ANNUAL SOIREE AND BALL OF THE LOYAL ST. GEORGE LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS.

Southland Times, Issue 1268, 21 June 1870, Page 2

ANNUAL SOIREE AND BALL OF THE LOYAL ST. GEORGE LODGE OF ODDFELLOWS.

The second annual soiree and ball of the Loyal St. George Lodge of Oddfellows, came off at the Theatre Boyal on Thursday evening, the 9th inst. The Theatre was liberally decorated with ferns, evergreens, flags, and mottoes expressive of the principles of the Order,' was brilliantly lighted, and when the numerous company was seated at tea, had a very pleasing and cheerful appearance. The guests were accommodated at three large tables arranged in the body of the house, each of which was laid for about SO per* sons, and all were fully occupied. A fourth table stood upon the stage, at which were seated the heads of the Order, the chair being filled by Prov. G.M. David Webster. Bro. D. Ringsland i was caterer, and, judging from the abundance and daintiness of the viands, the providing of the creature comforts could not have been in better hands. After bodily wants had been sufficiently attended to, the company adjourned to the upper part of the house, and an hour or so was devoted to music, readings, and addresses. In opening this, part of the programme, the chairman said it was customary at their anniversaries for the person in the position he then occupied to give an address outlining the position and progress of the Lodge, but as subsequent speakers would deal with details, he would not waste time by going into particulars, more especially as the programme for the evening was by no means a short one. He might just allude to the gratifying fact, that although the Lodge had been only two. years in existence, it was already worth £240 in cash, the greater portion of which was securely invested at good interest. This handsome balance was significant and satisfactory. It showed that few calls had hitherto been made on the funds, an evidence of general good health J and prosperity amongst the members, and it was a guarantee that no difficulty need be anticipated with reference to the Lodge's meeting any necessities which might hereafter arise. Eeferring to the spread of Oddfellowship, he said it afforded him great pleasure indeed to see how their numbers had increased, showing that the benefits they offered were not unappreciated. He could , look back for eight years, at which time the J number of Oddfellows in Invercargill was small indeed. Since that lime, however, their progress had been most satisfactory. They had increased in numbers and importance so steadily and rapidly that they had recently been deemed worthy of being established as a separate district. When Mr Webster had retired, the amateur instrumental musicians, led by Mr Or. T. Stevens, came upon the stage, the leader's appearance being the signal for a demonstration of welcome. A reading by Mr Macrorie followed the excellent musio discoursed, but did not "go down" so well. It was rather lengthy, the reader was in bad voice, and the audience seemed in a hurry. A quartet, "Beautiful Star," by amateursladies and gentlemen — followed with soothing effect, and then a humorous reading by Mr Wotton, which kept the house in fits for a while. Next came a semi-comic song, the chorus of which was taken up by some singers in the sidewings, which pleased well, and then another instrumental selection— good, of course. Bro. W. P. Porter, V.Gh, then read a short but strong essay on Oddfellowship, enlarging upon the benefits conferred by membership, its influence in training the mind to habits of thrift, forethought, and method, in the callings of life. He reviewed shortly what had been effected by the Order, gave the commendatory opinion expressed by a member' in the House of .Commons as to the principles and practices of Lodges, and insisted unflinchingly on its being the duty of every man to take such steps as might be within his reach to place himself and family beyond the ' necessity of soliciting or accepting charity. He contrasted the relative benefits of life assurance, and membership in an Oddfellows' Lodge, to the advantage of the latter. A number of musical pieces, and one or two songs, followed, and about ten o'clock the concert was wound up with the Queen's anthem. The tables had been quietly j cleared away meanwhile, and without much loss of time the dancers appeared on the scene, where, to the strains of Lloyd's band, they "footed it" merrily until after the tmall hours*