MANCHESTER UNITY INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. HOKITIKA DISTRICT.

Kumara Times, Issue 1666, 31 January 1882, Page 2

MANCHESTER UNITY INDEPENDENT ORDER OF ODDFELLOWS. HOKITIKA DISTRICT.

THE ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The annual meeting of the Hokitika district M.U.1.0.0.F. was held at the Oddfellows Hall yesterday, at two o’clock. The delegates from the HokiLodge were P.Gs. Holmes and Greyille, and P.V.G. Walker ; from Rossj P.G. Longton ; and from the Stafford Lodge, P.P.G.M. Benjamin. A large amonnt of correspondence was read and received, after which the election of officers for the ensuing year was proceeded with, resulting as follows fL W. Sandle, Prov. G.M. ; A. Somerville, Dep. G.M. ;J. Peake, Prov. C.S. The proceedings were then adjourned and the officers were duly installed this morning, at eleven o’clock. THE SUPPER. The proceedings yesterday in connection with the election of officers of the Hokitika District, M.U.1.0.0.F. were wound np with a supper provided by Host Gilbert Stewart in his customary excellent style. About five-and-twenty members of the Order took seats at the table, P P.G.M. Spyer, occupying the chair, and P.S. Nicholson the vice-chair. And after full justice had been done to the good creature comforts provided, The Chairman proposed the first toast of the evening— ‘ The Qoeen and the Manchester Unity,” which was duly responded to in the usual silent manner. P.P.G M. Spyer then said the next toast he was about to propose was one he knew every member of the order present would drink with great pleasure. Those who were living at the antipodes had every right to be so honored. He would propose “ Jhe health of the Provincial Grand Master and Board of Directors, coupled with the name of P.P.G.M. Benjamin.” Song by Bro. Hauna—“ Bonnie hills of Scotland.” P.P.G.M. Benjamin said it afforded him great pleasure in mentioning his name with the chiefs of the Order. We were greatly indebted to the Board of Directors, and it was only rhiht to recognise th ir great usefulness. In the year 1880 there were 533,589 members in the Order, whom that body had to legislate for. To those who were young in these matters, he might inform them that £/ 1,486 18s had been expended during the same year in benefits, and £30,000 in funeral benefits. 28,84 t new members had joined in that period ; and they were living in all parts of the civilized world, and one feature was that 20,000 odd of this number were under 25 years of age; but 853 only of these new members were reckoned as joining from the British colonies. The Board of Directors had always given satisfaction to all parties. He thanked the members present on behalf of himself and Board of Directors.—[Applause.] Song by Bro. Morgan, P.G.—“ In the Little Ola Log Cabin down the Lane." P. G. M'Kenzie proposed “The health of the District Officers, past and elect, coupled with the name of P.P.G. M. Webster and P.G.M. Sandle.” He commended them to the respect of the Order. The former needed no words of his to express justice to his career in the capacity of his office] and with regard to the newly-elected P.G.M. Saudle, he was one who had always taken a lively interest in the proceedings of the Order, and it would not suffer in his bands.—[Applause.] Song hy Bro. J. Hannah—“ When we were Boys together.” P.P.G.M. Webster responded by saying although it was only a formal toast, took it kindly. Ho had done his best to do his duty, and he had the satisfaction of knowing that most of the Order seemed to think so to.—[Applausel.] P.G.M. Sandle thanked the company for the honor of coupling his name with the toast. He had striven hard, and it had been, the dearest wish of his heart to be elected to the highest office; and he had now his wish fulfilled by an unanimous vote being given him.— [Hear, hear.] He promised them that nothing should be wanting for want of trying ; he had been a working Oddfellow. They were looking forward at Stafford to a visit from the Albert Lodge—[Hear, hear.] C.S. Peake said that as there was an emolument attached to his office, it would not be necessary for him to more than thank them very heartily for the toast. It was the seventh or eighth time he was elected. He believed there was no institution in Westland at the present time that had increased to the same extent as the Oddfellows.— [Hear, hear.] Medley by P.V.G. Walker, who said that, being of a delicate constitution, he hoped they would excuse him.

P.S. Niclioson proposed the toast of “ Kindred Societies.” Iu all theilr gatherings he was glad td think that that was one that was never forgotten. They always invi-ed the officers of kindied societies to their Anniversaries. He would couple With the toast the name of Bro. Sandle. Song by Bro. Turnbull Soldier’s Funeral.” P.G.M. Sandle, in replying, said there were 533',000 Foresters, and 553,000 Oddfellows. He always found friendship and go6d will between the two Orders.—[Hear, hear.] C.S. Peake said it was very gratifying to see so many present ; it showed that there was good friendship existing between them. Song by Bro. Brown Adolphus.” P.G. Ldngton proposed “ Success to the Albert Bodge, coupled with the name of Bro. MTieod, N.G.” Song by Bro. Sandle—“Napolitaine.” N.G. M‘Leod felt great honor in responding to the toast of the Loyal Albert Lodge. Although they had not had great prosperity, yet they looked forward now to increased success.—[Hear, hear.] Song by P.G. Benjamin—.“ To lov6 thOe night and day, love.” P.G. Hanna proposed “ The Commercial Interests.” Although a humble digger, he was one who was doing all in his power to develop those interests. He would couple the toast with the name of Bro. Walker. Song by Bro. Nicholsoii—“ Oh let me like a soldier fall." Seng by P.Y.G. YTalket — “The Anchor’s weighed.” P.G. Holmes proposed “ The Ladies.’* Their influence was marvellous. They could not do without them. He gretted that they were debarred front entertainments like the present.—[Applause.] Song—“ Here’s a health to all good Lasses.’* Another song \>y Bro. TUrnbnll. Bro. Greville said the ladies were the best charm of our life j we could not do without them.—[Hear, hear, and applause.] P.P.G.M. Spyer proposed— “ Our Visitors.” He could speak from experience of the very kind treatment he bad elsewhere received) and he hoped the preparations which had been made for their reception that evening would be taken in the spirit in which they were intended.—[Hear, hear, and api plause.] Song by P.G. Palmer 1 —“ Bhe White Squall.” P.G: Collins on behalf of the delei gates begged to thunk the Kumarst Lodge for the reception they had given them. P.P.G.M. Benjamin and P.G. Holmes also responded. P.G. Hannah proposed “ The Mining Interests, coupled with the name of Bro. M'Kenzie.” If the mining interests prospered everything would prosper.— [Applause.] Song by Bro. Morgan—“just before the battle, mother.” P.G. M‘Kenzie said the toast was one which required great ability in responding to it. Mining Was now at the lowest pitch it ever was on the coast The days of small raining pari ties had passed away, and capital must now be introduced if the goldfields were to be successfully worked, as everywhere water was required. They must raise their voices in advocating for the supply of water. C.S. Peake said he had a usual but important toast to propose, that of “ The Press, coupled with the name of Mr Janion.” From what he had seen the press of Kumara would compare favorably With that of other towns on the coast.—[Hear, hear.] The Press was mightier than the sword, and if used properly and handled properly it was a great instrument for good.—= [Applause.] Song by Bro. Hanna rattling boy from the county town.” Mr Janion thanked the proposer of the toast for his flattering encomiums, and the company for the hearty manner in which it had been taken up.—[Applause.] P.P.G.M. Spyer said though getting late he thought they should not part without being reminded of “ The Sick, Distressed, and Absent of our Order.” The company responded with the usual token of friendship, love, and truth. Song by Bro. M*Leod—“The days when we wentgipseying.” P.S. Nicholson proposed “ The Host and Hostesswhich was responded to on their behalf by P.G. Hanna. Song by Bro. Turnbull. P.G. Palmer proposed “ The Chairman and Vice-Chairman,” which were duly replied to. The singing of ‘f Auld lang syne” and the “National Anthem” wound up a very agreeable evening's pleasure.