ODD-FELLOWS' DINNER.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 286, 3 December 1877, Page 2

ODD-FELLOWS' DINNER.

The annual dinner of the Odd-Fellows was held on Thursday evening last, about fifty being present. The room was tastefully decorated for the occasion with flowera and evergreens, and there was also a profuse display of bunting. The dinner was provided by Mr Noble of Bridge-street. The chair was occupied by W. W. Squires, Esq., M.D., P.G.M.; H. Edwards, Esq., P.P.G.M., filled the vice-chair. After full justice had been done to the eatables, ' ' The Chairman gave the toast of "The Queen, and Independent. Order of OddFellows, Manchester Unity," which was enthusiastically received. Ths health of his Excellency the Governor was then drunk. ■ •' ■ The Chairman proposed "The Army, Navy, and Volunteers." There was an old adage that good wine needs no bush, and this, he thought, applied to the toast. We recently had had a visit from a man-of-war, the crew of which were hospitably entertained, especially by the fair sex, and no doubt still entertained pleasant recollections of their visit to Nelson. The Naval Volunteers had lately distinguished themselves in rescuing the shipwrecked passengers of the Queen Bee. There was now a Major in Nelson, who, no doubt, would strive to in*crease the efficiency of the Volunteers. Lieut. Simpson, of the Naval Brigade, responded. The toast they had jnst drunk was one that was always sb cordially proposed and so warmly received that ifc was emphatically a pleasure to return thanks for it. The Naval Brigade had lately earned laurels in rescuing some shipwrecked passengers. He did not claim for them thafc they had done anything great, but the fact remained that while several steamers, including a mau-of-war, were in search of the passengers, the crew of the Aurora had the credit of bringing them safely to Nelson. Notwithstanding the immunity which the colony enjoyed from foreign aggression a great deal of martial spirit lay dormant in the breasts of the Volunteers, which would show itself most forcibly were it necessary at any time to preserve the integrity of the colony. The Chairman then proposed the " House of Representatives," which he facetiously compared to a sick man who required a change of air. _ In proposing the toast of "The District Grand Lodge," the Vice-Chairman said that it was composed of members who brought their united wisdom to bear upon everything pertaining to the good of the Order. The Chairman proposed «• The Ancient Order of Foresters and Kindred Societies." Their object was the same as that of the Odd-Fellows. The Foresters spent something like £4000 every year in relieving distress. Mr Coles briefly returned thanks. Mr Amos proposed " The Widow and Orphan's Fund," and in doing so threw out a hint to the bachelors present that there were several young widows whom he would like to see taken off their hands. The Vice-Chairman replied. The widow and orphan's fund was one of the brightest genis of the Order, and he felt sure that everyone in the Lodge wished prosperity to ! it. Although the Foresters had a fund for the same purpose it relieved distress by giving a lump sum, which he did not think was so good as the Odd-Fellows' fund, out of which the money was paid in instalments. Mr Roberts proposed "The Town and Trade of Nelson," to which Mr Thompson respouded. Mr Topliss, in eulogistic terms, proposed "The Press," which was drunk with three times three. Mr Simpson returned thanks. Messrs Devaney, Jennings, and Orsman, the three oldest men in the room, proposed the health of «■ The Ladies," to which a bashful young man briefly replied. Mr Roberts then gave the toast of " Our Chairman." That gentleman had done more for the good of the district in the capacity of Grand Master than any one who had gpne hefore him. He spared no money or time in striving to maintain the prestige of the Order. As medical ofilcer of the Howard Lodge he was able to hold his own against anyone who could be brought before him. The toast was drunk with the honors of the Order. The Chairman, in replying, said that he had gained a good deal of knowledge from thos,e whp had gone before him. Several ofhe*: toasfs were proposed and drunk, and d.urjqg t'he eyenjng several capital songs were sung. The company broke up shortly after midnight by singing the National Anthem and " Auld Lang Syne," after having spent a most pleasant evening.

Runholders may perhaps iike to know who is the biggest sheepowner in New Zealand. It is the Hon Robert Campbell who ships to England 6000 bales of wool. The ceremony of installing Biros. G. S Graham, Past Grand Master of the English Constitution, and F. Whitaker, Provincial Grand Master of the North Island, Scotch Constitution, took place on Friday in the Choral Hall, Aucklaud. Between five and six hundred attended, including representatives of the lodges from Otago, Nelson, lauranga, Waikato, Gisborne, Thames, Coromandel, East Coast, Napier, and Nothern Districts. Brother Lazar, the Right Worshipful District Grand Master of Westland, officiated as Installing Master The superbf urnitureof the Sir Walter ScofcfcLodge, Thames,* was lent for the occasion. The ceiling was hung with flags, the Royal Standard being m front of the chair. The spectacle was grand and impressive. At noon Lodge Waitemafca was opened by Bro. Lazar, who was received wifch honors. A Grand Lodge was constituted and consecrated. The fine choir, under the leadership of J. Browu organist, rendered several anthems in excellent style*. Bro. Graham and the other officers were invested and installed with the customary Masonic ceremonies. Bro. Graham delivered an impressive and eloquent address on the widespread influence and greatness of Masonry. Bro. Graham then received congratulations from the various lodges. At three o'clock the Lodge St. Andrew met. Bro, F. Whitaker with his officers, were installed with similar ceremonies as Provincial Grand Master, North Island, Scotch Constitution, and received congratulations. Bro. Whitaker delivered an address showing that he had been a Mason since 1839, and had occupied important positions in connection with Freemasonry. A London correspondent of a New York paper writes thafc the Midland Railroad has been defrauded in a gigantic and astounding manner by some of its officers holding positions of responsibility, in whom the utmost confidence was placed. The principal means by which the company has been defrauded was by persons' erecting private dwellings and other buildings, both for thenislves and others, with material and men belongiug to the company. Several of the delinquents are m prison, and others will be arrested shortly. Mr Blake, of Kumara, has succeeded in hatching two silver pheasants. The parent birds were, brought from the Himalaya mountains. When the Rabbit Nuisance Bill was being discussed, the Hon. Mr Chamberlin made what the New Zealand Times calls a finan eial statement on rabbits. He said there were some 100,000,000 rabbits in Otago and Southland, the cost of exterminating which, supposing them to be all exterminated and their offspring lef t, would be £415,000 plus a bonus of £280,000, or close upon £700,000. Then again oue bale would contaiu 3000 rabbit skins, which being valued afc id each would be worth £6 ss, and so on. He considered the best thing that could be done was to sell the land devastated by this nuisance for a fair price, say 2s 6d per acre, to small holders, who would naturally feel a more direct interest in it, and have a better opportunity of riddiug themselves of the plague. At present he considered stationholders were like Government ratcatchers—ifc was not likely they would kill off all the rabbits while they were making money by thera, and not leave some to breed; of course they would go on killing as long as the Government would go on paying a bonus.