ODDFELLOWS REUNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 93, 8 October 1915, Page 2

ODDFELLOWS REUNION.

At Pukekohe.

Subsequent to tbe usual fortnightly meeting, the members ot the Loyal Pukekohe lodge of Odd ft Hows, M.U., held their annuareunion in the Oddfellows' Hall cn Tuesday evening, Aboutl forty members assembled round the festive board, included amongst whom were the Provincial Corresponding Secretary. Bro. J. McLeod and Bro. W. J. Maddren, Past Grand of tbe Hikurangi Lodge. The proceedings, which were of a most enjoyable and sociable nature, were presided over by the Noble Grand? Bro. W. Baird.

In welcoming tbe brethren and visitors, Bro. Baird stated that owing to the rumber of members at the war it bad been decided not to hold a function on such a pretentious scale as usual, bu ; he trusted that by the time ths next reunion cams round the war cloud would have passed and the absent brethren would be bark with them. Re also thanked Bro. McLeod f?r his attendance that evening.

Matters in connection with the Provincial Ledges were dealt with by Bro. McLeod, who deprecated the action of a particular Auckland Lodge in severing itself trum the organisation. He also touch-d upon the position of Oddfellows who might come back to New Zealand wounded, and he stated that sick pay and attention would be given to them. (Applause). At the request of the Noble Grand, Bro. McLeod was called upon to make a presentation to Past Grands A. D. Young and J. H. Keith, who had passed right through the lodge offices. Bro. McLeod and membeis spoke enthusiastically of the services rendered by tbe two brothers during their terms, and trusted that they would continue to act unselfishly on behalt of Oddfellowship. (Applause). In an address on Lodge matters the Corresponding Secretary stated that thu Lodges were now finding that they would teed to exercise greater discietion as to tbe admittance of new members, on account of tbe duty they owed tj the members who had enlisted. The Auckland District had contributed over 230 men to tbe New Zealand Forces, and jinfortunaUly the casualties among these amounted to 24 per cent., uf wbicb over 20 bad been killed. Tbe chairman staled that be was pleased to be able to afford an opportunity of Baying au revoir to Bros. ti. Kent, G. Scott and J. Walker, who were shortly leaving for l'rentham.

The honours of tbe order were given to the departing brothers, who briefly responded. A question was asked the corresponding secretary as to tbe percentage of enlistments of the Pukekohe Lodge as compared wi|,h' othpr Lodges. The answer to this was that Pukekohe compared more than favourably with many lodges, but he wasn't aware of the actual percentage.

Musical and vocal items were rendered by Bros, J. Banks, W. Murray, A. Nealy, R. Chambers and W. Baird.