MR. CARLYON AND THE ODDFELLOWS.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 15, Issue 797, 20 June 1870, Page 2

MR. CARLYON AND THE ODDFELLOWS.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HAWKB'S BAY TIMES. Sib, —I was rather amused, and a little snrpiiscd, on reading your report of the discussion in Council upon the subject of the Masonic site. Mr Carlyon, it appears, remarked that " of the Oddfellows he knew a little, and lie could inform the Council that their business consisted mainly of singing comic songs and drinking beer." To correct anything that Mr Carlyon may say would perhaps be considered an act of supererogation by those who are acquainted iwith his peculiarities; but as Mr Carlyon's remarks may be read by many who are not familiar with his eccentricities, I will only observe that hid assertions are simply incorrect. According to his own statement his knowledge of the " oonfederaoy " is but w ' ittle," and I think I may venture to inform him, for his own improvement in knowledge if iu nothing else, that if he drinks no more beer or other alcoholic refreshments until such imbibition is oermitted in the Napier Lodge, he will become and remain a teetotaller for a longer period of tim>> than he has hitherto been since his nativity. The fact is, that both smoking iind drinking are strictly prohibited in the Napier branch of the Order, and singing is quite ignored, either in its comic or sentimental varieties —indeed, there is not even any psalm-singing, so entirely is music discountenanced by the I will conclude by giving an extract from Mr Hicha»-ds' speech in the House of Commons on the 16f.1i April, 1869, which thus refers to the Manchester Unity of the Order : —"I believe that the future of this country will be a great deal better than its past, and that, in a great measure, from the education which its wo king men are receiving in its Oddfellows' and other kindred societies. As an honorary member of one of them, I may say that from what [ liavo seen in the L idges, in order and decorum, they are < qual to this House, [Cheers.] Every member on entering the room is n quired to make the same acknowledgment of the authority of the Chair as is customary h.re. No undue drinking, no swearing, no political or religious discussion is allowed to be introduced. I believe that a system of education is practised in these societies which tends very much indeed to improvo men as citizens, and to improve them in every way that conduces to the welfare of the community." —ln giving this extract Ido not wish for a moment to compare jMr Riohards with Mr Carlyon—it would be an act of injustice to both gentlemen. The public generally will best decide who is most entitled to belief. —Yours, &c, AN ODPFELItOW. Napier, June 17,1870,