ODD FELLOWS’ DINNER.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume III, Issue 134, 7 August 1863, Page 3

ODD FELLOWS’ DINNER.

On the evening of Monday last, the Bre-

thren of the Napier Lodge of the M. U. of Odd Fellows, held their anniversary at Host Marshall’s, the Settlers’ Hotel. A capital spread was provided, to which was done amide justice by about thirty brethren and visitors. Mr. H. E. Webb occupied the chair, and the vice chair was filled by Mr. W. W. Yates. After the removal of the cloth, the following toasts, interspersed with songs, were drank with enthusiasm, namely, “ The Queen and Royal Family.” “ The Governor.” “ The Array and Navy.” “ Success to the Manchester Unity and Napier Lodge.” “ Our guests and Visitors.” “ The Press,” “ The Land we live in.”

On the toast “ Success to the Lodge Hall” being given, the Chairman said it was now his duty to lay before the company an outline of the subject they intended to consider that evening, namely, the erection of a Lodge Hall. Considering the paucity of members, it was, no doubt, an arduous undertaking, but wisdom must be culled from experience, and it was now due to themselves to learn how in the future to correct the errors of the pasi. He would beg to draw their attention to two or three patent facts, as the desire of the Lodge ; the first was that by accepting the appropriate opportunity the world without would know, through their guests and visitors, that the sphere of usefulness of institutions such as theirs, was not confined to a local operation ; but that the whole civilived world had attested and approved of their actions. Second, that by setting earnestly to work in the good cause, they would stamp it as a reality, and third, that through the mighty columns of the press, the Institution would draw round itself a halo of public observation. The Chairman then gave a statement of the various positions of the Lodge, during the last 5 years, both numerically and financially, the details of which would be tedious to the general reader. The present position, it is satisfactory to know, is perfectly sound, having an available balance of about <£4o, and mortgages on interest to the amount of <£l4o more. The Chairman, in concluding a lengthy and interesting statement, said, —Now, gentlemen, by this profitable working of our Lodge, I may be asked, why this pause in your action ? Why, with such a capital, do you not proceed ? I answer, that these funds are exclusively the property of the sick and distressed, the widows and orphans. It is a fundamental principle of our action to hold as Trustees the exchequer from violation, from which comes that which is to satisfy the demands of our Brethren. And it is the grand principle of our creed that the Trust is most religiously regarded and as sacredly held. Our law would not permit it; and our desires do not incline us to build even necessary Lodge Halls with funds which are only to be employed in alleviating affliction, and in carrying an earnest of our sympathy and relief to the hearths and homes of those less fortunate than ourselves.

Toast and song followed in rapid succession, until a late hour, wdien all dispersed greatly gratified with an evening’s real enjoyment.