GRAND LODGE SESSION NEW ZEALAND NORTH, I.O.G.T.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 5251, 22 January 1878, Page 3

GRAND LODGE SESSION NEW ZEALAND NORTH, 1.0.G.T.

The fourth annual session of the above Grand Lodge was commenced yesterday in the Odd Fellows Hall, the G. W. G. T., Rev. Bro. Edger, of Auckland, presiding. About thirty representatives were present. Several members of the order eligible for the Grand Lodge Degree presented their certificates and were duly initiated into the sublime degree. After some*pre!iminary business tbe annual reports of the officers were read, which showed that the order in this island continues to be in a flourishing condition, and that the finances were still on a good and sound basis, though several unexpected expenses had to be met. Brother D. C. Cameron, G. W. S. of New Zealand South, gave the lodge a highly interesting account of the satisfactory progress of the order in the South Island. He referred to the much vexed question respecting the negro, and explained tbe reasons why the Southern Grand Lodge had remained loyal to America. He also conveyed the fraternal greetings of the Southern jurisdiction to that of the Northern brotherhood. The question respecting the negro was postponed till Wednesday morning, it standing first on the order paper for that day. Bro. R. Harding, of Napier, during the evening session made an offer of £SO as a nucleus towards raising £SOO, having for its object the bringing from America Dr. Lees, the celebrated temperance lecturer, for the purpose of promulgating the question of total abstinence throughout New Zealand. Bro, Harding’s generous offer was referred to a committee to report on in the course of a day or two. It was resolved that Bros. Hon. W. Fox, Speight, Cameron, Harding, Johnston, and Rev. S. Edger wait upon the Premier and Minister of Justice, and bring before them the state of the law in respect to licensing of public-houses.