ODDFELLOWS, M.U.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 458, 20 April 1912, Page 5

ODDFELLOWS, M.U.

-- LOYAL TE KUITI LODGE,

A special meeting of the Te Kuiti lodge of Oddfellows, M.U., was held last Thursday evening in the lodge room, the occasion being to receive an official visit from the District Officers, Prov. G.M., Bro. H. A. Whitaker, Prov. D G., Bro. M. W. Dean, and Prov. Cor. Secretary Bro. John McLeod. There was a very good attendance of members, and visiting members of other lodges. Four new members were initiated and three more were proposed for membership next lodge n'ght. The T« Kuiti lodge is in a very flourishing condition, and promises to become one of the most important in the Auckland district.

Bro. H. Vause, N.G., presided, Bro. Price occupying the V.G.'s chair, Bro. J. Rutherford the G.M.'s chair and Bro. E. J. Thomson, the lodge's energetic secretary occupied tha secretary's chair. At the conclusion of the lodge meeting, a public social was held in the Cuuncil Chambers Hull. The chair was occupied by Cr D. Young, who, in introducing the District Officers to the meeting, referred in appreciative terms to the honoured position held by the Manchester Unity of Oddfellows in the Friendly Society world.

Interesting addrseses wera delivered by the District Officers, detailing the operations of the Society, and stating that its membership now exceeded one million, with a capital exceeding fifteen millions sterling, and paying benefits to the amount of one and a-hulf millions sterling per annum. The Auckland district numbers 43 adult !odge a an d one juvanilw lodge, with a membership exceeding 4000, and a capital of mora than £IOO,OOO. It is paying benefits amounting to £IO,OOO per annum. During the evening a very enjoyable musical programme was gone through. Refreshments were provided by the local brethren. The meeting closed with the singing of the National Anthem, and the giving of three cheers to the chairman, the Te Kuiti Lodge, and the visiting District Officers.