I. O. G. T.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2567, 12 October 1893, Page 3

I. O. G. T.

The order of Good Templars in New Zealand has reached its twenty-first birthday, and in celebration thereof a very sociable " open lodge" was held on Monday evening at Geraldine in the Oddfellows Hall. There was a large attendance of Good Templars and their friends, and about 45 members of the Good Hope Lodge, Temuka, were present by invitation. The latter were driven to Geraldine in two large conveyances. At the iuvitation of the C.T., YLr li. Robson, Brother W. S. Maslin, as one of the oldest charter members of the lodge, took the chair. Sisters Denoon and Pizzey opened the programme with a pianoforte duet, nicely played, which was followed by Mr C. Heatley with the song " Gathering up shells by the sea shore." Mrs Helem recited " Charity" with effect. Miss Andrews sang " Gay Eobiu lied Coat," which item was redemanded, but the chairman pointed out that as the programme was rather long encores were out of place. " Mary of Argyle " was sung by Sister Taylor, and Miss Duulop, and Mr E. Robson took part in the duet "Albion on thy fertile plains." Sister Goodey gave a splendid recitation, and Master J. Pye's song " Pece-a-boo," took well. Brother E. Robson sang " The Bugler," in good style. Refreshments came next, and the second part of the programme opened with a dialogue by Sistt«s Goodey and Cruickshank and Brother Bowman, " Well I never." Miss Dunlop, whose voice has improved much lately, sang sweetly " Kate O'Shane." Brother Watts gave a recitation, and Bro. E. Robson followed with the song " The old rustic bridge." After a recitation by Bi'o. Levens. Miss Dunlop and Bro. Robson sang " Flow on thou shining river." Mies Andrews sang " Gates of the West," and the duet " Where is my wandering boy," was prettily rendered by Sisters Taylor and Cruickshank. The programme closed with a dialogue " Happy Again," taken part in by Brothers Watt, Bly*h, Bowman, Levens, and Willie Blyth, and Sisters Goodey, Taylor, and I ruickshank. At the close the chairman complimented the Geraldine Good Templars on the great progr>' ss they had made during the past few months, and said that during the present Chief Templar's term of office a considerable accession had been made to the ranks. He thanked the Temuka brethren and others who had assisted iu the entertainment, and said the latter would long live in their memories.

The Good Hope Lodge, Temuka, gave another of their popular open lodge entertainments on Tuesday evening, which turned out to be as great a success as usual, the room being crowded to excess. A splendid programme was arranged for the occasion, which consisted of two parts, aud during the interval refreshments were handed round. Every item of the programme appeared to give great satisfaction, judging from the applause. The thanks of the Lodge are due to those friends outside the order who assisted in carrying out the programme, viz., Mr G. Barrett, two songs, Misses Fenton aud Ardell, dialogue and duet. The order is making tremendous strides in Temuka just now, perhaps it is not generally known that the Temuka Lodge is the strongest in New Zealand at the present time, numbering some 100 members in compliance, with 47 absentees in good sanding. The Lodge sent 45 members to pay a friendly visit to the Welcome Retreat Lodge, Geraldine, on Monday night. It is not every lodge that can do that, and the < 'eraldine Lodge will perhaps think twice befqre they send another invitation. The Lodge have requested us to state that politics are not discussed in their meetings, and any part a member m y take in them outside the lodge, it is as a citizen, and not as a good templar.