ANNIVERSARY of the ESTABLISHMENT of the BRITANNIA LODGE, M.U.I.O.F.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume I, Issue 21, 1 March 1845, Page 3

ANNIVERSARY of the ESTABLISHMENT of the BRITANNIA LODGE, M.U.1.0.F.

On Wednesday last, the brethren of the above order met in their Lodge Room, Aurora Tavern, for the purpose of celebrating the Second Anniversary of the establishment of the benevolent and praiseworthy Society of Odd Fellows in Port Nicholson, by the usual custom of a dinner and ball. The hall, which is about forty feet long and twenty feet ' wide, was laid out with great taste, for the occasion, by the proprietor, Mr. It. Davis, who did every thing that could be done for the comfort and enjoyment of his numerous " brothers." It would be the height of negligence on our part, not to mention the eleI gant manner in which, the hall has been painted. The whole of the room is covered with landscape scenery of great beauty, painted in first rate style by, a member of the order, Mr. James Marriott. Through Mr. Marriott's skill and talent, the brethren of the Britannia Lodge can boast of a room second to none in New Zealand ; and we are borne tut in this remark by every person who as yet visited the place in question. Dinner was placed on table a: six o'clock, when about eighty persons sat down to partake of it. The three principal officers presided, and the comfort of the many was diligently looked after by the stewards, previously appointed. There was an abundance of the good things of this life, and kind feeling and harmony seemed to be the order of the evening. Upon the cloth being removed, the usual toasts were given ; after which, the health of the different officers of the Lodge was drank with enthusiasim. The ladies were not forgotten, and in giving them the Odd Fellows' " honors," they received an addition of " nine times nine." The tables were removed at 10 i o'clock, and the dinner party broke up, highly gratified. ] Preparations were then made for the ball, and by 11 o'clock the room was crowded ; there being one hundred and twenty devotees of the " mazy dance," a majority of whom belonged to the fairer portion of creation. Dancing was kept up with great spirit, till six in the morning ; at which hour the company separated. We need scarcely add in conclusion that the party was one of the happiest and most numerous we have ever seen in Wellington. Success and long life to Odd Fellowship — Good Fellowship.

We have much pleasure in giving publicity to tie correspondence which has recently taken place, on the occasion of the settlers at Netaon presenting Mr. Ironside with a

token of tbeir grateful sense of the services he rendered in hastening to the Wairau immediately he heard of the Massacre, for the purpose of performing the last sad offices for their murdered friends. Such a tribute is as honorable to those who have paid it, as it must be gratifying to Mr. Ironside ; and we would gladly, were it necessary, bear our testimony to the worth of him, whose services are thus acknowle Iged by our fellow settlers at Nelson — for we well know that, Mr. Ironside is not one of those who in taking upon themselves the office of Missionary, deem it necessary to stifle and destroy all feelings of sympathy and affection for their own countrymen ; he is not one of those, who, from unworthy motives, have exerted the influence conferred^by their office, to eocourage the natives in acts of aggression against the settlers, for the purpose of preventing the colonization of these islands. While yielding to none in the zealous and faithful discharge of his duties towards the natives, he has ever proved himself a warm friend to the colonists, not holding the opinion, that civilization is opposed to Christianity, but rather that it may matelially assist him in the great work to which he has devoted himself. We know also, that had the advice respectfully tendered by Mr. Ironside to the Governor on his first landing at this setllement, been followed, many of the evils, under which the colony is at present labouring, would most assuredly have been averted. Having said thus mnch,. we need scarcely avail ourselves of this opportunity> to assure Mr. Ironside, that whenever we speak in terms of censure, of the genera conduct of the Missionaries towards the set" tiers, we never intend to apply such remark 8 to him, or to the few others, who, equally with himself, have endeavoured to promote and establish feelings of peace and good will between the two races.

(Copy.) Nelson, January, i 845. Sir, — I have much pleasure in forwarding to you, by the Plains Castle, the accompanying volumes. I do so at the request of several of the inhabitants of this settlement, who have purchased them by a small general contribution, and beg your acceptance of them, in acknowledgement merely, not in discharge, of the obligation we consider we lie under to you for your courageous, humane, and Chris* tian conduct in repairing to the Wairau in June, 1843, to assist the survivors of the melancholy affray at that place, and bury those who had fallen. This acknowledgement should have been made long since, but was deferred in consequence of expectation which existed that you intended to pay a visit to this place. 1 trust, however, that you will consider the time which has elapsed an additional proof of the strong impression your condnct on the occasion alluded to made upon us all. Wishing you health and all prosperity, I lemain, Sir, Your obedient servant, Alfred Domett. The Rev. S. Ironside, Wellington.

"(Copp.) Wellington, February 20, 1845. Sir, — I accept with great pleasure the very valuable present of books which you have forwarded to me at the request of several of the inhabitants of Nelson. You have been pleased to put by far too high an estimation upon my services in conriection with that tragic event, which we all so deeply mourn, and which time will not obliterate from our memories. I only did my duty ; and no one in my station of life should take credit to himself for doing his duty, although it might be painful and melancholy to his feeliugs, and attended with personal risk. It would have been much more gratifying to me could I have been of service as mediator before the affray had arrived at its dire extremity, but, unfortunately, I knew not of it until it was too late. I beg you will convey to those whom you represent, "my grateful sense of their kindness in thus honouring me ; and I may further add, that the very handsome manner in which their wishes have been communicated to me by yourself, has considerably enhanced my gratification. I have the honor to remain, Sir, Your most obedient servant, Samuel Ihonsipe. A. Domett, Esq., Nelson.

Mr. Domett's letter was enclosed ih a parcel containing the last edition of DOyly and Mant's Commentary on the Holy Scriptures, neatly bound, in three volumes. On the fly leaf of one of them is written the following inscription — Presented to the Reverend S. Ironside, by the friends of those who fell in the Massacre at Wairau, June 17th, 1843, as a srarill token of their sense of the courage and humanity he displayed in repairing immediately, at great personal risk, to the scene of conflict, to render assistance to the survivors and bury the dead. Nelson, January, 1845.