ANNIVERSARY OF TIMARU LODGE, L.O.O.F. M.U.

South Canterbury Times, Issue 2399, 24 November 1880, Page 2

ANNIVERSARY OF TIMARU LODGE, L.0.0.F. M.U.

A crowded and appreciative audience rewarded the efforts of the Committee of Lodge 5308 of the above Order, who assembled at the Oddfellows’ Hall, Barnard street, last evening, to celebrate the sixteenth anniversary of the establishment of the Order in Timarn. A tea, concert, and last, but to many not the least, a ball, constituted the programme. The hall was very tastefully .decorated with iloral mottoes and devices, the cabbage-tree being especially noticeable, and banners and Hags Idling the intervening spaces. About 200 members and [friends sat down to a capital tea furnished by Mr AVitt, of Church street, in his usual excellent style, the following ladies doing the honors of the ocension Mesdames Griffiths, Turnbull, Chapman, Budget, Walker, Hathaway, Butterworth, and the blisses Goldsmith and Butterworth. After tea the hall was cleared, and preparations for the concert having been made it was rapidly tilled again. After a brief interval Bro Leggett introduced Mr Wakefield, M.H.IL, who had kindly consented to preside. Mr Wakefield said it afforded him great gratification to occupy the chair on such an occasion, he looked upon the wide-spread prevalence of Friendly Societies as one of the great signs of civilization. Nothing was more striking than the material prosperity of every well-established Friendly Society in the Colony, and this one in particular. The Manchester Unity of Oddfellows had a world-wide reputation, and were doing an immense amount of good m many parts of the world. Nobody for a moment disputed the advantages derived by the State from the establishment of such societies. It was estimated that the various Friendly Societiesot Great Britain annually saved _£2,OOO,OUU to the ratepayers by inculcating habits of thrift, and in preventing its afflicted members from burdening the State. He thought nothing did more to elevate socially those who had not the advantage of well-cultured homes than the establishment of Societies such

as', this, (Applause.) This was acknowledged in every portion of the British-dominions. Every Government under the Crown afforded ample encouragement to such societies, and almost considered them a portion of the machinery of government. (Hoar, hear.) The hon. gentleman referred to the imposing sum total of membership, as shown by the society’s statistics, over half a million being on the roll. The fraternal principle of the society had a very important influence upon the lives of the members. He had been reading a work by a distinguished writer in which the machinery of the order was disapproved of on account of its expensiveness, and which compared the Manchester Unity with other societies in which no such brotherhood existed but which were mere business bodies. This writer showed that the Manchester Unity spent a great deal on management and he (the speaker) was inclined to admit it was so, but he considered that the money was well expended. (Great cheering.) Here was a lodge established in Timarii. ft w'as part of a district lodge at Lyttelton, and a member of the parent order at home. These far reaching relations created a feeling that could not be awakened by merely subscribing to the same fund and receiving profits at stated intervals, as was the case -with societies where tiie balances were divided annually. The slight government supervision exercised was, he thought, beneficial, and he was glad to find that no opposition to that very salutary control had been evinced by the members.

Mr Goldsmith, secretary to the lodge, referred to the small sum paid for medical attendance during the past year, only £llO odd having hcen paid for the medical supervision of 100 members. He also informed the members that it was intended to establish a juvenile lodge in connection with the order for youths of 10 up to 17 years of age. After the Secretary’s statement the concert commenced by Mr St album executing an overture on the piano in Ids usual masterly manner, and subrequently taking an active part by accompanying the singers in rendering the musical part of the programme most successful and enjoyable. Mr P. Foster «ang “Juanita” in a most effective style. Miss Cox sang “ Maggie’s Secret ” jn a manner that deservedly elicited an encore, but was disallowed on account of the length of the programme. A. recitation, “ Faudrig Croraoore ” was then given by Mr Crawford. The rich brogue, and capital style of delivery, took greatly with the audience, causing frequent bursts of merriment. Messrs Saxon and Gilchrists’ duet, “ Minute gun at sea” was loudly applauded. Mr Padget’s powerful voice gave “ Will o’ the Wisp ” capitally, the first portion of the song being particularly well rendered. A negro song in character, then given by Mr Stone, eliciting an encore that had to ho gratified. An interval of a few minutes having elapsed Mr Statliam gave the music from “ H.M.S. Pinafore,” followed by Air Saxon’s song, “Speak to Me, Speak,” Mrs Bradley following with “ Thy voice is near me in my Dreams,” both songs being loudly applauded. Mr Lane did not put in an appearance, and Mr Wakefield instead gave “ The Yam of the Nancy Bell,” quaintly and well. Mrs Saxon followed with tho song “ Take back the Heart thou Gavest.” The Chairman then announced that Mr Perry, of the T.A. Band, would give a “ cornet on the solo,” an announcement that was hailed with roars of merriment. This solo was deservedly well received. A song by Mr Bothwell, “ The British Lion,” followed by the singing of the National Anthem terminated the concert. Mr Whitaker highly eulogised tho orderly and attentive demeanor of the audience, concluding a rather flattering speech amidst cheering. Votes of thanks having been passed to the Chairman, the audience separated to allow of preparations being made for the ball which was to follow. Dancing commenced at 10.J0, Mr Walker officiating as M. 0., and about b 0 couples taking part in the various dances, which were kept up with but little intermission until an early or rather late hour this morning.