ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 5218, 19 December 1927, Page 1

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

EXTENSION OF ORDER;

NEW LODGE AT KEREPEEHI

About three years ago the Loyal Jubilee Lodge, M.U., 1.0.0’.F,, Paeroa, extended its activities and opened a new lodge at Netherton. From that time onward the Netherton lodge has steadily grown financially and numerically, and it, in turn, has extended its scope and been successful informing a branch of the Order at Kerepeehi.

The ceremony of opening the new lodge took place in the Kerepeehi Hall on Wednesday night, when there was a large gathering of sisters .and brethren present from Netherton, Paeroa, Thames, and Te Aroha. As sponsors for the new lodge the officers of the Loyal Netherton Lodge, presided over by Bro. Cl Craig, N.G., opened the proceedings in the customary manner. After ten candidates had been initiated Bro. Craig welcomed and extended greetings to the Auckland district grandmaster, Bro. C. F. Perry, P.G., Bro. J. Gubb, P.G., D. ; Bro. P. A. Syers, P-G., P.D.G.M. ; and Biro. J. McLeod, P.G., P.G.M. . After the honours of the Order had been conferred upon the district officers the N.G. invited the Grand Master to accept the gavel, and carry out the consecration of the new lodge. On accepting the honour Bro. Perry thanked the members for the cordial welcome accorded ihim and his officers and installed the following officers to assist him with the ceremony : R. s:, Bro. J. McLeod (Auckland) ; L.S., Bro. N. G. McLeod (Te Aroha) ; V-G„ Bro. Gubb (Auckland) ; R. Bro. R. W- Medhurst (Paeroa) ; L. s’ Bro. W. L. Lawrence (Paeroa) ; 1.P.M., Bro. C. S. Stembridge (Netherton) ; R.S., Bro. J. Harms (Netherton) ; L.S., Bro. P. Harold (Netherton). Bros. W. Harold and C. S. Stembridge (Netherton) acted as presenting officers. The ceremony of opening a new lodge was then, impressively carried put and tbe lodge formalily named the Loyal , Kerepeehi Lodge, M. L0.0.F. During the ceremony the Grandmaster congratulated the Netherton members on their enthusiasm and the progress made in so short a time. The future for tbe Kerepeehi Lodge looked very bright, and he wished it all possible success and prosperity. The following officers were then installed, and each one was the recipient of congratulations: N.G;, Bro. M. B. Glasgow, P.G. ; V. G., Bro. S. Cooke; F.S., Bro. R. H. Fraser, P-G.; E. Bro. W. Shilton; 1.P.M.;, Bro. C. S. Stembridge, P.G.; treasurer, BroH. Hoff; auditors, Bros. H. H. Booth and Glasgow. The officers were solemnly invested and obligated by the Grandmaster.

In an interesting and inspiring address Bro. J. McLeod said that that night marked an important occasion for the district. The new lodge had made a splendid start, and had the distinction of commencing with a larger membership than any lodge of the Order that had been opened for many years. Giving a brief history of Oddfellowship ip New Zealand, Bro. McLeod said that the M.U., 1.0.0. F. had been founded first by eight mem-i bers. at Nelson in the year 1842. The membership had now gro.wn to over and there were 56 active lodges in the Auckland province alone. He counselled the members to always be true to the principles of the Order and to inculcate those principles into the lodge’s working. The new Lodge was fortunate in having the services of an old P-G. in Bro. Glasgow to promote and guide its destinies during its infancy. Success could be obtained only by diligence, thoroughness, and enthusiasm, and judging by what he had. seen that evening he felt confident the future success of Loyal Kerepeehi was assured. After briefly outlining the duties of> each officer Bro. McLeod said that it was always a pleasure for the district officers to consecrate a new lodge and meet the brethren, and he paid a tribute to the work of the Netherton members, whose lodge had made record progress in a very short time.

Fraternal greetings and congratulations were conveyed to the new lodge by Sister E l . E. Freeman, N.G. (Paeroa), and officers of other lodged.

At- the conclusion of the cerentony supper w*as served, after which' a dance was held.