NGATEA LODGE

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3246, 31 March 1943, Page 5

NGATEA LODGE

13TH. BIRTHDAY CELEBRATED BRO. H. VOWLES WELCOMED The monthly meeting of Loyal Ngatea Lodge was held on Monday evening last, P.G. Bro. D. Waite presiding.

A warm welcome home was extended to Bro. Harry Vowles, who has just returned from service in the Pacific. Bro. Waite also expressed pleasure at having P.G. Bro. Leonard, Sister Leonard (Loyal Waitakaruru Lodge), and P.F. Sec. H. Darby (Loyal Jubilee Lodge), present at the meeting and function which followed.

The. initiation of a candidate took place, after which honours of the Order were conferred upon the new member and visiting members. Routine business was transacted before the lodge closed in peace and harmony.

Those present then sat down to a sumptuous supper, the occasion being the ,13th. birthday celebration of Loyal Ngatea 'Lodge, combined with the welcome home to Bro. Vowles, who at the time of his leaving for camp was occupying the N.G’s. chair. In proposing the toast of the Manchester Unity in general and Ngatea branch in particular, Bro. L. E. Jackson spoke of the growth of the Order since the lodge first commenced and expressed the hope that those members serving overseas and within New Zealand would soon be able to once again participate in the harmony of their local lodge room. Many of them, he said, had derived such benefit and training from lodge meetings to stand them' in good stead during their later experiences. Bro. W. Baxter proposed the toast to Bro. Harry Vowles and expressed the pleasure of the lodge and members at being able to give him a welcome home feast. This, he said, was due to the capabilities of the lady members who had prepared such a notable variety of good things. Bro. Baxter voiced the thoughts of all present when he said how grand it would be to have all the members back again. The names of L.-Sgt. Alan Waite, Flying-Officer Jack Vowles and Private Edgar Waite, all of whom were actively associated with the Ngatea branch until their departure for camp, being particularly mentioned. Bro. H. Vowles suitably responded. A cake with 13 candles was a feature of the celebrations, which were voted to be the nearest yet of prewar festivities.