STRATFORD ODDFELLOWS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 59, 11 March 1913, Page 3

STRATFORD ODDFELLOWS.

DISTRICT OFFICERS’ VISIT. Last evening the District Officers (Grand Master Bro. Snowden, DeputyGrand Master Bro. W. Mountford, and Corresponding Secretary Bro. C. E. Bellringer) paid their annual visit to the Loyal Stratford Lodge. About fifty or sixty members were present, including visitors from a number of sister lodges, to whom lodge honours were extended. The district officers gave an outline of the lodges’ work during the year .and these were stated by them to be very satisfactory. Bros. P.P.G.M. Sole and P.G. Lawson were appointed delegates to attend the annual meeting on Thursday week. After passing accounts, the lodge adjourned, the remainder of the evening being spent at an enjoyable supper. The many dainties provided by the cateress (Mrs M. H. Brooking) having been done full justice to, a long toast list and musical programme was disposed of, P.P.G.M. Sole presiding. The toast of “The King” was first loyally honoured. In proposing the toast of “The District Officers,” the chairman said that these gentlemen held a very important position, and had a great deal of work to do. Any little differences that might occur among the various lodges, were dealt with by them, if their services were required. The District Officers were really Conciliation Officers, the only difference being that the District Officers always settled disputes satisfactorily, while the Commissioners did not. ' (Laughter.) Referring to the Stratford Lodge, the speaker remarked that notwithstanding the youth of this institution members would find that the Lodge was in a very satisfactory financial position, and that this year there would be a surplus. (Applause.) ~ In reply, G.M. Bro. Snowden expressed'his pleasure at being present that evening, and referred to the good-fel-lowship that they had found to exist amongst the lodges of Taranaki. The District Officers had as yet had no knotty problems to decide, and he hoped they would not have to do so. Probably ‘the fact that sisters had now been introduced into the lodges had had an influence in bringing about this desirable state of affairs. Another factor in the consolidation of lodges,he thought, was the visit of the District Officers, in that this visit mad© it clear that “all the lodges were one. Still another factor in this copnection would be the centralisation of the Sick Fund. Speaking of the Oddfellows’ Lodges, the Grand Master said that those present could tell intending members that the Society was one of the strongest in the world, both numerically and financially. The speaker instanced the fact that the new “funeral benefit scheme” offered insurance at a third lower rate than the insurance companies could offer. In conclusion, he thanked those present for the hearty manner in which they had drunk the health of the District Officers. (Applause.) Deputy-Grand Master Bro. W • Mountford and Corresponding Secretary Bro. C. E. Bellringer also replied briefly It was mentioned by the latter that the district had this year come out with a surplus of £3OOO, and this sum would be appropriated in conferring extra benefits to members of Taranaki Oddfellows’ Lodges. Bro. T. Lawson .proposed the toast of “Visiting Brethren,” and expressed his pleasure at seeing so many visitors present, drawing attention to the good feeling and .comradeship which such an evening engendered. (Applause.) , . , The toast was responded to by P.P.G.M. Bro. Leydon (Waikato Lodge) P.P.G.M. Bro. Amoore (Eltham), and D.G.M. Bro. Mountford (Midhirst). , In proposing the toast of ‘Kindred Societies,” Bro. W. Dwyer urged the importance of consolidation of all lodges, which were, after all, working to achieve the same great object—the assistance of those who were backward in assisting themselves. (Applause.) Bros G. Burgess (Stratford Foresters) and J. W. Jones (Stratford Druids) responded. Other toasts were “The Ladies, proposed by Bro. E. Hancock and responded to by Bro. Roy Davis; “Hostess and Music,” proposed by N.G. Bro. Harston, and replied to by -the chairman on behalf of Mrs Brooking. “The Press,” proposed by Bro. S. Thompson and responded to by representatives of the Press; and “The Chairman and the Stratford Lodge, proposed by Bro. Amoore and responded to by Bro. Sole. , . .. MUSICAL PROGRAMME. A most enjoyable musical programme was contributed during the evening, Mr A. Richardson officiating at the piano. Songs were rendered by Messrs H. W. Douglas, and a recitation was given by Sister I. Butcher, the proceedings terminating with “Auld Lang Syne.”