ODDFELLOWSHIP.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1205, 17 July 1884, Page 2

ODDFELLOWSHIP.

In our Inst issue we stated that we were obliged to hold over the particulars of the proceedings at the banquet after the installation of officers, in connection with the Loyal Victoria Lodge, No. 19, Geraldine. The following is the report ; THE BANQUET. At the conclusion of the installation the banquet took place, to which the brethren’s wives and lady friends had been previously invited. About fifty persons sat down to a capital collation provided by Bro. W, J. Stonehouse, The catering gave great satisfaction to all present. At the removal of (he cloth the newlyiusuiied N.G., Bro. Owles, took the chair, and Bro, Williams, P.G.M., the vice-chair. The health of “ Her Majesty the Queen ” having been proposed and loyally responded to, the Chairman gave the next toast, that of ‘“The Volunteers, ” coupled with the name of Bro. G. Ward.

Bro. G. Ward, in responding, said he had been a volunteer some time ago for a period of seven years. He had walked twelve miles each drill night, and had attended no less than fifty-seven drills, scarcely missing one. He hoped soon to see the volunteer movement initiated in Geraldine. They already had a good brass band, and !m ’ ! 1 not see what was to prevent the wt a volunteer corps also. The Chairman proposed “ The Grand Lodge,” coupled with the name of Bro. G. Ward, District Deputy Grand Master.

At the request of Bro. Ward, Bro. Ooltman, the retiring N.G., responded. He thought it was a toast - that could not be lightly passed over, as it was nothing but right that not only the members of the Lodge should know something about it, but also those who were not members yet took an interest in the welfare of the Order. The Order of Oddfellows originated in the year 1819, and at the present time it had two independent Grand Lodges, sixty subordinate Grand Lodges, 7800 subordinate Lodges, with 510,414 members. Since the year 1830, when the Order began to make headway, there have been upwards of one million members relieved, 138,000 widows and families assisted, and 100,500 members buried. The total pai l for relief during that period was eight million pounds. Hie Order now extends over both Continents of America, the European Continent, South Sea Islands, Australia, and New Zealand. Oddfellowship found its way to the Colony twenty years ago, and from Otago has branched out to all the leading centres of population m tbs Colony. The funds of the Grand Lodge of New Zealand amount to LBSOO, with twenty-two subordinate Lodges that have a fund of Llo,ooo That was how the Order stood at present, and he hoped that there might have been some there that evening who would join the Order. It was a liberal one, and each member could rise to the highest position therein by his own merit. He hoped it would still thrive in the future as it had done in the past 30 years, and if it did so there was a grand future before it.

The Vice-Chairman proposed “ Pro. spenty to this Lodge/’ coupled with the name of the N.G. The N.G. thanked the brethren for placing him in such a high position. Uh Lit he could hardly perform the duties required of him, but he would do lus utmost, for the Order and the Lodge. He would work in accordance with the by-laws ami constitution, and see them faithfully curried out. He would n.it be above receiving advice from the other members, should they.at any time deem it necessary to tender it. (Hear, hear.)

The nest toast was that of the !l Absent Members,” coupled with the name of Bro. C. E. Sherratt.

Oro. Sherratt said he replied to the toast as the representative of the absent brethren* He himself had been negli-

gent in his attendance at Lodge meetings, but in every case his business prevented him from attending. He would look the absent members up and get them to attend more regularly. Bro. Hamaan proposed “ The Past Grands.” There were no less than ten of them sitting round that table. He would couple the names of P.Gs. Bros. Williams, Kallaugher, and Sherratt with the toast.

Bro. Sherratt, in responding on behalf of his brother Past Grands, said that in reference to Oddfellowship—although he had been several times absent from their meetings—-he felt considerable interest in it, and he hoped his own Lodge would continue to prosper and many persons bo induced to join. From the statistics given by Bro. Ooltman there was proof that the Order was a power for good, and there was scarcely a land where Od fellowship had not been planted, and over eighty millions had been distributed in time of need, and they could not but confess that such distribution had been a benefit to the recipients. There was as great a pleasure in giving as receiving.

The Chairman next proposed “ The Caterers,” Bro. and Mrs Stonehouse. Bro. Stonehouse briefly responded. The Hall was then cleared for THE DANCE,

in which the brethren with their wives and lady friends took part with considerable spirit. Bros. J. Pye and Somerville played on the concertina and Bro. Hamaan presided at the piano. The N.G., Bro. Owles, officiated as M.C., and dancing continued with unflagging ardour till 4 o’clock on Saturday morning, when the company separated.

We must not omit to mention that dujcing the evening some capital songs wtf're sung by the brethren.