. He had much pleasure in making the presentation to one so well deserving of it.

Bro. Livesey thanked the members for their kindness in making him the presentation. He had much pleasure in proposing the toast of " kindred societies " coupled with the names of Messrs Holmes (Foresters) and Popplewell (Hibernians). Song—(medley), Bro. Flanders. Hr Holmes, responding to the toast of kindred societies, said that there was an idea in the minds of some people that a rivalry existed between societies, but such was not the case as friendly societies all over the world were blending together, and that they were all working for the same end. He was particularly pleased to be present at the social tendered to hig respected friend Bro. Martin, aud was pleased to see the kindly actions of the Oddfellows towards tlxeii secretary, Bro. Martin.

Mr Popplewell thanked members for their invitation. He was not going to say much on kindred societies, but would rather speak to the occasion, lie had known Bro. Martin for some years, and had found him courteous in every respect, and wished him a pleasant trip to the Old Country. Sony: "All that glitters is not Gold," J'to. Harper. liro. Land proposed the toast of '' The Manchester Unity," and spoke at length on the wealth that had been Accumulated would be expended he hoped some day in the direction of old age pensions anions the members of the society in ditlerent parts of the world.

Bro. Love reviewed the growth of tin- Hastings lodge .since its inception up to the present, which showed the society to be in a Nourishing condition. The society had now n membership of 1 and had £2OOO to their credit in the comparatively short space of In years, lie exhorted the young members to work on as their predecessors had done in so noble a cause. He had much pleas urn ill proposing the toast of the Hastings lodge, coupled with the name of Bro. Martin.

In rt ~pon-.< Dro. Martin dotailed tho of the society fur tho yoar ending December Hist, la.st. Tho balance-sheet >howed that JKlfJl was paid to sick members; £2U l»'n U.J funeral levity, and property depreciatioti to thf amount of i' 1.15 I'M, besides other amounts' to the benevolent fund, lull fund, management fund, and sick and funeral fttnd. Taken altogether, the society was in a flourishing condition. iSro. Harton was here presented with an emblem of l\M. ISro. Martin proposed the toast of '• The Ladies ' which w;w responded to by I'.ro. Uri . 1'.0.M. Isf. Harper wild presci|&j<l with an emblem. Song, •• M-i-'-'i' i ,( 1 I'-'o. Love. The toast it " I!.| l'r. . • Wft9 resjxiti.Kd to L>) M- i a-hion. 1 >•!ti!ithe i ■.>[.'!. ■ I'>ri). (>(-orm* accompami-d t! • nit , t.n th-- piano. Tin oiUTin,' .u rm s i un nf > were eutra-tcd to I!ro. Urmn. Ibe t<>ultisotuv spron! laid out ou a Ions; tablo in the centre of the ball everything that could be desired both ill point of tpiahty aiul ipiaiitity, ami waa voted all round to b» a '• tip-top atfair." A iiia-ft enjoyable evening was brought to a termination by '.ho siflficg ot " Au;d I*»g fciyue."