M.U.I.O.O.F CONCERT AND BALL.

Temuka Leader, Issue 250, 3 April 1880, Page 2

M.U.1.0.0.F CONCERT AND BALL.

The Manchester Unity Independent Order of Oddlcllows held a concert and ball in the Volunteer Hal], Temuka, on Thursday last. The P.G.M., Mr Lcggott, delivered an interesting address as follows: — Ladies and gentlemen—This entertainment has been got up by the Arovvhenna Lodge of M.U.L0.0.F,, to bring them more prominently before the public the objects of Odd fellowship, that they may provide against a rainy day. Tho benefits are direct and indirect. By paying a certain amount as subscription (monthly) provision is made for medical attendance for members, their wives and families; on the death of a member bis widow receives L2O ; at tbe death of a member’s wife the member receives LlO. Thera are also benefits of lodge meetings, by taking part in tho discussions in tho meetings they become better fitted to occupy positions in society they might not otherwise bo capable of holding. There are also the benefits of receiving pecuniary assistance in time of need. Two instances were quoted by the Chairman, one occurring in Old England—A brother, travelling without a cent, came to a village where there was an Oddfellows’ Lodge, which was he'd at an hotel. Making his circumstanced known to the host, he was provided with refreshments and lodgings fur tho night) spent a pleasant afternoon with a number of the members, and had 10s or 12a in his pocket.—A member of my own Lodge, who had only been a member a short time, had his leg fractured very bad. He received 20s per week for 6 months, 10s per week for G months, nnd further assistance until he was able to resume work. The Manchester unity consisted, on the Ist January, 1879, of 4C3 districts, comprising 4. ICO lodges, and having an aggregate of 531.259 members, tho capital of tho lodges making returns amount (as shown by the cash account) to L 4,374,305 IGs Gd, to which should ho added the amount of the District Fun-ral Funds, L 102,582 5s lid, making a tatal capital of L 4,470,948 2s sd, or an average of L 8 10a lid per member. The income during 1878 —- For contributions from members L 543,134 4s lOd ~ Interest on capital 103,038 17 1 ~ Ad m i s s i o n s to membership 14,222 2 11 Total L 720,995 4 10 Payments during same time — For sick benefits 372,805 8s „ Funeral do. 110,077 5s 2d L 483,542 13s 2d Net imTease L 237,452 lls 8(1 From the above it will bo seen that the Manchester Unity has a good hold upon the country, and is well worthy of support. This can be said without detracting from tho other Order which has a lodge in Temuka. There was a good programme, but it is a pity that greater care was not taken in getting up tho concert. If it is the opinion of our Tiinaru friends that anything will do with us, we hope they they will change their opinion,ns we have first-class musical talent in Temuka, and ns good judges of music as are in South Canterbury.

There was not wanting talent from Ti- | mam however. Tho overture by Mr Bta- ! •tham watfgrand, and Ida nccompauioinents j were first class. Mr Pagot whs also ’. cry ■ good, but the rendering of tho song ■ “ Caller Herring ” was simply butchery One was at a loss to know whether it was' ( variations from The Dead March in Saul, j or screams for help by one distress'd. 1 Some of the local performers, too, wore a disgrace to the Unity, while one or two— Mrs Elliott particularly—made a fair appearance. Mr Smithson sang well, and j Mr Statham’s selei tion from Pinafore i was exceedingly well rendered. Mr K, F. Gray, Grand Master of the Alexdrovinia Lodge, delivered a very neat speech as follows—Ladies and gentlemen, I have to apologise for so hnr ried an appearance before you, having|had a very short notice to address you. I am glad however |to have an opportunity of showing goodwill to a brother lodge.- The Oddfellows have and always wall continue to do good,, to tho world at large- They are not a religious body, although it holds the primary principles of religion, but its main obcect is to give to the world a moral organisation. - The Order demands and teaches a faithful discharge of oiir duties to our fellow men, particularly to our Oddfellow brethren ; it teaches the husband to love his wife, the father to love his son, the sister to love her brother ; it teaches us to lend a helping hand to the needy, and those in distress. It has even been the very means of relieving some of the needy ones in T- muka The body which I have the honor to represent are numerous in this district and prosperous, but we cheerfully wish our brethren of the Manchester Unity every success amongst us. Indeed, we should like to see all|tnen members of both lodges, It would be all the better for themselveSj for their wives, and for their families. I therefore, in conclusion, beg to tender, on behalf of the 1.0.0. F. Temuka Lodge,our most cordial sympathy with our brethren to-night in their endeavors to provide an evening’s amusement.

A farce called “He would be an A tor,’ by members of the Temuka Dramatic Club’ concluded this part of the entertainment, after which a ball was held, and dancing kept up till far into the next day, the latter being very orderly and well aticndcdMr Witt catered for the company’ in his usual good style.