ODDFELLOWS’ ANNIVERSARY.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume III, Issue 324, 13 November 1875, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS’ ANNIVERSARY.

The Brethren of the Loyal “ Gisborne ” Lodge of the Independent Order of Oddfellows, Manchesty Unity, celebrated the Ist anniversary of the opening of their Lodge by a Supper and Ball in the Freemasons’ Hall on Tuesday evening last, at which at least 70 couples were present. An elaborate supper was laid out on the stage under the superintendence of Mr. Dugleux and Brother Butt, and every arrangement was made to promote the comfort and pleasure of visitors. The company began to arrive early to witness the procession and presentation ceremony, which, we need hardly add was not amongst the least interesting portions of the programme. About 40 members, duly habilitated in their office costume, aud decorated writh insignia according to their degree in the Order, fringed either side of the Hall, "Warden Brother Miller with his supporters bearing the Dispensation of the Lodge. At a quarter to nine Brother Piesse, the Noble Grand, rose from his seat on the stage, and calling Past Grand Brother J. Warren to his side, shortly addressed that officer in feeling and appropriate terms. He said it gave him very great pleasure to fiud the Lodge both unanimous and prompt in acknowledging and rewarding services so distinguished as those of the worthy recipient whom he had the honor of presenting with a small token of the esteem in which ho was held by the brethren of his Lodge. A handsome silver watch bearing the following inscription was then presented to Past Grandvjohu Warren„ “ Presented to Past ‘Grand J. Warren by the Gisborne Lodge, 6087, 1.0.0. E. M.U. A.D. N.Z., in recognition of services rendered.—November 9, 1875.” Past Grand Warren said the honor conferred upon him was one which, -hfe thought, he hardly' merited ; nevertliclcss it was acceptable as an evidence that his labors had not been in vain, while it afforded him great pleasure in reflecting that those labors had resulted in effectually establishing a prosperous branch of the ancient Order of Oddfellows in Gisborne. He would not detain the large company who had assembled to do honor to the occasion, and who, doubtless, were anxious to begin the dancing ; but, shortly, he might say that the Gisborne Lodge, now only one year old, has a siek fund with £l5O to its credit. The Management Fund has paid all expenses for opening, medical examination of members, &c., and has a few pence surplus. The members have also formed (privately) the nucleus of a fund for building a lodge, aud have purchased au allotment in Gladstone road.

The Auckland District is composed of eleven Lodges, numbering collectively 1100 members. The liabilities for funerals, &c., is spread over the whole district, each Lodge contributing six shillings per member per annum. The funeral fund of the district is £1750, £l6OO of which is invested on mortgages. The interest on investments has covered' the whole funeral expenditure, and added about £2O to principal during tkrpast year. / The present strength of the Unity is about 530,000, with a Sick and Funeral Fund worth £4,000,000 sterling? The income for sickness and funerals-' £600,000, of which £140,000 is interest investedcapital. The expenditure for same purposes is £400,000. I'here is also paid from the Unity Management Ftt&tl ab»ut £200,000 for medical attendance -send! medicine. Past Grand Warren, in conclusion, "te-? turned his sincere thanks for the presentation, and warmly acknowledged the assistance he had received from the members generally, whose unanimity and good’ feeling in deferring to his opinion had-' been a great element in securing the Success of the Lodge. Lodge honors having been given, the Oddfellows’ Anthem, yiujg heartily by all the brethren, brought this most interesting ceremony to a close ; after which dancing commenced, and a very pleasant evening was spent by the company".