Friendly Societies

Southern Cross, Volume 1, Issue 8, 20 May 1893, Page 7

Friendly Societies

The leading Fv-endly : ocu ties are well represented in Invercargill, and in the district. of Southland generally, and the good that they do, the important part they play in the encouragement of provident habits, is everywhere acknowledged. Rightly regarded they are also great instruments for good in social life, tending ns they do to bring about the time pictured by i urns—the happy time when “ men to men, the world o’er, shall brothers be and a' that ” With the view, in howsoever small a degree, of promoting an interest in the work of these beneficent agencies we have decided to vote a certain amount of sjiacc to chronicling the doings of the local branches of Societies established In Southland. It will be easily understood that valuable assistance can ho given in such an undertaking Dythe secretaries of the different bodies, and from these we shall be glad to receive, in the first instance, a sketch of the formation and present position of their lodge or society, and in the next a note from time to time of any matters affecting them. So much by way of preface. We cannot do better than begin with the Shamrock, Eose, and Thistle Lodge, 1.0. P., M.U. To this representative of the M.IJ. belongs the distinction of being the pioneer friendly society opened in Invercargill. Its charter is dated 23rd October, 1860, but the earliest written records that we have been able to discover date from 18(52. In those days gold rushes were frequent, the population of the town was to a very large extent a floating one, meetings were not regularly held, and records were not kept with the regularity that has since prevailed. Taking 1862 as the startingpoint, we learn from the minutes of the meeting held on 11th March of that year that Mr W. Y. Millar, who is still in our midst, held the office of N.G., and that there were 21 members on the roll. Only three of these now remain in the lodge—Bros. T. W. Smith, C. Price, and W. Robertson. The Bodge held its meetings for a time in the old Victoria Hotel, at a later period in Puttelkow’s Provincial Hotel (attached to the old Theatre Royal), next in Lang’s Golden Fleece, and finally in the Clarendon. They then secured the site and building which has formed the local headquarters of the M.U. for so many years. Oddly enough, this building was also originally erected for an hotel, aud had to be converted into a hall. Among those who joined in 1862, and who are still connected with the Lodge, we notice the name of Mr Leslie Cheyne. The Permanent Secretary (P.P .G.M. Bro. Ross) joined in 1864, and has discharged the onerous duties of P.S. most satisfactorily since 1872. From the Merit Board we find that the following have held office as N.G.’s :—Messrs W. Y. Millar. C. N. H. Baggott, D. Webster, J. Muir, W. Fraser, G. Goodwillic, W. B. Scandrett, D. Ross, W. Wilkinson, W. Shields, T. W. Smith, D. Mcßobie, J. Smith, H. Graham, A. Walker, F. G. Stone, D. A. Smith, A. Dean, J. Colquohoun, A. Storie, A. Crisp, T. Smith, A. Garmson, J. S. Goldie. J. Rillstono, J. "Walker, E. Barlow, T. W. Walker, T. Dyer, Jos. Ward, J» Elliot, J. Aitken, A. Harkness, T. Findlay (second term), J. H. Smith, J. Kingsland, sen., I), Bissett, C. S. Ross, C. S. Brass, P. Brass, E. Barlow (second term), J. Winton, C. Ross, G. B* Brown, and R. Toolcy, who is the pre»ent N.G. At the end of last year the number of members good on the books was 185, while the assets were represented by the very substantial amount of £7,417 13s 8-Jd, with liabilities nil. Court Star of the South, A.O.F. This Court dates back to the early seventies having been opened on the 19th March, 1874, by Brother W. Woodlands, District Secretary. It started with a membership of ten, which increased to 54 during the first year. Mr T. M‘Cawley was the first Chief Ranger. In 1881 the Court acquired a valuable hall and site in Hith street, formerly owned by the Freemasons, and there the members meet every alternate Thursday. From the last annual balance-sheet, kindly supplied by the secretary (Mr R. Folley) we learn that at the end of 1892 there were 194 members on the roll, with funds amounting to £1,711 5s 6d. The anniversary of the Court was celebrated a few weeks ago, and under the management of energetic office-bearers it promises, in Rip Yan Winkleian phrase, “to live long and prosper.” JOTTINGS. At a late meeting of the S., R., and T. Lodge, 1.0.0. F., M.U., a resolution was passed asking the P.G.M. to take into consideration the formation of a juvenile lodge for Southland. The United Friendly Societies Gala Committee are evidently determined to make the gathering on 14th June noteworthy. S x societies, representing about 800 members will take part in the demonstration, which opens with a procession. The subsequent proceedings, which include a soiree, concert, and dance, will take place in the Zealandia Hall, which bids fair to be crowded to the door. With the Garrison and City bands responsible for the music, with provision for a fine display of fireworks, and with a firstclass programme for the indoor section of the entertainment, patrons of the societies should have what is known as a “real good time.”