ALEXANDROVNA LODGE.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1121, 14 July 1883, Page 3

ALEXANDROVNA LODGE.

The installation of officers of the above lodge was held in the lodge room, Temuka, last Wednesday evening. The ceremony was performed by Bro. RT Wheeler, of Dunedin, and Bro. B Wallace, of Timaru. The following officers were installed :—, Bros. H Dunford, N.G.'; T Larcombe, Y.G.; W R (Jprichard, secretary ; J Whitehead. Treasurer ; C Bateman, Warden ; W Binley, conductor. After the installation ceremony, a banquet was held, at which there was a large attendance, the catering being done by Mr Tombs, the genial host of the Arowhenua Hotel, After the good things had been done justice to, the Noble Grand presented Bro James Blyth, S.P.G., with a certificate of membership, splendidly done. The frame was of black and gold, the workmanship of Bro J Beri, and was very creditable. On the certificate were inscribed words to the effect that it had been presented as a token of the esteem in which the brethren beloved the recipient. The N.G. in making the presentation said he was presenting it to one who richly deserved it. Once he contested the chair with Bro Blyth, and thought then they did not elect the proper man, but he afterwards saw they did. Bro Blyth was never found wanting. He was always willing and able to answer all questions, and advance the interests of the lodge. The N.G. then made the presentation, and proposed * The health of Bro Blyth. ’

The toast was drank with enthusiasm. Bro Blyth thanked them for their kindness, and said that whatever he had done he always felt he had not done enough. He could not devote so much of his time to it now as he could at one time, but he would always be glad to do anything in his power for the good of the lodge. They had a very good representative selected. The office of N.G. was a responsible one, for every one looked to him, and if anything went wrong it would be attributed to his fault. lie would cherish the present they had given him, and always keep it as a token of their esteem.

The N.G, next proposed the toast of ‘ The Grand Lodge/ coupled with the name of D.G.M. Bro R T Wheeler. The toast having been duly honored, Bro Wheeler replied. He said it afforded him great pleasure to be present that evening, and was glad to find them improving so rapidly. Their Order was the only solvent eae in New Zealand, because they stuck to their Beale of charges. If they were to do away with the initiation fee they would even then be solvent. lie complained of the Gavernraent registering Societies that were not solvent. There was not one lodge of the Druids or the 1.0.0. F., M.U., solvent if they bad no private funds to draw upon, and if an epidemic broke out the Lord only knew where they would be. There was a rush for the Druids because they admitted a man for 10s fid. He abominated their public exhibitions, and deprecated the wearing of regalia outside the lodge room, The Order was progressing rapidly. There was a new lodge opened in the North Island, and two more would shortly be opened in this Island. (Applause.) Bro Davis spoke at considerable length, and said that this was the only occasion that he was out of harness since the lodge opened. He was glad to be out of harness now.

Bro Wheeler then proposed the toast cf 'The Loyal Alexandrovna Lodge/ He had been inside every lodge in New Zealand, except one, and could say that this was one of the best in the colony. Bros Dunford, N.G., Larcombc, Y.G., and Whitehead. Treasurer, responded in suitable terms. The N.G. proposed the toast of ‘ The Secretary, Bro Uprichard,’ who was absent through illness. They had a good secretary, and it was to the honest, straightforward way in which he worked

that a good deal of the success of the lodge was due. Bro Wheeler said they had a firstrate secretary and he would advise them to keep him as long as they could. A great deal depended on a good secretary, and if every lodge in New Zealand had such a one as they hod, things would be in a more prosperous condition. Bro Blyth proposed the toast of ‘ The Press,’ coupled with the names of Bro Wheeler and Messrs Twomey and Bolton. He said the local paper had worked wonders during the last 12 months in the way of starting local industries. The toast was duly acknowledge. The toasts of ' The returning officers,’ was proposed by Bro Binley, and responded to by Bros Cooraer and Davis. The toast ot ‘ The ladies,’ was proposed by Bro Smith, and responded to by Bro John Lawson.

The ceremony came to a close by all joining in singing ‘ Auld lang syne,’