PRESENTATIONS TO Mr W. T. WOOD.

Manawatu Times, Volume X, Issue 1321, 15 October 1884, Page 2

PRESENTATIONS TO Mr W. T. WOOD.

- though the weat her last evening was disagreeably cold and wet, a very large number of Oddfellows : , and Druids nssern'led m the Lodge, room to bid farewell to their ra spected Bro^ W. T. Wood. Br.Wood has the honor at the present time of being Deputy ProviMcial Grand Master of the O-ldfellows and Junior Past Arch of the Oioua • Lodge of Druids, of which he was the first Arch Druid. Besides hold* ing tuese offices he has always thoroughly identified himself with any movement tending to promote the interest's of Fr endly Societies, and h s energy and lengthy exp< ri* ence have often been ot great service to his brethren. Under these cir» carnstarices it will readily . be .understood that his departure to. anor-her country iskeenly-Yelt by the members of both lodges^ as creating a void which is not easily filled, and they accordingly assembled m full force last evening to mark • the es* teem m which he is held. Every available seat m the room was occupied and among those present were, the Provincial Grand Master, Bro Benefield and Rro T. Ferry, V.G. of. the Wang mvi Lodge of Oddfellows, whid on being apprised, by telegram that morning of his departure, hastened to Palmorston to join m bidding him good-bye, thus displaying the strong, interest taken m eaoh other's welfare by energetic members of Friendly Societies. Loyal Mahxwatu Lodge 1.0.0. F., M.U. The proceedings commenced with the chair being taken by Bro. Beuefielti, P.G-.M. who called upon Bro. F. Cowper, N.G. of the Loyal Mauawatu Lodge 1.0.0. F., to hand Bro. Wood the presentations selected by ihe Lodge. Bro. Cowper, m a few well-chosen sentences, dwelt upon the approach* ing departure of the guest, and the services he had rendered tj Oddfellowship, and m wi hing him joy ami happiness m his future career, expressed the pleasure he had m presenting him with a handsome marble timepiece as a small token of" the esceem m which he was held. The Oddfellows present then* :sa> luted Bro, Wood with the honors of the Ord.er, , ' In acknowledging the presenta? tion Bro. Wood expressed his sense of the honor ronterred upon him by the hearty recognition of his services and also hid genuine sorrovf at having to leave both lodges. He had always endeavored to do his best to further the interests of' each, and would contiuue his ef« forts an behalf of the Orders m his nevk sphere. He impressed upon the members the necessity of sparing no effort iv the cau*e m which they were engaged, so that the Lodges might prosper both financially and otherwise, Bro. Benefield then, on behalf of the members, presented Bro. Wood! with a handsome ly-framed PaW Grand's emblem. He took the opportunity of expressing his sense of the assistance rendered to the Order by Bro. Wood as an officer of the Provincial Grand Lodge. Bro. Wood m responding said one of his chief causes of regret atleav« ing the district was the fact thatJie thereby lost the chance of attaining the position held by the chairman, as P.G.M. He was bub one step from, that at present, and as they all knew it would take a long time, to ; work up to that office m a new field of labor. • This concluded the proceedings on the part of the Oddfellowsl ; Osoua Lodge. U.A.6«D. Bro. Short, A.D. on behalf of the members then pieseuted the follow--ing address, which it is intended^ illuminate andfoward to Bro Wood, the early date fixed for his departure not allowing this to be done m tim* i far last evening. In his speech Ero I Short said all would agree that : Bro j Wood was almost the founder of the Loduje, as ie was chiefly owing to his pluck, perseverance and energy that its present success had been attained. On behalf of the Lodge he wished prosperity and happiness to Bro Wood and his wife and family, and trusted he would succeed even better m his new home than he had done here-. The address read as follows.: t" U.A.0.D., Oroua Lodge, Palmerston North.New Zealand; October 14, 1884 — With fraternal greetings t.i Bro. W. T. Wood, JP,A,: We,;the undersigned.-have heard with deep* felt regret of your m. tended departure for Hobarr, and while wishing -you every success m your new sphere of action, we oaunot hide from ourselves the serious loss we shall sustain m this your parent 13bdge, which, by your untiring zeal and indefatigable exertions, has been brought to that high state of perfection which is seMom attained m so young; an institution. We all recognise m, you those sterling qualities, of justice,-, benevolence, and impartiality manifested m carrying out the various duties that have devolved upon you as A.D. from the formation of the L.odge, and as a v token of Qur esteem we beg you to accept this small gift, which we feel sure will, m your keeping, ever shed a lustre on the 'benevolent, bonds of Druidism." The address, w'»en finished, will be signed by the officers and members of the Lodge. Honors were then given by the Druids present. Bro. Wood expressed his sincere thanks- for the presentation, and said' that though ; tie had only been con-j nectesd with the Druids some nine months, as against fourteen years with the Oddfellows, he took a warm interest iv the former. The Oroua Lodge had made great strides since it had been m existence, and he trusted the offisers and rnerubers would continue to be as energetic and attentive to their duties as heretofore. On the motion of Bro F. Mowleni a vote of thanks was passed to the editor of tho Mariawatu Daily Times for his attendance at the proceedings. Votes of thanks were passed to >Bios Benefield .and Ferry for their •Uttyndanee. In responding Bro Benefield said both he abd Bro Ferry felt the departure of Bro Wood very keenly, and they had de-( termined to join m the honor paid L

lo him befovo. he le t. He was on* of the mosi energetic brothers they had ever ha I. 8r..« Feiu^responded m similar terms. ':."' '' %,^ The remainder of the evening wafl devotrd to harmony during whioh songs were given by Bros Bett, Feri v, Scott, J.lly Andrews, Lyons, x-fawkins, Watchorn and Nicholson. 1 Kecitations were also given -by Brog Dillon and Haybittle, and a daetbr Bros Haybittle and Bett. Bio v » ood leaves Paluierston jKJth his wife and family by "lh'eTnoon train to Foxton to- morrow.